Devil Disguised (31 page)

“I think that maybe more than a quick kiss would be something we should manage tonight,” he murmured.

Blushing, she glanced away from his gaze and looked across the ballroom at an imposing figure watching her. Inhaling sharply she missed a step in the dance and Richard held her tighter for a brief instant.

“Well, the thought has you off balance it seems,” he quipped.

“Yes, it does,” she replied numbly as she looked again for the man who looked so much like Duncan in form and figure.

The music stopped as Richard stepped back and said, “Are you all right?”

Offering a slight smile, she replied, “I am fine, thank you.”

“I have to check on something, do you want to come with me?”

Lily shook her head and continued to watch the crowd around her.

Richard said, “All right. I know your dance card is full, so I will see you for the announcement before the third waltz.”

“Of course.”

She tried to smile fully as Richard left her side, but her heart was beating wildly as she looked around the room. Stepping to the side she pulled her dance card from her reticule and looked for Duncan’s name, but it was not there. Maybe the man she saw was someone else entirely or just a figment of her imagination.

Turning, she went to get some refreshment. When she brought the glass to her lips, her stomach tightened;
there he was again. Dressed all in black with a black mask, he stood out even in this crowd. Putting her glass down she walked in his direction, but he was no longer where he had been. She spun around, but he seemed to have disappeared.

Frustrated she went back to the dance floor as the next dance was called and she lined up with a masked man she did not know. Ignoring her dance partner completely, she kept searching for the man in black, but he was not with this group of dancers. The next two dances went in a blur and she left the dance floor quickly and bumped into Eleanor.

“Oh, Eleanor! Good evening.”

Eleanor smiled and then said, “I saw you near the refreshments earlier, but you seemed to run away. I assume you are still upset with me.”

Lily shook her head. “No. I am sorry if I became cross with you earlier. I have a lot on my mind.” She paused to look around the room before she asked, “Eleanor, is your brother here?”

“What?” Eleanor looked surprised as she glanced around them. “I do not think so. Why? Have you seen him?”

“For a moment I saw a man who carried himself only the way your brother can, but I have not spoken to him and now he seems to have disappeared.”

“Goodness. Well, I am not sure it would be him. I have not spoken to Duncan in quite some time and we both know his aversion to London. However, if it is him, then I am sure he will make his presence known; because, if he is here, it could only be because of you.”

Lily swallowed and took in a shaky breath before she said, “Well, it was probably my imagination.”

Eleanor touched Lily’s hand. “Lily, if you are this nervous about seeing Duncan then maybe you need to take a few days to consider things before you move forward with Richard. There is no harm in waiting; but, I want you to know that whatever you do, I will always be here for you.”

Lily embraced Eleanor who gasped at the sudden movement. “Eleanor, thank you. Our friendship means so much to me.”

Eleanor hugged her back. “It means so much to me too, Lily.”

They pulled apart and Eleanor said, “Promise me that if Duncan is here you will talk to him and listen to whatever it is he has to say.”

“I promise,” Lily replied.

Eleanor smiled and stepped away. Lily relaxed for a moment, but then her stomach rumbled quietly. She really should have eaten today, but when she went to get some refreshment, the second waltz of the night was called. She stepped closer to the dance floor and waited for a man to approach her. Most of the couples were already on the floor as she pulled out her dance card to see who signed for this waltz. Out loud she whispered, “E.W.”

“That’s me.”

She gasped at the sound of the unmistakable deep masculine voice behind her. She turned and gaped. “Duncan,” she said breathlessly.

His lip quirked slightly under his mask and he lifted his arm and said, “No, E.W., the Earl of Westbrook.”

Lily tried to smile at his good humor, but she was nearly numb from shock. She placed her hand in his and warmth spread through her as he led her to the dance floor. Wordlessly, he pulled her into his arms just as the music started.

She felt everyone’s eyes on them and chuckled nervously.

He said, “What is so amusing?”

“Us,” she replied without hesitation. She paused and then said, “You are all in black and I am nearly wearing all white. We must look like quite the pair. I think everyone is noticing us.”

He seemed oblivious to those around them and kept his gaze focused on hers as he said, “If everyone is staring it is because you look ethereal this evening and even with your mask on, your beauty is undeniable.”

Lily felt heat rise in her cheeks at the compliment. Pulling her a little closer he continued, “If they are even noticing me it is because I am with you and no one has figured out my identity yet. Right now, I am just a devil dancing with an angel.”

She took a deep breath and said, “I think everyone wants to know who you are, but it is not because you are with me. It is because you are the most intriguing and handsome man here. I think I like to dance with the devil.”

“Do you?” Duncan asked in a reverent whisper.

Lily nodded in silent response as he continued to lead her effortlessly in the dance. After a moment she said, “I thought I saw you watching me earlier.”

“I was. I have not taken my eyes off of you all night.”

She inhaled sharply at the ease and conviction of his words. He pulled her closer as the music was coming to an end and he leaned down, brushing his lips to her ear. “Will you step outside with me?”

Nodding, she replied, “Yes.”

