When Two Rivers Meet (Regency Romance)

by Deborah M. Hathaway

  "Yes, it is," she replied, her brows raised in surprise and flattery with his memory. "I have many others, but this is the latest. He is to return in a week or two, so I have been busy ensuring each page is filled."

  Elijah nodded, returning his attention to the book. Between a few of the pages, loose scraps of paper were tucked into the crevice to be added in later, and Lilyanna watched as he unfolded each one carefully. Eventually, he opened the folds of a sketch she had done of herself, and she watched his reaction closely.

  "You draw well, Miss Crosgrove," he said. "Truly. This is very good work."

  Lilyanna blushed until he refolded the paper, placed it back into the crevice of the book bind, and continued his perusal.

  She glanced up to see her mother still dominating Mr. Quigley's attention, so she again focused on watching Elijah look through a few more pages of various flowers and trees, one of her horse on Solsbury Hill, and another of a flock of sheep grazing amongst tall grasses. Soon, however, she noticed as Elijah paused, having finally reached the page holding his own likeness.

  Her heart hammered in her chest when he remained silent. "As I said before, not all of the drawings are quite finished. The reason this does not look like you—"

  "I beg your pardon, Miss Crosgrove," Elijah interrupted with raised brows, "but I have never seen a better likeness of myself in all my life."

  "Please, Mr. Bainbridge, I am sure you have," she said, looking to the drawing. "At any rate, I am not quite done with it yet."

  Elijah shook his head. "I think it is perfect the way it is. You really are talented."

  "Thank you, Mr. Bainbridge," she said, feeling her heart swell with pleasure.

  "Ah, there you are," Mrs. Crosgrove said, and Lilyanna looked up to see her mother approaching Mr. Harper who had entered the room with a tray filled with teacups and biscuits.

  With Mrs. Crosgrove's attention off of him, Mr. Quigley made his way over to Lilyanna's side.

  "I see Miss Crosgrove has allowed you to look through her drawings," he said.

  "Indeed," came Elijah's short response.

  "And who is this supposed to be then?" Mr. Quigley asked as he craned his neck to see the drawing of Elijah.

  Lilyanna frowned, feeling the sudden desire to slap Mr. Quigley's cheek. She clasped her hands together, trying to quell the anger inside, wondering from where her sudden ferocity had appeared.

  "If you cannot tell, Mr. Quigley," Elijah muttered, "you are a greater simpleton than I thought."

  His comment went unheard by Mrs. Crosgrove who still spoke with the butler, however, Lilyanna could not help but smile at Elijah's supporting her once again.

  She looked up to see both men staring daggers at the other, so she quickly leaned forward to retrieve the sketchbook from Elijah's lap.

  "Tea is ready," Mrs. Crosgrove said with a smile, unknowingly breaking the tension surrounding the gentlemen. "Lilyanna, would you care to serve our fine company?"

  Before Lilyanna could respond, Mr. Quigley took a few steps forward.

  "I am afraid I must depart, Mrs. Crosgrove," he said, looking down his nose at Elijah. "I have suddenly remembered some unfinished business I must attend to."

  "Oh, must you leave," Mrs. Crosgrove said, frowning, "before tea is even served?"

  "I apologize, for I must."

  Lilyanna barely managed to curtsy to the departing Mr. Quigley as he stormed from the room.

  "My goodness," Mrs. Crosgrove said as she stared at the doorway from which Mr. Quigley had fled, "he did not seem to be in so great a rush before. I wonder what he can have left for."

  As Mrs. Crosgrove sat in her chair with a perplexed look on her face, Lilyanna served the tea and tried to hide her delight at having Mr. Quigley leave their small party.

  For the rest of Elijah's visit, the three of them spoke of trivial matters until a little over a half an hour passed, and Elijah stood to take his leave.

  "Thank you for calling, Mr. Bainbridge," Mrs. Crosgrove said.

  "Yes, thank you," Lilyanna agreed, standing.

  Elijah smiled at both women, but his gaze lingered on Lilyanna. "It was my pleasure to see you again. Now if you will excuse me, I shall be on my way."

  He moved to the door, but Lilyanna, not yet ready to part with him, said, "Oh, Mr. Bainbridge, do allow me to show you out."

