The Rake and the Recluse REDUX (a time travel romance) (92 page)

The final carriage held Helena Wyntor, Marchioness of Cheshire, and her two sons, Lord Vaughn and Lord Quintin.

Perry let out a breath, sweeping his gaze over the heads of his family with a smile. As terrified as he was of this moment, he was equally happy to have everyone together under one roof. The family migrated naturally, his uncles in one group, aunts in another, while his cousins drifted off in the entryway, lords and ladies slowly shifting away from one another, just like the elders.

He was roused from his inspection of his family by a nudge at his elbow. Surprised, he turned to find Harper pointing surreptitiously up the stairs.

“Lilly.” It was more a breath of a vow than a word. He looked around the room. There was no way for him to move everyone into the parlor where they could receive Lilly quietly. He saw her begin to walk down the stairs. He pushed through the throng, vaulting up the steps and drawing every eye with him.

A collective hush fell over the entry as Perry stood one step below her, holding up his hand.

Lilly placed her hand in his, letting it disappear into his clasp as she looked up and saw nothing but his eyes on her.

Perry turned to descend the stairs, his gaze still holding hers, willing her strength, lending her his, and guiding her into the next chapter of her life.

A brilliant smile lit her face, and he knew she would win them, each and every one.

“I say, Trumbull,” the Marquess of Cheshire said, “wasn’t quite expecting this here.” He looked at his wife, who took his arm and smiled at him.

“Dear man, let the boy be.” She patted his arm.

The marquess grunted and turned back to the stairs.

Lady Fallon watched her daughters carefully, particularly Maebh, who stood arm-in-arm with Saoirse as the two descended the stairs.

Perry never took his eyes off of Lilly as he led her down the steps. When they reached the last step he stopped her. “Lilly, I would like to present you my family.” He turned, slowly gazing at each of his family members with a silent caution. “I present you, Miss Lilly Steele of Kelso.”

He guided Lilly around the entry, introducing and reintroducing her to each member of the family, purposely coming to Her Grace, the Duchess of St. Cyr, at the end. “Your Grace, Miss Lilly Steele. Miss Steele, Her Grace, the Duchess of St. Cyr.” He noted the concern in his own voice.

Lilly curtseyed deeply, rising only when she felt a touch on her shoulder.

“Please, child, there is no need of such formalities here. This is family. As you have been invited among us, you will follow accordingly.”

Lilly nodded. “Of course, Your Grace.”

Auberry glanced at Perry, then back to Lilly. “Miss Steele, if you throw a
Your Grace
around here, you’ll garner the attention of no less than three of us. That being said,
my ladiy
and
my lord
would serve a slightly more difficult proposition, and so
that
being said, with our host’s permission, we will do away with all formalities for the night. You will address me as Auberry.” She smiled warmly.

Lilly started to shake her head, and Perry saw the panic flash across her face. He took her hand and drew it through his arm as he captured her attention with a brilliant smile.

“As awkward as this may seem for my guest, I have no doubt she will endeavor to follow your wishes, though because she has such a great deal of respect for propriety, she may slip at times.”

Auberry nodded with a smile, patting Lilly’s hand.

Perry gestured to Harper, who sounded the gong for dinner, and Perry led Lilly into the dining room, followed by the rest of his family.

“Dearest nephew,” Auberry began, “do tell us of this woman Roxleigh is to wed. None of us have had the chance to see much of her, other than the ball where— Well.” She cleared her throat. “When he proposed rather…unceremoniously.”

“Ah, yes, her coming out sent her right back in, did it not? Amazing how that all went,” he said with a grin. “In truth, she is a wonderful lady, and perfectly suited to him, as he is to her. A weaker woman would never suffice, of course, and she has enough will to keep him on his toes and enough brains to prevent him wandering.”

“I see. So she truly is a Trumbull wife?”

“Oh yes, Your Grace, she is very much a Trumbull wife. Of the first order, I daresay.”

“What of her family? I heard she was from France, but weren’t there complications, or—”

Perry chuckled. “My dearest Aunt Auberry, you are so well practiced at beating the bush you never do have to chase your prey, do you?”

Auberry merely smiled.

“I now have responsibility for three young ladies. As my wards they will reside at Westcreek Park until they are presented to Society and married off in the proper fashion. Of course, Lady Francine is one of those wards, so I will have only two charges when I return for the wedding.”

Auberry looked around the room curiously.

“They stayed behind at Eildon Hill Park to help with the wedding plans while I came to London to…complete some business since I had quit with such haste.” It wasn’t so much of a stretch—he had quit with haste, they were left behind, and the details were unnecessary. Or so he thought.

“I’m to assume we shall meet your charges when we arrive at Eildon this week, then. That will be pleasant.”

“I imagine.” He pondered. “I haven’t had much cause to spend time with them as of yet, but I’m beginning to look forward to getting to know them.” He looked at Lilly.

