Devil Disguised (29 page)

“I wanted to check on her. I hope she knows that.”

“I am sure she knows how much everyone is concerned about her, but she has been through a great deal and we must respect her privacy now,” Eleanor murmured.

“You do not sound convinced.”

Eleanor stood up abruptly. “I am very worried about her even though that crazy maid has been sent to jail, but she should no longer be my concern or yours. She is leaving tomorrow morning and I am trying to accept the fact that she will manage without either one of us from now on.”

Duncan nodded and remained silent.

She spun towards him. “Duncan, don’t you want her to stay?”

“What I want does not matter,” he replied harshly.

“Of course it does!”

“No, El, it does not. What would you have me do? Ask Charles to have Lily stay here longer and what reason could I possibly give? I cannot harm her reputation further by asking that she spend more time here! Lord Hastings came with Charles and I cannot allow him to doubt Lily’s virtue. I cannot allow it.”

“But you must do something! You care for her, Duncan! I know you do.”

“Of course I care about her and so do you and so does Andrew and Simon and anyone else who spends mere moments with her!”

“Duncan,” Eleanor whispered as she touched his sleeve.

He pushed her hand away and said, “No, El. Lily is leaving tomorrow and there is nothing I can or will do about it.”

Eleanor gasped as he turned and walked out of the room.

Lily took one last look around the room that her been hers for the past several months, then she squared her shoulders and walked out of the room. Descending the staircase, she saw Charles and Richard speaking with Duncan, whose back was to her. She had nearly reached the bottom when Duncan turned around and smiled at her. Grabbing the rail, she steadied herself as her foot
nearly missed a step. He grinned as his hand covered his mouth to hide his apparent laughter.

Safely reaching the main level, she grinned back at him and shook her head.

Charles stepped forward and said, “Ready?”

She nodded as several staff along with Eleanor and Andrew came from one of the side rooms. Many well wishes and goodbyes were said as she was led outside.

They were all nearly to the carriage, but she turned back and looked at Charles to say, “Beg Pardon, I just want to have a word with Lord Cavanaugh.”

Charles said, “Of course.”

Duncan straightened as she approached him and he had an inquisitive expression. She stepped close to him and lowered her voice to say, “I just wanted to thank you, for everything. I will never forget the time I spent here, with you. I never thought I would enjoy staying anywhere outside of that place where the Queen has a tower, but now I know differently.”

She took a deep breath as her eyes began to water. Knowing everyone was watching them; she curtsied swiftly and stepped away from Duncan. Turning around, she walked quickly to the carriage. Part of her wanted Duncan to run after her and say something in response to her words, but she knew he would not. She swallowed at the lump in her throat as she was helped into the carriage.

Charles sat next to her and Richard across from her as the carriage rolled forward.

Charles asked, “Lily, are you all right?”

She took a deep breath to steady her voice before she replied, “I’m fine.”

Glancing out the window, she saw the unmistakable figure of Duncan as he watched the carriage leave. Everyone had turned to go back into the house, except him. She watched him until the carriage turned and he was no longer in her view. Her heart clenched as if she was suffering yet another great loss and she did her best to keep from crying.

“Lily?”

Startled, Lily replied, “Pardon?”

Richard chuckled and said, “I asked what you missed most about London.”

“Oh, beg pardon, I was not listening. I am sorry, but I do still feel tired. The last few days have been very exhausting. Please excuse me if I am not the best travel companion right now.”

Richard said, “Of course, we understand. Would you like to switch seats and lie down?”

“Yes, please. I would like that.”

Richard shifted and held out his hands to help her ease across the moving carriage and then he sat next to Charles.

She looked at her uncle, “Charles, please forgive me, but I would like to lie down a moment.”

“Lily, we can take you back to Lord Cavanaugh’s, if you need to rest.”

“No, I just need to lie down for a few moments. Please, tell us some of your stories.”

Lily smiled as she put her head down. She did not wake up until she arrived in London.

Six Weeks Later

“Hello, Lily.”

Lily pulled the book she had wanted from the bookshelf and turned to watch her uncle enter the library.

“Good afternoon, Charles.”

He approached her quickly and asked, “Is it true?”

Perplexed, she replied, “Is what true?”

Flinging his hands in the air he said, “I just met with Lord Hastings and he informed me that you have asked him to announce your engagement at the Northrups’ ball this coming Saturday and that you have chosen a wedding date!”

“Yes, it is true. I see no reason to delay,” she said harshly.

He gaped. “You have only known him six weeks and during that time you have only seen him a handful of times. Before I left for India, you begged me for time and now you are rushing things. What is going on, Lily?”

Lily pursed her lips together before she replied, “As I said, I see no reason to delay.”

Charles touched her arm and met her gaze. “But, do you love him?”

