Tempting His Mistress (19 page)

“Well, what Mrs Hargreaves does not know will not hurt her.” He propped himself on an elbow and stared down at her flushed face. He didn’t mention that it was likely the house keeper would know full well what they had been doing when they returned with crumpled clothing and errant bits of grass covering them. Evan pulled one of the offending bits of foliage from Lilly’s hair.

With her curls loosened and her eyes shining bright from her orgasm, she had never looked so beautiful. Evan was not one for poetry but he felt the odd urge to spout something of beauty and radiance. He smirked at himself. Damn fool.

“What?”

Blast, the woman was too perceptive. “You’re beautiful, Lilly.”

Instead of denying it, she gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“You don’t wish to argue the case with me?” he asked, surprised.

“When I make love to you, I feel beautiful.”

Each sweet, agreeable word she uttered made his insides crumble just a little more. He almost longed to have a blazing argument with her to make leaving easier but he feared he would fall prey to her just as easily then too. Evan had to admit to enjoying the way her eyes flashed when angry and how her voice trembled with her passion. Who could not find such fervour admirable? It seemed he found every facet to her fascinating. Frustrating indeed, when he needed to put her from his mind and accept he would have to let her go very soon.

Lilly scribbled angrily across another failed sketch. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make her hand do as she commanded. She scowled at her failed scenery and cast the pad aside with a huff.

She turned the chair from the beautiful panorama and slumped, arms folded across her chest. Her drawing from two days ago was ruined now, all because she couldn’t focus. Evan had only departed a couple of hours ago, shortly after breakfast, but her stomach churned with unease. This was not just her missing him, this was something else.

He had made love to her again several times during the night. There had been a desperation to it. The words he spoke... She shook her head. She had never heard him speak like that before. Frantic, harsh compliments. Talk of her beauty and how lost he was when he made love to her. It was so unlike the man she knew—the one who remained in control at all times.

Blowing out a breath, she stomped to the back of the house and through the kitchen. Mrs Hargreaves let out a startled exclamation but Lilly ignored her and pressed past Anne to step into the store room. She eyed the gun cabinet and pulled it open. It only took her a few moments to find the box Evan had laid out on the kitchen table the other night. She lifted it down, heart sinking when she felt how light it was and carried it to the kitchen. Mimicking him that night, she placed it on the table and opened it.

A little sound of horror escaped her. The pistols were gone. He was going to do something about this Eleanor woman. She just knew it. Deep in her bones, she understood Evan had been saying goodbye to her. What did he intend to do? Kill the husband? And why? This woman had to mean a lot to him for him to want to risk a hanging.

Mrs Hargreaves came to her side. “The master has taken his guns.”

Lilly nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“He is going to do something foolish?”

She turned to face the thin, dour-faced woman. Though Mrs Hargreaves had never been particularly warm to her, they had come to a good understanding and she trusted the woman implicitly.

“I think he is going to kill a man.”

The housekeeper nodded. “He was going to help that woman you know—the one who died?”

“How do you know this?”

“I know everything, Miss Claremont. Besides, I have my sources in London. His housekeeper in London, Mary, sends me letters. He was intending to help this woman.”

“Help her? How?”

Mrs Hargreaves narrowed her gaze before apparently making a decision. “The master aided a woman before. Her husband beat her, and Lord Hawksley helped her escape and sheltered her at the estate in Scotland.”

Lilly pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. Evan had helped a woman escape her violent husband? No wonder he wanted it kept silent. If the husband or even the law found out he had interfered in their marriage, the consequences could be dire. But while she understood why he might help a woman in distress, she couldn’t fathom what had driven him to such lengths in the first place. It was certainly a drastic move to smuggle a woman away and risk everything.

Lord, she had misjudged him so terribly. Yes, she knew him better now but to think she had even considered him so callous and cruel even briefly sent a stabbing sensation to her heart. Even the thought that maybe this woman had been his mistress or a lover vanished. Had he not always been brutally honest with her?

She lowered her hand and pondered the empty box. He might die, she realised, or else end up in jail. The pain in her chest increased until she feared she might swoon from it.

