Falling from His Grace

by Kristin Vayden

  As they entered the carriage, Liliah held her breath as the carriage rolled forward down the drive, past the gate. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, still afraid to speak loudly.

  Samantha wiped a tear from her face. “I had wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was some hope that he’d change his mind. It was a foolish thing to do, to hope. I remember meeting that man last year. It was just a quick introduction, I nearly forgot, but upon hearing his name again I remembered. I cannot marry him!”

  Liliah reached out and grasped her sister’s hand. “It is never a foolish thing to hope. Ever. I’m just thankful that we are about our business today, rather than tomorrow,” Liliah remarked.

  “Indeed,” Samantha replied.

  Liliah was quickly lost in her own thoughts as they traveled through the London streets to the modiste’s shop. As they pulled up, Liliah wondered at the fact that her father hadn’t sent additional footmen to ensure their obedience.

  She was thankful her father’s arrogant nature knew no bounds.

  He didn’t expect them to have any will of their own, and in that, she knew that Samantha couldn’t return. She prayed that Luc had secured a safe place for his future sister-in-law.

  As the carriage halted, Liliah alighted first, then waited for her sister. Her gaze darted up and down the street, but she wasn’t able to locate Lucas. With a shaky breath, she led Samantha to the modiste’s stop, the familiar bell tinkling as they walked in. Several ladies were milling about, and one gentleman—odd. Liliah studied him as he turned and offered a familiar grin. She reached for her sister’s hand. Lucas flickered his gaze toward the back, then disappeared around the dark corner of the back of the shop.

  The clerk welcomed them. “Good afternoon, my lady, and my lady. Are you ready for your fitting?”

  Liliah replied. “Almost, I wish to look about for a few minutes. I see you’ve some new material?” she lied, hoping it was true.

  “Ah, yes! Of course! Simply let me know when you are ready,” the clerk replied kindly and took her leave to address another patron who had just walked into the store.

  Liliah tugged on her sister’s hand and nodded toward the back where Lucas had disappeared. She kept her steps slow and measured, caressing bolts of cloth here and there, pausing to study one pattern or another to keep up the appearance of being interested, and as soon as she was close, she ducked around the corner with Samantha, where Lucas was waving toward a back exit. They escaped into a back alley filled with discarded material and trash, with one exit where a hired hack waited.

  They quickly made their way to the hack and Lucas helped each of them into the carriage, then tapped the roof. In short order they were traveling down the streets of London as they passed from the shopping district into the residential community of Mayfair. Liliah sucked in a breath as they neared her home, only to turn left down a different street. She cut a glance to Lucas as she started to recognize her surroundings. “Brilliant,” she remarked.

  Lucas chuckled. “I thought you’d appreciate my idea. I rather thought it was a wise selection. While St. George’s would be preferable, there was not an appointment available for several months, and since I had to call in a substantial favor with the archbishop’s representative at Doctors’ Common, I didn’t want to wait to use the license, you understand.” He nodded.

  “That must have been some favor,” Liliah replied, reaching over and grasping her silent sister’s hand encouragingly.

  “Let’s just say the man has long wished for an invitation. . . somewhere.” Lucas flickered a glance to Samantha, then frowned slightly. “I’m afraid we haven’t been properly introduced.”

  Samantha’s dark hazel eyes met his and she gave her head a slight shake.

  “I’m Lucas Mayfield, the eighth Earl of Heightfield, at your service.” He smiled broadly, the warmth in his gaze tender and kind.

  Liliah glanced at her sister. “And this is Lady Samantha Durary, my dear sister.”

  Samantha chimed in cautiously, “Pleased to meet you, sir. I’ve heard much about you.”

  Lucas chuckled. “I’m quite certain you have. Now, I’m assuming that your sister gave you the generalities of the plan we discussed?”

  Samantha nodded. “Yes, my lord.”

  “She’s much more biddable than you.” Lucas gave Liliah a teasing wink.

  “You wouldn’t know what to do with me if I were biddable,” Liliah teased back. “And you love me as I am.”

