Devil Disguised (16 page)

He glared. “I find no need for excess. My staff is loyal and they work hard. If you have not assessed this already,
you should know I am a very private person and do not like to share my comings and goings with a multitude of gossiping servants.”

Lily glared back. “You claim a private persona, yet you and Charles were apparently the talk of the ton when you were in London. From what little I have heard you did not shy away from enjoying many of life’s pleasures in the past and I have seen you indulge recently in certain things.”

Now the carriage felt very small. Duncan sat up straighter and she sensed he was reining in his anger. “I believe I have said this to you before, that I do not have to explain myself. If Charles has chosen not to tell you what he and I did in the past there is no reason I should. The past is over,” he said harshly.

“Exactly! Why can you not get over it? You should be able to go back to London and move on from whatever fear is holding you back. You will not even talk about what happened to you!”

Suddenly, the carriage shifted sideways and she slid towards the door. Duncan moved swiftly and stopped her from hitting the side of the carriage. Immediately, he moved to sit next to her and wrapped his arms protectively around her. Lily held onto him as the carriage turned sharply and she cried out in fear. The carriage began to slow, but it seemed to shift at an unnatural angle.

Duncan held her firmly as he appeared to listen intently. He murmured, “I am not sure what is happening.”

Finally, the carriage stopped completely and he released his hold and leapt outside. She eased her way to the edge of the seat to look out the door.

She saw the coachman jump down as Duncan shouted, “What the hell is going on?”

The coachman replied, “My lord, it appears the horses are becoming unhinged from the carriage.”

Lily stepped outside to see that the two horses closest to the carriage were turned away from them.

Duncan rushed towards the horses. “How did this happen? Did you not check this before we left?”

“Yes, my lord, I did. I do not understand how this could have happened.”

Duncan looked at the horses and patted their necks to calm them down. “Let us refasten the horses securely and then I want you to look over every part of this carriage and the wheels before we continue and then do it again while we are at Lady Livingston’s. If you find anything you do not like, we will take another carriage back.”

“Of course, my lord.” The coachman looked terrified.

Addressing the coachman again Duncan said, “Peter, you do understand that all our lives depend on you checking the carriage, do you not?”

“I do, my lord. I will make certain we are secure.”

Duncan approached Lily and gestured towards the carriage, “Lily, please go inside.”

“No. I will not.”

“Do not be ridiculous. Peter and I will check the fastenings and we will be fine.”

She shook her head now more frightened than she cared to admit. Turning her fear into an opportunity she said, “I will only go back inside if you will tell me why you will not go back to London.”

Duncan stepped forward, his voice menacing. “Lily, do not dare push me now.

She crossed her arms and tilted at her waist to look around his figure. “I can see the light from what I assume is Lady Livingston’s home and I will walk from here.”

She went to move around him as he gripped her elbow. “So help me, Lily, I will put you over my shoulder again and we will walk into the party just like that.”

She felt bolder now because she knew he would never embarrass himself in that manner. Shaking her arm free of his grasp, she met his gaze and said, “I dare you.”

His jaw and fists clenched simultaneously as he turned away from her.

She began to grin just as he spun back around, dipped low and threw her over his shoulder.

She cried out as she hung over him, looking at his back. She pushed on his shoulders and struggled in his grasp. The ease with which he seemed to carry her only added to her annoyance.

“Duncan Cavanaugh, put me down this instant!”

Completely shocked, Lily could tell he was carrying her away from the carriage.

“My dress will be ruined,” she gasped.

He tightened his hold on her thighs. “You should have thought of that before you challenged me.”

She pushed on his shoulders and tried to look behind her. “Duncan, please!”

He stopped walking. “Will you go back into the carriage?”

“Will you tell me about your past?”

“Give me your answer, Lily. I will walk with you like this all the way to the party, if that is your wish.”

She cried out in frustration and was tempted to start slapping his back, but instead she replied, “Fine. I will go back in the carriage even though I am probably safer continuing to use you as my mode of transportation.”

