Stolen Kisses (32 page)

They had spent such a short time in town that Lilith actually had very little in her bed chamber that needed to be transported. Before nightfall she and William were in the coach, on their way to the Sanfords’ residence. Neither her father nor Aunt Eugenia had shown themselves as she’d left the house, which only served to confirm to her that she was doing the right thing. If they’d cared about her at all, they would have come out and asked her to stay.

As they stepped down from the coach, Lilith felt the first wave of trepidation. If Lord and Lady Sanford refused her, she wondered if she dared go to the Huttons’. They were the only other family she could think of who would possibly take her in. Her father had seen to it that she had no idea where her mother’s parents were, or even if they still lived. William seemed to sense her hesitation, for he offered her his arm and escorted her to the door. “No worries, Lil. We’ll see you safely somewhere.”

His words didn’t sound all that comforting, but the Sanford butler pulled open the door before she could tell him so. “Is either Miss Sanford or Lady Sanford to home?” she asked politely.

The butler bowed. “Both are in, Miss Benton. This way, if you please.”

Both ladies were in the drawing room, and Pen leapt to her feet as Lilith and William were shown in. “Lil! We heard about His Grace. Did you have any idea that he killed his uncle?”

Lilith nodded. “Yes, I did.” She cleared her throat as Penelope dragged her over to the couch, and then motioned for William to take a seat, as well. “Actually, that’s why I’m here.”

Lady Sanford rang for tea. “What’s happened, Lilith?” she asked, her expression serious.

“Well, I suppose I should tell you the entire tale.”

“I’d like to hear it myself,” William interjected. She glared at him, and he shrugged and gave her a sheepish smile. “I didn’t exactly have a chance, earlier,” he pointed out.

Lilith looked at Lady Sanford, the one she would have to convince. “Because of…certain circumstances which I can’t go into, both the Marquis of Dansbury and I had reason to suspect that the old duke was killed by Dolph Remdale. I asked my father not to force me into a match with Dolph, but he did it anyway.”

“I didn’t think you were pleased,” Lady Sanford murmured.

“No, I wasn’t. Anyway, the evidence became stronger against Dolph, and I had to make a choice between assisting Jack—Dansbury—in something I knew to be right, or to risk allying myself with a killer. I happened to see Dolph this morning, and since I knew that Dansbury was looking for him, I followed him myself.”

“You didn’t,” Pen gasped, covering her mouth with one hand, her eyes wide.

Lilith nodded. “I did, until Dolph grabbed me, and I realized he’d been leading me away from assistance. You don’t need to know all the sordid details, but Jack, Lord Hutton, and several Bow Street Runners caught up to us. I realized that Jack was there, listening, and I…tricked, I suppose, Dolph into confessing.”

“By Jingo, Lil, you’re bang up to the mark,” her brother said admiringly.

Penelope giggled.

“Papa doesn’t think so,” she returned, then looked back at her hostess. “My father was very upset that I’d spoiled my chances for a good match, and that I’d brought more scandal down on his house. He refused to listen to reason and threatened to disown me, so I told him to go ahead, and that I would not spend another night under the roof of someone who obviously didn’t care a fig for me.” She took a slow breath. “And so I came here. If you’ll allow it, I—”

“Oh, Lil, you must stay here!” Penelope burst out, clutching her friend’s hand.

William looked at Miss Sanford and smiled. Pen blushed.

“It’s about time,” Lady Sanford cut in, leaning forward to pat Lilith’s leg. “You’re a fine, compassionate girl, Lilith, and a very good influence on my daughter.” She glanced at Penelope. “I hope you will stay with us for as long as you like.”

“There will be a scandal,” Lilith warned, fighting off tears of gratitude. “I’m certain of it.”

“Posh.” Lady Sanford smiled, and flipped her hand. “This household could use a little excitement.”

“Are you certain?”

“Lil,” Penelope exclaimed, “we’ll be like sisters! It’ll be top of the trees to have you here.”

“It will only be until I can find a position as a governess,” Lilith assured them, a tear finally running down one cheek.

“Governess? But Lil, what about…” Pen looked over at her mother. “What about you-know-who?”

“He’s being noble,” William broke in again, grinning at Penelope. “I’m certain he’ll get over it. It’s not a natural condition for him.”

“And you, Mr. Benton?” Lady Sanford queried.
“Have you parted from your father, as well?”

“Oh, no, my lady. I’ve an inheritance to look forward to. And someone needs to make certain Lil gets her things.”

