Must Love Dukes (10 page)

Storm-cloud blue eyes regarded her with a look of surprise from beneath unruly black hair. She would have laughed if it were not so horribly mortifying. How had he found her? Had he known she was sitting there? And now it was too late to move, too late to hide, because he was approaching.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Lillian chirped, completely annoyed by his presence.

“Lily? What are you doing here in the least inhabited area of the park?” He glanced around before adding, “Alone?”

“I took a stroll, not that it’s any of your business.”

“A stroll that brought you to the only wild area of a five-thousand-acre park?”

“Yes.”

“Without so much as a maid?”

“Yes,” she returned with defiance.

He shrugged. “Very well. Should we call this fate?”

“I hope this is not what fate would favor me with this morning, although I should not doubt it.”

He sat beside her on the ground, propping one elbow on his knee in a relaxed manner while his horse wandered away, grazing on grass. “You are a difficult lady to find, Lily.”

“You
did
have me followed here. I knew it!” Her spine straightened even further as she turned accusing eyes on him.

“You knew no such thing. I was out for my morning ride, the ride I take every morning. I could accuse you of following me,” he said, breaking into a slight smile.

“I would never—” She broke off when he continued speaking.

“I was referring to your stay with the younger Mr. Phillips when there is a Bixley residence in town used by the Phillips family. I found it curious. Lord Bixley is ashamed of having you as a poor cousin, is he?”

She bristled at the thought of Josiah being in a position to look down on her presence. Her temper flared in an instant. “Lord Bixley is my brother, you arse! And I would not stay under that roof if it were the last dwelling in England.”

He looked taken aback by her outburst. Silence fell for only a second before he recovered. “That makes Solomon Phillips your brother as well.”

“That is generally the way that family trees are arranged.”

“Hmm, well, it matters not. I’ve made arrangements to attend the Geddings’ ball. You will be attending as well, I’ve heard.”

“How did you know that?”

“A lady’s schedule while in London is hardly secret. I asked a few questions and discovered answers to those questions. It was surprisingly simple once I learned where you were residing.”

“You’ve been spying on me?”

“When phrased that way, it sounds rather distasteful. I prefer inquiring after you. Much more pleasant, don’t you think?”

“No, I don’t think. I don’t find any of this pleasant. Why must you put me through this? You can control whether you tell of our past or not. Surely my transgressions don’t warrant such behavior. It was nothing really.”

“Nothing,” he grated back at her. “You lied about your identity and then stole from me. That is more than nothing, Lily.”

“I only took my…rather,
your
pocket watch. A watch that you only owned for one afternoon. I don’t see why it upset you so.”

“It’s not about the watch!” He looked away and took a deep breath. “See that you are at the ball tonight,” he demanded. “I trust that you will save me a dance between those of all your suitors.”

She blinked up at him. “You know, then?”

There was a moment of pity mixed with some more intense emotion that she could not decipher in his eyes as he gazed at her. “Lily, when wagers are entered on the books at White’s gentlemen’s club over the outcome of a lady’s London season, everyone knows.” With that, he turned on his heel, strode to his horse, and mounted in one fluid motion.

He left her there swallowing those last words like bitter medicine. She had become the subject of gambling now? It was mortifying. How far was Solomon going to take her torture? Tonight she would have to put on a smile and arrive at a ball where everyone knew she was being gambled upon and auctioned off. If that was not enough, now she would also be doing the bidding of the Mad Duke.

Had he just demanded another dance? Did life get worse than this? If it did, she was going to set off across this clearing and keep walking until she was well away from everything she knew. She leaned her head back on the tree and stared at the hazy blue sky, listening to the clopping sound of the duke’s horse as he rode away.

If she had the ability to turn back time and choose a different path, would she? Would she still walk into that Bond Street shop, knowing what she knew now? Her hand drifted over the pearl necklace at her throat.

It had all begun so innocently, with the toe of her black half boot sinking into the mud of a soggy Bond Street while she was on a quest to retrieve a few family heirlooms. If Lillian had known what disasters that man would bring into her life, would she have still run after him? She shook her head in wonder.

However, the answer to that question made no difference today. The past was in the past and could not be changed. Sighing, she rose to her feet, picked up her hat, and set off back to Nathaniel’s house.

