Nobody's Lady

by Annabelle Anders

  “Both of your parents are passed?”

  “Yes.” She glanced at him with a rueful smile. “Mother was not the same afterwards. Lord Beauchamp allowed her to live at Beauchamp Manor for those last months, and I was glad to have her with me. But…” She swallowed hard. “She loved Papa more than life, I think.”

  Lilly followed the dog to the edge of the clearing. It was in her nature to care for helpless creatures. No wonder the pup defended her so bravely. There was a time when Michael had imagined her the mother of his own…He shoved his hands into his pockets and strolled alongside her.

  “Did you—Do you—Have you any other children from your marriage?” This was a difficult question, but he wanted to know. Had she loved her husband? Had she been happy?

  She shuttered her eyes and looked away. “I have been happy to be a mother to Glenda.” She paused and pinched her lips together, then picked the dog up again. Miss Fussy burrowed into Lilly’s shawl. “It was not meant to be.” She tilted her head back to look up at the sky. After a weighted pause, she continued, “Such a clear night. I think it will not rain tomorrow. Do you plan on hiring horses to catch up with your other carriages?”

  Ah, it seemed perhaps all had not been right in her marriage. And Lilly would not share this with a former lover. She would not wish for his pity.

  Michael offered her his arm. “Let’s walk,” he said. The wind had increased and added to the chill. Still holding the pup, Lilly hesitated and then tucked her free hand in his arm. Touching her brought a new wave of memories. Her hand felt more fragile than before. She seemed to lean into him for warmth as they walked along the edge of the cut-away forest. Perhaps she too, was remembering…

  Michael cleared his throat. “To answer your question, Jackson doesn’t have any horses available. We’ll have to wait for the mail coach. Unfortunately, this puts me in London later than I was hoping. That is, unless Duncan, my valet, decided to return for us. But he doesn’t even know…This entire situation is unprecedented, I’m afraid.”

  “I’ve never heard of a duke travelling on a mail coach before.” Lilly glanced down at the toes of her slippers, peeking out from under her dress. The ground was soft here, still damp from the rain. And then she surprised him. “Parliament opens in a week. You lords have some dicey questions to address this session. Have there been any uprisings on your properties? I had heard they were mostly in the north.”

  “Not on my properties, but nearby. I don’t agree with the Corn Laws, but most of my colleagues see them as necessary.” His previous worries arose at her words. “Must keep the aristocracy strong, you know,” he added sarcastically.

  “But they have accomplished just the opposite!” Lilly nearly gasped. “When I have visited with our tenants and nearby farmers, the wives do not keep their opinions from me. The tax is the source of much resentment. There is more unrest to come.”

  “I wish it weren’t the case, but it’s likely you’re correct.” Anger stirred him. “There are other ways to bolster one’s estate. The old ways are failing. We must look to innovation to keep people working. Build factories that make industrial parts and textile works. I can hardly keep up with all of them, but it’s necessary for me to do so.” He was surprised she followed politics. Most women did not. He knew that Lady Natalie did not, despite her father’s involvement.

  Lilly nodded in approval. “Some of the tenants talk of emigrating to America. It baffles me that so many peers support the Corn Laws. It’s as though they have placed sacks over their heads.”

  Michael clenched his fists. “Precisely why I need to be in London now.” In agitation, he stepped away from her, picked up a stick, and hurled it across the field. “The highwaymen got away with some rather important documents. I don’t know if it was inadvertent or not. I had counted on using them as evidence to garner votes. All that work…gone. I have a few allies but not nearly enough. It’s going to take a miracle to bring in the votes needed to pass the amendment.” And then he paused and turned back toward her. “Do you remember Viscount Danbury, Hugh?” At her nod, he continued. “He’s planned some strategic gatherings—formal dinners, that is—this week. The Earl of Ravensdale has as well. We’re hoping to use the social occasions to convince a few of the less adamant peers to our way of thinking.”

  “Ah…” Lilly nodded. Had she realized that the Earl of Ravensdale was his fiancée’s father? “And these dinners commence…?”