“That’s kind of you,” Penelope said.

“Not at all. Lil’s put up with my nonsense since she was born. I’m only trying to make things up to her, a little.” William sat forward, his expression becoming earnest. “You’re the one who’s being kind, Miss Sanford.”

Penelope ducked her head demurely, while her mother glanced curiously from one to the other of them. “Well,” Lady Sanford said after a moment, “do you have your things with you?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Then let’s get you into a bed chamber. We’ve the Delmore ball to attend tonight.”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” Lilith protested. Everyone would know! Everyone would look at her, and mutter about her—and even worse, Jack might be there. A sudden tremor of excitement ran through her. Noble old Jack might be there. And whatever else happened, she wanted an explanation for his odd behavior of earlier. If William was correct, she had several ideas about how to assist Jack Faraday in getting over his uncharacteristically proper behavior.

“I think it’s a splendid idea,” William countered, but his eyes were again on Penelope.

Lilith stifled a smile. Perhaps her brother wasn’t as daft as she sometimes thought, after all. “If you’re certain,” she conceded to the Sanfords. “Why not?”

J
ack Faraday jumped down from Benedick and walked toward the front entrance of Benton House, lit against the early evening gloom. He should never have left Lilith that morning. Her father would have been furious, and someone needed to put Lord Hamble in his place. He should have taken the opportunity to march in there with Lil and tell the viscount that he’d made a mistake in selecting Dolph Remdale for his daughter, and that he, the Marquis of Dansbury, meant to rectify it. And he didn’t care whether her father approved the match or not—if Lilith wanted him, then he fully intended to marry her.

Instead he had gone off with Richard to swear out his statement, telling himself that he needed to take steps to control the damage and minimize Lilith’s role in order to save what he could of her reputation. After five hours of interrogation and argument, he admitted to himself that it wasn’t merely chivalry that had driven him from her side.

It was because he was overwhelmed by the realization that Lil, for all intents and purposes, was now available. He wanted Lilith, wanted her in his life for the rest of
his life. But she had to know what a poor choice he was for a husband, and once the initial din died down, she would have her choice of every other eligible bachelor in London. And every blasted one of them had a better reputation than his own.

He rapped the ornate brass knocker against the door anyway. If he weren’t a gambler by nature, he would have been dead a long time ago. Nothing happened for several moments too long, and then Bevins pulled open the door and peered out.

The butler’s jaw dropped. “Yes, my lord?” he asked, glancing back over his shoulder.

“Is Miss Benton receiving guests?” he asked, trying his damnedest to be polite, when he much rather would have kicked open the door and gone storming in, looking for her.

Bevins cleared his throat. “No, my lord.”

Jack eyed him. “Would you please inform her that I am here?” he requested, his voice becoming less friendly.

Again the butler hesitated. Just as Jack was considering throttling him, Bevins glanced over his shoulder again. “I can’t do that, my lord,” he said in a low voice.

“And why in damnation not?” Jack took a step closer. “Don’t forget that I saw you carting the Duke of Wenford’s body about. You wouldn’t want anyone to know about that, now, would you?”

The butler stiffened. “No, I would not. But she is not here, my lord.”

That, and the butler’s extremely odd behavior, stopped him. Perhaps she’d merely gone out for dinner, though. “When will she be returning, then?”

Again the butler glanced back into the house. “She will not be, my lord.”

“Bevins, if you don’t wish my fist to remove your
teeth, you will tell me exactly where Lilith is. Immediately.”

“I don’t know where she is, my lord. And please, keep your voice down. I don’t wish to lose my position for speaking to you.”

Jack attempted to contain his temper. “What happened?”

“I’m not certain, my lord. I believe she and the viscount had a disagreement. She left with her trunks.”

“She didn’t return to Northamptonshire, did she?” That hadn’t occurred to him—that her father might pack the family up and head back home to hide, as he had done six years ago. If so, Jack had a long ride ahead of him.

“I don’t believe so. Her father and aunt will be returning to Hamble tomorrow.” To Jack’s surprise, the butler leaned farther out the door. “I mean that she left her father’s house, my lord,” he whispered. “And her father.”

“What?” It was so uncharacteristic of Lil that Jack could scarcely believe it. Yet he knew how strong she was, and how far events of the past few weeks had pushed her. Apparently, she had decided it was time to push back. “I’ll be damned,” he muttered, giving a slight smile. “I’ll be damned.” He looked at the butler again. “Is William about, then?”