That evening, Lillian found herself dressed in a gown of creamy yellow and standing in the middle of the Geddings’ ball. The day had passed in a haze of anxiety that she had escaped mostly by hiding in a book. Nathaniel had led her to the ballroom and disappeared into a card room, as was apparently his custom.

In the crush of people, Lillian did not see any of the ladies she had befriended a few nights prior. Therefore, she busied herself by walking the perimeter of the room and admiring the large tapestries that adorned the walls. She stepped around a tree that had been brought inside for decoration and was passing a group of giggling young ladies when she saw Sue.

“Lillian, I am so happy you’ve arrived. I thought I would have to chat with my mother all evening. You know I love chats with my mother. But at a ball, who wants to endure that humiliation?” Sue beamed as she grabbed Lillian’s gloved hand, dragging her across the floor toward the refreshment table. “Not I,” Sue said over her shoulder.

Lillian stumbled after Sue, attempting an air of decorum while being pulled through the crowd. “I am always pleased to be of assistance. May I ask where we’re going?”

“I spotted Lord Steelings entering the ballroom, so we are leaving it. Shall we escape to the terrace or the corridor, or perhaps the ladies’ retiring room? Yes, that will be just the place. Don’t you think so? He couldn’t possibly find us there. Can you imagine the look on the ladies’ faces if a gentleman entered the ladies’ retiring room?”

Lillian was struggling to keep up with Sue’s spritely pace, along with her trail of thoughts. “Or we could slip into this parlor. Why don’t you wish to see Lord Steelings?”

“His incessant questions, his annoying sense of humor, his looks…” Sue ticked off reasons on her fingers as they entered a side parlor where older matrons were gathered to hold court and sip lemonade.

Lillian was confused by Sue’s chatter about Lord Steelings and tried to get some clarification. “Does he have a poor sense of humor?”

“No, but that has nothing to do with it.”

“Oh.” Lillian was unsure what her friend was talking about but decided to drop the conversation as the subject of Lord Steelings seemed to anger Sue.

Lillian followed Sue into the room, where they tried in vain to blend in with their surroundings. Finding two chairs near a corner, they sat together, ignoring the stares they received for daring to be young and present in this particular side parlor. Lillian gave a slight smile to the elegant older woman to her left. She was dressed in deep blue and had kind, gray-blue eyes that fell across Lillian with the not-quite-masked look of someone who was just given an unexpected gift.

Lillian hoped this would not lead to an entire evening trapped in conversation with a lady who only spoke of her grandchildren and her bunions. She put on a smile and did as she must, offering a polite greeting. At her side, she could hear Sue doing the same for the lady at her right.

“Good evening. I do hope we haven’t taken the seats of any friends of yours.”

“You, my dear, may sit anywhere you wish. However, I wonder that you are not in the ballroom catching the eye of some gentleman, perhaps even a duke?” The woman’s eyes twinkled with delight at her new company.

Lillian’s eyes slid to Sue at her side. “We are rather trying to avoid the ballroom at the moment. I hope you don’t mind our company.”

“Not at all, my dear. Not at all. I have discussed Lady Autright’s ailing feet and Lady Milford’s hurt back until I feared I might never hear proper conversation again. Tell me about yourself.” She patted Lillian’s arm in a motherly way that Lillian had not experienced since she was a girl.

“I’m Miss Phillips and this is my friend Miss Green. You may call me Lillian. This is my first season. I’m in town from Whitby where my family resides. Miss Green is…”

“Phillips, you say? Are you Lord Bixley’s daughter? But of course you are. You have your mother’s eyes. I was so sorry to hear of your father’s passing last year.”

“You knew my mother?”

“Of course, dear. Everyone knew Honoria. Quite popular, you know. How fortunate that you are the one who has…” She paused with a smile. “That you are the one who has chosen to sit with me this evening.”

Somehow Lillian didn’t think that was what the woman was originally going to say, but she smiled in return. With Mama gone for so many years now, it was refreshing to find someone who had known her. Lillian’s own memories had begun to fade with time.

