“Cortland, Danbury.” Ravensdale nodded in both of their directions before glancing around. “A somewhat tolerable park, when it isn’t swarming with dandies.”
Danbury laughed, but Michael was in a less amiable mood. Although, as a duke, Michael held the loftier position in society, the earl was a powerful man—an enviable alliance to have—one who could also be a formidable enemy. “My lord,” Michael returned.
The earl steered his horse so he could join their conversation.
“I’ve obtained assurance from Riverton. We have his vote.” He announced in a grim voice. “But it’s tight, yet.”
Danbury’s eyes shifted toward Michael. Michael knew what Danbury was thinking.
He was concerned about Lilly’s return and Hawthorn’s interference. He would also be concerned that Michael’s engagement was jeopardized. The timing was horrible, and Danbury, more than anybody, knew how Michael had felt about Lilly way back when.
There was a great deal at stake. His betrothal to Lady Natalie was more than a dynastic one. It had political ramifications as well. It solidified Ravensdale’s support and improved Michael’s reputation. A married man was always considered more responsible and worthy of respect than a bachelor. They needed all the help they could get if they were to have any luck at eroding the strength of the Corn Laws.
Yes, the timing of Lilly’s return was regrettable indeed. And yet. Michael clenched his fists around the leather strap. And yet…
“I understand Hawthorn was involved in something of a mishap last night. With a friend of Natalie’s, Lady Beauchamp.” The earl spoke casually, but Michael knew better. He was not a man to waste his time with small talk. “Natalie told me she wasn’t convinced it was an accident…She also told me the two of you assisted the lady afterwards.”
Michael tightened his jaw. “Your daughter was concerned for her friend.” He would say no more. He did not appreciate feeling coerced.
“Beautiful gel, Lady Beauchamp.” Danbury toggled his eyebrows. “I’ve had my eye on her all season.” Danbury drew the earl’s attention away from Michael. “Delightful. If anyone were to lure me out of bachelorhood…” Danbury’s statement was tantalizing bait, indeed.
At this statement, the earl’s brows rose. “Couldn’t hurt, Danbury, couldn’t hurt at all. The last thing we need now is even a hint of scandal.” And then he nodded. Apparently, what he’d heard had satisfied his concerns. “Well, then, I’ll leave you two to carry on.” The earl spurred his horse and departed as quickly as he’d arrived.
Michael and Hugh rode in silence for a full two minutes before either of them spoke.
“How was she?” Michael swallowed hard.
“She was able to walk upon her ankle, without assistance”—his friend knew him too well, though—“when her aunt and stepdaughter were finally ready to return to home.”
Michael nodded but continued looking straight ahead. “I appreciate your assistance last night. Did she tell you anything?”
“She was reticent but told me she would be willing to speak with you about the matter. Privately, she said. She will receive you if you call upon her at her aunt’s home.”
Relief swept through him upon hearing these words. If she were willing to see him, she did not hate him. But he remained stoic. “Hawthorn must have threatened her. She was downright hostile to me. But with what?” All sorts of things came to mind. Had Hawthorn gotten wind of their past? And then his horse shied a bit to the side, as though perplexed by the sudden tension in his rider’s seat.
Danbury glanced over. “Despite your separation from Lady Beauchamp, I take it you are still affected by her.”
Michael cleared his throat and then answered in a harsh voice, “It’s madness, I know.” He removed his hat and impatiently ran gloved fingers through his hair. “It seemed the entire world conspired against us that summer. We should be an old married couple by now with a full nursery and old established habits…These thoughts torment me because life did not conspire to let that happen. And now I am a betrothed man. It would be the height of dishonor to cry off. I will not jilt Lady Natalie.” Not to mention the thousands who would be affected if the Corn Laws were not amended. “I have her father’s blessing. Lady Natalie is a kind and sweet lady, and it would ruin her. It is not even something to consider.”
