Devil Disguised (7 page)

Lily swallowed and took a deep steading breath. Taking another sip of her wine, she did her best to smile before she replied, “My friends are aware of my activities as I have been corresponding with them and I am actually to be betrothed upon my return to London. Although I do miss the excitement of the city, I am surprised to have found staying here with Lord Cavanaugh has been far more pleasurable than I could have possibly imagined.”

Vaguely, she heard Duncan cough as Eleanor made an unusual sound.

Charlotte smiled like a cat that just ate all the cream. “Really? Well, I must say I am not surprised. The earl is a consummate host and I have found I do not miss London at all. I have discovered more than enough enjoyable things to do with my time while staying here.”

Lily did her best to imitate Charlotte’s cat-like grin. “I am sure you could find things to occupy your time anywhere you go.”

Charlotte glared at Lily as Eleanor said, “Lily, you must find your way into the town of Brentwood sometime soon. You will find it has many lovely shops for you to visit.”

Lily smiled fully now and nodded in Eleanor’s direction acknowledging the distraction offered by her new friend. “I would enjoy that very much. I will make a point to visit the town very soon.”

She turned to say something else to Charlotte, but a servant blocked her view as her plate was taken away.

Duncan said, “Would everyone like some sherry with their dessert this evening?”

In unison, all three ladies replied, “Yes.”

UNCAN SIPPED HIS
sherry as dessert was brought in and everyone was served. He was still trying to decide what to discuss to keep a civilized conversation going between all three ladies. He was still reeling from Lily’s earlier comment, which had caused him to choke on his wine. She definitely had a fire simmering inside her, but she looked like an angel.

He continued to try to avoid staring at her, but as she sat across from him, it was nearly impossible; not to mention the fact that she wore a dress that accentuated her eye color and her porcelain skin. He found his gaze always drifting in her direction. She had an uncanny ability to wear items that suited her perfectly. He was surprised she remained seated as the dessert was placed before her. He had expected her to excuse herself before the cake arrived.

Looking down at his plate, he heard Charlotte say, “Oh, this is divine.”

He took a bite of the chocolate cake. “Yes, it is delicious.”

He looked up to see Charlotte lick her fork suggestively as she held his gaze. He smiled back at her and then looked across the table to see Lily glancing between him and Charlotte.

A sly grin came across Lily’s features as she met his gaze and lifted her fork to her mouth. He was mesmerized as she slowly removed the fork and licked her lips as she tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and moaned. The sound was raw and sexual. She opened her eyes with a smile of pure satisfaction as her gaze locked on his. She sipped her sherry before she said, “Yes. That was wonderful.”

Duncan’s piece of cake remained on his fork suspended in mid-air. Vaguely he heard a small gasp from either Eleanor or Charlotte, but his attention remained focused on Lily. He put his fork down and shifted in his chair, trying to ignore the arousal caused by her seductive behavior. He reached for his glass of sherry and finished the contents.

Signaling for a refill, he was aware the other women in the room noticed Lily’s actions, but they did not offer comment.

Eleanor cleared her throat delicately before she said, “That was delicious. It has been a lovely evening, but I must retire. Goodnight everyone.”

Eleanor stood and Duncan did his best to hold his napkin in front of him as he matched her movement.

He sat down quickly as his sister departed, but then Lily stood and said, “I must retire as well. Thank you for
dinner, Lord Cavanaugh and for your ongoing hospitality. Goodnight Lady Livingston, it was a pleasure to see you again.”

Lily bowed slightly and turned to leave. In that moment, he saw why she was the ton’s darling. Lily had grace and charm to spare, when it suited her, but she also had that inner fire that made her very alluring.

Sitting again, his gaze remained on Lily until she was out of his view.

Charlotte said, “I think I need to borrow another one of your library books.”

“Of course.” Duncan followed Charlotte into the library.

She shut the door and turned to face him. “I hope you know how much I enjoy my weekly visits.”

Charlotte wrapped her arms around his waist and reached up to kiss him. He opened his mouth to savor her kiss, but tonight he was distracted. The last time he was here with Charlotte he left the door open to see what Lily would do if she passed by the room. He had not decided if he was surprised, but he was intrigued knowing she had watched them; he had turned just in time to see her figure moving away from the door. He wanted to run after Lily then, the pull almost magnetic. Then he found her in the kitchen, with her blond hair shinning in the moonlight. What would Lily’s kiss be like?

He opened his eyes as Charlotte pressed into him. Pulling his focus to the present, he pulled away from the kiss.

Charlotte looked up in surprise. “Darling, what’s wrong?”

“I think tonight you may have to read a book from your own library.” His voice sounded distant to his own ears.

“Oh. I see,” she said, venomously.

He quickly took her hands and kissed them. “I am suddenly more tired than I expected. I will walk you to the door, my lady.”

She nodded and hesitated before she wound her arm through his. Simon appeared from a side room carrying Charlotte’s coat and gloves as her carriage was brought around to the front of the home.

