A Season to Be Sinful (12 page)

The unwelcome tears welled again.

Lily quickly averted her glance and lay back as the housekeeper directed. To avoid another accusation that she was trying to elicit sympathy, Lily closed her eyes and placed her forearm across them. She ignored the housekeepers skeptical grunt and remained quiet during the examination.

You have indeed split two stitches, Mrs. Ponsonby said as she drew the nightgown down. His lordship will want to send for the doctor.

Lily tilted her forearm so she could see the housekeeper. The eyes that regarded her remained disapproving. Oh, surely not.

I think I know his mind on this better than you.

I didnt mean

No, of course you didnt.

We do not have to tell him.

Mrs. Ponsonbys eyebrows rose halfway to her graying hairline. Youd like that, wouldnt you? Keeping something from him, I mean. Thats not how Ive ever managed his lordships household, and Im certainly not going to begin now. I dont suppose a baggage like you thinks much of us that deal honestly with others, but there you have it. Its clear youll need close watching. She turned away from the bed and started to go, shaking her head as she spoke to herself. A young woman no better than she ought to be living under his roof turning the house on its head for her its the devil getting his due, and thats a fact its not

The door opened and closed, ending the housekeepers harangue. Lily simply sighed. It was difficult to find fault with Mrs. Ponsonbys suspicions. She was right to entertain them, and the firmness with which she expressed them reflected well on her loyalty to her employer. Lily decided his lordship might benefit from adopting his housekeepers way of thinking.

Oddly enough, his nibs was too trusting.

Lily carefully pushed herself upright, resting once again against the headboard. She could not quite tamp her smile.

His nibs. So he was a gentleman and something else besides. She was not surprised. He was toplofty enough to be a prince, though of a certainty he was not. Mrs. Ponsonby had not referred to him as his grace, so he was not a duke. A marquess? Earl? Viscount? Was his nibs a baron? A baronet?

It did not bode well for her that he was a titled gentleman. She had reason to know that there were few strangers among the noble inner circle of the ton . They were not merely connected by bloodlines; they were often bound by them. Observing the strictures of that small society had become an end unto itself, and the severest consequences were meted out to those whose behavior brought embarrassment upon them all. They could close ranks quickly in order to put a period to a scandal that might threaten their sense of the social order and their position as arbiters of what was right and proper.

It once again begged the question of what his lordship wanted from her. He had risked something of his reputation by not only bringing her to his residence but allowing her to stay as long as he had. He had not given her a room in the garret or one belowstairs. The bedchamber she occupied had belonged to a person of some importance. Clearly he must know she was not such a person. Just as Mrs. Ponsonby had said, she was no better than she ought to be. If she were, his nibs would not merely be risking a nine days wonder, but a scandal of some middling proportions.

He might not become a pariah in his own society, but neither would he be warmly welcomed. He would find his life could be made most uncomfortable. Lily did not think he would like that in the least.

Woodridge had not.

You are wool-gathering.

Lilys head came up sharply. His nibs was standing in the doorway, watching her. He looked as if he might have done so for some time. It is not well done by you to enjoy a laugh at my expense. She rubbed the back of her head where shed thumped the headboard hard enough to make it shudder.

I am remarkably tightfisted, he said easily, entering the room. Better a laugh at your expense than my own. Have you raised a goose egg?

No. Lily lowered her hand. It is nothing.

Sherry stood at the foot of the bed. Ponsonby reports you have torn two stitches.

That is the same she said to me. I do not want you to send for the physician. There really is no need.

She told me you would say that.

Your housekeeper is very thorough.

I believe she is, yes. He regarded her a moment longer. Are you certain there is no urgency? Has the tear caused you no distress?

There is discomfort. Pain, if I am careless, but you know I am no hothouse flower, my lord, and I would prefer that you did not treat me as such.

There was a pause as he considered the request. As you wish. He clasped his hands at his back, rocking forward just once on the balls of his feet before he was still. It occurs to me that there have been no introductions, he said. I am Sheridan.

Mlord, she said, inclining her head respectfully.

You will not give me your name?

You must know it. The children will have told you.

He shrugged. I should like to hear it from you.

Sensing there was a trap here, Lily still did not know how to avoid it. Rose, she said carefully. I am called Miss Rose.

I did not inquire as to how you are called, he said mildly. I asked for your name.

Color flushed her cheeks. You think I am lying.

Not at all. I am quite certain you have told me the truth, but it also circles a truth you do not wish to reveal.

Lily said nothing. She did not want to look at him but knew she did not dare look away.

Do you deny it?

Instead of answering, Lilys small chin came up. She challenged him. Does it matter what I say? I think it is your intention to discredit me, else why would you ask a question to which you seem to believe you know the answer?

Sherry smiled faintly. Parry and thrust. Conversing with you has rather a lot in common with a fencing match.

You wound me, my lord.

His dark eyes saluted her. Touche, Lily.

For a moment she simply could not breathe, then she drew her knees back, closer to her chest, and tucked the tented coverlet under her. The effect, she supposed, was like a fox seeking the safety of its earth. It chipped at her pride to know Sheridan would also see it in that light, yet she doubted she could have done it differently.

The children told you, she said without inflection.

Yes. But only because they thought you were dying. When he saw her faint, mocking smile, he added, They believed God should hear prayers said to your true name.

The smile vanished. Mayhap you wish they had been less earnest.