“A scandal involving you would likely cost votes,” Danbury pointed out unnecessarily. “Damned bad luck, Cortland. I wish things had gone differently. This sort of complication is only part of why I’ve avoided the leg shackle.” But then he added, “You could set her up as your mistress. She’s is a widow, after all…Except I know you, and you probably intend to be the faithful husband and all that.”
Michael replaced his hat. He wouldn’t acknowledge Danbury’s words. Sometimes his friend went too far. “I must speak with Lilly,” he said, instead, before leaning forward and urging his horse into a cantor. Hugh did not follow. He would let him alone. Michael would go to Lilly today. Ensure her safety from Hawthorn and then avoid her for the rest of the season.
****
Lilly was hard at work that morning in the garden house. Her ankle, although bruised and a little swollen, was well enough to limp outside.
Determined to keep her spirits up, she set to propagating some cuttings that had been a gift from Lady Ravensdale, Natalie’s mother. After discovering Lilly’s passion for horticulture, she had sent a basketful of various clippings over from her own garden. It was important Lilly treat them as quickly as possible for them to successfully root.
It was precious, that a friend could share something so lovely, which if nurtured properly, would grow stronger and more beautiful with the passage of time. It could then, in turn, be shared with another friend someday in the future. It allowed one to feel connected to other souls and to the earth somehow.
With a sharp knife, she sliced a few of the leaves off the vine cutting so it would have a better chance to root. Just as in new friendships, the plant could be weakened if too much was demanded in its early stages. She then dipped the stem in watered-down honey and positioned it in a prepared pot that sat in the sunlight. As she placed a clear glass bell over the cutting, the door to the work area swung open.
Jarvis peered in cautiously. He seemed perplexed at having to search for her out of doors.
“You have an early visitor, madam.” He approached her and offered the guest’s calling card. She read the engraved lettering and told Jarvis to escort the duke outside to the garden bench. “I will join him there shortly.” She was not at all presentable, certainly not for a duke, but it would take her eons of time to clean up and he was Michael, after all.
Jarvis bowed, without offering his approval, and gladly removed himself from the dust and grime of the garden house. He’d probably soiled his white gloves when he’d turned the handle. Poor Jarvis.
Lilly covered the remaining cuttings with a wet cloth and then wiped her hands on her apron before hobbling outside.
Michael was just exiting through the servant’s door to meet her. He greeted her with a tight smile and then a gentlemanly bow.
She addressed him through tight lips. “Your Grace.” She already regretted not taking the time to make herself more presentable.
She felt awkward and a bit contrite. She had treated him poorly last night. “Thank you for coming. I didn’t think I’d see you so quickly. It’s early yet. I thought all members of the ton slept in the day after a ball.”
Michael gestured for her to sit. “Not all of us lead such indolent lifestyles. My morning began at sunup, in fact.” His expression was serious. And then exasperated. “Hell and damnation, Lilly, what happened last night? What did Hawthorn say to you?”
Lilly folded her hands together just below her chin. She had decided late last night what she would tell Michael. “The night you and I…spoke, at the Willoughby ball, he overheard some of our conversation. I am not certain how much, but he believes you to be my…lover. He has demanded that I use my…inf
luence to persuade you to drop your amendment.”
“Why would he think you would do that? Even if it were true?”
Lilly flinched at the question. “Because I married Rose’s widower! It was illegal! The earl has discovered this and is threatening to expose me to the ton. I have not made this information public, here in London. He must have investigated me somehow. I am not so concerned for my own reputation, but Glenda will be harmed if a scandal erupts. She would be harmed if such information became public. And, as I’ve told you already, she must make a decent match.” Lilly kept her voice calm, but it broke as she continued. “He called my marriage incestuous!”
“And his threat was to expose this? Did he give you a timeline? Anything specific?”
Lilly composed herself and shook her head. “He did not.”
They sat silently for a moment, and then Lilly began speaking again. “That’s why I sent you away last night. I don’t believe he could know for certain it was you who was with me that night. It was very dark, if you remember. There were no torches outside and very little moonlight. I wish to try to convince him that perhaps it was somebody else. Danbury, for instance.”
