Devil Disguised (21 page)

Still standing by the mirror she said, “Enter”, upon hearing a knock on her door.

Eleanor entered and gasped. “Lily, you look wonderful!”

Lily turned as Eleanor joined her and placed her hands on her shoulders so they both faced the mirror together.

Eleanor said, “You have simply outdone yourself. The color is simply fabulous on you and the cut of the dress! It is daringly low I must say. Goodness, every man in the room will be unable to take their eyes off of you.”

Blushing, Lily said, “You look lovely as well. You do not even look as if you just had a baby and the green color of your dress is lovely on you. The shade will match the color of your husband’s eyes.”

Eleanor laughed. “I adore his eyes, but I do believe even he will be glancing at you tonight, Lily.”

“I am only hoping your brother notices me.”

Eleanor looked uncomfortable as Lily turned to face her. “Lily, he has always noticed you. He has been so busy recently taking care of the estate to prepare for Spring and he has gone with Andrew several times to our home to make sure everything is ready. But, you know all of that, don’t you?”

Lily nodded. “Of course. I guess I was becoming used to spending time with him on a daily basis and it has been ages since I slammed a door in his face.”

Eleanor laughed nervously and stepped back. “Yes, well, my brother is doing his best to show you he can be a gentleman.”

“Of course.”

Lily was surprised her friend was suddenly not so forthcoming about her brother. She had been quite elusive about him the past few weeks and avoided speaking about him in any of their recent discussions.

Lily hedged, “Well, as long as I have done nothing to offend him.”

Eleanor replied, “No, certainly not. He has simply been very busy. Besides, I am sure you will be able to speak with him tonight.”

“Of course.” Lily shook her head. Apparently, she had already lost all her senses since she could only reply with the same two words she already used.

“If you are ready, we can walk downstairs together. Andrew and Duncan have been greeting some guests who have arrived early.”

“Certainly, I am ready. We may go,” Lily replied.

They went downstairs and walked into the ballroom. Lily saw four people standing along with Duncan and Andrew, whose backs were to them. A man she did not know and Lord Brian Adair glanced at them as they entered. They began to walk towards the group. Brian had been speaking, but seemed to stop in mid-sentence as his gaze met Lily’s. Simultaneously, both Duncan and Andrew turned around and gaped. They looked at each other briefly, before they stepped forward and stood before her and Eleanor.

Duncan said, “You both look very lovely this evening.”

Duncan took her hand to place a kiss over her fingers and she felt a tingle go up her spine at the contact. Looking up from her hand it seemed he had felt the exact same thing. He stepped back and smiled awkwardly.

Andrew kissed her hand. “Lily, you look stunning.”

“Thank you.”

Lily smiled at Andrew and kept her smile in place as a servant handed her a dance card. Immediately, Duncan took it from her and scribbled his name down before he stepped away. Brian took the card next and she saw him look in Duncan’s direction with an odd expression on his face. Next, Andrew took the card and chuckled as he signed it.

Several other gentlemen were now waiting for her card as Eleanor leaned over to whisper in Lily’s ear. “You will have a full dance card before any more of the guests arrive!” She paused and then said, “Enjoy tonight, Lily.”

Lily smiled as Andrew guided Eleanor away to get something to drink. Lily glanced down at her card. Duncan had signed his name next to both of the waltzes for the night, as well as for the first quadrille. She looked around the room and met his gaze instantly.

She smiled as she realized the dress had worked its magic and now the rest would be up to her.

The first dance of the night was called and she grinned as she circled Duncan in the dance, then she began to laugh.

Duncan said, “I hope you are laughing because you are enjoying yourself and not because you think me a poor dancer.”

She grinned and replied, “You dance very well. I was just laughing because I realized this is how we would have met under normal circumstances.”

He circled back to her and said, “I realized that the last time we danced together. We met in a non-typical fashion.”

She wanted to say something else to him, but she was now in front of another man who smiled widely as he looked at her décolletage.

Circling in the dance, she moved in front of Brian who said, “I am surprised you had not returned any of my invitations.”

She gasped. “Invitations? I do not recall ever receiving one.”

He glanced down the line at Duncan. “It appears Lord Cavanaugh has been keeping you from me. I had hoped we could enjoy a day in the park together.”

They were separated now in the dance and, thankfully, Lily did not have to reply. She had not even thought of
Brian since the day she had met him. Encouraging anything between them would be silly on her part. After a few more turns, the quadrille ended and the waltz was announced. Duncan appeared at her side instantly as she stepped into his arms. She smiled up at his handsome face and her heartbeat increased with each step as their bodies touched.

She said, “You signed my card for both waltzes.”

“Correct. I do not want to see another man with his arms around you. You are impossibly beautiful tonight.”

Lily gaped and if his hold had not been so strong, she would have missed a step in the dance. The passion she had seen in his eyes before was there now, simmering under his steady gaze.

He looked slightly uncomfortable before he said, “I received a letter from Charles today. It was written some time ago, but you know how long it takes to receive letters from India. He is on his way back and could arrive soon.”

“Oh.” Lily glanced at her feet.

