by Fanny Finch
“Yet, the blue blood in your veins is as clear as the full moon tonight. On the matter of nights, I am afraid I shall have to take my leave now. The night has fully fallen and I would soon be missed. I must return.”
A wave of sadness gripped him, and his smile almost faltered.
He had hoped this moment would not end so soon.
“If you would please, grant me the honor to see you safely on your way…”
“You wish to know my place of abode?” she asked, as though truly surprised.
“No, my lady. I only wish to see you safely on your way. Perhaps, up to a point where I can rest easy and part ways, knowing that no harm shall come to you.”
“Very well then. There happens to be a crossroads, not many miles away from my home. From that point, I am rest assured of my safety for my father’s men guard the lands.”
“If that be the case, my lady, I am happy to see you up until that point.”
“You are most kind, my Lord. Noble, indeed. How do I repay this goodness?”
“Only that if we ever happen upon one another again, you grant me your audience and if the season meets us well, perhaps, a dance or two?”
Smiling, she dipped into another curtsy, deeper this time.
“Your wish has been granted, my lord.”
Gladdened, he said, “Very well then, we must not waste any more time and be on our way.”
No more words were said between them. Quietly, they walked to their horses. He kept his peace, content to watch her as she untied her horse and mounted easily.
He followed suit, impressed by her obvious horsemanship skills.
In no time, they were riding out of the woods, into the fields, and further into the village.
They rode side by side, keeping an easy pace. Though they were no better than strangers, the silence did not come with any awkwardness of sorts. It was filled with comfort and Sebastian was grateful for it.
He wondered about this lady. Now, he was convinced that she was not the Lady Nora, but he could not be certain she was Liliana either.
Could it be another?
She began to slow the horse, and he did the same. Leaving his thoughts, he came to see that they were almost at the crossroad. As they reached, they finally came to a stop.
“You ride well, my lady.”
“As do you, my lord.”
It was not many ladies who knew how to control a horse like she did. It was apparent that the lady had had practice.
“Thank you. I suppose this is the end of the road for us.”
“Indeed it is. Nevertheless, I shall be on the watch for your person when the season begins.”
“As I shall be, for the fair lady with the lovely eyes.”
Her cheeks flamed, and he patted himself for achieving such a feat.
“I must be on my way now. The night deepens. My gratitude is yours, for I have never felt safer, returning from one of my many adventures.”
Sebastian was happy to hear this.
“Perhaps, if you must continue these escapes, you may find a trustworthy guard of your father and asks that he accompanies you. I shall rest easy, that way.”
The last part was true, for Sebastian knew he would never forget the lady, not this precious evening with her. She would come to his mind always and every time she did, he would wonder if she had gone to the lake and if she was safe.
“Mayhap, I shall do just that. Fare thee well then, my lord. Ride safe.”
Removing his hat to tilt at her, he bowed his head. “You too, my lady. Fare thee well.”
With those words, she kicked the horse’s side, sending it into a jolt once again.
Sebastian remained, watching her go, the moon catching her hair as the wind did. When he could no longer see the white of the mare, he knew it was time to leave.
Turning Pius around, he continued on his path.
A smile remained on his lips as the manor came into view a while after. He knew that he had not had such a lovely evening in a while… at least, since the ball.
A part of him felt conflicted. He had enjoyed Lady Liliana’s company as much as he had enjoyed this lady’s. Now, he found himself looking forward to the season for two reasons.
How would he choose between either of the ladies? What if he did not have to choose? What if he happened to grow affections for another who was neither?
These thoughts remained on his mind as he entered the manor and headed for the stable. It was almost laughable, as Sebastian had never given the subject of women this much thought before.
Yet, he was to be married, was he not? For a man who welcomed notions of love, it was only common that he would want to be as careful with his choice as he can be.
Oliver was waiting when he reached the stables. It was the man who told Sebastian that his parents were beginning to worry.
Wasting no time, he turned to start heading to the house. It was only as he entered that pieces finally fell into place.
The Lady at the lake had said her father’s guards guarded the land from that point on.
From that point on was Evermoon… it was an abundant territory that belonged to none other than Lord Rothwell, baron of Evermoon.
It was without a doubt now, the lady at the lake had been one of the Swan sisters.
Now that he had that piece of knowledge, everything else fell into place. Lady Liliana had been intrigued by his adventures. Although she had appeared calm and reasonable, he had also seen the delight in her eyes when he told her his stories.
That was the spirit of adventure in her.
