by S Cinders
Lillian knew that there were several ways she could respond to her mother. What was expected, most likely—in her estimation, would be a calm, reasonable explanation. And for that reason alone, Lillian did something that she had never done before.
“I cannot believe that my mother does not find me beautiful enough to attract multiple suitors. What do you see when you look at me? Am I that hideous?” Choking back a sob Lillian threw her napkin at her plate and raced from the breakfast room much to the shock of her mother and sister.
She really wasn’t interested in going back to her bedroom, so she went to the back of the house where they had a lovely sewing room that had lots of light in the morning hours.
Lillian settled onto the window seat and awaited her sister.
Juliana burst in, “That was bloody brilliant! I had no clue you had it in you Lilly! You could positively tread the boards! You are fantastic! Mother just sat there with her jaw flapping. I almost felt sorry for her, but she had been a trifle bit rude.”
Lillian grimaced, “I didn’t wish to offend. I just needed to stop that line of questioning. Do you suppose that mother will ask about it again?”
Juliana giggled before flinging her arm out, “You—my own mother—thinks I’m ugly!”
Lillian’s lips twitched, “It wasn’t that bad!”
Juliana laughed, “Pretty close.”
“Do you really think I could make it as an actress?”
Jules grinned, “Without a doubt! I wanted to give you a standing ovation, but it would have defeated your purpose. Quickly, before I forget, did you learn anything when dancing with the Comte?”
Lilly straightened, “He was interesting.”
“In what way?”
“The Comte is very self-assured. He was smooth to the point of oily.”
Jules wrinkled her nose.
“I would like to somehow meet the new Countess. I am interested to see if she is similar in personality to the Comte.”
“I wonder if she will be at Lady Wells brunch this Thursday?” Jules asked.
Lilly’s eyes lit, “I would expect so! Lady Wells invites almost everyone who is anyone. Our goal will be to speak with her. I think there is something there Jules, I am just not sure what.”
Jules wrinkled her nose, “Did you think that the Comte was the traitor?”
Lilly shrugged, “It is hard to say during one dance. Especially when you are purposefully smashing the poor man’s feet.”
Jules laughed, “I cannot believe you are still employing that trick. You are not that bad of a dancer.”
Lilly smiled softly, “It is easier for me to put up a distance. I need that space so that I do not feel as if I am drowning.”
Jules shook her head, “Lilly, you are one of a kind.”
Lilly’s smile was sad.
Jules frowned, “What is it?”
Lilly shook her head, “Nothing, dearest. Did you enjoy the ball last evening? I noticed that you danced with the Duke.”
Jules brushed it off dismissively, “Oh, I am no longer interested in the Duke.”
Lilly raised a brow, “Is there someone else that has caught your fancy then?”
Jules folded her hands into her lap. She didn’t meet her sister’s eyes for a moment as if she were thinking of the right thing to say. And then she raised her head.
“I have decided that I am not going to set my cap for any man at present.”
Lilly was stunned, “You have?”
“Yes,” Jules was resolute. “It was something that you said actually. I have spent so much time chasing that I haven’t really been enjoying my time during the season.”
“I hope that I didn’t offend you, Jules,” Lilly was quick to say, “I do apologize.”
Jules smiled, “No, quite the opposite. I feel liberated in a way. I am thrilled to be working on this case with you.”
Lilly felt a surge of love for her sister, “And I with you, thank you, Jules.”
CHAPTER 11
Ryan rounded the corner in Hyde park and noted two familiar young misses accompanied by their maids out for a morning constitutional stroll.
He bit back a smile and made a mental note to thank James. His youngest brother was a rackety blighter in the best of times, but his suggestion to have James’ valet bribe Lillian Moberly’s maid to find out her schedule—evil genius.
He would have paid a thousand times the sum for the information. There was just something about the woman he found mesmerizing.
Schooling his features into a surprised look, he greeted the Moberly sisters.
