Stolen Kisses

by Suzanne Enoch

  “He and your aunt went to luncheon with Lord and Lady Neuland, Miss Benton. I expect them to return within the hour.”

  She nodded. “And William?”

  “He has not returned either, Miss Benton.”

  “Thank you, Bevins. I’ll be in the library.”

  “Very good, my lady.”

  Lilith was relieved that no one was home. It gave her time to consider how she would tell them the news. She imagined her father would be angry and embarrassed—after all, he’d forced her into a betrothal with a murderer; it was hardly the type of upstanding match he had sought for her. And then she would finally tell him that someone else had caught her heart. Someone who had risked a great deal to protect her reputation, and her life.

  She sighed and sat in one of the comfortable chairs before the hearth. Jack had been in such an odd mood after he’d stopped Wenford. He’d barely spoken to her and had seemed anxious to go off with Richard and swear out a statement of his own against Dolph. When she had offered to do the same, he had adamantly refused and told her she needn’t be involved any longer.

  His game was over, and he’d won. And she had to wonder if he’d decided he no longer had any use for her. That hurt—a deep, hollow ache in her chest that made it hard to breathe. Still, though, she could hope that he was trying to be noble and proper, that he did care for her as much as she cared for him. She had to hope, because it was too painful to consider anything else. He had done so much for her, and for her heart. He’d shown her how to be free.

  The front door opened, and she stiffened. She did not relish the conversation that the next few minutes would bring. Hurriedly she grabbed a book off the table and opened it, pretending to read.

  “Lil?”

  Lilith sighed in relief and lowered the book. “William. Where have you been?”

  He shrugged and dropped into the chair beside her. “Taking care of things. Why are you home? I thought you were staying with the Huttons.”

  She ignored his question, focusing instead on his answer. “What things, brother? You didn’t do something foolish, did you?”

  Lifting his hand to his chest, her brother lifted both eyebrows. “Me? Foolish?” Seeing the suspicious expression on her face, he grinned and shook his head. “No. I…saw the error of my ways with Antonia. She’s taking a trip to France. Be gone for quite a while, I imagine. Any news from Dansbury?”

  Lilith looked at him. “I heard that she’d spoken out against Jack,” she said slowly. “You knew that, didn’t you?”

  “Well, yes, I suppose I did.” He leaned forward and took the book from her. “Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language?” he asked, glancing up at her. “Jack told you to stay with Lady Hutton until you received word that it was all clear. What’s happened?”

  It seemed that William was not quite so lightheaded as she thought. He’d done Jack a great service. “Wenford confessed.”

  William shot to his feet. “What?”

  The front door opened again, this time with greater speed. “Lilith!”

  “In here, Papa,” she called, scowling at the strident bellow. He’d heard something.

  Stephen Benton shoved the library door open and strode into the room, Aunt Eugenia, white-faced and tight-lipped, on his heels. “That damned Dansbury!” he snarled, then caught sight of William. “You encouraged his friendship. I can’t believe it!”

  Lilith took a deep breath. “Papa, I—”

  “This is a disaster!” he ranted. “No way to escape the scandal. Everyone knows you were engaged. Damn Dansbury!”

  “But Papa,” Lilith broke in, unwilling to hear Jack’s name further disparaged, “Dolph Remdale is a murderer.”

  He stopped his pacing and turned to look at her. “So you have heard. How did you know?”

  Lilith remained seated, her hands folded on her lap so they wouldn’t shake. “I assisted Lord Dansbury and the Bow Street Runners in stopping His Grace,” she said quietly.

  The other three occupants in the room stood frozen, staring at her. “You…you did what?” her father finally rasped.

  “From what he’d said to me, and the way he acted toward me, I was certain that Lord Dansbury was correct, and that it was His Grace, and not the marquis, who killed old Wenford.”

  “You were certain,” the viscount repeated. “You weren’t even to speak with Dansbury!”

  Lilith frowned. He didn’t even seem to care that Dolph Remdale had killed his uncle to gain the title. “Well, I did speak with him,” she responded. “And I wouldn’t be married to a man who would kill for a title, or a man who would hit a woman.”

  “He hit you?” William asked, his light green eyes indignant and angry.

