by Heather Boyd
Outside, thunder boomed in the distance, and he crossed the airless room to the window to breathe in the night. A storm was coming up fast and furious. Storms were always good cover for a midnight rendezvous. He glanced left to judge the distance and available handholds to Lilly’s room. There were very few and he had to concede that even he could not cross the distance to Lilly’s window without breaking his neck in the attempt.
Better to attempt to see her before breakfast.
He would have to be sneakier than ever before and he was going to need some accomplices if he failed tomorrow. That meant he would have to enlist the aid of the servants. Most particularly, Dithers and Mrs. Osprey.
It might force the pair to speak to each other again. In general, he did not interfere with the personal goings-on of his staff, but after observing Barrette watching Lilly all day, he needed them on his side. And Lilly’s.
Chapter Twenty-Two
GILES STOOD IN the damp kitchen garden watching Dithers and Mrs. Osprey approach him from opposite directions. He had been out here walking the rainy paths for some time, working out some frustrations, and he surmised they sensed his agitation already.
His morning had not gone according to plan. The first thing that bothered him was that his valet, Worth, was doing a poor job. He seemed distracted and had ruined nine neck cloths before Giles was presentable enough for company.
That delay did not help Giles catch Lilly alone for even a moment. She was already sitting at the breakfast table with her father and the obsequious cousin. Barrette loitered around her. And he seemed to be trying to direct Lord Winter. First he suggested a country ride, but since it was raining Lord Winter did not consider it. And, as Giles also pointed out, his stables housed carriage animals, not horses suited for riding.
Then Barrette proposed a walk, but the wet grounds were unsuitable for Lilly to trudge. Winter abandoned that idea, too. Giles had been pleased she would not risk becoming chilled.
Dithers did not stand close to Mrs. Osprey when they reached him. “You sent for us, milord.”
He could sense anger from Dithers and, judging by the stubborn set of her face, Mrs. Osprey knew exactly what she was doing. Had Dithers hinted that Mrs. Osprey was losing her mind?
This was not the face of a woman with failing understanding. They had both been duped. Giles would have laughed aloud if he did not think that Dithers would quit. The man’s pride had been sorely battered.
“What do you think of our house guests?”
The butler shot one last disgusted look at Mrs. Osprey before answering. “Well, Lord Winter has recovered from the shock quite nicely. It’s good he is going to bring her out in London soon, don’t you think? His staff is excited for her.”
He looked as if he’d continue, but then he pressed his lips together over another tidbit of information.
“Dithers, I do not have time for evasions.” Giles wanted to return to the house as quickly as he could. “Just tell me the rest.”
“I’d not like to be held accountable for bringing grief between friends.”
“Out with it.”
Dithers stood straight. “I noticed Lord Carrington getting chummy with Mr. Barrette last night. Given his groundless disapproval of Miss Winter, I thought you should know.”
“At my request, Dithers. At my request.” Giles pinched the bridge of his nose. “I cannot watch over Miss Winter and the cousin at the same time.”
“But given the viscount’s opinions of Miss Winter, milord, I—”
Giles barked a laugh. Damn that woman. She had all his staff looking out for her best interests. “Don’t worry about Carrington. Miss Winter is well on her way to winning him over. She could make a dead man smile.”
Dithers appeared affronted by his comment, and Giles held back a grin. When Lilly left, would she take his butler too? It seemed a distinct possibility.
“Listen, I need to return to my guests soon, but I would like to ask you to keep your eyes open and report back to me if there is anything that disturbs you.”
Mrs. Osprey cleared her throat. “Disturbs us? About what, my lord?” Dithers scowled at Mrs. Osprey and the little woman had the good sense to drop her eyes.
“About Lilly, of course. Keep an eye on her. I have a bad feeling about Mr. Barrette.” He turned to leave.
“Before you go, milord, Lord Winter’s servants have noticed the absence of the nurse.”