“Lady Juliana, Lady Lillian, how very nice to see you this fine morning. Do you often take the air in the park?”
Lillian frowned, before opening her reticule and fishing for something. Pulling out a few coins she extended them to him, “June alerted us that your valet wanted our schedule, Mr. Stanford. For future reference, we would prefer that you ask us directly. We will pay our staff. And, by the by, the schedule you have been provided is purely fictional.”
A slow smile spread across Ryan’s face, “Why is it Darlin’, that every time we meet you do something that makes you that more interesting to me?”
Juliana, who hadn’t spoken until this moment, was completely flabbergasted. Her sister Lillian certainly acted like this around her and in the company of her family, but never in front of company.
“Mr. Stanford, how do you do?” Juliana grinned.
Lillian rolled her eyes, “Oh, for goodness sake, Jules, don’t encourage him!”
Jules’ eyes widened, “Goodness, Mr. Stanford, how did you get into Lilly’s black books?”
Mr. Stanford’s bright white teeth flashed in the morning sunlight, “Lady Juliana, I am not certain as to what my sins are against your fair sister.”
Lillian huffed, “Just take your money!”
They ignored her.
Lady Juliana leaned in as if to impart a secret, “She is a bit shy, Mr. Stanford, perhaps she just needs a little more time to get to know one?”
Lillian cursed, “Bloody hell, this is ridiculous! I am keeping your money. Enjoy your visit! June, we are leaving,” she turned and motioned for her maid to leave.
“I can certainly see some of that reserved nature that you speak of,” Ryan commented.
Jules snorted with laughter, “Yes, well. It was lovely to see you, Mr. Stanford. I am sorry, but I must run now. Quite literally, as she is leaving me.”
Ryan called out loudly, “I am so delighted to have seen you this morning, Lilly. I cannot wait to check the schedule and see when I am to meet the Moberly sisters again.”
Now, it was rather early in the morning, and Hyde Park was almost empty, so the announcement that Ryan Stanford made went unnoticed by everyone in London besides Lillian Moberly, Juliana Moberly and of course, himself.
If it had ended there, life could have keep going as it should have, but someone had a bit of a temper.
“That’s it! I am tired of you watching me with your wicked eyes!”
Ryan’s wicked eyes flew open in surprise, “My what?”
“I cannot think when you are near. You have my stomach all tied up in knots. Do you have any idea how very uncomfortable that is? I feel shaky and unlike myself. And I want to wipe that damn smile off your face every time I see you.”
With every word, Lilly had taken another step closer until she was almost upon him. It wasn’t until she was within breathing distance that she realized that she had just screamed at a man in the middle of Hyde park.
She raised confused and scared eyes at him, “I am sorry. I don’t know what got into me.”
“Lilly?” Jules called out hesitantly.
Ryan blinked. He had almost grabbed Lillian Moberly and kissed her for all he was worth in front of God, her sister, and their maids. Not only would she have been ruined, but she would have hated that he had been the one who had taken all of her choices from her.
“Think nothing of it,” he said gruffly. Hi
s body was aroused to a terrible state. Did she not realize what she was describing? She couldn’t think when he was near.
She was getting off easy.
He couldn’t bloody breathe when she was in the room!
His eyes must feel hot on her. He hadn’t known that she had noticed his gaze. He couldn’t help but follow her. She was perfection to him. He was aware that she didn’t see herself as such, but that just made her all the more perfect to him.
Juliana took her sister’s hand, “We had best go.”
Ryan nodded, not trusting his voice. He wondered if the schedule was false. He craved spending time with her and knew that this was his only hope, so he was aware that, fictional or not, he was going to try it.
As Juliana and Lillian walked away, Lillian clutched her older sister’s hand tightly. Never could she have imagined that she would have exploded in such a manner. Lilly was the calm sister, the rational sister.
“I’ve made a mess of things,” Lilly whispered once they made it back to the Moberly townhome.
