Devil Disguised (20 page)

“I have no idea! When I left London I also left some of my worst behaviors behind me and I keep order in this home, but I have unraveled a bit since Lily walked through the front door.”

Andrew looked at the half-full glass of brandy on the table near Duncan and said, “Yes, I can see that. The Duncan I knew would have been on his third glass of brandy by now. I always found it fascinating that the most logical and analytical man I know would always drink to excess when dealing with an unusual situation.

Duncan grimaced and said, “Maybe I am realizing now that alcohol never changes a situation, but certainly can make it worse.”

“Speaking from recent experience I take it? I am guessing you indulged quite a bit when Lily first arrived.”

Sitting down in the chair nearest him, Duncan placed his hands on his head and replied, “Yes. I had too much to drink on one of her first nights here and accused her of hurting the people she loved most, then I kissed her.”

Andrew collapsed in the chair behind him. Shaking his head, he asked, “You accused her of hurting people and then you kissed her?”

Duncan nodded.

Andrew gaped. “Yet, somehow she still talks to you, stays here, and I am guessing has allowed you to kiss her again? She must have some inner strength or simply be as forgiving as an angel to handle you.”

Duncan gazed down at his feet and said, “She is an angel and devil combined. She can be as sweet as an angel and looks like she came straight from Heaven. She tempts me as only Satan could and as no other woman ever has before.”

“Even Fiona?”

Duncan glared. “Even Fiona, and that was a long time ago, Andrew.”

“Yes, it was, but it still seems to get a rise out of you.” Andrew held up his hands and continued, “I am not trying to dredge up your past, but only mention it because then and now are the only two times I have seen you out of sorts. Yes, you were a notorious rake back in London, but you acted with purpose and intent. You floundered around after the Fiona fiasco, until you came here. Since you left London, the estate has flourished. You have far more wealth than anyone would guess and you manage things well. You still have your dalliances with the ladies, but you have become a responsible and respected member of the town of Brentwood as the Earl of Westbrook. Add that to the fact that my wife praises you constantly and I know she is an excellent judge of character.”

“What the hell is your point, Andrew?” Duncan stood up and reached for his glass of brandy.

Andrew stepped next to Duncan and held his arm before he could raise the glass. “My point is, you need to figure out what is going on. You are floundering again and there is no reason for it. We need to sit down with Lily and figure out who is trying to harm her. I am guessing she has no idea, but we need to do our best to get to the bottom of it. And you need to hold firm on your intentions
with her. You cannot keep kissing her if you truly do not want to ruin her. You have a good reputation now, which can be damaged along with hers. If she is too tempting, then she needs to stay elsewhere.”

Duncan pulled his arm free. “I know.”

Andrew stepped back. “All right. Let us start by having dinner with Lily. I am new here so I get to ask her questions.”

“Fine.”

Duncan nodded and watched as Andrew left the room. His brother-in-law could always get to the heart of the matter and he was right. He had to figure out what was going on and he had to stop kissing Lily, but that would take all the fortitude and logic he had because every other part of him wanted to kiss her senseless.

ILY WAS CURLED
up in a chair reading when she heard a soft knock on the door.

Dot entered and said, “My lady, Lord Cavanaugh would like you to join him for dinner. Also, Lady Worthington has been asking for you.”

Lily closed her book and said, “Help me dress, Dot, and tell Lord Cavanaugh I will be down after I stop and see Lady Worthington.”

Dot nodded and together they walked to the wardrobe to pick out a dress for dinner. She chose a pink gown. Spring was nearing and she thought a lighter color was appropriate for the happy feeling now in the home. Dressed, she walked across the hall and entered Eleanor’s room. She stopped in mid-step upon seeing Duncan holding the baby as Andrew was sitting on the bed holding his wife’s hand. Everyone smiled at her, but it was Duncan’s gaze she held. Her heart clenched as she watched him hold the baby. There was something oddly special about
seeing his strong and imposing figure hold an infant so tenderly and with such an expression of joy on his face.

She realized she had not moved as Eleanor said, “Lily, you look lovely, as always. Come in! I wanted you to know we have named the baby!”

Lily smiled as she tore her gaze away from Duncan’s to look at the newborn sleeping in his arms. “Wonderful! What name did you choose?”

“Henry.” Eleanor beamed.

“Oh, that is perfect! Henry Worthington.”

“Thank you! So I hear you will be joining Duncan and Andrew for dinner. Please keep them in line for me, will you?”

Lily laughed. “I will do my best! But, can you not join us?”

Eleanor shook her head. “No, not yet. I am still very weak, but Doctor Nelson wants me to start to do more activities soon and I have convinced Duncan he must celebrate his new nephew with a gala in that wonderful ballroom. I think a party is in order, don’t you?”

“That would be marvelous!”

“I think so too!” Eleanor looked at her brother. “Duncan, please put little Henry in his crib so I can rest for a bit.”