  “This is true,” Lucas replied with deep feeling, then seemed to collect himself and turned back to Samantha. “Now then, I have arranged for your departure this evening. You’ll have a very respectable chaperone to accompany you to Edinburgh, Scotland, where you’ll be employed as a young lady’s governess.”

  Samantha’s eyes widened. “Scotland?”

  Liliah studied her sister, watching as hesitation and uncertainty melted into a hardened resolve.

  “That may be far enough away,” Samantha replied, startling Liliah with her bold statement.

  “Perhaps she isn’t so biddable,” Lucas remarked, grinning at her. “You’ll be in excellent care. Liliah knows the gentleman who will be your employer.”

  Liliah frowned and waited for him to explain.

  “Viscount Kilpatrick,” Lucas supplied.

  Liliah grinned as she remembered the mountain of a man with the kind eyes. “That will work splendidly.” She turned to her sister. “I’ve met the man in question and you’ll be quite safe with him. He’s kind, Samantha, and you’ll appreciate his dry wit.”

  “Very well.” Samantha nodded sagely.

  Liliah was impressed by her sister’s determination to make a change for her future, to take the opportunity and run. She was essentially becoming a bluestocking—her sweet, demure, and polished sister was changing her spots.

  Liliah was all too familiar with the siren call of freedom.

  It would seem that Samantha had the same drive, and she was so very thankful.

  The carriage pulled over beside a carriage house, and Liliah watched as Lucas’s smile broadened. “Any second thoughts?”

  “No,” she answered quickly.

  He chuckled softly and poked his head out of the carriage before stepping down. After checking to the left and right, he waved his hand for the ladies to step down.

  Liliah grinned to herself as Lucas led them to the back of the manor where she had snuck in so long ago, meeting him and somehow changing her future. They took the servants’ entrance, now empty, and filed down the same hall where Liliah had stumbled into the changing room to meet one of the demimonde, Lark. Her face ached from the wide grin that was a result of the very literal walk down memory lane that had them filing past the ballroom and toward the larger foyer. “We’re almost there.” Lucas spoke softly, invitingly.

  Liliah reached out and grasped Samantha’s hand, squeezing it encouragingly.

  They turned down another hall and Lucas paused before a double wooden door with stained glass windows casting a glow on the floor.

  Liliah glanced at Lucas, who turned to meet her gaze. “Ironic, I know.”

  “Usually an . . . establishment such as this doesn’t have a chapel,” Liliah remarked.

  “It is true irony, yet I’m quite thankful for its privacy.” Lucas opened the door.

  A vicar was waiting, seated on the wooden pew, and at the sound of the door opening, he moved to stand and cast an impatient glare toward them. “Are you ready, then?” he asked in a gravelly tone.

  “Another favor?” Liliah asked Lucas, suppressing an amused giggle.

  “It helps to know everyone’s secrets,” Lucas said. “It makes it so much easier to arrange important events.”

  Liliah shook her head, bemused. “Shall we?” She offered him her hand as she released her sister’s.

  “One moment.” He ducked his head back out into the hall and grinned. “Just in time.”

  Another gentleman whom Liliah hadn’t met before entered the roo
m. He wore spectacles and had an intelligent air about him. He met her curious gaze and bowed with expert precision. “Ah, it’s lovely to meet you, Lady Liliah. I’m Ramsey Scott, Marquess of Sterling. It is a pleasure to meet the woman behind the fall of the devil himself.” He gave a wink to Lucas, then reached out and kissed Liliah’s outstretched hand. As he released her, he gave a slight bow to Samantha, but didn’t wait to be introduced. He simply moved to take a seat at the front of the small chapel.

  Liliah put the pieces together. A second witness.

  She turned to her sister. “I love you,” she murmured, pulling her into a tight hug as tears stung her eyes. It wasn’t the wedding day she had always planned in her mind, but the most important people in all the world were there to see it: her sister and her love. How could she ask for more?

