Authors: Elizabeth Michels
“Have I missed my opportunity with your sister, Mr. Phillips? I was afraid of that. That’s what comes of arriving late to a ball.” His eyes swept over her with casual dismissal before returning to Solomon.
“Ah, Lord Harrow. Perhaps we could all enjoy the refreshments together. There is enough of my charming sister to go around.”
“Solomon!” Lillian hissed in reprimand at being made to sound like a common strumpet. Her spine straightened a fraction as she touched the pearls at her throat for added strength. She was going to need all of the strength she could muster if she was to survive the coming hour.
Lord Hingsworth offered an arm she did not wish to take as he said, “I’m pleased I get to spend more time with you, even if I do have to share you with the likes of Harrow. Do not fear. I will protect you from his unwanted advances.”
“Truly that will not be necessary,” Lillian stated just as she became aware of another gentleman approaching at her back. She was beginning to feel like a bone in a dogfight. If this was another of Solomon’s friends come to leer at her, he could go well away and rot. She had enough to deal with at the moment.
“Ah, but she promised to dine with me when we spoke not a quarter hour ago.”
Lillian spun on her heel and gazed up into Thornwood’s face. For once she was glad to see him. “Yes, I did, Your Grace. I’m glad you remembered.”
“Shall we?” he asked, though his gaze was narrowed on Lord Harrow at her back.
“Just a moment, Thornwood. I need to have a word with my sister first,” Solomon said, tugging her elbow to move away from the other men.
“Solomon, I don’t know what you are attempting to achieve by involving me in the gambling books and selecting despicable men for me to entertain, but I will not cooperate!”
“Lillian, we have discussed this and it has been concluded. You have not yet reached your majority and will do what is required as your duty to this family. I am attempting to find you a husband, an effort for which you should be thankful. I don’t care what imaginary men you will be dancing with this evening, but you will be saving the last waltz for Lord Hingsworth. I will hear no other talk on this.”
“Imaginary? Where do you think the Duke of Thornwood came from? Is he an apparition?”
“He is mad! Not to mention a confirmed bachelor.” Solomon stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Lillian, you know nothing of the plans I am arranging for the benefit of our family. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for business to prosper. It is your duty to serve this family in a beneficial marriage. If you are not waiting to dance with Hingsworth when the last waltz begins, I will no longer allow you such liberties as choosing where you reside or wearing those flashy clothes Nathaniel purchased for you.”
“One day you will regret your treatment of me, Solomon.”
“That seems extremely unlikely.”
She turned and walked back to the duke. She took his arm and practically dragged him the first few steps away before he caught up to her. “Hingsworth and Harrow? They don’t seem your type, Lily.”
“Just because you saved me from having to dine with those poor excuses for gentlemen does not mean you’re allowed to torment me for the next hour. Actually, I was planning on getting some air.” She stopped, turning to look at him. “So, I will just leave you here if you don’t mind. Thank you.”
“Fresh air does sound nice. I believe I’ll join you.” He replaced her hand on his arm and continued toward the doors just ahead. “The terrace should be clearing off now, with the promise of roast beef in the next room.”
“I would prefer to be alone.” She stepped through the doors that had been thrown open to the stone terrace at the rear of the ballroom and promptly dropped his arm.
A full moon illuminated the trees that lined the garden, casting long shadows across the lawn. A quiet peace lingered here in the glistening light, one that did not exist inside the overheated ballroom. She took a breath, trying to steady her nerves from the unwanted dance and subsequent argument with her brother. Had anyone heard that quarrel? Her anger had gotten the better of her.
She could not allow Solomon to upset her so. It would do the family name no good for them to be seen having an altercation in front of the entire
ton
. She must be more conscious of her actions. She would adhere to only the most proper behavior from here forward.
“I’m sure my company is preferable to Lord Hingsworth drooling on you for the next hour while Lord Harrow plies you with drink. However, if you don’t see fit to thank me, I can go and get them.” He made to turn and leave.
“No! Very well, thank you.” She glared at him as he settled back into a relaxed pose, leaning on the terrace wall with a grin.