Jules sighed, “You most likely shouldn’t have tried to meet him this morning when you caught the maids boasting about the money.”
Lilly groaned, “Do you suppose that he now believes he has a false schedule?”
Jules shrugged one shoulder infinitesimally, “I don’t know, Lilly. Perhaps? I have never seen you behave that way before in company.”
Lilly closed her eyes in embarrassment, “I am horrified.”
“Oh, Lilly, I thought he might kiss you!”
Lilly’s eyes popped open, “You did?”
“Certainly! He looked so dark and angry, and he kept clenching his fists. He almost reached for you once, Lilly. I think he cares for you. He called you Lilly! I heard him! I don’t even know if he realizes it or not. He is handsome and a bit scary.”
“I know that. Do you not think I know that?” Lilly looked like she wanted to pull her hair out. “But what if he wants things but not marriage? You know what father was like. What if he is like father?”
Jules face fell, “You think he is not honorable?”
“I don’t know, Jules. I don’t know him at all. He is an American! I am so uncertain about everything.”
Jules sighed, “Let’s put it out of our minds for now. We have to focus on meeting the Countess tomorrow at Lady Wells brunch. All will come to rights, Lilly.”
Lilly tried to smile, “You are right, we will focus on the Countess.”
CHAPTER 12
“Explain to me again why I am not only awake at this ungodly hour, but I am out of doors with pink and white frothy creatures that I do believe one might call ladies.”
Jacob yawned before answering Ian, “Some of the attendees are not yet out.”
Ian frowned, “Out of what—puberty? —that is apparent. They should not be allowed in public until their unfortunate,” he made a circular motion with his hands near his face, “complexion issues, resolve.”
Ryan sighed, “We haven’t hidden you away. Much to my sad regret.”
“I have a perfect countenance!” Ian was indignant.
Ryan glanced his brother’s way, “Pity your personality isn’t a matched set.”
Jacob raised his finger to mark and invisible scoreboard.
This action from Jacob seemed to cause Ian even greater alarm, for he turned to Jacob and complained, “You are giving him a point for that? It wasn’t even that good a quip!”
“Oh, face it, little brother,” Ryan smiled as Ian scowled at him. His perfect complexion brought into a dismal pout. “There are winners and losers in this world.”
“And tell me, Mr. Stanford, would you be one of the winners?”
Perhaps it was the uneven grass of Lady Well’s front lawn. Or the fact that Ryan had not slept well the night before. He had tossed and turned much of the evening reliving his meeting of the sisters in the park.
Perhaps it was the unexpected sound of Lillian’s voice when he was speaking so informally with his brothers. He hadn’t expected to run into her. He had given up hope of her attending the brunch when she wasn’t there at the start.
At the first sound of her voice, he knew who it was, of course, he did.
He had to see her. Whipping around, Ryan searched for her face. Was she angry with him? Was she enjoying herself?
He needed to see her eyes so that he could tell what she was feeling.
What was wrong with his damn boots? They were in the way!
And then all of the sudden the ground was jumping up at him, and he reached to catch himself.
He heard her call his name and masculine laughter—stupid brothers.
Lillian dropped beside him her small hands right above his large frame. It would be very improper to touch him, but she was terribly concerned about him. After all, it was her fault that he fell. She was the reason that he was startled in the first place.
“Mr. Stanford,” She began, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I am so awfully sorry. I misspoke and then you fell, and I couldn’t reach you in time. I feel so badly about everything, and well I really do not know what else to say.”
Ryan could see that his brothers were doing a mighty fine job blocking onlookers from seeing too much. He decided then and there to forgive their trespasses.
He leaned forward so that she was a hair’s breadth away. He smiled that slow, wicked smile that caused Lilly’s bones to melt and her mind to shut down.
“Lilly,” he whispered against her lips.
“Mr. Stanford,” she replied breathlessly.
“My name is Ryan,” he said slowly.