“Christ, I had forgotten all about the nurse.” Giles shook his head. That was going to be an awkward conversation too. “Oh, and by the way, I don’t care what your problems are, but settle your differences and do your jobs, unless you prefer to see Mavis and Davis promoted to take over your positions.”
Giles strode off for the house without waiting to see the reaction to his threat. Dithers was an idiot and Mrs. Osprey had played him, and continued to play him, for a fool. That woman might have run rings around the aging rogue before, but the cat was out of the bag now. He wondered what Dithers would do. He should probably run, but then Giles would have to train one of the Davis boys into the role of butler. That was all the trouble he needed this week.
Luncheon was followed with another musical performance, and while Barrette was distracted by his playing, Giles studied both Lord Winter and Lilly. Lilly sat back into her chair with a posture that was not quite correct. A scandalous lapse in London, but a necessary posture today. Since Giles had not managed to visit Lilly last night, he supposed she was in pain.
Tonight he would get into her room and help her. But how she was going to cope with the trip to London, for her triumphant launch on society, without his hands on her at the end of each day escaped him.
But Lord Winter appeared happy. That was such a new outlook for the older man that Giles could not decide if it boded good or ill. Lord Winter frequently held his daughter’s hand and, when they were not watching, Barrette glanced at their entwined fingers with an unreadable expression. Giles was sure, however, that it was not delight.
When Barrette took his leave of them, they could talk freely again and Lord Winter was quick with his questions. “What has become of the nurse I left in charge of Lilly?” Lord Winter asked. “Lilly told me she is no longer here.”
Giles scrubbed his face before he answered. He could tell the truth and would prefer to do so, but Lilly—sweet innocent Lilly—could be damaged by it. He would be careful how much he revealed. “It appears that she left us the night of your departure. We found not a trace of her the next day.” That was the truth. He was not going to tell them what he suspected made Lilly ill though. Or where he found Lilly for that matter.
Lord Winter nodded. “I did not think she would be with us long, but I had hoped she would await my return. However, it appears that you have exceptional servants to rehabilitate my daughter so quickly when years of consultations and examination have failed us. Would you do me the honor of pointing out the servant responsible so I can reward her? My daughter’s recovery is due in no small part by her efforts, and the stubbornness of a Winter’s willpower.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “I might just have to steal the woman from you.”
“Of course.” In all of that, Giles had not had to tell a lie. He just refused to correct the man of his wrong assumptions. It would have to be Mrs. Osprey. He could not claim credit himself.
“Wherever did you acquire the gowns my daughter wears? If there is a bill to pay, I would like to hear of it now, if you please.” Lord Winter reached out a finger and touched the trail of gown strewn beside his daughter’s leg.
Giles laughed in surprise. He had forgotten about the clothes. “My sister maintains a substantial wardrobe here still. Shocking, is it not? Katarina is addicted to fashion, but will probably never wear them. Perhaps you could approach her with the request for the bill, but perhaps not. Katarina is a bit of a shrew, after all. Lilly was deemed a similar size and I have allowed her access to my sister’s possessions. She could not continue to wander the house in her nightgown.”<
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Winter stilled, and then his jaw clenched tight as Giles realized just how bad that sounded. It sounded as if Giles had seen Lilly in her nightgown more than once, which was true, but Lord Winter did not need to know the full details. He would have to be more careful how he phrased these matters relating to Lilly.
Winter gave him a strange look. “Cottingstone is as lovely as I remember. Have you had much work done lately to improve the place?”
While Giles spoke of his improvements, Lord Winter stirred three lumps of sugar into Lilly’s teacup. Since Lilly only liked one, Giles swapped his untouched cup with hers, then handed the over-sweetened one to Dithers to take away.
“Thank you, Giles.”
When Giles sat down again, the baron was glancing between him and Lilly, a frown restoring his face to its usual expression. Giles held his gaze. The man should have predicted he’d at least speak to his daughter while he was off in Wales. He shouldn’t be surprised he knew how she liked her tea either. There was nothing scandalous about knowing that.
Lilly fidgeted.