“You are most welcome, m’lady.”
“Why do all men presume to know what is best for me?” She began to pace, her hands balled into fists at her side. “Has it ever occurred to any of you that I may not want to do your bidding?” She paused to turn and level a glare at him. “That I may have my own ideas about my life?”
“You
agreed
to do my bidding, if you recall.”
“Of course I recall!” She continued her pacing.
“You do have my sympathies for having the less desirable half of the
ton
gambling over your attentions.”
“I don’t want your sympathies. I want a fast horse and a place to run.”
“Running away from your problems now, are you? You know that will never work.”
She turned and walked back toward the insufferable man, pausing before him. “Spoken like a duke who has no problems and nothing to run from.”
“Yes, Lily. My life is sheer perfection. I do so enjoy being trapped in the city where I’m of no use to anyone, the sights never change, and my madness is the topic of conversation everywhere I go.” He quirked a brow at her.
“How dreadful that must be for you. How ever do you survive day-to-day life under such torturous conditions as surviving a bit of talk? At least you are in a position to choose your own destiny.” She walked to the wall he leaned against, looking down at her hands where they lay on its rough surface. “It seems I will not even be allowed to choose my own husband.”
“Many ladies are not allowed that liberty, you know. And a husband is what you claim you came to town to find, or is that another of your lies?”
Lillian stared off into the moonlit garden without answering, watching the candles lining the garden path as they flickered in the breeze. His question was too difficult to answer. Yes, that was the reason she was in town, yet no, she did not desire a husband. He wouldn’t understand. She was expected to marry, and apparently that was what she would be doing, even if it was against her wishes.
Finally, she turned back to him. “The purpose of my trip to London is to find a suitable husband. Unfortunately, my brother Solomon has despicable taste in whom I should marry—which is fitting, as his taste for everything else in life involves an insatiable taste for money. Vile man that he is.” She paused to take a breath, attempting to cool her thoughts. “Of all the gentlemen in London, I would not consider Lord Hingsworth a suitable husband, nor Lord Harrow.”
“Lord Hingsworth is well known by every barmaid and courtesan within the country, so I can see your misgivings on the subject. And Harrow is no better. That particular gentleman has plagued me in business for many years and is always willing to sink to a new depth to close a deal.”
“How so?”
“We are both heavily invested in shipping. We have stakes in competing businesses. I won’t bore you with the details beyond that.” His mouth twisted into a grim smile. “Neither man is ideal. I will agree with you on that score.”
“And yet it seems I must share a waltz with Hingsworth this evening.”
“As potential husbands, at least both gentlemen in question would be away often.”
“Is that the life I have to look forward to? Happiness when my husband is not present? A fast horse is beginning to look more appealing.”
“It will allow more time for your clandestine activities, such as stealing from dukes, so there is some benefit to that option.”
“I do not participate in clandestine activities!”
“Am I the only lucky one who has experienced your skills, then? I’m fortunate indeed.”
“Of course you’re the only man I ever…” Her voice trailed away with the heat of the blush rising on her cheeks. She turned away from him so he would not see. He was the only man with whom she had ever done anything at all—share a drink, kiss, become intimate. And yes, she’d stolen from him, which he would clearly never let her forget.
“Why are you tormenting me with an event that happened so long ago? Can you not forget it as I have?”
“You have quite the memory to forget that evening entirely,” he returned tightly.
“I would like to forget it forever. I wish I had never…”
“Gotten me intoxicated, seduced me, and then emptied my pockets? I can see how that would be a regrettable circumstance for you.”
“It was only a watch. You bought it on Bond Street that very afternoon. Buy another!”
“I did, thank you. But that’s not the issue. Although it is nice to hear you admit to following me like a common pickpocket.”
“I truly wish you would tell me what the issue is, then.”
His eyes were shuttered, revealing nothing. He pulled a parcel from his pocket, unwrapping it as he said, “When you dance the next waltz with Hingsworth, you will place this in his pocket without his notice.” He pulled a handkerchief free, holding it between his fingers in front of her.