  “William, silence!” Lord Hamble, his face flushed and furious, stalked over to stand directly before Lilith. “I am speaking to your sister. By God, girl, do you think I’m a fool? You didn’t want to marry Wenford, so you conspired to ruin him.” He slammed one fist against the other palm. “Only now you’ve ruined your best—ha—your only—chance for a respectable marriage. No one will touch you now!”

  Lilith shot to her feet. “Papa, he hit me! He threatened to kill me! He killed his own uncle! How can you be angry that I won’t be marrying him?”

  He jabbed a finger at her. “You are selfish, girl! Selfish! You knew how much our family needed this match, and you went and destroyed it because you were displeased with the husband I chose for you. And now you’ve ruined everything! We’ll have to go back to Northamptonshire, and we’ll never be able to show our faces in London again.”

  Lilith took a deep breath, trying to calm her outrage at his continued abuse. She had done nothing wrong. “Papa—”

  “By God, I should disown you for this. Just like your bedamned mother, thinking of nothing but yourself.”

  Aunt Eugenia sniffed in agreement, while William looked as though he wanted badly to throw something.

  “For six years, I have done nothing but think of you, and of this family,” Lilith said quietly, her voice shaking with fury. He didn’t care for her. He didn’t care at all. “You have given me nothing in return but your contempt. So I agree. I should be disowned, because I no longer wish to be your daughter.” She turned to her brother. “William, will you help me transport my things to Penelope’s home? I will not spend another night under this roof.”

  William stared at her for another moment, astounded, then shook himself and nodded. “Yes, of course I will.”

  Her father sputtered, his complexion growing alarmingly red. “If you leave this house, you will never be allowed to return! You’ll have no money, no friends, no home. Nothing!”

  Lilith turned her back so he wouldn’t see that he was still able to hurt her. “I will become a governess, if necessary,” she said coolly, though she couldn’t help the tremble that touched her voice. She walked toward the door, William following close behind her. Abruptly she stopped and turned around again. “And I would like the portrait of Mama you hid in the attic. If you had been kinder to her, I don’t think she would have left you. Now you’ve lost us both.”

  Aunt Eugenia gasped. “Insolent girl!”

  Viscount Hamble turned his back. “Good riddance,” he growled toward the fireplace. “Bevins! Gather the staff. Inform them that we’re closing up the house, and we’ll be returning to Northamptonshire tomorrow!”

  Lilith left the library and headed up to her room, summoning Emily to help her gather her essentials. A harried-looking Bevins and William appeared with one of her traveling trunks, and another pair of footmen with a second.

  “You don’t have to go, Lil,” her brother said, seating himself on the edge of her bed. “Father’ll be ready to pretend nothing happened if you lie low for a day or so.” He forced a grin. “After all, you’re still his best chance at respectability.”

  Lilith shook her head, surprised that she wasn’t more upset about the whole thing. Mostly what she felt was relief. She would never again have to listen to her father
or her aunt ranting about how ill-mannered she was, or what a disappointment she was, or how much they relied on her not to shame them. “I can’t do this anymore, William. I just can’t.”

  He sighed, and nodded. “Truth be told, I’m surprised you’ve put up with as much as you have.”

  “I would appreciate it if you would put my books into storage somewhere, so Papa won’t burn them. And my things back at home.”

  Her brother nodded. “Anything else?”

  Lilith thought about it. She had friends back in Northamptonshire, but with the scandal that would break over her departure, they likely wouldn’t want to have anything further to do with her, anyway. “No. When I find a position, I’ll write you and let you know where I am.”

  “What about Jack?” he asked quietly, his eyes searching her face.

  Finally tears gathered in her eyes. “I don’t know, William.”

  He stood. “Well, I do. Perhaps I’ll have a word with the old boy.”

  “Don’t you dare,” she protested, embarrassed. She’d had enough of matchmaking to last her a lifetime. “I won’t have him prodded into anything.”

  Her brother snorted. “Doubt I could sway him about anything, anyway.” He headed for the door. “I’ll have Milgrew bring up the coach.”

  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?”

  Chapter 20

  Jack 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 wheth
er 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.”