  “In two days,” Michael finished for her.

  “Well, then, you simply must be in London in two days then.” She spoke firmly, with a stubbornness he remembered. “You will travel into town with us. There is enough room for you and one of your grooms. The others, and your man of business, can ride in with the mail.” She grimaced. “Glenda won’t mind if we eliminate a few stops. In fact, she will likely appreciate the opportunity to arrive in London sooner. She is impatient for the season.”

  Michael would have liked to have been able to decline her generous offer. Two days in her company could not be a good idea. He was an engaged man. Was it possible to spend time with her and not want her even more? Already, he’d sensed that pull, that magnetism they’d shared in the past. When she had taken his arm, he’d again experienced that notion of completeness.

  But she was no longer the woman for him. No, that ship had sailed, so to speak. The pain of Lilly Bridge was far behind him now—where it would stay.

  What was important were the votes. He needed to be in London as soon as possible so that he, Danbury, and the earl could work toward changing some influential minds.

  “I would be grateful, my lady, if you are certain it’s not too much trouble. To arrive in London on time, however, we’ll have to keep stops to a minimum.”

  “Of course, Your Grace, we can make such a small sacrifice for a worthy cause.” Lilly nodded agreeably. He had addressed her formally, and she had returned in kind. “I suppose if we are to leave early in the morning, we ought to be getting ourselves off to bed—I mean, I should get back to our chamber, to my chamber…” He’d flustered her.

  “Your driver was in the taproom earlier. I’ll apprise him of the change in plans, if that is amenable to you?”

  “Yes, please,” Lilly said. “And Michael…”

  “Yes?” His heart skipped a beat at her use of his name. No one called him “Michael” anymore.

  “Can you procure some pistols?” Her brows furrowed as she seemed to consider he had already been the target of one attack.

  He’d be damned if he’d be an easy target for another one. “I already have.”

  ****

  Early the next morning, after a quick breakfast in the duke’s private dining room, Michael assisted Lilly, Glenda, and their maid, outside and into an ancient, but well-made, passenger coach before climbing in behind them. Looking the worse for wear, Arty climbed onto the carriage driver’s box with Lilly’s driver, Mr. Fletch. Fletch seemed happy for the company. Michael had procured a pistol for each of them, as well as himself.

  Glenda and Lilly sat facing forward with Miss Fussy on Lilly’s lap, and Michael took a seat across from her, beside the maid. Mary was not a small woman, so he didn’t have a great deal of space. Glenda had brought along some embroidery while Lilly carried a few books in a satchel. All of them were a little sleepy so the first half an hour passed quietly.

  Michael would have appreciated the tranquility a great deal more had he realized what was to come. For Glenda, once alert and awake, chattered enough to make up for all of them.

  She began her assault by peppering him with a barrage of questions about London and the ton. After attempting to answer one, and then another, and being interrupted with the next, he quickly realized he was not necessary to the conversation and happily lapsed into a contemplative silence.

  The girl chattered exhaustively about all things to do with fashion—high-waisted dresses, morning dresses, walking dresses, evening dresses, pelisses, bonnets, gloves, and lace fichus. Half of which he ha
d no idea what they were. She informed him that, as a debutante, she must wear only very light colors, but did he think she would look better in pastel pink, or periwinkle blue, or perhaps in lilac? Which shade of lilac, a rose shade or more of a purple? She went on and on…

  Lilly appeared to be asleep, but occasionally he caught her tightening her mouth in an attempt to conceal her mirth. The little wench knew Glenda was boring him endlessly. And since he was awake, and a gentleman, he was forced to nod occasionally and smile. Of course, Lilly, the minx, would find pleasure in this. The worrisome thought was that perhaps Glenda was not so very different from Lady Natalie!

  Once such a notion entered his head, Michael forced himself to examine it.

