by Jane Charles
If he hadn’t witnessed the event, Max would have sworn Lady Lilian didn’t know how to smile naturally, let alone laugh. Not surprising, she had greeted him that afternoon with forced politeness and allowed him to escort her from the house.
What would it take for her to react to him with the same relaxed manner as she did with her cousins? Would she ever behave as such with him?
Instead of a drive in the park, as he had planned, Max decided a walk would be more enjoyable. It also allowed him the opportunity to avoid others for a more private conversation with Lady Lilian. However, he attempted only the most polite topics such as the weather, the last ball she attended, and other entertainments offered and received her expected short responses.
It wasn’t until he’d led her further into the park, far away from others that she stopped, turned and looked at him. Her chin came up and Lady Lilian narrowed her dark eyes. “It is not proper to be alone like this.”
“I didn’t wish for our conversation to be repeatedly interrupted with the need to exchange pleasantries with others.”
“There is absolutely nothing we need to discuss.”
“I believe there is,” Max countered with a smile. “For one thing, why don’t you like me?”
“Liking you has nothing to do with this.”
Raising an eyebrow, Max continued. “Then you do like me.”
Lady Lilian took a deep breath before answering. “I neither like nor dislike you. In fact, I know nothing about you.”
“Which is why I would like to convince you differently.”
“I have no intention of ever marrying, especially a man my father handpicks.”
The woman had only one thing on her mind and Max was about to change that. He took a step forward. “I am not trying to convince you to marry me, but to like me.” He ended with a grin.
“You want to convince me to like you?” Lady Lilian frowned as her eyes clouded with confusion. She took a step back and eyed him warily.
Had he spoken a foreign language? What was so difficult to understand? “You haven’t even given me or yourself an opportunity to come to know one another.”
Lady Lilian stepped further away. “It is….well, I don’t…to say…it is not necessary that we…um… know or like each other, Lord Maxwell.”
Max’s grin widened the more she stammered. Lady Lilian wasn’t as cold and controlled as she would like him to think. He moved toward her. “I’m afraid there will be more meetings between us. Your father certainly will not deny me your company and I have no desire to end our acquaintance at this time.”
Her eyes widened and a bit of color left her cheeks and lips. Did he truly frighten her so much? Max halted his pursuit. “I’ll make a bargain with you.”
Lady Lilian narrowed her eyes in distrust. “What type of bargain?”
“You allow us a chance to become better acquainted. After we know each other sufficiently and if you have no desire to see the relationship move forward, I will step out of your life.”
She raised an eyebrow and studied him. “How do I know you’ll keep your word?”
Max placed his hand over his heart. “You have my word, on my honor.”
Lady Lilian’s eyes filled with contemplation as she tilted her head and studied him. He’d love to know what was going on in that lovely head of hers, but she didn’t offer any clues, except occasionally narrowing her eyes, then biting her lip. At least she was giving the matter some thought instead of dismissing it out of hand. He hadn’t forgotten her vow to not marry and knew Lady Lilian must be considering the advantages to the situation. She was an intelligent woman and would see how having him as her one suitor would please her father. Further, as she cherished the unmarried state, others would not pursue her if they believe she was in a courtship with him.
At least, he assumed that was what was going through her mind. If one thing Lady Lilian had proven it was that she was an intelligent and calculating lady. Neither Max saw as a disadvantage.
“Very well,” she answered, and notched her chin a bit higher.
“Then we should seal our bargain.”
“Yes,” Lady Lilian agreed and stuck out her hand.
Max’s eyes darkened and he quirked a brow. “This is not a business deal.” He took her hand and pulled her to him.
Caught off guard, Lady Lilian’s eyes widened. Just as it must have registered in her brain what he was about to do, he lowered his lips to hers.
Max had expected her to struggle or fight him, but she only gasped in surprise. A moment later she relaxed, tilted her head and softened her lips, kissing him back slowly and tentatively. It was as if he’d won his first boon from her and it was all Max could do not to press forward, to deepen the kiss, but he knew this was only the first of many and he needed to proceed cautiously in wooing Lady Lilian or he would lose in the end.
Max lifted his head and glanced down at her face. It took but a minute before the pleasant haze of desire lifted and she pulled away from him.
“You must never do that again!” With a notch of her chin, nose in the air, Lady Lilian marched away from him. “Please take me home now.”
The left side of Max’s mouth quirked and he fought to contain a chuckle. The thought of kissing her never entered his mind until she had stuck out her hand. The desire came over him and he acted on impulse and without thought. He also had every intention of repeating what they had just shared, but the instances would be few and far between. Never had he been shaken to the core with just one kiss, and he knew he would have to be very careful before he ventured down that road again. Still, he was far from done with his quest of getting to know Lady Lilian.
Chapter 11
The night was proceeding surprisingly well. Lily had been a bit anxious when she had first arrived at the Chesterfield’s with only her aunt and cousins, but when she didn’t see Lord Maxwell among the guests, she began to relax. She needed time to remember her purpose and remind herself that Lord Maxwell was a threat. Perhaps he would stay away for a few days. Just because she agreed to allow him to court her did not mean they needed to visit each other daily.