  Lucas reached out for her hand and she willingly gave it, feeling Samantha follow them as they made their way up the short aisle. The vicar impatiently fumbled through a small black book and began to read from First Corinthians, chapter thirteen. He finished with, “ ‘But the greatest of these is love.’ ”

  Liliah met Lucas’s gaze as they held hands before the vicar, following his directions, reciting the words and vowing them with all her heart. It was a blur, a beautiful blur of tears, joy, and completion that she had never expected to experience. How different was this wedding than the one her father had planned for her to experience with Meyer! With her friend, it would have simply been a transaction, forced at best, to appease the greed and indiscretion of others. All the fanfare, frills, and show would have been for others, not for her, or Meyer.

  But this, this wedding was small in guests, but large in love. And she didn’t know how anything could ever compare with its beauty, its earnestness.

  The honesty of the love she had for Lucas.

  The love he had for her.

  As the vicar finished the final words, he gave them permission to kiss, and a warm blush crept up her neck to her face at the thought of kissing Lucas in front of her little sister. As if sensing her discomfort, Lucas reached up and cupped her cheek. During the entire ceremony, his gaze had scarcely left hers, all the love and promise of his words echoing in his expressions. His warm hand calmed her slight embarrassment, and narrowed the world down to just him. His blue eyes were glowing from the inside out with a passionate love that resonated deep in her soul. Ever so slowly, he lowered his head to meet her lips in the most delicate, chaste kiss. He lingered just a moment before leaning back and murmuring his love.

  “I love you more,” Liliah replied, feeling her eyes well with joyful tears that this man was hers alone, forever.

  The vicar snapped his book shut, startling Liliah. Lucas shot a dark look to the vicar, who sobered and took a hesitant step back.

  Their witnesses clapped as Lucas lifted her hand in the air as if pronouncing victory, and Liliah laughed joyfully. Lucas tugged on her hand as he lowered it and gave her another solid kiss, then led her back down the aisle.

  “Come, dear sister. We still have work to do,” he called over his shoulder to Samantha and awaited her as he headed back down the hall. He paused before a door and knocked once.

  “Enter.”

  Lucas walked in, leading his party into the warm and richly furnished study. A man of about seventy sat behind his desk, his dark eyes immediately glowing with approval when he saw Lucas. He stood on slightly unsteady legs, reaching for his cane, which leaned against the desk. “May I be the first to offer my sincerest congratulations!” He stepped forward toward Lucas, his grin wide and accepting. His gaze flickered to Liliah. “My, well aren’t you a pretty little thing? You did well, my boy.” He nodded to Lucas.

  Liliah flushed at the forward compliment, but smiled her thanks. Lucas bowed to the older man. “Lord Barrot, allow me to introduce you to my wife, Lady Liliah Mayfield.” His tone held a ring of triumph.

  Liliah curtseyed prettily, inclining her head. “A pleasure, Lord Barrot.”

  “Believe me, the pleasure is all mine. It’s been a delight to see how the mighty have fallen.” He winked at Lucas.

  Lucas rolled his eyes as Liliah cut him an amused glance.

  “Now, I’m assuming you’re the sister?” Lord Barrot nodded to Samantha.

  “Yes,” Lucas answered.

  “Let the poor girl speak for herself,” Lord Barrot scolded kindly. “Tell me your name, ducky.”

  Liliah bit back a grin at the endearment reserved for children and waited for her sister to reply.

  “Lady Samantha Durary, my lord.” Samantha curtseyed as well.

  “A lovely name for a lovely lady.” Lord Barrot gave her a kind smile. “Are we sticking with that name, Luc?” He turned to Lucas.

  Lucas took a breath, then paused before answering. “I thought it best to modify the name slightly, just to protect her from . . . others,” he added delicately.

  Lord Barrot nodded. “What were you thinking?”

  “Miranda,” Lucas replied.

  “And are you at peace with that, my dear?” Lord Barrot turned to Samantha, who gave a single curt nod.

  Liliah was consistently surprised at her sister’s resilience and resolve to move forward. She had been expecting to coach and encourage her sister, yet Samantha had risen to every occasion. She had grown up so much in the past year, it was humbling to think that Liliah had missed it.