Winding her arm through his, they walked off the dance floor. Lily was surprised when he did not guide her to the side terrace, but led them through two adjacent rooms and then outside to a small courtyard. Light coming through the glass of the French doors provided the only illumination in the courtyard, but it was enough to see the man before her.

He took his mask off and then pulled her closer. Gently, he lifted her mask off and bent forward bringing his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her nape, crushing his mouth against hers. Thrusting her tongue with his she clung to the hardness of his form as he seemed to sink into her. She moaned as his hands moved along her body and she moved against him as she wound her hands through his hair. He kissed her deeply before he pulled back, breaking her hold as he leaned back against the stone wall behind him.

Touching her cheek with his hand, he whispered, “God, Lily, I missed you.”

Her breathing was still unsteady, but she managed to say, “I still can’t believe you are here. You came to London.”

“I am only here because of you.”

She stepped closer and held onto his arms. “Oh, Duncan. I thought you did not get my letters, and that you would never come. You never responded to me.”

He shook his head and said, “Lily, I only received one letter, but I did write back to you.”

She stepped back and released his arms.

He straightened and looked over her while taking her hand in his. “How are you? How are you feeling? I must know.”

She pulled her hand free of his grasp. “If you did not receive all of my letters, then why are you here?”

“Lily, I am here to see you. I needed to see you.”

She felt the air leave her lungs as she stepped back further. “But, why are you here now? Why did you wait so long if you truly missed me?”

“Charles came to see me. He gave me another reason to check on you.”

“Another reason? What is that supposed to mean? What could he have possibly said to you?”

He stepped closer and replied, “Lily, listen, I -.”

She inhaled sharply and gasped, cutting off his words as she said, “You are here because you think I’m carrying your child!”

He reached out and grabbed her arm, but she shrugged free of his grasp. “You can leave now because the reason you came does not exist,” she said roughly.

Duncan was reaching for her again, but pulled his arm back. A look of disbelief and disappointment crossed over his features.

She crossed her arms in front of her and tried to take a deep breath.

His expression changed. “Then tell me, why are you going to marry Lord Hastings?” he asked harshly.

“My reasons for marrying him are my own and none of your business,” she breathed, shaken.

“Tell me why. You owe that to me.”

She shook her head in response to his words as tears began to blur her vision. Her heart clenched in utter disappointment as she turned and started to walk towards the doors.

He grabbed her elbow and turned her towards him. “Dammit, Lily! Why Hastings? Do you love him?”

Pulling her arm free she shoved him back and cried out, “No! I do not love Lord Hastings. I love you!”

She saw Duncan gape at her just before she opened the French doors and ran back into the home. Wiping the tears away, she rushed towards the main salon and away from the man who broke her heart. Words came back to haunt her as Lily recalled Charlotte’s warning. She increased her pace, moving quickly past several startled people as she stepped into the main ballroom and right into Richard.

“Whoa. My dear, are you all right?” he asked.

She could barely breathe, but managed to reply, “Yes. I think so.”

He smiled widely and took her hand. “Good. I was looking for you because, it is time.”

She started forward as he held onto her and they headed to the side of the small risers set for the orchestra.

Clutching her other hand to her chest she said, “Wait, Richard. Give me a moment.”

He did not seem to hear her as he gripped her hand tighter and pulled her with him onto the small stage. His voice rose above the murmur of the crowd as he said,
“Attention everyone, please. I have an exciting announcement to make.”

Lily tried to smile and take a deep breath as she looked in the crowd for familiar faces, but everyone was wearing their masks.

Richard took her hand and kissed it before he said, “As you all know I have been courting the Lady Montgomery these past few weeks and I want you all to know of our happiness.”

“Wait.” For a moment, Lily thought she had spoken out loud, but it was Duncan’s voice she heard very clearly.

The crowd to her right parted as he came forward and moved with commanding purpose towards the front of the stage. His face was visible as he held both of their masks in his hand. She heard several gasps and voices uttering his name as everyone turned towards him. She tried again to take a deep breath, but as always, the air seemed to leave the room when he came closer to her. He stopped directly in front of her as she looked down to meet his gaze.

Richard said, “Lord Cavanaugh, I think you need to step back and let me make my announcement.”

Duncan glared at him. “And I think you need to release Lady Montgomery’s hand because she loves me and I love her too.”

Lily gasped along with everyone else in the room.

Duncan smiled at her and said, “I fell in love with her the moment I first saw her.”

Vaguely, she felt her hand drop as Richard released it and she turned to look at him.

“Is this true?” Richard asked, shaken.

Still trying to catch her breath, Lily attempted to nod, but then she turned to look down at Duncan. Concern covered his handsome features, as the room behind him seemed to fade away. Then, everything went black.

ILY!” DUNCAN SHOUTED
as he rushed forward and leapt onto the stage.

Lily collapsed, but Richard caught her just before she hit the floor. Richard held her as Duncan reached out for her hand.

“Get your hands off of my fiancée,” Richard said venomously.

“She is not your fiancée yet,” Duncan scoffed.

Charles pushed his way forward and came next to Lily. “Both of you move away from her.”