How the blazes had she allowed him to kiss her and why hadn’t she slapped him for taking liberties?
Lily never dreamed she would allow a gentleman that close to her, physically. Further, she never considered how pleasurable kissing could be. No wonder ladies fell so quickly and easily. If she wasn’t aware of what truly waited for a wife upon marriage, she might have succumbed to the pleasant sensations that pulsed through her body and softened her heart toward Lord Maxwell.
The very knowledge of how easily she could slip scared her more than an outburst or discipline from her father.
“Tonight could actually be enjoyable for you,” Daniella whispered to her from behind her fan.
Perplexed, Lily turned to look at her. “How do you mean?”
“Your father is not here.” Daniella smiled brightly, her blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “He scares everyone away.”
Lily didn’t believe it was as simple as that, but was not going to argue with her cousin.
Father suffered one of his episodes earlier in the evening and could not leave the house. This one had been unexpected. When he didn’t have an episode following the first visit from Lord Maxwell and returned to his normal state before breakfast was concluded the following day, she had assumed it wouldn’t happen. After his outburst over the flowers, she’d witnessed him return to the jovial gentleman intent on impressing Lord Maxwell when he had called today, and she assumed all would be well. Unfortunately, she’d been wrong. It was after she’d been returned home that her father declined.
She wished she understood, but did not. One moment he was fine, the next her father was shaken and pale, and nothing, short of the townhouse being engulfed in flames, could get him to cross the threshold of his study.
Dudley tried everything he could think of, but her father remained on the settee, refusing to move. Had he not been so intent t
hat Lily might encounter Lord Maxwell, she would have been forced to remain at home as well. Though she shouldn’t wish these episodes of unreasonable fear, almost panic, on anyone, they did give her a reprieve from her father because until he recovered, she was left alone. Sometimes they lasted an evening and other times, days.
“Maybe you will have a chance to dance with someone unworthy,” Daniella whispered.
“Such as?”
“A duke.” Daniella’s dimples deepened with her giggle. “Only your father would think a duke unworthy before asking if he had a younger brother or third or fourth son.” She already had one of those. Lord Maxwell was the fourth son of the Duke of Wayland.
“Perhaps I should find a duke,” Lily mused out loud, not meaning it of course. On the other hand, a duke would have more power than her father and she would finally be free.
No, she mustn’t think that way. Never would she marry, regardless of title, or lack thereof, if one considered Lord Maxwell.
As the guests walked into supper, Lily held back to hide in the shadows. She wasn’t hungry and had no patience for polite conversation. Daniella had introduced her to a number of her new friends, but Lily found they had little in common. The young ladies were of the same age, yet Lily felt as if there were a dozen years between.
Her father wasn’t here and neither was Lord Maxwell, and for the first time since attending a societal event she could actually relax and do as she pleased, which is exactly what Lily intended to do.
Once everyone was gone, she slipped out onto the deserted terrace, but it was still not enough. She wanted complete isolation and peace and found solace at the back of the garden. She sank down onto the bench and concentrated on the stars overhead as she emptied her mind and willed the tension and worry from her body.
Her ancestors had written of the art of taking deep breaths and slowly exhaling while freeing the mind of all worry and thoughts. It was a practice she implemented when she was younger, after discovering the ancient, dusty and ignored tomes. They dated back generations, when the Bliants were nothing more than healers. The first healers had been with the Crusades and returned with healing and medical knowledge unfamiliar to her family. Others went on to travel extensively and attended medical schools in Italy, Spain and Scotland in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, all in pursuit of knowledge and healing. Their experiences, illnesses encountered, treatments recommended, knowledge of plants for medicinal purposes, as well as thoughts and concerns for humanity, had been penned into journals that had been passed from generation to generation.
Had one ancestor not saved the life of a nobleman in battle, her family might still be physicians. However, an earldom was granted by favor of a king and thus shifted who they were and as time passed, less was devoted to healing as men began to crave power until the tomes were forgotten and her father remained.
Lily would be surprised if her father even knew of the books and she’d found them quite by accident in the priest’s hole. She’d been nine at the time and had carried them to her room, dusted them off and read them from the beginning until the end. She still visited them on occasion and they had been packed in the bottom of her trunks before she traveled to London.
Lily took a deep breath as she recalled her ancestors’ teachings, closed her eyes and began to empty her mind so that she could find peace, if only for a short time.
After yesterday, and that kiss, this odd obsession Max had for Lady Lilian should have been extinguished. Instead, it had grown.
Despite his better judgement, and intention to remain away, Max found himself entering the Chesterfield’s ball. It hadn’t been his intention to arrive at supper. It hadn’t been his intention to arrive at all, but knowing that Lady Lilian was here drew him.
As it would be awkward to enter the room now and would only draw attention to himself, Max opted to stroll in the gardens until the others returned. As he neared the doors, Max caught a glimpse of Lady Lilian gliding down the path. Tonight she wore a pale yellow gown, her dark as midnight hair was pinned behind her head and a few errant curls brushed her shoulders.