He shifted slightly as his arm moved on her thighs. She thought he was going to put her down, but instead he turned around and moved back towards the carriage. At the carriage, he put her down and held her shoulders until she gained her balance.

Peter approached them and said, “I have secured the horses. I think the coach is sound from what I can tell with only the light from the carriage lamp.”

Lily stepped around Peter, entered the coach without assistance, and sat down as anger still flowed through her veins. Smoothing her dress she watched as Duncan entered and flung himself into the seat opposite her. He ran his hands through his hair and avoided her gaze as he said, “You infuriate me as no other ever has before.”

“Even Fiona?”

His eyes widened before they narrowed and his jaw clenched. The carriage began to move forward as he said, “So you know something don’t you? Who told you about Fiona?”

She swallowed and thought it best not to betray Eleanor’s confidence. She replied, “I heard the rumors, but I wanted the truth from you.”

He tugged his jacket sleeves down forcefully and glared at her. “Fine. You want to know, I will tell you, but
I will never speak again about this particular matter,” he said harshly.

He paused before he continued, “My parents wanted me to settle down and stop my scandalous behavior. Both were growing tired of my actions, but I argued with them that I did not need any type of arranged marriage. My mother had taken ill and begged me to meet Fiona because she was perfect for me. Fiona came from a very good family that had fallen on hard times. Add that to the fact that my mother and Fiona’s had become very close. I agreed to court Fiona, but refused to make any promises. I was a fool. I fell in love with her and agreed to the marriage.”

He shook his head and looked down before he returned his gaze to hers. “I stopped all my liaisons and focused all my time on her. I wanted to make her happy. My mother’s illness worsened and I knew hastening the marriage to Fiona would make her feel better, so I obtained a special license. I thought Fiona knew of my intentions and I planned to announce the new date for our wedding along with our engagement at one of the most well attended events of the Season. When we walked to the stage she pulled back from my hold, but I thought she was just nervous. Just as the music stopped, she shouted that she loved someone else. Then, she leaned in to tell me she was having his child.”

He looked out the window, his eyes unfocused. “I can still hear the gasps of the crowd. I saw the shock and disbelief on each and every face of those around me. I thought my mother would faint. Fiona let go of my hand and walked away from me.”

Lily spoke softly, “What she did was wrong.”

“No. What I did was wrong. I had no idea what was happening around me. Those gasps were not because people were shocked by Fiona. When I looked at all those people, I thought I knew so well I saw guilt. They were all astonished I had no idea that Fiona was courted by another man. She had been sleeping with another man, a Duke, no less, the entire time I was trying to win her affections. At the time, I was one of the most notorious rakes in the ton, yet I had no reason to even think the child could be mine. Fiona told me she wanted to wait until we were married, but she was saving herself for the Duke. In that moment, it seemed everyone knew of her situation, but me. What else would those people I considered to be my friends keep from me? My trust of those around me was shattered along with both my good and bad reputation.”

Lily reached out and touched his hand, but he pulled it away. She said, “But you should have stayed. You could have confronted those around you.”

“I did stay, until my mother died, which was just a few days after the incident with Fiona. My father was devastated after my mother’s death. He died soon after that and I could not stand the looks of pity from those around me. Eleanor stayed in the city as she was being courted by Andrew, but I could no longer find enjoyment being there. I came here to Brentwood as the Earl of the Westbrook and never looked back. There is nothing there for me now. Do not ask me again about my time in that city.”

The carriage was slowing as Lily said, “I am sorry about your parents. I had wondered what happened to them, but never thought to ask you. And, Fiona was a fool.”

Duncan slid towards the door and she tried to reach out to him again, but he pulled away. “I do not want your pity. I do not need or want anything from you.”

