Lily in Bloom (7 page)

Eric maneuvered Lily through the crowd but their progress was slow. Lily could feel her head beginning to ache and she began to feel slightly dizzy.

“I can’t believe James had you escort me,” Lily said, looking at Eric with one eyebrow cocked.

“I tricked him into it and, honestly, he did not look happy.” Eric grimaced, even as he winked at her. It was on the tip of Lily’s tongue to ask him about his past but she couldn’t find the words. As the crowd pressed in, Lily felt her head growing light.

“Do you think we could sit for just a moment?” she asked Eric “I am afraid I may have overdone it this evening.”

“Of course. I know just the place.” He steered her to the right and soon they were out on the veranda that led in to the gardens. As the cool air hit her face Lily took a deep breath, already feeling better.

Eric led her into one of the gardens with a small stone bench to one side. The two sat down and Lily looked up at the stars drinking in the beautiful view.

“It is a beautiful view, isn’t it?” she asked as she gazed up.

“Yes, it is.” Eric gently reached up and touched a stray piece of hair that was dancing in the wind. The touch was gentle and intimate.

Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She would ignore his advances as Elise had suggested.

“Where do you know the Colonel from?” she casually remarked, glancing at Eric.

Eric’s jaw once again hardened. “He was a friend of Caitlin’s before we were married.”

His answer took Lily by surprise. “For some reason I cannot picture the Colonel with many female friends, although I do not know him very well.”

“Why do you say that?” Eric looked at her intently.

She laughed nervously then answered, “You will probably think I am silly but he made me feel uneasy.”

“I don’t think you‘re silly at all. In fact, you would do well to trust your instincts.” Eric’s face relaxed. “And I think you’re right. The Colonel does not have many women he calls strictly friends.”

“Oh.” Realizing he meant the Colonel’s lovers she felt herself blushing all the way to the roots of her hair and, despite the dark, she looked down at her feet to hide her blush.

Eric gently put his finger under her chin and lifted her face back up, “Don’t be embarrassed.” As he said these words, the tips of his fingers, which had been on her chin, slid down her neck and over her collarbone. “You are so beautiful. Try as I might, I can’t seem to stop thinking about you.”

Lily’s entire body tingled as his lips touched the skin of her collarbone. She had never felt anything like this before and it was utterly amazing. Without thinking, her head tilted back as his lips moved up her neck and along her jaw. His hands slid down her arms and then gently grasped her about the waist. Without thinking, her arms moved around his neck as his lips touched hers. He pulled away and then kissed her more deeply. His lips felt so wonderful and Lily could feel herself growing warmer, heat curling in her body. She pressed herself closer to him and his hand ran up her body and gently cupped her breast. She gasped at the sensation but her gasp was quickly lost as he opened her lips with his own and deepened the kiss further. Lily could not think a reasonable thought. She could only feel, and she knew she did not want this to end. As he pulled her into his lap and continued to kiss her a moan escaped her and her hands traveled up into his hair.

Suddenly, Eric broke away. “Did you hear something?”

“Hmm?” She was still in his lap with their bodies pressed together and all she could think was that she wanted him to kiss her again.

He stood up, holding her around the waist and moved them into the shadows of the garden.

The clear voice of the Colonel floated toward them as he walked by the entrance of the garden. “I met a very interesting girl this evening. I've been curious about her for a while and I would like some more information. Find out what you can about her.”

“Girl? That does not sound like your usual tastes,” a second man remarked.

“Well, my usual tastes do not make suitable wives.” Both men laughed and continued walking, the rest of their conversation lost in the breeze.

Lily felt herself shiver as she wondered who the poor girl was. Eric's arms tightened around her and his lips formed a hard line. Did he know who the Colonel was talking about?

He leaned down and gently kissed her lips. He removed her arms from around his neck and again tucked one of her hands into the bend of his arm. “We should get you to your brother before he begins to worry.”

Lily nodded feeling slightly embarrassed by how strongly she had reacted to his kiss. As they walked backed toward the doors to the ballroom she did not know what to say to him.