  “Good, good. I’ve made all the arrangements necessary and Miss . . . Miranda will be leaving tomorrow morning with my wife’s lady’s maid. Her name is Emily, Miss Miranda. You’ll love her, a more circumspect and gracious person you’ll never meet. Believe me, she’s endured my wife for nearly three decades.” He gave a wink to Liliah’s sister.

  “He sounds like an old codger, but he loves his wife to distraction. Don’t be fooled by his bluster.” Lucas spoke to Samantha with a wicked grin.

  Liliah was quite at ease with this new acquaintance, and she hoped her sister felt the same peace. She cast a glance to her sister, studying her face. A small bemused grin tipped her lips and her wide eyes had lost their edge.

  “Now, since we’ve established the formalities and the particulars of the plan, Lord Barrot, by your leave, I’ll let Miss Miranda remain in your care till tomorrow, while I take my wife and celebrate our marriage.” Lucas spoke politely, however the underlying message was caught clearly by Liliah, who felt the anticipation of celebrating hit her in full force. Yet her heart lingered with her sister; would she be at ease with this arrangement?

  “Miss Miranda.” Lucas turned to face Liliah’s sister, giving her his full attention. “Lord and Lady Barrot have my full trust. They have guarded many secrets throughout their lives, and are the most trustworthy of people. Are you at ease with this arrangement? I’m aware you’re trusting your future to my, and their, hands. I haven’t earned such trust, but I know you give it on account of the faith you have in your sister. For that, I thank you, and will endeavor to be worthy of such a gift.”

  Tears stung Liliah’s eyes as she listened to her husband speak so kindly to her sister. Clearly moved, Miss Miranda—Liliah practiced her sister’s new alias in her mind—nodded thoughtfully. “I thank you, for taking such a grave risk on my and my sister’s behalf.”

  “The honor is all mine. After all, it takes a great risk to earn such a precious reward.” Lucas inclined his head and then turned back to Liliah. “Do you wish to have some time to speak with your sister?”

  Liliah nodded. “Yes.” Lord Barrot and Lucas quit the room to give her and Samantha some privacy, and as the door clicked shut, Liliah rushed to embrace her sister. The familiar scent of rosewater floated through her senses and she wondered just how much time need pass before they could be reunited. She utterly trusted Lucas, but she knew that her sister must be struggling despite her brave demeanor.

  “Are you truly well?” Liliah asked, studying Samantha’s face.

  “As well as can be, under the circumstances. I understand the risk, but I’m willing to take
it. Apparently I’m more like you than I thought.”

  “Than either of us thought.” Liliah reached up and smoothed Samantha’s hair from her face.

  “Go. And know you won’t ever be far from my heart, and I hope we will be reunited soon.” Miss Miranda spoke softly.

  “It won’t take much to travel to Scotland, my love. I’m sure you’ll see me quite soon,” Liliah assured her, and hugged her tightly again.

  “If I haven’t said it yet, I’m ever so happy for you, dear sister. You truly found a love match.”

  Liliah gave a soft giggle. “I did, most unexpectedly. And I have faith that you will as well, when the time is right.”

  “Let us survive one adventure at a time.”

  Liliah nodded in agreement, then released her sister from the embrace, taking several steps back and giving one last loving glance before opening the door. A very elegantly dressed lady with kind blue eyes was waiting expectantly.

  “Lady Heightfield?” she asked with anticipation.

  “Yes,” Liliah replied, glancing at a beaming Lord Barrot.

  “Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Lady Barrot, who is utterly beside herself to have a guest.”

  “Ah, Lady Barrot, a pleasure. Allow me to introduce—”

  “Miss Miranda! How famously we shall get along! And your gown? I know that modiste’s designs well. You’ll have to help me look through my latest fashion plates from Paris, I just received them today!” Lady Barrot had grasped Samantha’s hands and was pulling her down the hall, talking with a jubilant tone.

  “And that, is my wife.” Lord Barrot chuckled.

  “I like her,” Liliah remarked, grinning.

  “And that is our exit cue,” Lucas added, tugging on Liliah’s hand.

  Lord Barrot chuckled. “Don’t let me halt your departure. We shall be in touch.” He gave a sober glance to Lucas, then bowed and took his leave.