“Danbury?” Michael asked.
“His threats only have power if he believes I can influence you. It is your amendment he wants dropped. If he can be convinced that you and I are nothing to each other, then it would do him no good to expose my marriage. Perhaps then he might leave me alone. It is a possibility, anyway.” Lilly was not Michael’s lover. He was engaged to Lady Natalie. This was not fair!
Nonetheless, here he sat, in her garden, and she was oh, so tempted to place her hand upon his, to bury her face in his chest. When he had carried her last night, the desire to stay in his arms forever felt so strong it alarmed her. She’d fought the urge to twine her arms around his neck and beg him to whisk her away forever.
And then his hand moved to sit atop hers.
His tanned fingers curled around hers protectively. “I am so sorry.”
Chapter Twenty
Misdirection
Remorse flooded him.
Had he not already caused her enough pain? Was she now to be punished even further for her association with him? He turned and lifted her hand to his lips. Dirt clung to her nails, but her fingers felt tiny and fragile. “Whatever you need. Danbury will be more than happy to assist. In fact, I will make certain he is.” It was more important now, than ever, for Michael to avoid her.
If not for his own good, then for hers, by God.
He needed to make damn sure her stepdaughter secured her match.
When he’d lifted their hands, Lilly turned slightly to face him, but her eyes were closed. “Will it never end?” she asked. And then she leaned forward, her head hitting him in the chest, just below his chin. He should not, but he placed one hand upon her back and held her closer. She turned her head and rested her cheek upon his jacket. When her arm wrapped around his waist, he could not stop himself from lifting his other hand to stroke her hair. She smelled of soap and dirt and honey. His Lilly.
His precious Lilly.
Would what never end? Her torment? Her unhappiness? Their love? Had it even really ended all those years ago? He had no answer for her. He was not free to follow his baser inclinations.
“Joseph Spencer is a good man, of a good family,” Michael said instead, wishing to reassure her. “If he intends to make an offer to Miss Beauchamp, I do not believe he can be dissuaded. Even so, I won’t let Hawthorn hurt you.”
He should never have let Beauchamp hurt her. Or her father. Or himself, for God’s sake. “Lilly, I am so sorry…so…For everything.”
Lilly pulled away, and Michael’s hands dropped to the bench. “I didn’t tell you about Hawthorn so you would solve my problems, Michael. And I do not wish you to feel as though you are responsible for this.” She looked at him earnestly now. “I simply wanted you to know what that evil man is up to. And I wanted you to understand why I sent you away from me last night. I do not want you to feel guilty. You have nothing to be sorry for.”
Oh, but he did. He was sorry as hell they’d been separated. He was sorry he’d found her again. And he was sorrier than anybody could even know that he’d promised himself to Lady Natalie.
Sitting beside her now, he had an overwhelming urge to carry her to the soft grass. To lie beside her. To bury himself inside of her.
But she was as much an impossibility now as she had been nearly a decade ago, while he’d been trapped inside Summers Park, under a quarantine he’d ordered himself.
“I just wanted you to know…that’s all…” She spoke in a whisper, unable to meet his eyes any longer.
Michael took a deep breath and then released it slowly. “I’ll speak to Danbury. He will assist you. But Lilly,” he said seriously, “promise me if Hawthorn makes any further threats, you will send for me. If you need anything, and I mean anything at all, allow me to provide it. I have endless resources. There is no reason you should ever lack for anything.”
Except for him.
****
Lilly wanted to protest. She would never, ever take anything from him. Doing so would tarnish what they had had. She couldn’t bear his pity. She had endured much worse. She could live through this. “I will send word through Danbury if I am threatened again. But I will not need anything, Michael. Please do not ask me to promise that.” She tilted her head and looked into his eyes. Oh Lord, they were mesmerizing. Even more so now that he had matured.
And then to signal the end of their meeting, she stood up. She could not sit here alone with him and deny herself any longer. She ought not to have leaned into him, embraced him, in her moment of weakness.