She had said she had needed to get away from the noise. Lady Liliana was indeed, a calm personality. Lady Nora did not appear to be someone who would be bothered by the noise in the slightest.
In fact, she had thoroughly enjoyed the ball.
And those eyes… they might not have been the orange he had looked upon that night at the ball, but he had only seen the orange when he had looked more closely.
The Lady at the lake had been a safe distance away from him all night and the twinkling night sky had played flirtatiously all over her features. It was possible, that her orange eyes had darkened with the night.
Now he knew why she had seemed so familiar. There was no doubt now. Lady Liliana and the lady at the lake were one and the same.
It would appear that he was not in a dilemma after all, for it was one lady, who was proving capable of stealing his heart.
Chapter 8
A small sigh of relief escaped Liliana’s lips as her sister stopped her chatter, plundering the carriage into welcomed silence. She had thought Nora would not keep quiet.
It had been so on the five-day ride to London from Widmore. Nora would talk about anything and everything, seemingly unable to keep herself from doing so.
It was not a long while until Liliana grew weary of it. Lord Rothwell had continued to be pleasant, but one good look at the man and one would see that he had been just as wary.
He adored Nora and he was too wonderful a father to hurt her, so he had continued to entertain her. Liliana had simply gone quiet. Eventually, Nora fell asleep and they were able to get moments of peace that lasted more than a few seconds.
They had been grateful for every bit of those moments. Alas, the chatter hadn’t stopped after they had arrived in London… oh no, it had grown worse. Not that Liliana would blame her…
They had not been in town for many years. So many things had changed and life in London was a sharp contrast to life in the country. While Liliana had been just as intrigued as her sister, she had been content to watch and take it all in, in silence.
Nora though made passing comments on everything that piqued her interests.
For days now, all that had sung in Liliana’s ears was how beautiful the streets were, or how busy the traders appeared to be... so and so. When the news had come from father that they would be attending their first ball, Nora had been beside herself with glee.
She had wanted to know ev
erything. Which gentleman to look out for, what to expect, how to easily join the peerage. She wanted so desperately to belong.
While Liliana understood and respected her sister’s excitement, she simply wished for a quiet evening with no or fewer events. Still, she could not deny that there was more than a thread of excitement in her own heart.
It was not hard to tell its cause. Smiling to herself as she felt her cheeks heat up just at the thought of him, she turned to look at the window. It would not do if Nora sees her this way.
Then, she would jest with her all night and make Liliana confess her little secret. No, that would not do. It was something precious and dare which Liliana hoped to hold in her night for as long as she could.
The night air blew against her face. The air in London smelled different. Thick, adulterated, unlike the clean air in the countryside.
Lord Rothwell had explained that it was due to the industrialization in London. Fumes from machines went up to the sky and made the air impure. It was a thought to worry about, but Lord Rothwell had assured that there was no reason to fear.
It harmed their health not.
The streets were awfully busy, even though it was almost the twentieth hour. But for the silence that plagued the carriage, noise from the streets filtered in.
Urchins yelping as they miss the brunt of carriages by mere lucks, coachmen cursing them out, wheels cackling as they rolled down the road, friends engaging in loud, amiable discourse. It was the kind of noise Liliana welcomed.
The sky was especially beautiful tonight. It was the kind that welcomed people to stray under its guidance. The moon was not full, but its crescent half shone in all its glory, and the stars twinkled alongside.
It reminded her of two nights… the night at the ball, and that at the lake.
It was easy to guess why. The reason was the same for which she was looking forward to tonight’s ball. Lord Rothwell had promised he would be there- her prince charming.
Not that she had asked, God no. Oh, but she had wanted to. Her step-father must have read the question in her eyes, for he had answered with a knowing glint in his.
“The ball would be absolutely lovely. Great persons shall be there, all of whom I shall love for you girls to get acquainted with. Gentlemen of status and honor. Although, there shall be one particular gentleman with whom you already have acquaintance. Lord Longcross. He would be thrilled to see you again, I presume. It appears, he has taken a liking to you.”
Nora had thrown her a look, but she had avoided her sister’s gaze, aware that she was simply going to gloat that she had been right, and Lord Rothwell had just affirmed that.
In her belly, a million tiny butterflies had taken flight. Oh, she had wanted to ask so much more. How could step-father be so certain? Had Lord Longcross said something to him? Did he truly like her?
Nevertheless, she had held her peace, not wanting to seem too desperate, to let her family see how deeply she was quickly coming to care for the marquess.