“I can remember back in our day when Honoria would sweep into a room and every head would turn, much like with you this evening in that lovely yellow gown. It serves to bring out the gold of your hair. Although you have no need of that fichu at your neck. Styles are quite low this year. Your mother would not have bothered with such. She liked to be fashionable. Between us, dear, she dressed to hide her bookish nature. Not many people in the
ton
knew how intelligent your mother was beneath her loveliness. Tell me, are you as well read as she?”

“I do love to read, mostly novels and travel journals. I know it’s not particularly appropriate for a lady to admit to such bluestocking tendencies, but I trust that you will not spread my secret.”

“Oh, certainly not, dear.” The woman tittered and patted her hand again, making Lillian smile. “I can see that we will get on just fine. You must come and take tea with me.”

“I would be honored to do so. I am sorry, but I don’t believe I heard your name.”

“I’ll tell you stories of your mother. I have a feeling you’ll find my current residence most interesting. There are quite a few collections of foreign artifacts and plantings, as well as an extensive library of travel journals. I did forget to introduce myself in all the hubbub of getting acquainted, didn’t I? Oh my, my, where is my head? I’m the duchess of Thornwood.” She broke off the conversation, looking up past Lillian as Lord Steelings approached.

Lillian couldn’t breathe. She had inadvertently sought out and conversed with the insufferable duke’s mother. His mother and her mother had been friends! She had agreed to take tea at his home! Oh dear. Her mind flooded with images of his home and what she had allowed to happen there. She tried to block out the memories of their night together, and yet that seemed to be the only place her mind wished to travel at the moment.

How could she have tea with his mother under the same roof where she had behaved so abominably? Could she keep up appearances and browse His Grace’s collections as if she had never heard of them before? Everywhere she went in this city, she seemed to step a little deeper in the mire. She dragged her mind forcibly back to the conversation.

The duchess stated, “Lord Steelings, do not act as if you do not see me sitting here simply because I am with these two eye-catching young ladies. You are not too old for me to take in hand, you know.”

“Your Grace,” Lord Steelings offered with an elegant bow. “I would not dream of cutting you in such a manner. I was only temporarily distracted by your company this evening. I do hope my knuckles will stay intact.”

“As long as you stay out of my tea biscuits, your knuckles are safe.”

“Ladies, the Duchess of Thornwood is known for rapping knuckles if you put one toe out of line. Do beware, especially if you think to sneak and eat her sweets.” Steelings laughed. “Or is the rapping of knuckles reserved only for mischievous boys of ten years of age?”

“Dear boy, I have not seen you nearly often enough in recent years,” she admonished. “You must come around for a visit now that I am in town. Have you seen my son this evening? He claimed to be attending, which I found most interesting.”

“I have not. I haven’t seen Thornwood in a few days. He said he would attend this evening? That is curious.”

“Indeed.” The duchess glanced meaningfully at Lillian. “Dear, you are looking a bit pink. You’re not overheated in this warm room, are you?”

“No, Your Grace. I am quite all right. Although perhaps some air would do me good. If you will excuse me.” Lillian stood to leave. “Sue, I’m going to the terrace. Would you like to come with me?” She needed time to breathe, time to think.

“I was coming to collect Miss Green for our dance,” Steelings stated.

“Go ahead, Lillian. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Do not forget you agreed to join me for tea, dear,” she heard called from over her shoulder.

Lillian turned and smiled. “How could I forget?” she said quite truthfully before walking quickly away. How indeed? She skirted the ballroom, dipping between groups of chatting ladies and gatherings of men deep in discussion. Finally, she was within sight of the terrace doors when a hand caught her elbow. She turned, expecting to see the duke, who seemed to be everywhere she went, and came face to face with Solomon. This night was going downhill at a speedy rate.

“Lillian, I’ve been looking for you. I thought we agreed you would make yourself available at the balls you attend.”

“Good evening, Solomon. I am ever so disappointed that we are only now seeing one another this evening. When I arrived I said, ‘Where is Solomon? Of everyone here, he is truly the one with whom I would like to visit.’”

