by Jane Charles
He hadn’t been seated more than five minutes before Dresden stood towering over him. “Is it true you asked for Lily’s hand?”
“Circumstances forced the issue.”
Dresden sank into a chair beside Maxwell. “You are to speak with my uncle this afternoon?”
“Yes. I hope to speak with Lilian before that, however.”
“I’m not sure I would be brave enough to face her just yet.” He laughed dryly.
“She is still angry?” Max hoped Lily had calmed and considered the situation.
“We visited a short time ago, to offer our congratulations. My uncle could barely contain himself and couldn’t believe his luck in finding you for a son-in-law.”
“Lady Lilian?” Max was more concerned with his future wife’s emotions far more than her father’s.
“As soon as her father left the room, she asked me to deliver a message to you.”
Dresden’s cheek ticked and Max’s stomach tightened. “Which is?”
“She wants you to reject her father’s offer, or your life will be miserable.”
This was not the news Max was hoping for.
Dresden smirked and then relaxed back in his seat. “She just needs time and she will come around.”
“I am not sure there is enough time,” Max muttered. Would Lily ever forgive him?
“My mother is having a week-long house party beginning Wednesday, five days from now. Why don’t you join us?”
Maxwell shouldn’t even think about leaving London at this time. As it was, he had not given any of his business ventures the attention they needed.
“It is only for the younger set, at my mother’s insistence. Lily will be present but Lord Artemisia is not allowed. I think she planned this more for Lily than anyone else, seeing how the Season is turning out for her.” Dresden paused and looked around to make sure no one was listening then leaned in close. “Artemisia has assumed it is only family and my mother didn’t correct his assumption. If he knew there would be others, he would not allow Lily to attend, or he’d accompany her.” He leaned back again. “That was something none of us wanted.”
Now Maxwell was interested. Besides, his estate bordered Dresden’s. Max could check on his own estate while he was visiting. It was just what they needed. Time together, without the intrusion of Artemisia. If anything, it would give Lady Lilian a chance to explain her feelings on marriage and Max a chance to change her mind.
“Yes. I do believe I’ll be there.”
Lily sat beside her father in Lady Warrick’s drawing room. She’d received the invitation this morning but her father wasn’t about to let her out of his sight until all of the documents had been signed and an agreement reached that would make it impossible for Max to back out of. Her father wanted Max trapped as much as she was.
Lady Warrick had welcomed Lily warmly but when she saw Artemisia, she stiffened and the welcoming smile dipped before she excused herself for a moment.
Her father leaned over with his last bit of instruction. “Lady Warrick is not only Lord Maxwell’s sister-in-law, but the future duchess. Say very little and do not do anything foolish.”
“Lord Artemisia, Lady Lilian, you remember my husband.” Lady Warrick glided back into the room with Lord Warrick.
“Artemisia, join me in a game of billiards while the ladies become better acquainted,” he suggested after an exchange of greetings.
Lily’s father stood. He glanced at his daughter then back at the future duke. If Lily weren’t so concerned with his anger, she would have giggled. Her father couldn’t decide if he should stay with his daughter to govern her words or go with the future duke so as not to insult. After a moment of indecision, he narrowed his eyes at Lily in warning before he accepted the invitation.
Once alone, Lady Warrick poured a cup of tea and handed it to Lily. “If I can read the situation correctly, I presume you don’t want to marry Maxwell. At least that is what I gathered from your exchange last night.”
Lily was taken aback by the blunt statement and her suspicions about this tea were now confirmed. She set her cup and saucer on the table and looked Lady Warrick directly in the eye. “No, I do not.”
“I don’t understand. Max is handsome and charming.”
And so much more.
“He would never be unkind and he wouldn’t ask for your hand if he didn’t care for you.”
“He asked for my hand because we were caught in a compromising situation.”
“Oh, but Maxwell never would have allowed himself to be in that position in the first place if he wasn’t willing to accept the consequences.”