“Promise me one thing.” Eric stopped walking and turned toward Lily. “Promise me you’ll stay away from Colonel Kingsley.”

She nodded her head, unsure of what to say. He quickly dropped one more kiss on her lips before turning toward the doors.

As they walked inside, it was apparent that the ball had thinned out since they left and they quickly made their way to where some of the guests were playing cards.

Lily easily spotted her brother and Elise as she and Eric moved toward them. Aunt Clarissa had obviously found Amelia and the two were sitting on a nearby settee. Mark, Tom, and Danielle were conversing to one side and all looked up at their approach, Amelia winked at her as she passed but James looked far less amused.

“Where have you been?” James stood, glowering at the couple. The hand of cards was forgotten. “Mr. Sampson went for you ages ago.”

“My apologies, James.” Eric addressed her brother. “I found her shortly after you sent me but it seems she overdid it on the dance floor and was not feeling well. I sat with her for a time until she the crowd thinned out and we could make our way here.”

James continued to glower at this explanation but said nothing else.

“Perhaps we should take you home if you feel you have overdone it.” James’s eyes pierced into her.

“Probably a good idea,” Eric said, turning toward Lily. “It was wonderful to see you again.” He nodded at the rest of the party and then turned and left. Lily felt a stab of disappointment. After what they had just shared, she had expected a different goodbye. It was unrealistic to think he might propose on the spot but she had hoped he would have asked her brother for an audience at least.

James turned to her. “Mr. Sampson is a business associate and I expect you to remain cordial, but he will not be a suitor. There are rumors about him and I don’t want you associating with him more than is necessary.”

LILY WOKE THE NEXT MORNING
with a knot in her stomach. She wondered if Eric would come to call today. Her brow furrowed. What would James do if he did? If a marriage proposal came from Eric would James accept it despite his reservations?

She stretched and then jumped out of bed eager to start the day. That was the only way these questions would be answered. She dressed and then headed down to breakfast. She was the first to arrive and poured herself some tea and grabbed a biscuit as she sat to wait.

James and Elise joined her shortly after, followed by Tom. The four sat and chatted about the goings on in Kennebunk and Tom’s wedding, now only a few weeks away. Lily found herself drifting from the conversation and thinking of Eric and the ball the night before.

Amelia and Aunt Clarissa entered the breakfast room and sat down.

“Lily, I would like to speak with you this morning,” James called down the table.

“Of course. What about?” Lily was still only half paying attention. She was day dreaming about her first kiss the evening before.

“Your marriage prospects,” James stated matter-of-factly as if that explained the matter.

Lily’s attention focused fully on her brother. “What about them?”

“We should discuss this later,” James said as he stood to go.

Lily felt sharp annoyance prickle along her skin. She stood as well. “We’ve started now.”

James sighed, “I have asked Mark to consider your hand in marriage.”

The table erupted. Amelia gasped and shot to her feet. Aunt Clarissa dropped her tea cup. Elise yelled out “James!” Only Tom and Lily remained silent.

“Why would you do that?” Lily felt her fists clench at her sides.

“We are running out of time. He is a good man. We…” James began but Lily interrupted.

“I thought we agreed that I would have some measure of time to find a spouse of my choosing, like you and Tom did.” Lily’s voice rose with every word.

“We can’t afford to wait any longer, Lily.” James’s face barely moved a muscle.

“I won’t do it. You promised me this season.” Her spine straightened.

“You will if I say you will!” James’s anger was rising to meet Lily’s.

“You will have to drag me!” Lily slammed a cup on the table, sloshing tea all over the place.

“If Mark agrees then you will do it and I won’t hear another word.” James started to leave the room but Amelia jumped up and grabbed his arm.

“He hasn’t agreed yet?” Amelia barred James’s path.

He gently moved her aside. “It’s a formality. He knows how important this is to our family.” With that he left the room.

Lily tossed herself back in her chair, sure that Eric would come today and propose. Mark would never have to answer and she could marry the man she wanted.