Duncan nodded and placed the infant down in the crib. Lily felt that strange tug in her chest watching the action. Duncan straightened and then he and Andrew walked towards her. Duncan gestured to the door. “After you, Lily.”

She turned and they followed her downstairs to the dining room. A servant pulled out her chair as wine was
poured into three glasses. Duncan sat at the head of the table as Lily sat to his immediate left and Andrew to his immediate right.

She took the opportunity to look at Andrew. He had black hair and the most amazing green eyes she had ever seen. He was nearly as tall as Duncan with a slightly more slender frame, but he had that rakish cleft in the chin as well. She immediately liked him and not just because of his handsome features. There was something friendly and natural in his demeanor. It would be easy to tell this man anything and he would never tell another soul.

He smiled as he looked at her before he said, “So, Lady Montgomery is it?”

She blushed and replied, “Yes, I am --”

Duncan interrupted, “Goodness, I apologize to both of you. I had forgotten you have not been introduced. Lady Lily Montgomery, this is my brother-in-law, Lord Andrew Worthington.”

He lifted his glass and said, “A toast, to the lady that helped my wife in her time of need and to the second most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

Lily felt her cheeks warm as, out of corner of her eye, she saw Duncan roll his eyes.

She said, “Thank you, Lord Worthington.”

“No, thank you, my lady. And please, call me Andrew. I feel we are almost family. Eleanor talks about you as if you are her sister.”

Lily pulled the napkin down to her lap and was surprised her hand shook just a little. “That is sweet. I adore your wife. She is one of the most honest and forthcoming women I have ever met. And, please, call me Lily.”

Duncan remained strangely silent as food was placed down. Lily took a bite of food as Andrew said, “So, Lily, how have you managed to put up with Duncan for so long?”

Lily started to choke on her potato. She felt a warm hand on her back as her eyes watered.

Duncan had jumped up instantly and was tapping her back gently.

Andrew was also standing and said, “Apologies. I did not mean to catch you unawares.”

Lily swallowed and took drink of her wine. She shook her head and said, “No. I am fine, but I think you may be misinformed. He is the one who has had to put up with me.”

“Really?” Andrew looked between her and Duncan, who remained standing behind her. She turned her head to look at Duncan and saw him glaring at Andrew.

Waiting for Duncan to look at her she said, “I am fine.”

Duncan nodded and sat back down.

Lily turned her attention to Andrew and replied, “Really. I am certain Eleanor has told you about the reason I am here. There is someone who is trying to harm me and Duncan has become my protector.”

All pretenses now gone, Andrew said, “Yes. I have heard, but I want to talk to you about why someone would cause the demise of those close to you and now be attempting to hurt you. There must be someone who comes to mind.”

Lily shook her head. “Believe me; I have tried to think of someone. My parents had no enemies that I am aware of and I thought I only had friends around me.”

“Any jilted men?”

“No. I was engaged twice, but my first fiancé died of consumption and the second was killed in a carriage accident.”

“Tell me your history, as best you can, please.”

Lily glanced at Duncan and then told Andrew about her parents, the death of her brother and the strange recent events surrounding her.

Andrew took a long drink of wine and sat back in his chair. “So there were no strange occurrences or threats to your family before your brother’s death?”

Lily sat back in her own chair and did her best to remember her past. She replied, “I never thought of it that way, but, yes, you are correct. Everything seems to have started happening after Martin died.”

Andrew glanced at Duncan and then back to her. “Did your brother gamble? Have any enemies or jilted lovers?”

“No! He was not a gambler and he had many friends. He helped Father with the estate and everyone loved him. Of course, he was a flirt with the ladies, but I do not recall any woman with a broken heart.”

Looking at Duncan, Andrew said, “The brother’s death may be the key to this mystery, somehow.”

Returning his gaze to Lily, Andrew said, “Stop focusing on those people you know and think about your brother and anyone who may have been associated with him. Maybe you will find a connection.”

“I will,” Lily replied.

They finished the remainder of the meal in relative silence and then both men walked Lily upstairs. At the top of the landing all three separated to go to their various rooms. She watched Duncan as he went to his room.
For some reason she wanted him to turn around and look at her, but he did not.

Something changed since last night, she could sense it. As she entered her room she wondered if it was the arrival of the baby or Andrew that may have caused the change in Duncan, but something was different. During dinner, he continued to gaze at her and his concern remained evident, but there was more control in his actions. It reminded her of how he acted when she had first met him. A somber demeanor and near indifference again covered the vulnerability and passion she knew existed in him. She wanted to find a way to keep them from reverting back to the way things had been between them. She wanted to move forward to wherever that may lead.

T HAD BEEN
nearly four weeks since the birth of little Henry and the time for the celebration arrived. Guests would be arriving soon for the evening’s soirée and Lily felt butterflies in her stomach. She stood before the mirror in her room in awe of how she looked. Dot and Mary had done a wonderful job curling her hair while allowing pieces to fall delicately on her shoulders. The lavender color of her dress made her skin appear even smoother and her eyes a richer shade of blue.