Lilly knew that a young woman of quality did not call a man by his first name, not unless it was her brother or her intended. “It isn’t proper, Mr. Stanford.”
“What about when you are mine, Lilly?” Ryan asked his lips so close to her cheek but not quite touching.
“I do not understand your meaning,” Lilly was not one of those ladies that had many beaus. She didn’t play games, nor did she flaunt assets she didn’t have.
Ryan looked at her in confusion, “Lilly, I want you for my wife. Surely, after all of these weeks, you know that.”
Lilly’s cheeks pinked, “Mr. Stanford, maybe in America the ladies understand your courting techniques. But in London, we do it the old-fashioned way.”
Feeling braver than she ever had before in her life Lilly grabbed Ryan’s face and planted a big wet kiss on his mouth. It was fast and quick but most of all it was glorious.
She was up and out of there in seconds. Racing away before Ryan could get himself together and go after her.
“Did you see that?” Ian was nudging Jacob.
“Bloody hell,” Ryan got to his feet.
“Yeah,” Jacob laughed, “I saw it.”
“He was right all along, the Blighter!” Ian groused. “How did he know?”
“What the actual hell just happened?” Ryan shook his head.
Jacob—still grinning— put his arm around Ryan, “Let’s get you home, Ry. You have grass stains and a cock stand. It’s not a good look for brunch.”
“And she bloody well can’t dance!” Ian was still carrying on.
“SHUT-UP IAN!” the brother’s called out as they left Lady Wells rather lovely brunch.
Lillian watched the Stanford brothers go from the awning on the south lawn.
Juliana who had also witnessed the groundbreaking kiss couldn’t wait to find out what had brought about this significant change in character in her younger sister.
“You like him!” Jules danced around. “I knew it!”
Lilly was still blushing. She could not believe what had possessed her to press her lips to his. It had been transcendent. Nothing in her life had ever been as incredible as that moment in time.
She could not believe that she had taken such a chance. And to do so in company, that was beyond anything Jules could describe.
“Who are you? And what have you done with my sister? Remember all those things yo
u said to me about chasing the Duke? And now you are, well, you know what you are about I suppose.”
It wouldn’t do for Jules to even repeat that Lilly had kissed Ryan even though she wanted to just for shock value.
Lillian wanted to talk about it as well. There was a secret part of her that was thrilled she had been so brave. Lilly didn’t know what it was about the American that stirred her to new heights, but she liked who she was when she was with him.
And he liked her.
Ryan wanted her. He wanted to marry her. All those heated looks and wicked smiled were because he saw something more. He saw her when no one saw her.
“Yes, Jules—I like him.”
CHAPTER 13
A tall, curvaceous young woman with chocolate brown hair and twinkling eyes approached the Moberly sisters.
“It would appear that you are having entirely too much fun,” Lady Samantha Shore flicked her fan closed as she noted Lillian’s flushed cheeks and Juliana’s bright gaze.
“Samantha!” Juliana extended a hand in greeting, “You look lovely in that teal dress, I am completely envious of the color. Mother won’t let us choose anything that is remotely fashionable.”
Lillian extended her hand as well, “It is so wonderful to see your Sam! Did you enjoy your stay in the country?”
Samantha was of a similar age to the girls and had been visiting her brother, Viscount Shore, and his wife, Hazel. They usually resided in the capital but had retired to the country to redecorate the family seat.
Samantha sparkled, “I loved every moment of it! Hazel is hilarious. I could not have asked for a better sister. She drives Benjamin to distraction and mother doesn’t like her at all, but she doesn't do anything about it because Benjamin is so head over heels in love with her. I tell you; I spend the majority of the time in stitches. I would have returned, but my mother started matchmaking.”
Juliana’s eyes widened, “In the country? To whom—don’t tell me you have a wealthy middle-aged squire mildewing away out there.”
Samantha wrinkled her nose, “Oh no, my dear friends, this is so much worse.”
Lillian raised a brow, “Goodness, how much worse could it possibly be?”