“Is all well, Miss Claremont?” Mrs Hargreaves prodded, grey eyes oddly soft with understanding.

“I must stop him.”

The housekeeper thinned her lips. “He will not be happy to have you involved.”

“I care not. We can’t let him do such a thing. He must not be thinking clearly. If he fears for this other lady too, then he must do nothing. If he is arrested, his actions will come to light and she shall be sent back to her husband.”

Mrs Hargreaves nodded slowly. “You are right, miss. And I have little desire to see him harmed.”

“Good.” Lilly’s stomach churned. “I shall catch the next train to London. Can you have the carriage made ready please?”

“You must take someone with you. Anne will accompany you.”

She shook her head firmly. “No, if it is dangerous, I shall put no one else in danger. Besides I think I have a better chance of persuading him to return on my own.”

“The master will not be happy that you are out unaccompanied.”

“The master will have to tolerate it.”

Mrs Hargreaves opened her mouth and closed it again before speaking. “Miss Claremont, should you come to harm, I don’t know how the master shall react.”

Warmth soothed the ache in her heart at the housekeeper’s words. Did she mean Evan had a high regard for her? She could not help but hope so even if it was a fool’s hope. What could come of such feelings? She had around ten months left with him—if he survived his ridiculous plans—and after that, she might never see him again.

She laid a hand over the housekeeper’s, felt her bony hand flinch and offered a smile. “I have little intention of doing anything other than bringing Evan home. All shall be well, I swear.”

The woman’s shoulders softened a little and she offered her a reluctant smile in return. “Let us hope so, miss.

Lilly lifted her hand away and drew herself straight. Nerves thrummed through her at the thought of going to London—a place she had never been—alone. To find a man intent on murder no less. She had little other choice but to go. The alternative was unthinkable. She would not have Evan taken away from her.

***

By late afternoon the train pulled into Paddington Station. Lilly twined her fingers together as it squealed to a stop and steam hissed through the air. The husband and wife opposite her gave her a sympathetic smile. Thankfully they had been kind when she had explained she was travelling to London alone because of a death in the family. She only prayed her lie would not prove prophetic and Evan was yet unharmed. Having never been to London before, she was grateful to Mr and Mrs Smythe, who it turned out lived not far from Kensington in the slightly less opulent area, for offering to share their carriage.

Mr Smythe, a doctor, declared he would not like to see her unaccompanied in London when she didn’t know the city at all. Lilly had hardly considered what might happen when she arrived. She knew only the address of Evan’s residence, but had no idea how to find it. Her original hope had been that she could find a carriage and the driver would know where to go.

Opening the door, Mr Smythe ushered her out. Lilly took a moment to peer around the vast station. A great glazed roof spanned the station and she gaped up at the wrought iron supports. She had seen the station on postcards and remembered her father speaking of when it had been built, but photos did it little justice.

Around her, people pushed and shoved. Steam escaped from the train, suffusing the air and had Lilly not been filled with nervous energy already, she would have been by now. The noise and bustle, the whistles and hisses and screeches of trains, made her wince. Her eyes had to be as wide as they could go. She shrank back as a group of rough looking men pushed past from third class. How foolish to think she could do this on her own. She didn’t realise how isolated and protected she really had been.

“Shall we, Miss Claremont?” Mrs Smythe prompted.

She nodded frantically, grateful for the kindly woman’s support. She reminded her of an older version of her mother. Small, pretty, with an expression that invariably spoke of patience. Her grey curls peeked out from under her cap and surrounded flushed cheeks. Lilly had found herself taking to her as soon as she had stepped into the carriage with them.

Following their lead, Lilly pushed through the congested platform until they spilled out onto the street. The noise and commotion was no less here. Carriages crowded the streets and the pavements were busier than she had ever seen in any of the places she had visited. She straightened her shoulders and tried her best to appear as though none of this daunted her, lest she stand out like a stranger. Folks from all walks of life mingled on the streets and some of the fashions she saw rivalled that of even Evan’s sister-in-law.

Mr Smythe led them to a waiting carriage and aided her in. Once sat, he grinned in her direction. “London is quite something, is it not, Miss Claremont?”