Duncan stepped away, releasing her arm. He did not kiss her cheek as he often did, but merely said, “Goodnight, Charlotte.”

Glaring, she did not reply as she turned and left.

Duncan nodded at Simon and then went up to his room. He undressed and lay down on his bed, staring at wood beams of the ceiling. It was the first time he had ever sent Charlotte away without a book to read and he tried to tell himself it had nothing to do with spending the evening in Lily’s presence. Lily had been avoiding him, but he had been evading her too and he still did not trust her. Even so, he could not deny her allure and he had a hard time imagining she could hurt anyone, with the exception of Charlotte. He chuckled as he tried to focus on what he needed to do to navigate these unfamiliar waters and how to keep Lily at bay. Taking a deep breath, he sat up to blow out the candles near his bed when he heard a strange noise.

After pulling on his trousers, he opened the drawer of his nightstand and reached for the small dagger he kept there. Creeping quietly into the hallway, he listened.

A different sound of movement and rustling rose from below and he moved swiftly and stealthily down the stairs. Near the bottom of the staircase, he saw the shadow of a figure moving in the salon. Sliding against the wall behind him, he raised the dagger and turned the corner, rushing into the salon.

An arm was raised near him and he reached for the arm as he spun and pushed the intruder into the wall. He heard a gasp as he shoved the intruder into the wall and pressed his body forward holding the arm above him. His body shifted against surprisingly feminine curves. Shifting, he looked down to see Lily’s eyes widen in fear as he held her arm above her head and the dagger at her throat.

He stepped away immediately. “Lily! What the hell are you doing?”

She looked down and replied, “I heard a noise.”

“You should have woken me and not come down here by yourself,” he whispered harshly.

Even in the dim moonlight, he could feel her penetrating stare. She shifted the candlestick she carried and placed it under her arm as she rubbed the wrist that he had just held.

“I wanted to be certain someone was there before I alerted anyone. A strange noise should not instantly cause alarm,” she scoffed.

“Did I hurt you?” Duncan asked as he watched her continue to rub her wrist.

She shook her head and looked away from him again, as if embarrassed. Duncan’s eyes adjusted to the dim light and he looked over her to make sure she was uninjured. He gaped. She wore a white nightgown, but her entire
form was visible through the nearly transparent material. The perfection of her form did not surprise him, but seeing her nipples harden and the dark triangle between her legs was about to undo him. She was an angel who could tempt the devil himself.

He gently placed his hand on her shoulder and said, “Stay here.”

His voice sounded much harsher than he intended, but he watched Lily shake her head.

“No. I will be safer with you.”

Duncan opened his mouth to protest, but his stomach tightened at the confidence of her words.

“Fine. Stay behind me and try to be quiet.”

He moved forward and then reached behind him as he felt her delicate hand move into his. Staying close to the wall, they moved together towards the kitchen. They went behind a wall near the library and he saw someone moving towards them. He put his finger to his lips to signal Lily to be silent as he crotched down and then leapt on the person, slamming them down on the ground.

The man cried out, “Villain!”

Then the man swung and struck Duncan on the side of the face.

His cheek stung as he recognized his butler’s voice. “Simon, you fool, it’s me!”

“Oh, my lord! Beg your pardon, sir!”

Duncan moved off Simon and they stood up together. “What the hell are you doing?”

Simon replied, “I heard a noise and came to investigate.”

“So did I. What did you find?”

“Nothing, but the back door was open and I am certain it was closed before. I was going to search the grounds when I heard another noise in the hallway, which I assume now, was you.”

Duncan nodded as he saw Simon gape as he turned towards Lily. “My lady!”

If Duncan had a coat, he would have taken it off and thrown it over her. Simon looked at Duncan obviously at a loss for further words and then removed his robe. Handing the robe to Lily, he said, “Please, for you.”

Taking the robe from his butler, she blushed and said, “Thank you.”

Duncan said, “Simon, check the grounds. I will take Lady Montgomery back up to her room and I will check on Eleanor.”

Simon nodded and walked away from them. Duncan turned and looked at Lily. “We should go.”

She shook her head. “Wait.”

“Must you always challenge me,” he asked harshly.

“I just think you need some ice for your cheek.” She gently touched his face where Simon had struck him and then pulled her hand back swiftly as if she touched fire. Glancing over him, she appeared uneasy before she stepped back.

He took a deep breath and said, “I will take care of it later, but I appreciate your concern.”

Duncan took her elbow to lead her upstairs. As much as he would enjoy her administrations, he needed to get her as far away from him as possible. He opened her door and did a quick check of her bedroom. Satisfied no one
was in the room, he stopped in the doorway as he felt her hand gently touch his arm. She whispered, “Thank you.”

Turning to face her, he sighed before he said, “If you hear a noise in the future, please wake me or one of the staff.” He stepped back slightly into the hallway. “Also, Lily, please remember to wear a robe if you venture out in the middle of the night.”

She narrowed her eyes as she placed one fist on her hip. “Certainly, as long as you remember to wear a shirt!”

She glared at him just before she slammed the door in his face.