“And you, Miss Lilly, you hail from Kelso. Have you met Trumbull’s wards?”

“I have, but not formally. They were being well looked after by the governess. She was quite protective and strict,” Lilly responded quietly.

“You will need to learn to speak up, especially at tables as large as this. You see, my sons at the other end looked quite interested in any word of Perry’s charges, but were unable to hear your response,” Auberry said with a smile. “Don’t you worry, I’ve no doubt Perry would rather they were left without the information,” she added with a quiet laugh.

“Thank you, Your Grace.” She closed her eyes for a moment, hoping only to survive the rest of dinner.

“Auberry,” the duchess replied.

“Beg pardon, Auberry, I might not remember all the names here tonight, but yours is quite beautiful.” She tried to smile, but believed it looked a bit crooked.

“Why, thank you, that’s very kind of you to say.”

Lilly nodded, then looked down the table.

“Perry, you brought me here for a specific purpose. I imagine it’s time for you to explain yourself,” Auberry said.

Perry choked and covered his mouth politely with a linen, his eyes growing wide as he glanced down the table. She followed his glance to see fifteen pairs of eyes—and then hers—on him. “Hmm.” He groaned, placing the linen back in his lap. “I, well, I was hoping for a more private audience with Your Grace,” he said politely.

“Of course you were,” she said, giving him a preemptive glare.

“Yes, well… Lilly will be my brother’s guest at his town house across the Park. She will need a chaperone while there, until we return to Eildon for the wedding.” Lilly turned abruptly toward him, and he smiled, continuing. “Naturally I thought of you, as you adore shaping the young ladies of the
ton
, bending them to your will and mastery.”

“Naturally,” she said with a grin. “Nonsense, however,” she added. “Who is to remain with you in London? Calder, I assume, and who else, Warrick?”

Perry nodded as Calder looked to Warrick with a shrug. He had long since ceased being surprised when his mother knew more than they believed she ought.

“Well, the answer is clear. No need to open Roxleigh House, as she will come to Calder House. You won’t remove this poor old duchess to a new location against her will. Calder House may not be as impressive as Gideon’s grand town house, but it is sufficient.”

Perry laughed and shook his head. “Sufficient, is it, Your Grace? You are well aware that Calder House is more than adequate, and nearly on the same grand scale as Roxleigh House. Impressions are not what counts under these circumstances, merely Lilly’s safety.”

“I see. A bit more than a chaperone,” she said
sotto voce.

Auberry looked at Lilly, who shied under the sudden scrutiny. She knew she could see the network of scars covering her face. Auberry captured her attention and smiled warmly, setting her back at ease after her untoward scrutiny. Then one of Perry’s hands went under the table and wrapped securely over her knee. She concentrated on the steady warmth and smiled back at the duchess.

Auberry looked to Perry and nodded as the final course of dinner was served.

Lilly looked down the table, watching the rest of the family interacting so easily and calmly together. She had always imagined that the people of this status acted in a proper manner at all times, even in their own company. Perhaps the majority of them did, perhaps it was merely this family that was different. Whatever the reason, she loved their jovial banter, the ease with which they conversed. It reminded her much of her own family.

As dinner finished and the women rose, drawing the men politely from their seats, Perry requested an audience with Auberry, who acquiesced. He made his apologies to the men, who awaited a round of port, and escorted the duchess and Lilly to his study.

He led them to the settee in front of the fireplace, then took a seat in a chair nearby.

“Well, I take this meeting to mean we have certain points that must be explained,” Auberry said.

Perry nodded. “I would never, upon my honor, place you in a position where you might find yourself in defense of your own propriety. For that reason, I wish for you to know everything there is to know, and I’ve no doubt you will know best how to proceed from there.”

She looked to Lilly, who appeared a bit peaked. Auberry reached out and patted her hand, reassuring her, and Lilly smiled up at her, not quite lifting her head from where she gazed at the floor.

“Miss Steele came to be known to me when I returned to Eildon with my brother,” Perry began quietly, then explained Lilly’s upbringing, her injuries, and how they met.

Auberry listened intently, occasionally looking to see how Lilly was faring.

Perry paused after explaining how he found Lilly in his carriage.

“I assume that brings us to London and the need for a chaperone.”

Perry smiled and inclined his head. “Not quite.”

Lilly blushed and Auberry took her hand. Perry explained, in vague terms, Lilly’s requet to him. It weighed the air upon them like a heavy blanket as the room sat in silence and she considered his words. Then she spoke.

“Believe me when I say that the fact you have the support of Calder and Maebh speaks volumes about what has happened between the two of you since you arrived here. I don’t require you to give more details, but I imagine my nephew here has done creative and impressive things to fulfill your request for help. ”

Lilly looked at the small hand resting on hers and smiled shakily up at her.

“You really have done very well with your speech practice, yes?” Auberry asked.

Lilly nodded.