“There is no need for your sharp replies, Lillian. I have a few people I wish for you to meet. I would wager that your dance card will see a name or two on its lines this evening.” He pulled her back toward the entrance to the ballroom and shoved her toward a gangly gentleman with flaming red hair who was busy hovering over three petite young ladies and clearly trying to get a view down their necklines. She tugged her own gown higher and ensured that her fichu was in place before he could turn to look at her.

“Mr. Phillips, it’s good to see you this evening. I was telling these lovely young ladies how fascinating the gallery at the Geddings’ home is.” He turned back toward them. “See if you can slip away after the final waltz, and I will give all three of you a tour of the gallery you won’t soon forget.”

The ladies tittered at his attention and shot Lillian reproachful looks as he turned to face her. She felt instantly dirty under his intense gaze. He pulled his gaze from her lace-covered bosom to say, “You must be Miss Phillips. It’s certainly a pleasure. I am Lord Hingsworth.” His attention shifted to Solomon as he added, “Your sister is quite charming. You didn’t exaggerate.” His thin face turned back to Lillian, his brown eyes drinking in her form within the yellow gown.

Solomon smiled a thin smile of triumph. “Why don’t you dance with Lord Hingsworth, Lillian?”

“Yes, excellent idea! May I have the honor of this dance, Miss Phillips?”

Would she kill her brother? Most certainly, and soon! She would rather be slapped in the face with a fish than to allow that man’s hands near her body. Yet Solomon was glaring at her and she did not wish to cause a scene in the Geddings’ ballroom. It was only one dance. Surely she would survive in the same manner many other ladies survived dances they did not wish to dance.

“Yes, Lord Hingsworth, a dance would be nice.” She almost choked on the last word but managed a serene smile in his direction. As he led her to the floor to join the country dance that had already begun, her fingers itched to be away from his sleeve, her lips tightening into a stern, peevish look sure to turn any man away.

“Your brother has told me about your situation.”

“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, then, for I was not aware I had a situation,” Lillian replied.

“You are in need of a husband, are you not?”

“I don’t know that I would phrase it in such terms.”

“Miss Phillips, from the moment I laid eyes on you, a vision in gold, I knew that we must be together. I know this is a bit forward of me and yet I cannot help what my lips must express to you.”

“Do you mean you would abandon those three young misses in the gallery for me? Your flattery astounds me.”

“It would be my pleasure. Why not begin our future together now? My hands will guide you just as they do now.”

Lillian almost stumbled. “I don’t believe that will be possible, Lord Hingsworth. You see, I am spoken for during all my remaining dances this evening. I have become popular quite rapidly. It has been very unexpected.”

“That is odd. Your brother led me to believe that I could enjoy this entire evening with you if I so chose. I was not aware of any competition for your affection.”

“He was mistaken,” Lillian chirped.

“I see. I also see that you fit perfectly in my arms. Have you noticed it, too? It’s magical, isn’t it? I’m amazed by what I feel for you after such a short time, Miss Phillips.”

“Lust?”

“Ha, you jest. Quick with the tongue. Your brother warned me of that. Come with me to the gardens tonight. It will be only us together in the moonlight, alone.”

“I’m sorry but I really am quite busy.” The music ended and she’d never heard such a glorious sound as the final note. Finally. “It is a shame that our dance has ended now. I really must be off.”

He grasped her wrist as she turned to leave and placed her hand on his arm. His hand lingered a bit too long over hers. She risked being ill right here on the dance floor if he touched her once more. She allowed him to lead her back to Solomon.

“Solomon, she is quite a gem. Too bad all of her other dances are promised. I would like to…further our acquaintance.”

“Her dances are promised, are they? Why don’t you join her for the supper hour? She was going to dine with me, but I will gladly relinquish my position so that you might spend more time together.”

Lillian’s mind raced to find some logical reason why she could not dine with this horrible man. She looked at Solomon with the sinking feeling that she would not get out of this situation. Just then, another gentleman arrived, sidling up to Solomon. Had her brother contacted every degenerate male within the
ton
in an effort to be rid of her? The dark-haired man appeared to already be foxed as he listed to the side with one step. For goodness’ sake!

Was she to keep such company for the remainder of the evening? She pushed away the thought that she could very well be forced to keep such company for the remainder of her life. There must be a way out of this muddle. She only needed one good excuse, yet none came to her.