Lily was taken aback. “No, of course you don’t. You want to live like a hermit in relative isolation with no friends with the exception of a visit from your only family member, a few loyal servants and one widow who apparently satisfies you completely. I shall not ask you again about your past and I now know there is no need for you to speak to me of the tall tales of the captivating rake you used to be because I will never believe that man actually existed. It is a good thing you no longer want to go to London because the ton would certainly not welcome back a pompous bore with the manners and charms of a donkey.”

The carriage stopped and Duncan glared at her. The anger emitting from him now was beyond what she had seen earlier and she jumped out of the carriage just as a footman opened the carriage door. She hurried forward, but Duncan caught up to her easily and gripped her elbow. They rushed past several other guests who were walking up the large stone staircase to the front door of the home.

They were met by several servants inside the spacious foyer. Moving into the home, she did her best to ignore Duncan as she smiled and greeted those around her as if nothing was amiss. Entering the elegant salon, she was handed a standard dance card. She gasped as Duncan took the card from her hand. She was about to utter a protest, but instead watched as he wrote his name down.

Handing the card back to her, he said, “Let us see how much of an ass I can be, shall we?”

He turned and walked away from her as she stood, gaping. Glancing down at her card, she saw he had signed his name next to the second waltz of the night. Shaking her head, she turned and stepped right into Lord Adair. “Oh, beg your pardon, my lord.”

“You do not need to beg me for anything.” His blue eyes gleamed mischievously as he glanced over her. “Lady Montgomery, you look stunning this evening. May I?” He pointed to the card in her hand.

“Of course,” she replied.

He signed the card and then looked around her. “Where has you escort run off to?”

“I presume he had something to attend to.”

Brian grinned and said, “Yes, I see that.”

She followed his gaze to see Duncan in the far corner of the room surrounded by five women. He was smiling and signing their dance cards. Turning to Brian, she shrugged her shoulders, but a strange unease came over her.

He lifted his elbow. “Come. Let me introduce you to our other guests.”

Winding her arm through his, she assessed his handsome features. He had dark hair and classical features and although not as tall or broad as Duncan, he still made an imposing figure. It was nice to be introduced to other guests essentially by one of the hosts of the party.

Eventually they made their way over to Charlotte who said, “Well, good evening, Lily. I am so glad that you and Duncan were able to attend.”

“Thank you for the invitation. I must say your home is lovely.”

It was true, the home was much grander than Lily expected and it was tastefully decorated.

Charlotte grinned. “I am glad my brother extended the invitation, in person.” She nodded slightly at Brian before she asked, “So tell me, where is Duncan?”

Lily tried not to roll her eyes as she replied, “The last time I saw him he was in that far corner surrounded by several women, but I am certain he is here somewhere.”

“Wonderful. Enjoy your evening.”

“You are letting her get to you,” Brian remarked.

Surprised by the comment, she turned to face him.

He grinned mischievously and said, “I know my sister well. She has a certain charm, but it affects women and men very differently.”

Lily laughed. “Yes, charm. Did she get that quality from you?”

“Ah, yes, she did. Lily, you are smart and stunning.” He looked at her with a glimmer in his eye.

Turning, he led her to the center of the room and said, “There are several people you still need to meet.”

Lily was enjoying herself. Pushing the thought of the carriage ride out of her mind, she tried to focus on the new people she was meeting, but was consistently distracted by finding Duncan’s gaze in the crowded room. A small thrill escaped her every time she moved in the room and found his attention seemed to be on her. She had lied to Charlotte when she had spoken earlier; she had known exactly where Duncan was standing in the room. Taking a deep breath, she heard the first dance called and it brought her out of her contemplation.

Now in the dance, Lily circled Brian as he continued to smile at her. Smiling back she felt her stomach tighten as Duncan was the next to circle around her. Why did her breath catch every time she was in his presence? He said nothing to her, but held a seductive look in his eyes as he held her gaze. She had no idea what he was thinking, but she suddenly recalled that earlier she wanted him to kiss her. He grinned at her as if he could read her thoughts and they separated in the dance.