  In truth, he hadn’t spent much time alone with his betrothed. They had danced together several times at the endless balls he’d attended last season, and he had admired her and told her so eloquently. He had cheerfully fetched numerous glasses of lemonade for her, many of which had gone untouched, and she’d politely once pointed out to him that she preferred chicken to beef. Of course, she was always present when he dined with the earl at his town house. After dinner, the ladies always disappeared, and the men drank port or brandy and discussed politics, usually.

  What else? What did he and Lady Natalie talk about?

  Ah yes…

  “I think I shall allow my gloves to go just past my elbows as my arms are smooth and very white. Lilly will have to wear very long gloves to cover her skin. I tell her all the time she shouldn’t spend so many hours out of doors—it isn’t good for one’s complexion—but she just disappears into the sunshine anyway. Once outside, she sometimes removes her bonnet as she works. Oh, yes, she must wear very long gloves indeed. The long gloves must be tied with a string at the top so they do not slip…”

  Fashion. Lady Natalie often mentioned shopping trips. Oh, God, he sincerely hoped she wasn’t the slave to fashion that Miss Beauchamp was.

  Lilly frowned at the comment about her wearing long gloves. He could tell she wanted to correct the girl but could not while feigning sleep.

  This gave Michael the perfect opportunity to observe her. She was thinner. He liked how her hair contrasted with the tanned color of her skin. She looked exotic. Lilly had been passionate about all things to do with flowers when they’d first met. She’d had quite a passionate nature.

  They had explored that nature whenever possible.

  Chapter Seven

  Exploring Lilly’s Nature

  1815

  Following that first drive to the park, after that first kiss, Lilly’s life revolved around the occasions when she would see him again. Her mother cautioned her against wearing her heart upon her sleeve. Every morning, in fact, over breakfast, she chastised Lilly for making herself too available to the captain.

  “Men,” she told Lilly, “even gentlemen, appreciate the thrill of the chase.”

  But not Michael.

  He was different.

  Her mother then changed tactics and began taking extra pains to ensure for meticulous chaperonage. She either performed the duty herself or instructed the maids with strict rules regarding the diligence required.

  The freedom Lilly had experienced at the Willoughby ball was not to be experienced at any subsequent events. Her mother never allowed her to dance with Captain Redmond more than two times, and, when they attempted to walk out onto a terrace or patio, either her mama or her aunt watched them—never far away.

  The moments in which they were able to steal some privacy, without a watchful chaperone, were limited to open carriage rides and an occasional moment in the drawing room with the door open. Her aunt or mother always nearby.

  And Lilly had made some friends.

  Somewhat isolated since her sister’s death, Lilly hadn’t had many such opportunities back in Plymouth. She’d nearly forgotten the pleasure to be had with ladies her own age. Furthermore, they’d so enjoyed their first shopping trip, it had become the first of many such outings.

  Rarely a day passed that she, Caroline Harris, and Penelope Crone hadn’t made plans of some sort. And they complemented one another’s personalities.

  Caroline, bubbly and outgoing, had a tendency to point out absurdities as they toured about town. Penelope frowned upon the absurd and was very opinionated. She liked to discuss and ridicule the rules women were forced to follow—rules, she never failed to point out—that had been established by men. Between the two of them, the girls added a sense of whimsy and inventiveness to Lilly’s days.

  These outings also made a much-needed distraction from her feelings for Michael, which at times, overwhelmed her. Being able to enjoy herself, apart from him, grounded Lilly and reassured her mother. There was a certain vulnerability a lady felt when one other person became so essential to her happiness.

  One particularly sunny morning, while wandering through various shops with their maids discreetly behind them, the girls coincidentally met up with Mr. Harris, Viscount Danbury, and Captain Redmond. This chance meeting was fortunate, for they realized quickly that, when gadding about in a group of both ladies and gentlemen, chaperones weren’t nearly as intrusive.

  Amongst a cluster of such friends, a courting couple could find themselves afforded some unexpected leniency. Michael, clever as he was, took full advantage of these opportunities. It was as though the springtime was made for them—made for their love.