“He accompanied her to wherever it was she was going. Now please, my lord, go away.” When Jack didn’t protest, Bevins quietly shut the door.

For several moments Jack stood on the steps. The last grand ball of the Season was tonight, and he hoped to high heaven that Lilith would be there. He hadn’t been invited, but no doubt word of Wenford’s arrest had spread throughout the
ton
, so he should have no trouble gaining admittance. His presence should serve to distract
everyone, and to make certain any fingers that might be inclined to point in Lilith’s direction were turned back toward him. If she wasn’t there, he would find her.

He returned home to find Peese and Martin celebrating their victory with one of his best bottles of brandy, and sat with them for a drink. Finally he had Martin join him upstairs, and requested his most somber-looking ensemble. His valet obligingly dressed him out in stark black breeches and coat, with a gray waistcoat beneath a snowy white cravat. He declined any other ornamentation, though tonight the outfit made him feel rather like an undertaker. “A pity I don’t own a coach-and-four with black horses,” he commented, accepting his gloves from Martin.

“T’would be a sight, my lord.” The valet grinned.

“I’ll have to look into it,” Jack agreed, picking up his hat and heading for the door.

When he arrived at the Delmore soirée, the hostess hesitated only a moment before she graciously welcomed him into her home. Jack thanked her just as politely, and apologized for misplacing his invitation. When he strolled into the ballroom, he came to an abrupt halt.

Lilith was still in London—and she didn’t look particularly sorrowful over parting from her father. Completely the contrary. She looked radiant. Adorned in her daring emerald gown, she stood in the center of a group of her friends, each one clamoring for her attention and congratulating her on her bravery. Jack smiled to himself. It appeared that the story he and Richard had “amended” seemed to be the one that had circulated throughout the
ton
.

Lilith had truly blossomed. Over the past weeks, and especially after the perils of the morning, she had become a spirited, laughing creature, her green eyes alight
with humor and excitement. It certainly made everything he’d gone through more than worth it, but at the same time it was disheartening. Such a creature of light could hardly want to be leg-shackled to him. Living without her would kill him, but he wasn’t willing to coerce her into doing what
he
wanted, as every other man she knew had tried to do. With the burden of being perfect removed from her shoulders, her natural wit and charm, which he had sensed from the beginning, were finally allowed to shine. She was a fool if she even considered risking her new popularity by being seen with him. And she was no fool.

In addition to his skills at gambling and subterfuge, Jack Faraday was evidently a proficient storyteller. When Lilith had stepped into the ballroom, she’d expected to be cut by every respectable female present. Instead, she had been greeted by an enthusiastic round of applause, and she and Pen were immediately surrounded by their usual circle of friends, joined by several others who’d never before bothered strengthening their acquaintance. For a moment she was baffled by the attention and the approval—until she heard the current version of the morning’s happenings.

“Lil, you should have said,” Mary Fitzroy chastised with a giggle.

“Well, I couldn’t, really,” Lilith answered, trying to figure out what the devil was going on.

“But to think that all along you knew His Grace was a dangerous madman, and the prime minister himself asked you to assist in stopping him!”

Lilith blinked, but immediately realized what had happened. Jack was being noble again, and apparently he’d recruited Lord Hutton and the Earl of Liverpool as well. She avoided answering most questions until she had de
termined exactly what the story was. Even after she heard it, she could scarcely believe it. It seemed that Dolph was being secretly investigated, and that once his interest in her was noticed, she had been approached and asked to lend her assistance. Thus it had gone until this morning, when the law feared that Dolph would make a run for it, and so they’d asked her to lead him to a location where he could be safely arrested without rendering harm to anyone else.

“I hadn’t realized I was so heroic,” she said in a low voice to Pen, during a momentary lull around them.

“That’s not the story you told Mama and me,” Penelope noted, her brow furrowed.

“Infinitely easier on my reputation than the truth, though, don’t you think?” Lilith smiled. Jack was wonderful.

“Lilith?”

For a heartbeat she thought it must be Jack, and whirled around. The face before her, though, belonged to Lionel Hendrick, the Earl of Nance. “My lord.” She curtsied, the sudden elation leaving her heart.

“May I speak to you for a moment?” He gestured at the dance floor. “A quadrille, perhaps?”

“Yes.” Lilith allowed herself to be led out onto the polished floor. The music began, and she and Lionel bowed to one another.