Especially after that night at the lake.
Goodness! She had already arrived home that night before her mind had eventually piece it all together. Lord Longcross and the stranger at the lake had been the same.
As she stood side by side with the gentleman, though, feet apart, she had felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity nudge at her. It had covered her like the cloak she wore, and stroke her own senses.
Everything the man had done. The way he had walked, carried himself, spoken. His speech and mannerism could suffice to give away his true identity, but she had doubted her mind.
Indeed, that voice had sounded too much like the one she had listened to as they danced at the ball, and when she had looked upon those eyes- almost blue in the nightlight, it had seemed familiar too.
Oh, but the marquess’ eyes had been a vivid almost violet. Indigo, was perhaps, the perfect color. As a well-read lady, she had come to see how indigo could easily shift to blue, under different lighting.
The height had been just right, and the shoulders, just as wide.
As they conversed under the moonlight and rode side by side, Liliana had battled with the thought of who this man could be. Alas, she had been unable to ask, for she knew that then, she would have to speak of her own identity.
In all honesty, the mystery had brought its own thrill, and she had had no interest in ruining that. So, she had held her peace. As they parted ways and she drew nigh to home, the gut feeling that the stranger was no one but Long Longcross had grown stronger.
That was when she had realized it. The side of his horse, where he kept his belongings had contained something which glistened in the moonlight. She had thought nothing of it.
It had been a bow. The same one the marquess had been given on his birthday, she was certain. It could not be a coincidence. Also, the words he had said about not visiting the lake in a long while had given him away.
Of course, he could not have visited the lake. The marquess had been away on the grand tour!
Although they had worn masks when they first met after the years that had passed, Liliana was now certain that it was Lord Longcross whom she had indeed, met at the lake.
To think that the man had charmed her, just as the marquess had. How could he not have? When they were one and the same. He called to her in ways that no one ever had.
She cherished every moment with him, and she wished for more. He was handsome indeed.
Just as she had thought he would be. The years had been kind to him, and he had grown into his own man. A man that was worthy of the affection of any lady.
She wondered what it would be like tonight, seeing him again. Would he recognize her? As Lady Liliana from the ball, and the lady at the lake? Had he discovered her identity, just as she had his?
If so, how would she react? Would he think her foolhardy for daring to embark on such an adventure? Many English men loved their women docile, calm-headed and obedient. What if Lord Longcross was one of those men?
And what is it to you? Since when did you become his woman?
Those questions were enough to bring her out of that doozy state of mind. What was she thinking? Thinking of herself as his woman when she had only met the man twice?
Oh… she was beginning to let her stepfather and sister’s words get to her. She did not even know what her affections for the marquess were.
That’s a lie, the voice in her head whispered again.
She sighed. Oh, but of course, it was a lie! A terrible one at that. The man had enchanted her. She had taken a strong liking to him. In only a short while! Ridiculous!
Liliana had met many men in her still-short life. Many of her father’s business associates visited their home in the country often. Some; young, others; older, and those, often with their sons who would take over from them, when they were gone.
None of those young gentlemen had ever made her want to look more than twice or have her gaze linger on them. If they had, it was purely out of curiosity, nothing more.
But Lord Longcross made her curious, did he not? Only, in a different way. An entirely different way.
Oh, goodness be! The season had barely started and her heart was already starting to leave her behind.
Perhaps, when she remembered Lord Rothwell’s instructions, she could simply accept that it was just as well.
“Lilly!”
She shook out of her thoughts as her name rang in her ears. Turning, she found that her sister’s hand rested softly on her shoulders and it was that hand that must have shaken her.
Confused, as well as embarrassed that she had been caught lost in thoughts, she quirked her brow in question.
It was step-father who answered. “We have arrived, Liliana. Whoever it was you were daydreaming about, I do believe you are about to meet in person.”
The knowing smile on his lips was all Liliana needed to know that he knew. He knew and there was no use pretending or denying. Mortification became her, but she could no more will the ground to
open and swallow her up than she could will cheeks not to flame.
“I was simply admiring the night streets, is all.” A terrible lie and they all knew that, but she had to try.
“Uh-huh. Of course,” replied her uncle, his lips smiling.
He said nothing more and he rose to leave the carriage. The moment his feet touched the ground, he turned and held out his hand for Nora who happily gave him. Her cheeks had to hurt from how widely she was smiling and Liliana resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
After Nora, she went next.