Why wasn’t she at supper with the rest of the guests?
He stepped outside and watched until she disappeared.
Was she meeting a lover? Is that why she’d gone out of her way to discourage him and every other potential suitor? Was she in love with someone of whom her father would not approve?
The thought of Lady Lilian in someone else’s arms disturbed him in ways he’d not expected. A tightness grew in his chest at the very idea that she already belonged to someone else.
Max quickly shook the thought away. Her kisses had been far too innocent for her to have been kissed before or at least often. If an attachment had been formed, the gentleman must have spent far more time wooing than kissing.
Regardless, Max was not about to lose her to another. At least not yet.
A possessiveness he had no right to claim settled into his gut and Max strode down the path in search of Lady Lilian. He peered through the various foliage for a glimpse of her dress before being brought up short. If Lady Lilian had come out here to meet a lover, he’d kept her waiting, something Max would never do, yet she didn’t appear to be waiting for anyone and he’d not seen her so serene before. Her eyes were closed and her hands rested limply on her lap. She looked at peace. Relaxed. Max leaned against the tree, content to simply watch with no desire to disturb the serene beauty before him.
Chapter 12
Lily had no idea how long she remained on the bench with her eyes closed, listening to the night sounds. It didn’t really matter because she felt much better having taken these moments for herself. Slowly she opened her eyes, only to find Lord Maxwell studying her. She gasped as her spine grew rigid. Then she forced a deep breath and refused to let the tension invade her again.
“Are you following me?” Lily asked as she came to her feet.
Max quirked an eyebrow. “As a matter of fact, I am.”
Control, Lily thought to herself. “Why?”
“It is not safe for a lady to be out here alone.” Max pulled away from the tree.
“Why? Because some rake, scoundrel or rogue might follow me here?” Lily made it clear that she considered him to belong to one or all of those categories.
“Yes, and try to take advantage of you.”
“Just like you did yesterday.”
Max’s lips quirked. “That was hardly taking advantage, Lady Lilian. That was simply a kiss.”
“It was also something that will not be repeated either,” Lily bit out, and walked past him toward the house. She paused and turned back to him. “Also, please do not send any more flowers.” Lord Maxwell had just ruined the one moment of peace she had been able to find.
Except, his presence set her on edge in an entirely different manner than the havoc her father caused. Lord Maxwell had the ability to keep her off balance, especially when she was certain she had her footing.
What was it about Lord Maxwell? Yes, he had startled her, but when she saw who was standing by the tree, her heart didn’t calm and it had nothing to do with being alarmed. The memory of the kiss they shared had flooded her brain and she’d wanted him to kiss her again, which was the worst possible thing she could allow. Lily wished she could find fault with Lord Maxwell, but the only objection she managed to form was that he was who her father wanted.
Was it wrong of her to dismiss him out of hand?
Yes! A voice screamed in her mind. But no matter how charming or handsome, marriage was a prison for any lady and Lily had already spent the first twenty years of her life with the worst possible warden. She was not about to leave one prison for another, no matter how handsome and charming the new jailer happened to be.
Lady Lilian retreated to safety by her aunt’s side as soon as she returned to the ballroom and Max found a place to stand where he could observe her.
What the blazes was she doing outside, by herself? Anyone could have come across her. Does
she know how easily she could have been ruined? What if someone had seen her with him, then this temporary courtship would have escalated into a very permanent relationship. Lord Artemisia might approve and it would play into his hands, but Max didn’t know Lady Lilian nearly enough to know if he wished to be married to her.
Yes, he wanted to spend further time in her presence and try to get to know her, as much as she would allow, and definitely share more kisses, but it was also something that needed to be pursued with the utmost caution or they’d both find themselves in front of the vicar before they knew what was happening.
Max straightened when he noticed his mother glide across the room. Why was his mother approaching Lilian’s aunt? The very last thing he and Lady Lilian needed were these two women pushing for a courtship that was only a temporary situation. Max stiffened and marched across the room only to realize he was too late.
“Oh, Your Grace, we would be delighted to join you for tea,” Lady Dresden gushed.
He stepped forward and interrupted before anything else could be discussed. “Mother, I wasn’t aware that you were attending this evening.”
Lady Lilian’s eyes widened and her smile faltered. Max’s own lips twitched at her surprise. Perhaps tea with his mother could work to his advantage after all. If anyone had the talent for pulling information from people, it was his mother. In one afternoon tea she’d probably learn more about Lady Lilian than he could in a month, and he was going to be present for that entertainment.
Chapter 13
Smiling politely, Lady Lilian accepted the cup of tea from the Duchess of Wayland. Max took a seat where he could observe both Lady Lilian and his mother. Lady Lilian sat beside her father on the couch. On the opposite, matching one, were his parents. A table with the tea service and cakes was between them. Artemisia refused the offer of refreshments from Max’s mother but once everyone was served, he nodded to his daughter.