“It is. Do I give myself away?”

“As new to London? A little, my dear, but do not be concerned. There are many newcomers to London every day. You concern yourself with your family and nothing else.”

Guilt pricked at her but she shook it away. If they knew the circumstances, would they be any less sympathetic? They were good people but would likely not wish to share their carriage with a mistress.

“What a shame your mother and father never brought you to London before. It is a fine place for a woman to meet a husband,” Mrs Smythe commented.

Lilly remained silent, not wishing to dash the woman’s view of her. Little did she know, Lilly’s chances of ever marrying were slim.

The carriage jostled to a start and she turned to peer out of the window. She had never been anywhere like it and everywhere she looked were fascinating buildings and people. She imagined it would take days to explore even half of what London had to offer. If only she were here under different circumstances.

The carriage came to a stop at the end of a long row of grand houses, all different in style, yet sizeable and imposing.

The doctor popped his head out of the window and ducked back in. “Here we are, Miss Claremont. We’ll not get the carriage up the road I fear. Too much traffic, but this is the street you’re after.” Lilly fished around in her purse to pay her part of the fare but Mr Smythe waved it away. “We have a daughter close to your age. I would hope someone else would show her some kindness too were she in your position.”

Lilly managed to bite back that she hoped their daughter was never in her position. A fallen woman trying to prevent her lover from murdering someone. It was like something out of a novel.

“I cannot thank you enough. I should have been thoroughly lost had I not met you.”

Mrs Smythe gave her an indulgent look. “Just be careful now. There are kind folk to be found but a lot of unscrupulous ones reside in London too.”

With a nod and another thank you, Lilly exited the carriage with the help of the driver. He pointed her towards a great red brick house, ignoring her murmured thanks and climbing back onto his seat. Lilly barely avoided being trampled as she made her way across the street. The drivers certainly seemed to be in a hurry.

Clutching her purse tight to her chest, she smiled as a gentleman tipped his hat to her but she felt her lips wobble. Would it be too late? What if Evan was not there? His staff might not allow her entrance to the house. None of them had met her though they likely knew about her thanks to Mrs Hargreaves. But who was to say they believed her?

Her heart jolted as a familiar figure strode up ahead. Was that Evan? There were so many well-dressed gentleman here it was hard to tell but she recognised his long-strided walk—one of determination. She clutched her skirts and hurried along but in the confines of her dress, her pace was no match for his.

He turned the corner and her heart climbed into her throat, making breathing difficult. Her ribs pressed urgently against her corset but with nowhere to go, she quickly grew breathless. She would lose him entirely if she was not careful.

She fell into a run—or at least as quick a pace as she could manage. Passers-by gave her a startled look and one woman cried out when she accidentally brushed her shoulder. Gaze intent on the corner Evan had disappeared around, Lilly barely gave her a glance and didn’t have time to apologise.

Rounding the corner, Lilly didn’t slow but swung her gaze around. On this street, the houses were close together and the cobbled road was narrower. Several groups of people cluttered the path, forcing her onto the road and nearly into a pile of horse excrement. A little thrill trilled inside her when she spotted Evan’s hat and broad shoulders across the road.

“Evan!” she called, aware her shout garnered many stares. “Evan!” she tried again.

He paused and turned slowly. She saw him scan the crowd and she waved frantically. He looked as though he had not spotted her so she snatched her skirts and hastened across the road, calling his name again.

When she got closer she heard him shout her name and he motioned with his hand. Too late, she realised he was not greeting her but signalling a warning. A carriage bore down on her, the rattle and thud of hooves almost deafening. She squealed and leapt back only to feel the breeze of another carriage behind her. Something caught her and scraped along her back, pulled her to the ground. Disorientated and aching, she found herself facing the cobbles. Her palms stung as she tried to push herself up.

In a trice, Evan was beside her and scooping her up. He carried her quickly to the other side of the road and set her on her feet. Pedestrians gaped but Lilly couldn’t bring herself to care. Her hands trembled as Evan lifted them to study her palms. She saw they were red and bleeding.

“What are you doing here, Lilly?” he asked. His voice sounded thick.