Come to think of it, why hadn’t Winter simply asked these questions of Lilly? He’d not heard her speak beyond pleasantries all day. She was unusually pale, even for her, and while he could not guarantee it, he was pretty certain Lilly had something on her mind.
“Is Cottingstone to your liking, Miss Winter?”
She glanced up and caught his gaze. Instead of the laughing eyes he expected, her gaze was reserved. “Cottingstone is—”
“Yes, Cottingstone is a lovely rustic setting, but it cannot compare to the splendor of Dumas,” Barrette assured them from the doorway. “Lady Winter has superior taste in her management of the estate. She shall be greatly relieved to have Miss Winter return.”
Giles had not heard Barrette in the hall and he wondered just how long he had been there. Lilly didn’t want to return to Dumas. She had been very insistent on that point just a few days ago. “I did not realize that you had visited Cottingstone before.”
Lord Carrington swept into the room and circled behind Barrette to take a chair a little to the side of the group. His expression appeared puzzled.
“But of course.”
Giles had to think. Barrette had not been here on any of the occasions when he had been home and wondered when it was. His mother had been an avid diarist, and he could consult back through her entries for details of any event or visit that Barrette had made, but that would take awhile.
Still he couldn’t bear to let the quip about his home being rustic pass without comment. “Cottingstone is the least of my concerns in England, Barrette. Like many progressive men, I find great pleasure in pursuing investment in other areas that offer a higher return.”
His comments seemed to upset Barrette. Had he thought that since he was not a substantial landowner that he was not wealthy? Did he think that the lack of servants and ostentation was an indication of economy? It was an exercise in achieving a peaceful, responsibility-free existence. There were many ways to acquire wealth, after all.
Barrette settled himself in a vacant chair with a cup of tea and appeared to brood over his quip. Good. Giles wanted the man put back in his place. Lord Winter reached for his daughter’s hand again and squeezed. His action to reassure Lilly confirmed that Lord Winter was not entirely comfortable around her cousin, though why he did not get rid of the leech escaped him.
Dinner was unbearable. Giles could clearly see the internal strength Lilly used to support a happy demeanor all through the meal, but wondered at her stubborn avoidance of rest. He wanted to say something, but given the way Lord Winter hovered, he didn’t dare. After dinner, Barrette suggested a game of cards and when Winter went to refuse on Lilly’s behalf, Lilly stopped him. “I would be happy to play, Papa.”
Barrette appeared startled she accepted.
It was a good thing Giles had taught a fast learner. But they had never played for money—not once. They’d never gambled. And if Lilly learned how Giles usually collected his winnings, she would have another reason to scowl. He definitely preferred her smiling.
When the stack of coins landed on the table before her, Lilly looked at them, puzzled, and then her gaze darted to Giles. She held his gaze for a long moment. Giles nodded an encouragement, and settled on a chair facing the table with a clear view of the proceedings. She knew how to play, but not how to bet. He hoped Lilly would understand his signals well enough.
“You will have to forgive me if I am a little rusty. It has been quite a while since I played. Years in fact,” Lilly murmured.
“Of course. I shall make allowances for you, my dear.” Contempt dripped from Barrette’s tongue and Giles wondered if Lord Winter could hear it.
“That is so very kind of you.” Lilly’s lips pulled into a small smile. “Barty.”
Barrette’s jaw clenched, and he swiftly dealt cards, then settled into his chair, exuding confidence. Giles swallowed a laugh. This was not going to be a friendly match after all, and he was pleased that Lilly would stand up to her cousin.
Through a series of finger taps on his bent knee, he counted out the greatest number of coins to bet. At times, she followed him and others she did not. Giles could not see her cards, so it was not necessarily cheating. At least, not to his mind.
Barrette’s brow glistened with a light sheen of perspiration. There was not a lot of cash involved with the bets, and Giles wondered at his display. Was it an accurate representation of his hand or was it a bluff? Giles was betting on the former.