  She glanced warily at her mother, but when Elijah said, "Of course, Miss Crosgrove," and paused at the door for her to precede him, she did not hesitate a moment.

  Retrieving her sketchbook from the sofa, afraid her mother might browse through it herself while she was away, Lilyanna practically pranced away, sending a quick, "Excuse me, Mother," behind her before she disappeared out the door.

  Elijah smiled, amused as he watched Lilyanna scuttle away from the room. He nodded to Mrs. Crosgrove, who looked somewhat aghast at Lilyanna's swiftness, before he, too, exited the parlor with a smile.

  He followed behind Lilyanna down the large hallway when he noticed a piece of paper dropping from the sketchbook she held by her side.

  Pausing, he bent down to pick it up, only to realize the paper held the very drawing of Lilyanna upon it. He glanced up to see her making her way down the corridor, and without thinking further, he slipped the paper into his tall boot before hastening his step once again.

  "Thank you again for calling, Mr. Bainbridge," Lilyanna said as she and Elijah stood outside the large doors of Heatherhill. "I was afraid you would not wish to see me any longer."

  "Why would I not wish to see you?" Elijah asked, looking up as he gathered his horse's reins in his hands.

  "Well," Lilyanna hesitated, looking down at her feet, "I only assumed, since the last time we saw each other, well, I was cruel in leaving you, especially after…after…"

  "Miss Crosgrove," Elijah said, removing his top hat as she trailed off, "please do not trouble yourself over the occurrence of the previous night. I was the one who behaved improperly, and I must ask for your forgiveness."

  Lilyanna blushed, shaking her head. "Truly, Mr. Bainbridge, there is nothing to forgive." She lowered her voice and continued. "You acted only in a way to save my reputation, and I thank you for it."

  Elijah looked on the verge of saying something else, and Lilyanna watched his dark brown eyes expectantly, her cheeks burning red as she recalled her desire to kiss him.

  However, Elijah broke their eye contact by nodding and mounting his black stallion.

  "I hope we are together again soon, Miss Crosgrove," he said, and he tipped his black top hat and urged his horse into a trot.

  "As do I, Mr. Bainbridge," Lilyanna whispered to herself as she watched him ride swiftly away, listening to the sound of the clip-clopping of his horse. "As do I."

  Chapter Eight

  Lilyanna clasped her hands together, standing next to her mother and the rest of Heatherhill's household as they lined up outside the front doors of the estate.

  "There he is," Mrs. Crosgrove said quietly, and Lilyanna, her stomach churning nervously, followed her mother's gaze to the approaching black carriage riding into view out of the oak trees.

  "Stand up straight, Lilyanna," Mrs. Crosgrove reminded her. "I want your father to see how tall and handsome you have become since his last visit."

  Within moments, the carriage slowly rolled to a stop in front of Mrs. Crosgrove and Lilyanna, and the small door swung open before anyone got the chance to open it from the outside.

  "At last," Captain Crosgrove exclaimed as he exited the carriage and removed his black top hat, "I am home!"

  Immediately struck at how much her father had aged within the past six months, Lilyanna perused the rest of his face, noting his tanned, wrinkled forehead, his graying mustache and hair, and his bushy eyebrows raised high with delight as he approached his wife.

  Mrs. Crosgrove smiled as he held onto her arms and pulled her in to kiss her cheek.

  "My dear," he said, "how are you?"

  Mrs. Crosgrove smiled. "Happy to see you,"
she said.

  Captain Crosgrove looked to Lilyanna next and his brows raised even higher. "Little Lily," he said, moving to wrap his arms around her.

  Lilyanna smiled, despite hearing the despised name, and returned her father's hug. "It is wonderful to have you home, Father," she said.

  Captain Crosgrove pulled back after a moment and examined her face.

  She shyly looked away as he said, "Look at how you have grown. Excepting your mother, you are sure to be the most beautiful woman in all of Bath."

  Lilyanna shook her head humbly. "No, indeed, Father."

  "Come, now," Mrs. Crosgrove piped in. "Let us gather in the parlor for tea. You must be tired, Captain."

  "I am," he responded as he made his way inside. "It was an arduous journey. I am glad to be home."

  As Lilyanna followed her mother and father back inside the house, some of the servants following after, she could not erase the smile upon her lips.

  The day passed swiftly, and when evening came, the Crosgrove family decided as a whole to forgo the festivities planned in town to spend the time they had together at home, at least for one night.