  Toward the end of the season, Michael told Lilly he wished to show her his estate in the south. He told her he would speak with her father but wished for her to see his home, first. It wasn’t dreadfully far from London, near Southampton, but the journey would take two days by carriage. They would need to make the trip in a manner that would not harm Lilly’s reputation.

  During tea one afternoon, Aunt Eleanor solved the conundrum.

  She suggested the captain make a house party of it. If she and Mrs. Bridge chaperoned the group of young people, the break from town would be considered utterly respectable.

  Michael didn’t want to delay.

  He would leave the next day with Danbury, and they could address any repairs necessary before the party arrived. Lilly and the other guests would not leave town until Sunday. Three days later!

  Melancholy at the thought of not seeing Michael for all of five days, she attempted to suggest they all travel together.

  But her mother restrained her exuberance. If Lilly did not show some patience in all of this, her mother promised her, they could forego the journey altogether.

  Her mother didn’t understand. What with all of this longing for him and aching for him!

  There was some consolation, however, in that Viscount Danbury had planned a party at Vauxhall for that very night. The evening promised to be romantic, indeed!

  Every season Danbury and his mother hosted their friends in a private booth. Upon hearing that the viscountess would be present, Lady Eleanor and Mrs. Bridge relinquished their rather demanding duties as chaperones with relief. It had been a busy season, and they were run down from attempting to keep up with the young people so far. They welcomed a quiet evening at home.

  The weather was perfect that evening, and as the sun dipped behind the horizon, a warm breeze barely stirred the leaves on the perfectly placed trees. There was no threat of rain, not a single cloud. Nearly bursting with excitement, Lilly stood at the railing of the barge with Michael by her side.

  She wore another new dress, purchased by her aunt, this one more risqué than her others. Aunt Eleanor wasn’t nearly as prudish as her mother could be.

  The bodice, although not quite scandalous, displayed a tantalizing hint of cleavage and the back was cut daringly low as well. Made of a vibrant blue silk chiffon, the simple cut of the nearly backless dress was more sophisticated than anything she had ever worn. When they had departed from her aunt’s town house, Lilly wore a shawl, covering the exposed skin on her back. Had her mother seen it, she would not have allowed Lilly to set foot out the door.

  Whether it
was due to the dress or the fact that Michael was departing the next day, Lilly’s mood was unusually daring that night. Up until that point, they’d managed to steal but a few kisses since the initial ride in the park. And those kisses had been short and sweet, as there had always been a chaperone nearby.

  Like every other lady attending the gardens that night, Lilly was warned not to separate from her group when exploring the meandering paths in the forest. Even Aunt Eleanor told her to remain only on the paths that were illuminated with lanterns. The other trails, she’d said, could be quite hazardous to a woman’s virtue.

  Of course, these warnings merely served to pique Lilly’s curiosity. And by the time she’d climbed into the carriage, she was already hoping she and Michael might find themselves lost together on one of these very same dangerous trails.

  A roguish look from Michael suggested he had similar designs.

  Danbury had reserved one of the more extravagant boxes for their party which allowed for a protected vantage point in which to dine and watch the revelry. The viscountess insisted that anything else would have been common and vulgar. Gently bred young ladies did not eat in public.

  For the first hour or so, everybody stayed in the supper box, drinking champagne and sampling the sliced ham and strawberries provided. There was an orchestra and dancing and a great deal more to see, however, and the younger people soon announced their intent to explore the famous gardens.

  Michael and Lilly, Harris and Penelope, and Danbury and Caroline stepped out into the merriment with warnings that under no circumstances were they to allow themselves to be separated from each other. Nodding reassurances toward the viscountess, they were quickly swallowed by the river of revelers strolling among the amusements. Colorful paper lanterns illuminated their way, casting the night in a mystical light, with shadows laden with opportunity.

  As they drew close to the music, Michael swung Lilly around playfully, in a very un-ton-like dance. Her curls, so carefully pinned up earlier, quickly came undone and tumbled down her back. The sensation of locks of hair caressing her exposed skin lured Lilly into shedding inhibitions which had been drilled into her for years.