Michael, of course, rose to his feet as well. At his full height, so very near to her, she again fought the urge to step into his arms.
She took a step backward and then turned back toward the house. He followed silently. Once they reached the foyer, he turned and bowed deeply. “Take care, Lilly,” he said, his voice a little gravelly. It seemed as though he were going to say more, but he pinched his lips together instead and then disappeared onto the street.
Lilly covered her mouth with one hand in order to hold back a gasp. A gasp of pain, for surely this was the end. Neither of them would seek the other out again.
****
Later that same day, Lilly received another visitor. This one none other than Viscount Danbury.
Her aunt and Glenda had both left a short while before for what promised to be an elaborate garden party hosted by Penelope’s parents. Lilly had planned to attend, but after spending too much time on her injured ankle that morning, her aunt insisted she rest.
She felt decidedly depressed.
Which left her with mixed feelings when Jarvis announced the viscount’s visit. A part of her had been happy to be alone, but another part was irritated with her feelings of self-pity and regret. A thousand times already that afternoon, she had berated herself for not taking just a few more moments to be alone with Michael. And another thousand times she’d berated herself for allowing herself to hold him.
Entering the room tentatively, Danbury took in her elevated foot and shook his head. “Oh, no, my lady. This simply will not do.” He carried a bouquet of roses. Oh, how she hated roses. But he was smiling and bowed low before her. “I require any lady I squire about town to look merrier than this.” His tone was teasing but also understanding.
She gestured for him to sit and then forced herself to appear cheerful…and welcoming. “Lord Danbury.” She graciously accepted the bouquet. “You should not have. You most definitely should not have.” She pulled upon the bellpull and quickly handed the aromatic flowers off when Jarvis entered. “I take it you have spoken with Mich—the duke?”
Danbury smiled wickedly. “I have. It seems you need a suitor, and I am most gratified to oblige.” He toggled his eyebrows at her and then leaned back indolently, crossing one leg over the other. “In the dark, it is very possible Hawthorn saw n
ot you and Cortland, but you and myself. Although I am assisting Cortland with the amendment, I would not have the power to do anything to stop it, even if a lover of mine did wish it.” He gave her a moment to consider his words. Michael had told him a great deal. “And,” he added, “I do not have a fiancée.”
She nodded in agreement. “I hope it is enough to discourage the earl. If he doubts any connection between Michael and me, I can only hope he will desist with this blackmail.”
Danbury nodded sympathetically. “Cortland didn’t relay many details, but I am more than willing to help.” He took her hands and gave them a reassuring squeeze. “I shall find it most agreeable to play swain to your loveliness for the entirety of the season if necessary. Would that be so very difficult for you to endure, my lady?” He lowered his voice seductively and looked at her from beneath hooded eyes. This sultry look would have brought any other woman from the age of seventeen to seventy to her knees—but not Lilly.
Lilly merely rolled her eyes. “Well, I suppose if you are to be my amore, you should begin by addressing me less formally. I give you leave to call me Lilly.”
“And you shall call me Hugh,” he responded.
Once the decision was made, they agreed the fewer people aware of the scheme, the better. They didn’t want Hawthorn to find any new opportunities to make trouble. With that matter settled, they then went over the upcoming ton events Lilly had planned on attending with her aunt and Glenda.
Danbury made notes to attend as well.
He would return later to escort the ladies to this evening’s musicale.
****
It didn’t take long before the possibility of a connection between the Baroness Beauchamp and the elusive Viscount Danbury created something of a stir.
By arriving together at the Shufflebottoms’ musicale on one another’s arm, they gave the gossips plenty of fodder. Many of the ton’s matronly gossips remarked upon the fact that the viscount had, in fact, paid court to the beautiful young widow quite attentively the previous evening. Throughout the entirety of the performance, Danbury only left her side for a few moments to procure her and the ladies refreshments during intermission. He also, quite scandalously, held her hand in his and raised her fingers to his lips more than once.
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