“I do not wish to be near that man, much less have my fingers in his pockets.”
“As much as it warms my heart to know that you only enjoy delving into
my
pockets, this is what you must do to keep my silence. It’s for your own reputation, Lily. I can just as easily tell the world what happened between us.”
“What is the significance of this handkerchief?”
“It is the metaphorical handkerchief waved at the beginning of a great race. Its whiteness is a symbol of your unblemished past and purity. It’s a square of linen, which represents the paths of our lives woven together in this moment.” A smile broke across his face.
“You know that’s not what I meant. What will this do? What will happen? Does this handkerchief belong to Hingsworth?”
“No, as it happens, it is an old one of mine. But that’s of no consequence. Do as I say and all will go to plan.”
“What plan?”
“You will see.” He grinned. “Supper is ending. We should get back to the ball now.”
“Your Grace, you are truly going to force me to do this, aren’t you?”
“It’s for your own good. And it’s Devon, as I believe I’ve mentioned before.”
He left her standing there holding the handkerchief on the darkened terrace. What was his plan? None of this made any sense. Why did he care so much about the loss of that blasted watch? So much that he would go to these lengths to punish her for stealing it? If he thought he could torture her into returning it, he was mistaken. She would never let that piece go, especially not after she had gone to such extremes to acquire it.
Looking down at the square of linen in her hand, she shrugged. What did this handkerchief have to do with anything?
She shook her head, looking up to stare after him as he disappeared into the crowd. He was the most infuriating man she had ever met. She curled the handkerchief into the palm of her hand and entered the ballroom just as the orchestra struck up its music once more.
Lord Hingsworth approached, holding out his arm for her. “Finally I have you alone again, Miss Phillips. The supper hour was dull indeed without your radiance at my table.”
“I do apologize. I promised the Duke of Thornwood I would join him, and I am true to my word.” She laid her hand on his arm and feigned a slight smile.
“Lovely and noble. I look forward to seeing more of your…” He paused to rake his eyes down her body. “Assets. Perhaps I could call on you tomorrow. We could go somewhere more private to get to know one another.”
“I’m busy tomorrow. I’m quite busy every day, you know. I’m not one to be idle.” She stared ahead, not wanting to even look at the man much less dance with him.
“I also enjoy occupying my time in the mornings. We have that in common.” He led her to the floor and placed his hand indecently low on her back as they began to waltz.
A sick feeling coiled low in her stomach at his touch but she ignored it, gazing over his shoulder at the other couples circling the floor. “Oh? How do you usually spend your mornings?”
“In bed.” Her focus snapped back to his face at his statement. His eyes devoured her in a way that caused her skin to crawl in protest.
“Please, do not look at me in such a way.”
“If your brother accepts my suit, soon I will look upon you every day—at meals, in your idle hours, at night when I have you in my bed…” he replied with a crooked-toothed grin.
“If it would not draw the attention of everyone in this ballroom, I would slap you for saying such things to me.” She glanced at the handkerchief still clasped in the hand that rested on his shoulder. Whatever the reason for planting the cloth in his pocket, she wanted it over with. Not Solomon nor any duke would force her to dance with such a vile excuse for a gentleman again.
“Yes. Such fire. Our marriage bed will be exciting.”
“I have not agreed to any marriage arrangements.”
“Solomon is handling the arrangements. Don’t fret your pretty little head over it. I have not yet won your hand, but I will. You will see.”
At the sound of the final chords of the waltz being played, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was now or never. She pulled away from him and feigned a stumble on the hem of her gown. When Lord Hingsworth reached out, all too ready to steady her, she slipped the handkerchief into his jacket pocket. “Oh my. Thank you, Lord Hingsworth.”
“I will return you to your brother. I would not want you to have to spend any more time than required with someone like the Mad Duke, after all. Best to keep close to family at events such as these. Ah, look. Your brother appears to be in discussion with Lord Harrow again. Fret not. I will not allow him to make arrangements for you where I am not involved.”