“I am sorry. I thought the news would make you happy.”

She looked up again. “No. I mean, yes! Of course I am glad to know my uncle is safe and on his way home.”

“I thought you would be excited to finally be going back to that city where the Queen has a tower. I even heard that you had recently purchased some new dresses for your return.”

She smiled, but it felt forced. “Yes. Mary and I had gone into town recently and my dresses should be ready tomorrow.”

“Well then, it is good timing. But, of course, we have no idea when Charles will arrive.”

She gazed into his brown eyes and said, “No, we don’t.”

The music was ending and everyone around them was clapping.

Duncan clenched his jaw before he said, “That man you are set to marry when you return is a lucky man. I hope Charles thought this through for you. I hope you will be happy.”

She stood in stunned silence as Duncan stepped away from her and another man approached for his dance. She tried to offer a slight smile to the man standing before her. She had a plan tonight and now it seemed even more important. She would be returning to London soon and into the arms of a man she did not know. Duncan did not want another man’s arms around her tonight and neither did she.

UNCAN WATCHED LILY
dance. He was still reeling from the words he had spoken to her, but somehow he wanted her to know she was special. He had done very well avoiding her these last few weeks with the help of Andrew, but tonight that would be impossible. She was the most beautiful woman in the room. The color of the dress was perfect for her and the cut of the dress was nearly scandalous, but highlighted her gorgeous figure. She would be leaving soon to return to London; but tonight, she was here, and he would be damned if he would let anyone else hold her.

It seemed as if time stopped, but finally the last waltz was called. He pulled Lily close to him, maybe closer than he should have, but he enjoyed the feel of her against him.

She did not pull away, but met his gaze directly as she said, “I am glad to know you are not angry with me. I had begun to wonder as it seemed you have been avoiding me.”

“I have been very busy.”

She laughed. “Yes, that is what your sister said.”

“Well, you know my sister is always right.”

“Goodness. Does Eleanor know this? I will have to tell her,” she teased.

Duncan laughed before he leaned down to whisper, “Please, do not tell her I said that. She cannot know the power she has over me.” He smiled as he thought, “Or the power you have over me.”

As if he had said that out loud, both of them smiled at one another. Lily looked as if she had something she wanted to say, but remained silent. The music was ending and he released her from his hold.

The evening was coming to a close and the majority of guests were now departing. A few were staying overnight and Duncan made sure his staff had taken care of all the guests before he went to his own room. He took off his suit jacket and tie and began to undo the buttons on his shirt before he put another log on the fire. After pouring a glass of brandy, he recalled the night in his mind.

Overall, the party had gone well. Eleanor had brought little Henry down for everyone to meet and he was glad she was finally able to enjoy herself. Surprisingly, Brian did not sneak off with Lily or anyone else for that matter. Lily had been the talk of the night. Most wanted to know more about her and wondered where she had been for the past several months. Duncan recalled Brian’s former accusation that he had been hiding Lily away from everyone. Maybe he had been, but he knew that could not last much longer.

Charles would return and then things in his life would return to normal. At least he managed to keep Lily safe and
innocent. He took another sip of his drink and sat down in the chair behind him. Taking off his shoes and shirt he was staring into the fire as he shook his head recalling the moment when he had first seen Lily at the party. He had never seen her look more beautiful. Until now.

He stood immediately and almost dropped his glass. Lily was in his room wearing the sheer white nightgown he had seen her in so long ago, but this time was different. His room was well lit by the fireplace and several candles. There was no darkness to hide her from his view; he could see every luscious curve and outline of her entire body. She was nearly naked, but somehow the thin layer of material over her form made her body even more tempting.

Duncan stood still and did his best to sound menacing as he said, “Lily, you cannot be here. We have guests tonight. If anyone finds you here, you will be ruined.”

“I know, but I don’t care,” Lily murmured as she started to move towards him.

He tried to avert his gaze, but it was impossible as she walked towards him. Inhaling deeply he did his best to think of anything except the woman before him. He could feel his body react to her presence despite his efforts.

“Lily, please leave. You should not be here.”

The desire in her eyes was unmistakable as she came up against him. Winding her hands behind his head, she reached up and kissed him. Her lips moved softly over his before she began to tease them apart with her tongue. He could feel her body melt against his through the thin silk fabric she wore. The aroma of jasmine and roses surrounded him as every part of his body was coming alive. He fought against the urge not only to kiss her back, but
to throw her on the bed and take her completely. He could not ruin her, not like this, despite her excellent effort at trying to seduce him. Nearly crushing the glass he continued to hold, it became a life preserver in the rising sea coming between them. He pushed against her shoulders and stepped back.

He shook his head. “No, Lily.”

Shock and disbelief covered her features. She grasped her hands together over her heart as tears rose in her eyes. “You don’t want me anymore?”

“Lily, you don’t want this,” he breathed, shaken.

She inhaled sharply as she wiped a tear away. Her face flushed. “I thought you wanted me. I thought --.”

She shook her head as she began to back away from him.

Instinctively, he stepped forward and tried to reach out to touch her arm, but she flinched and twisted away. “Don’t touch me!”