She stepped back and looked down. “I see no reason to postpone this and as I recall you were not terribly concerned about my feelings when you had arranged for me to meet Richard. I would think you would be terribly happy over this situation.”

“I would be overjoyed if I thought you were truly delighted, but you have not been yourself since you arrived back in London and you will not tell me why. You don’t even speak to me about the time you spent at Lord Cavanaugh’s and I cannot help but think there is
a connection as to why you are rushing into things with Lord Hastings.”

“There is no connection whatsoever and I told you I had a wonderful time at Lord Cavanaugh’s”

“Have you heard from him?” Charles asked softly.

She shook her head and replied, “He did not respond to my letters.”

He rubbed his forehead and said, “I see. I must say that is very strange.”

“Well, I know he is not one for idle chitchat so maybe he is also adverse to writing letters,” she said curtly.

Charles reached out and held onto her arms as he said, “If you do not love Lord Hastings, please do not marry him. If there is some other reason you are agreeing to this union please tell me and we will work through it together.”

Lily did her best to keep her voice steady as she replied, “Richard has been nothing but kind to me and has been the perfect gentleman. I find him appealing and see no reason not to marry him.”

“I see.” He dropped his arms and stepped back. “Spoken like a true logical woman, but not like the passionate Lily I used to know.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but he raised his hand and said, “I will be with you on Saturday for the announcement, but my heart is heavy. I never wanted you to feel I forced you into marrying Lord Hastings and if you have any doubts at all, please tell me.”

She nodded and said, “I am fine, Charles, but thank you for your concern.”

Nodding, he turned and left the room. Lily exhaled and collapsed in the chair nearest her. Her fingers cracked
as she finally released the book she had been gripping so tightly she thought the binding would break. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and inhaled as she resigned herself to her course of action. She decided to move ahead with Richard and she kept telling herself it was the right thing to do.

Duncan was staring at the mass of paperwork on his desk as well as his empty glass. A knock on the library door refocused his attention.

“Come in,” Duncan ordered.

Simon entered the room and said, “Lord Montgomery has arrived unexpectedly. He said it is urgent he speak with you.”

“Certainly, please show him in immediately.”

Simon hesitated, but then replied, “Of course, my lord.”

Duncan stood up and reached for the back of the chair, but his jacket was not there. He shook his head and squared his shoulders.

Charles entered the room and Simon closed the door.

Duncan smiled at his friend and asked, “So, how is my favorite Viscount?”

Charles gaped. “Good God, man, you look like hell!”

Duncan raised his empty glass in a mock toast and said, “Apologies, I forgot my suit jacket today.”

“Oh, I see. Yes, that must be it then.” Charles shook his head as his eyes remained wide in disbelief.

Duncan went to the sideboard to refill his glass and then poured another glass of whiskey. Handing a glass to
Charles he said, “What brings you here today, Charles? Do you need me to look after another one of your relatives?”

Charles shook his head and put the glass down. “I am not here to banter with you, Duncan. However, I do apologize that I have not been back to visit with you, but right now I need you to tell me what was in the letters Lily sent to you.”

“Beg pardon?”

Charles shouted, “The letters Lily wrote to you!”

Duncan put his glass down and crossed his arms over his chest. “Calm down, Charles. I don’t know what this is about, but I received only one letter from Lily and I replied to it.”

“What?” Charles looked utterly bemused.

Duncan moved to his desk and removed a piece of paper. “This is the letter. I respect Lily’s privacy, but there really is nothing in this letter that seems privileged in any way.”

Charles took the letter and read it. “She is just thanking you. Again?”

Duncan shrugged his shoulders. “That is the only letter I received from her.”

Charles looked down at the paper and then handed it back to Duncan. “Her letter also said you should visit her in London.”

“Yes, she did write that as well.”

Shaking his head Charles picked up his glass and emptied the contents in one swallow. “I am very concerned about her, Duncan. She will not tell me what is going on, but Lily has not been herself since her return to London. She hardly eats and no longer spends time with
the friends she used to enjoy. She won’t talk to me, but I know something is wrong.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you are quite paranoid and over protective?” Duncan asked.

Looking agitated; Charles rubbed his forehead and went to the sideboard to refill his glass. With his back to Duncan he said, “Lord Hastings is going to announce his engagement to Lily this coming Saturday.”

“I see,” Duncan murmured before he reached for his own glass of whiskey and swallowed some of the contents. “This Saturday?”

Charles turned back around. “Yes, Saturday. I told her it is too soon. My God, she has only known him a few weeks and has only gone out with him a few times!”

“But I thought you wanted her to be with Hastings! You arranged for them to meet and planned for them to become engaged. I thought you liked him!” Duncan exclaimed.