  Though disappointed she was at not being able to see Elijah, Lilyanna made the most of her time with her family, for she could not recall her parents ever being as happy.

  After supper, Lilyanna pulled out her sketchbook for her father to see her drawings. As Mrs. Crosgrove joined them on the sofa to peruse through the book with them, Lilyanna was flooded with relief at her decision to remove the drawing of Elijah days before in preparation for that very evening.

  "Wonderful sketches," Captain Crosgrove said. "Your scenery and animal drawings are getting better and better. But where is the likeness of yourself you have promised me?"

  Lilyanna frowned. "It is not in there?" she asked, pulling the book onto her own lap.

  She flipped through the pages herself. "I know I have sketched one," she said. "Where could it be?"

  "Do not worry yourself, Little Lily," Captain Crosgrove said, taking a sip of his tea, his mustache poking out from both sides of the teacup. "I do not need to see it in order to know it would be quite spectacular."

  "It was not terrible," Lilyanna said as she closed the book, sighing. "I can admit that."

  "Nonsense, Lilyanna," Mrs. Crosgrove said. "I am sure it was very good."

  Lilyanna's eyes shot to her mother in surprise at the compliment, but Mrs. Crosgrove only looked down to the red rose teacup in her hand.

  "I agree, Mrs. Crosgrove," Captain Crosgrove said. "I really am quite impressed with our Little Lily, as are the gentlemen all over Bath, I am sure."

  "You are right, Captain," Mrs. Crosgrove said as Lilyanna remained quiet on the sofa, "there are in fact two gentlemen showing interest in our daughter as of now."

  Lilyanna's joy threatened to sink at her mother's mentioning of two men, but she held her tongue, afraid correcting her would ruin the perfect day they had spent together.

  "Two gentlemen, you say?" Captain Crosgrove said, smoothing down one side of his mustache. "Well, that is interesting news. And does she favor one over the other?"

  "Oh, no," Mrs. Crosgrove said, "not yet, anyway."

  "Well, it would be wise to decide soon before any other men become interested, would it not? Otherwise, our Little Lily might have quite the problem in her young hands."

  Mrs. Crosgrove took a sip of tea. "I do not think it likely more than two gentlemen will become attached to our Lilyanna," she said after swallowing. "It is a wonder she has had any at all."

  Lilyanna's brows pulled together as she directed her gaze to the book in her hands, trying to keep hold of the happiness she felt before her mother's voice returned to its usual biting tone.

  "Is it truly so shocking, dear?" Captain Crosgrove said, moving to go stand by the fire. "Why does it surprise you so that our daughter should have suitors?"

  Lilyanna, desperate to change the subject, said, "I certainly hope you have remembered another sketchbook for me, Father. I am looking forward to—"

  "Yes, dear, later," Captain Crosgrove responded with a wave of his hand, his gaze returning to his wife. "What reason would any respectable gentleman have for not liking our Little Lily?"

  "Oh, where would I even begin?" Mrs. Crosgrove said as Lilyanna lowered her gaze to the book in her hands. "She has stained nearly all her dresses, she laughs loudly and far too often, and she spends an indecent amount of time outdoors. And this is only naming the very least of her problems, you see."

  Lilyanna's chest rose and fell as she felt her perfect day slowly crumbling around her.

  "I am sure you exaggerate, Mrs. Crosgrove," Captain Crosgrove said. "Our daughter cannot be as bad as you say."

  Mrs. Crosgrove's words were soft but clear as she said, "You would not know anything about it, Captain, for you have not been here."

  Lilyanna held her breath and waited for her father to respond, but he remained silent while Mrs. Crosgrove calmly sipped her tea.

  Lilyanna thought she detected her mother's hand trembling as she placed the teacup back on the saucer, but she shrugged the notion aside and stood from her seat.

  "I am feeling quite exhausted," she said, unable to endure the uncomfortable silence any longer. "Do excuse me."

  She was met with no response as she headed out of the parlor, closing the heavy door behind her as she made her way to her room.

  She thought of how happy and appeasing her mother had been until the evening came, and Lilyanna wondered if Mrs. Crosgrove had simply been pretending to be happy for her husband all day. The thought troubled her, but she could not seem to be rid of it.