He started at the sound of glass striking glass broke his focus as Winter refilled his brandy. With the tension of the game, he had forgotten Lilly’s father was present.
Winter sank down on the cushion beside him to watch the game to completion. He nudged his arm. “An excellent match, don’t you think?”
Given the way Lilly avoided Giles’ gaze, he had a feeling she had overheard her father. Giles hoped Lord Winter meant the card game and not a potential match between Lilly and his heir. The thought revolted him.
Carrington laughed when Giles remained silent. “Yes, it seemed a fair match in the end. Mr. Barrette wins.”
Lilly made her excuses and retired.
~ * ~
As the door closed behind Lilly’s back, she found herself surrounded by servants. Dithers and Mrs. Osprey were waiting, worried expressions clouding their features. Mrs. Osprey slipped an arm around her waist and Dithers held out his arm. She was grateful for their support. Her back and legs ached like fire. It took an eternity to reach the halfway point up the stairs.
“If you will forgive me, miss, this will be faster.”
Dithers swung her up into his arms and carried her the remaining distance. Just before she crossed the threshold, she heard a deep chuckle behind them.
“Better not let Daventry catch you doing that, man.”
Dithers turned his head slightly. “My thoughts exactly, Lord Carrington. Excuse us.”
“You have bewitched an entire household, Miss Winter.” Carrington followed as far as the doorway. “I hope you do not play with my friend’s affections insincerely.”
Lilly glanced at him, pain spearing down her legs and robbing her of patience. “I play at nothing, my lord. Life is too short for insincerity. You should know that better than anyone. Now get out. I must rest.”
Mrs. Osprey helped her to bed and she heard Dithers step out into the hall.
“That gent is so suspicious of everyone.”
“Ignore him.” At the moment, Lilly didn’t care a whit for Lord Carrington. All she cared about was getting off her feet.
Mrs. Osprey huffed. “He’s been watching you too well for my comfort. He may be betrothed and all, but he’s got no right to be so watchful of you.”
Lilly shrugged and the gesture caused more pain. “He is only looking out for his friend, Mrs. Osprey. Don’t let him trouble you.”
Lilly crawled into bed and stretched out. Her body complained heartily and she closed her e
yes so Mrs. Osprey wouldn’t see just how bad it was.
One of the maids rattled into the room, bringing a supper for Mrs. Osprey by the sound of it. The housekeeper sighed just a little. She sounded sad and Lilly wished she were well enough to ask what troubled her.
But there was no escaping the agony. Once Papa had his wish, she would return to London and descend into a pain-filled existence once more. Would Giles come to her tonight? She needed him. She missed him.
Her eyes filled with tears as she understood just how much she had grown to love him. Decadent, impulsive, pleasure-seeker that he was. She hadn’t meant to. He had made her love him for his gentle ways, and determination that she take better care of herself. She had not considered any other way to live in so long.
A light pressure on her cheek wiped away her tears and a cloud of cinnamon-sweet scent that always cloaked Mrs. Osprey surrounded her. She liked Mrs. Osprey. She liked this house and its servants. She did not want to go anywhere.
A sob escaped her, and she turned her head away to cry. She did not want to leave Giles, but she knew this couldn’t last. She was far too much trouble for a rogue to bother with past the moment of amusement. A diversion was all she could be.
“The master will set you to rights again,” Mrs. Osprey whispered. “He will not bear to let you suffer.”
Bless Mrs. Osprey her romantic heart, but he would not have to see. She would be gone from here in a matter of days.
~ * ~
Bartholomew hugged the shadows and watched Lord Daventry’s servants scurry about. Although he thought his present location was beneath him, he had to determine who best would suit his purpose. The kitchen thrummed with activity, but he caught sight of a buxom country maid with a head of dull, brown hair, and hoped she would be the one.
This time he would do the deed himself. He’d not let some transient servant destroy his future with her fickle attention to detail. The heavy-breasted maid would be used to gentlemen propositioning her, and he smiled in pleasure at the farce to come.