“Lilith, I wish…I wish you had told me that your betrothal to Wenford was a sham,” the earl said earnestly.

So that was what he wanted. He certainly didn’t waste any time. “I was not at liberty to do so,” she answered. The dance parted them, and she reflected that no one knew that she had no dowry to speak of. She wondered if once they found out, it would change the way they all
looked at her. And she wondered why she no longer cared.

“Even so,” he continued, as he returned to her side, taking her hand to turn her about the room, “the fact of the matter is that you are now…how shall I say, available once again.”

Lilith nodded as they turned around one another. “Yes, I suppose I am,” she admitted.

Then she caught sight of Jack. He was halfway out the door, but as though sensing her gaze, he stopped and turned around. Her breath caught as their eyes met, and she couldn’t help the smile that touched her lips. He smiled in return, tilting his head sideways, and returned to lean against the wall and watch her. He had come, and he hadn’t left yet. There was hope, after all.

“I see you are pleased,” Lionel noted, misinterpreting her sudden delighted expression. “Then I hope you will agree to be my wife.”

Lilith surveyed her dancing partner for a moment. Lionel was handsome and considerate, and while not the wittiest man she’d ever come across, at least he didn’t seem the type to strike his spouse. But her heart was taken, and if she couldn’t have Jack, she didn’t want anyone. “I thank you for your kind offer, Lionel,” she said as he approached again, “but my circumstances have recently changed somewhat, and I have decided that only love will induce me to marry. So I apologize, but I cannot accept your proposal.”

For a moment he looked at her, slack-jawed, until Mr. Nanders bumped into him from behind. “Uh, beg pardon, Nanders,” he stammered, and hurried to catch up to the dance. “But I would make you a good husband,” he protested
sotto voce
, as they passed one another.

“But I would not make you a good wife. I am not nearly so proper and gentle as you may think.”

“Surely not.”

“I do not wish to marry you, Lionel. Please do not press me further on this, or I will be forced to be even more blunt.”

Again he hesitated for a moment, his complexion darkening with either anger or embarrassment. “Quite right. You may be correct, Miss Benton. I beg your pardon.”

To Nance’s credit, he did finish out the quadrille, and then escorted her back to Lady Sanford. As soon as he’d done his duty, he swiftly departed.

“Trouble, my dear?” Penelope’s mother asked, looking from her to the vanished earl.

“Just a misunderstanding,” Lilith answered. She could sense Jack somewhere behind her, like an excitement pricking at her skin. Trying to gather her senses together, she looked about. “Where’s Pen?”

Her mother smiled. “Over there.”

Lilith spied her friend by the refreshment table, being handed a glass of punch by William. Both were laughing, and Lilith sighed. At least something was going well for someone. The orchestra struck up a waltz, and as several male acquaintances began heading in her direction, she made up her mind. She had to know, one way or the other. “Will you excuse me for a moment?”

Lady Sanford followed her gaze, and Lilith thought she might even have smiled a little. “Of course.”

Lilith began walking determinedly toward Jack. A few murmured whispers started around her, but she ignored them. As she expected, the marquis looked startled, but he immediately pushed away from the wall and came forward to meet her.

“Lilith,” he said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. “Are you all right?”

“No,” she returned, deciding she could spend forever
trying to decipher what lay behind his dark eyes. “You abandoned me this morning.”

He hesitated. “I had to swear out a statement.”

“And quite a statement it must have been, Dansbury. I seem to be the heroine of the hour.”

He grinned. “Good. You deserve to be.”

“It feels good, for a change,” she admitted, meeting his smile and relaxing just a little. She was familiar with this Jack Faraday, and was quite fond of him. “And what role did you play?”

“Me? I was merely out to save my own hide. Quite typically black-hearted of me, actually.”

“I see.” Lilith sized him up, watched him watching her. “You know what I think?”

“Never,” he replied promptly.

“I think you’re being stupidly noble about my reputation. That’s what I think.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “As I recall, your reputation was at one time quite a concern of yours, my dear.”

She smiled. “I’ve learned that pleasing myself is more important.” Lilith sighed, then held out her hand. Swiftly he took it in his own. “Will you dance with me?” she asked.

“Of course.”

Jack led her out onto the floor, and swept her into his arms. She loved being in his arms, loved the strength and gracefulness of him, and the way he was currently attempting to hold her at the proper distance from himself and failing badly.

“What are your plans now?” she asked.

“That depends,” he returned. “What were you and Nance discussing so intently a moment ago?”