  That night, she lay asleep in bed, tossing and turning as she dreamed of a crowded hallway where no one could hear her, no matter how loudly she yelled.

  ***

  The carriage bounced across Bath's uneven city streets as Lilyanna looked between her mother and father. Mrs. Crosgrove sat next to Captain Crosgrove, but their bodies faced the carriage walls, their eyes averted to their respective windows, neither speaking.

  "It is a great deal warmer this evening," Lilyanna said, hoping to establish a conversation.

  "Indeed," Captain Crosgrove said.

  "It is nice to have better weather," she continued. "Do you not agree, Mother?"

  "Yes, Lilyanna," Mrs. Crosgrove said, her eyes still directed out the window.

  Lilyanna sighed, staring at the both of them.

  Two days had passed since she had left her parents in the parlor to carry on their conversation without her presence, but the situation had only worsened.

  She examined her father's blank stare, his bushy eyebrows hanging low over his eyes, and she frowned. Ever since that night, Captain Crosgrove had spent the majority of his time reading in the library, despite Lilyanna's constant attempts to draw him out, his moody attitude remaining constant.

  However, Lilyanna preferred it to her mother's behavior, as Mrs. Crosgrove had returned to her normal, disapproving self, plastering on a smile and ceasing her reprimands only during meals and tea when the master of the house decided to join them.

  Even then as they rode to the Upper Rooms for a concert that evening, Lilyanna could still see her mother's placid face and clenched fingers. She did not blame her for faking her happiness. She knew then Mrs. Crosgrove's fear of being abandoned was not unfounded, for at the first sign of her emotion, Captain Crosgrove had mentally departed.

  The horses' hooves against the cobblestones and the rolling wheels of carriages around them echoed throughout their silent carriage, and Lilyanna sighed once again, tired of the uncomfortable stillness between them.

  She had not realized how dysfunctional her parents' relationship was until then, and the thought saddened her as she wondered how many other marriages were the same and if hers would be one of them.

  Her mind moved to Elijah, her heart lightening as she pictured seeing him again after nearly a week of being apart. She dreaded even the thought of having to sit through a c
oncert in silence for so long, but at the prospect of finally being able to introduce Elijah to her father, she felt giddy in hopes that both of them would approve of the other.

  The carriage stopped in front of the Upper Rooms, and she smiled, thinking of Elijah's attentive eyes and listening ears, even when she shared her feelings.

  He is the sort of man I want to spend my life with, she thought, and her heart flipped at the idea.

  She and her parents made their way from the carriage to inside the circulating space of the Upper Rooms, her eyes instantly scanning the room for Elijah's tall figure. When her eyes eventually met with his, she smiled, her heart racing.

  Mrs. Crosgrove excused herself to find Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds right before Elijah reached them, and Lilyanna curtsied to him, again struck at how handsome he was. She turned to her father, who was looking off in Mrs. Crosgrove's direction, and said, "Father, I would like you to meet Mr. Bainbridge."

  Captain Crosgrove turned to face Elijah and stared at him before giving a slight bow.

  "Mr. Bainbridge," Lilyanna continued, "this is my father, Captain Gregory Crosgrove."

  "It is a pleasure to meet you, sir," Elijah said, returning his bow.

  "Bainbridge, is it?" Captain Crosgrove said. "Not related to any Bainbridges down in Sussex, are you?"

  "No, sir, not that I am aware of."

  "Pity. They are quite the respectable family."

  Lilyanna watched her father move his attention to the crowd, his eyes scanning the faces around him, and she frowned, wondering why he seemed so disinterested.

  "Father," Lilyanna said, "Mr. Bainbridge is here visiting from Warwick—"

  "Oh, Miss Crosgrove."

  Lilyanna frowned as Mr. Quigley stood directly between herself and Elijah, a smirk plastered onto his long face.

  "How beautiful you look this evening."

  Captain Crosgrove's attention moved instantly to the man complimenting his daughter. "And who might this young man be?" he asked.

  "This is Mr. Quigley," she said simply. "Mr. Quigley, my father, Captain Crosgrove."

  "Captain," Mr. Quigley said, his brows raised with feigned admiration, "I have been so looking forward to the day we could be introduced. To meet a gentleman such as you, a highly respected captain in the Royal Navy, is, I daresay, a humbling experience."