A small crease appeared between Sherrys brows as he considered the sudden flattening of her mouth at this mention of prayers. It did not occur to me. May I have leave to call you Lily?

She shrugged.

Sherry waited. Shall I call you Miss Rose, then?

I suppose you may call me whatever you wish.

You have still another name, Miss?

Rose, she said, responding to his questioning inflection without hesitation. No other names. I am Lily Rose.

He was tempted to salute her for the alacrity of her response. There was a certain sly lilt in her voice that fairly challenged him to take exception. That alone decided him not to press. Very well, he said. Miss Rose.

Lily thought she should not be so pleased to have diverted him, or at least that she should not show it. It was no easy thing to temper her smile.

Gloating is unattractive, he said.

Of course, she said, composing herself. You are right.

Thank you.

Lilys eyes narrowed slightly. She thought she detected a hint that he was amused by her. He was much better than she in schooling his features, and he had perfected a shuttered glance that gave little away and a maddeningly neutral tone of expression, but she could not acquit him of enjoying himself once again at her expense. She might have accused him of such if her stomach had not rumbled uncomfortably. Knowing that it was a perfectly natural response to hunger did not lessen her embarrassment.

She drew her knees closer to her chest. Pardon me. I do not

Sherry waved aside her apology. It is the exact purpose of my return, he said. To discover if you are prepared to eat something. Ponsonby says she did not inquire.

The anticipation of food caused Lilys stomach to rumble again. I should like something, yes. She realized she did not even know when she had last eaten.

Of course. Cook will prepare something for you. Youve had little more than broth spooned into you for far too many days. He inclined his head and prepared to make his exit.

He was half the distance to the door when Lilys softly spoken thank you reached his ears. She knew because it caused him an infinitesimal pause in his step. She thought he might turnhoped that he wouldbut he didnt, and then he was gone.

Staring at the closed door, Lily was uncomfortably aware that she suddenly felt more lonely than alone. Because nothing good could come of dwelling on it, she ruthlessly pushed the sense of it aside and opened her mind to the important matters that must occupy her.

Chief among them was her own survival.

There was no question but that she would have to leave. Less clear was whether the children should accompany her. It was not unreasonable to suppose that Sheridan would instruct his housekeeper to find some position for them. They might shovel coal and fill his fireplaces. Midge could blacken his lordships boots. Dash could run errands. And though he might chafe at being forced to wear the livery, Pinch would make an excellent tiger.

It would be a good life for them, better than she dared hope and beyond their expectations. By every sensible measure, they should leap at the opportunity for such good fortune. Lily was less certain they would do so.

Bringing the thing about would take considerable cleverness on her part. They were children, so they could behave foolishly, but they were not fools. She would be lucky if she could manage to stay even a half step in front of them.

Then there was the complication of Sheridan. His lordship would not be easily gulled if it came to that. Everything must needs be his own idea, or at least he should believe it was.

Closing her eyes, Lily sighed. It was all very tiring. She simply hadnt the strength of body or will to stand long against an opponent like Sheridan. They had fenced, sure enough, but Lily knew better than to believe he had not also been considerate of her and that he was simply assessing her skills. If he had judged her to be a stronger opponent, he might very well have run her through.

The thought of being stuck again did not in any way please her. She placed one hand over her injury, reminding herself that hed played some role in her acquiring it. She should have already told him how it had all come about. That was no secret she meant to keep, but whether or not he believed her was entirely his choice.

The arrival of her repast ended Lilys musings. It was brought to her by a young woman possessing both brisk efficiency and a suspicious temperament. Lily immediately felt the housekeepers influence.

She unfolded her knees so the maid could place the legged tray over her lap. When the cover was lifted, Lily breathed deeply of the aroma of warm milk and porridge. What she lifted first to her lips, though, was the cup of tea.

Thank you, she said. You are very kind to bring it to me. Lily saw her thanks did nothing to allay the maids distrust. If anything, the girl was given to deeper suspicions.

Im doing what I was told, she said. Theres no cause for you to be thanking me.

I would have gladly taken my meal in the servants hall.

What makes you think youd be welcome there, a baggage like you?

Lilys fingertips tightened on her cup, but she did not respond to the provocation. Are the children about? she asked instead.

Underfoot, you mean.

Lily did not contradict her. May I see them?

The maid was at the foot of the bed now, smoothing the blankets and remaking a rumpled corner with a neat tuck. She paused. Thats not for me to say, is it? They come and go as they please, so its up to them, I suspect.

That surprised Lily and concerned her as well. His lordship does not allow them free rein of his home, I hope.

Do you take him for a fool, then?

No, I

Because hes not.

Lily thought the maids stout assertion was in aid of convincing herself. I only meant the boys are likely to get up to some mischief if not taken in hand.

Mischief? Now, if that aint calling a downpour a bit of drizzle, then Ive never stood in the weather.

Alarmed, Lily set down her cup. What have they done?

What havent they done is more the thing. Into the larder, they were, and the meat safe, and Mrs. Renwicks tarts and custards. They put sugar in the saltcellars and salt in Mrs. Ponsonbys tea. They rearrange the linens, smudge the silverware after its been polished, and drop coals like bread crumbs when theyre carrying the scuttle to the hearth.

Lily was very careful not to smile. So it is the servants hall where theyve been allowed free rein. She watched the maid stiffen indignantly, but there was not much she could say when it was patently the truth. Lily suspected Sheridans staff was in no small way responsible for provoking the boys.