***

The week passed and Eric did not come. The first three days, Lily waited, sure he would arrive. The next two days she cried when no one was looking. By the sixth day she was angry. So angry, in fact, that she did not even notice Mark had still not answered her brother’s request.

Lily dressed for the theater carefully. She wore an organza silk pale blue gown. Her hair cascaded down her back, loosely pulled back. She had one beautiful diamond necklace given to her by her mother that she wore with the dress. The stone sparkled against her bare skin and drew attention to the cleavage just below it. She felt reckless this evening and it showed in the way she stood in front of the mirror. She had done as her family had asked her all of her life because she loved them and it was her duty. She would do as was required of her now, but a little rebellion never hurt anyone. Tonight, she did not feel like following the rules.

As she came down the stairs the eyes of her entire family turned toward her. She held her back stiff and straight but her usual smile was not on her lips.

“Lillian, you look stunning.” James stepped forward. “Mother’s necklace is perfect with that dress. You look…just like her.” James stared in disbelief.

“I will be right back,” Elise said as she hurried back up the stairs.

Lily leaned in and whispered into James’s ear. “What do you think mother would think of this marriage you are arranging for me?” The question was meant to sting and it had its desired effect. Their mother had been engaged to another man when she ran away to marry her father. They had loved each other passionately and her mother had been daring enough to go out and pursue what she wanted.

Amelia stepped up and took Lily’s arm, walking her toward the door. “Don’t worry, Lily. I am sure this is going to work out.” Amelia sounded worried, too, and Lily wondered which of them Amelia was actually comforting.

Lily touched the necklace around her neck. Wearing it brought her mother closer to her.

Elise came back down the stairs. “Lily, wait.” Elise hurried across the foyer. “Wear these, too. In fact, keep them. The set should never have been broken up.” Elise held out her hand and dropped onto Lily’s palm the earrings that made a set with the necklace. They were gorgeous stones and even in her hand, they sparkled.

“I couldn’t,” Lily began.

“They should be yours. Take them.” Elise picked one up and clipped it onto Lily’s ear then the other. She leaned over and said, “You have a great deal of power. You just have to find it.”

Lily sat in the carriage and pondered Elise’s words. Perhaps if she asserted herself more, she would not be in this mess. She thought of Eric. She just assumed he would court her, she hadn’t done a thing to actively pursue him. And Mark. She hadn’t told him of her wish not to marry him. She had sat like stone waiting for him to accept or reject her. She didn’t remember always being this way. She used to go chasing after her brothers constantly. What had happened to her?

The cool night air felt amazing on Lily’s skin and she stopped to take a breath before she stepped into the Allston Hall Theater. Tremont Street was abuzz with carriages and people, despite the later hour. Lily took one more breath, determined to draw life from the scene around her. Elise walked up beside her.

“I don’t know what has changed but men are looking at you like they are bees and you’re the honey. If you keep this up, you may have another marriage proposal by the end of the night.” Lily started to laugh then looked at Elise. Now there was an idea. She smiled at a passing gentleman. He smiled back and, paying no attention to where he was going, ran into a potted plant.

The group made their way to box seats reserved for them. Danielle’s parents had been kind enough to invite them along and as Lily sat down she began to feel excited about the show ahead. She loved the theater, especially opera. The party in the next box entered and she looked up to smile at its occupants.

The smile froze on her face when she saw Eric accompanied by a tall red-haired woman. For a moment, she could almost swear it was Caitlin. Her spine stiffened. Of course it wasn’t her, but the resemblance was remarkable and Lily felt a stab of jealousy similar to the first time she met Eric. Her lips set in a harder line. She couldn’t control the fact that she felt jealousy but she could control her reaction. She was not going to run and hide nor was she going to simply smile at Eric and pretend she didn’t feel anything. He had kissed her; to her that meant something.

James stood from his seat to shake hands with Eric and the family followed suit. Lily rose and moved toward the couple.

“Miss Carter, it is wonderful to see you again.” Eric’s eyes bore into her, taking in every detail. “This is Mrs. Kathryn DeMarco, Caitlin’s sister.”