“Yes, I suppose so,” Lady Lilian said almost to herself. Perhaps he had intentionally kissed her in hopes that they would be caught. Though, it may be foolish, Lily didn’t believe Max would lower himself to ruin her just so he could claim her hand. “Besides, it isn’t Lord Maxwell I am against. I don’t want to be married to anyone. Ever.”
Lady Warrick sighed. “Your father and Maxwell will probably come to an agreement today. What will you do?”
“What can I do? It is not like I was ever given a choice or even asked my opinion for that matter?” Perhaps it wouldn’t be so difficult to accept if Max had actually asked, but he hadn’t. That is what stung. Her answer would have still been no, but at least he would have shown her that small amount of consideration.
“Yes, but Maxwell seemed intent when he made the announcement last night. I believe he had already decided to ask for your hand even before your father found you.”
His sister-in-law had no way of knowing the agreement she and Max had reached. She was speculating, much like the rest of Society. “Lord Maxwell had no intention of ever asking for my hand. He only made the announcement to protect me.”
Lady Warrick leaned forward and set her cup on the table. “Many men would not have made the offer. You weren’t overly compromised. It was only a kiss.”
Lily had to look away. Max’s honor was one of the characteristics she admired. There was much to admire about him, and her heart had softened, but that had been before he betrayed her and asked for her hand in marriage.
Lady Warrick sighed. “You are not going to make this any easier, are you?”
“I can’t be happy about something that is being forced on me. If you care for your brother-in-law at all, you will advise him against marrying me.”
“Maxwell wouldn’t listen to me, even if I did agree with you, which I do not.”
“Would he listen to his brother? Perhaps if you explained that Lord Maxwell would be miserable being tied to me and remind him there are a number of other heiresses who would love to be his wife.” Lady Lilian sat forward and practically begged her.
“What does being an heiress have to do with this?”
“You haven’t heard what my father has offered to the man who becomes my husband, or the requirements he must meet?” Surely all of London knew of her father’s grandiose and impossible plans for the future dynasty.
“Oh yes, I know all about that,” Lady Warrick dismissed with a wave of her hand. “Is that why you think Maxwell is offering for you?”
“Of course. It isn’t like he is going to inherit anything from his father. His future is secure if he marries me.”
Lady Warrick chuckled. “Oh, Lady Lilian, I can assure you there is much more to his proposal than your being an heiress. If that is what he wanted, there are dozens of others who bring much of the same. Besides, Max has never been interested in pursuing an heiress. There is no need” Sobering, she added, “He could have chosen anyone. He chose you.”
No need? Of course there was a need. Lord Maxwell was a fourth son and he wasn’t in any type of trade. Perhaps Lady Warrick didn’t fully understand inheritance, though she certainly should. Instead of enlightening her, Lily returned to the subject at hand. “The choice was forced on him. I am only telling you this so you don’t become hopeful Lord Maxwell will have a happy marriage. I can assure you, he would never be hap
py with me.”
Sighing, Lady Warrick fell back into her seat. “I suppose there is nothing I can say to convince you otherwise. Max will have to prove himself to you once the vows are exchanged.” She leaned forward and rang for the maid then settled back again and briefly put a hand over her mouth as the color seemed to drain from her face.
“Is something amiss?”
Lady Warrick simply held up her hand. “Please allow me a moment.”
She had all the appearance of one would before rushing for a chamber pot.
When the maid appeared, Lily thought it was time to make her leave but she was surprised at Lady Warrick’s request for herbal tea. “If you are ill, Lady Warrick, I should leave?”
She smiled weakly. “As we will be sisters, whether you like it or not, I might as well tell you.” She paused and took a deep breath. “I am expecting a child and suffer from sudden bouts of sickness. They come on in the morning, afternoon and evening.”
Lady Lilian sat forward with interest.
“Cook has been trying different herbal teas to find one that will soothe my stomach.”
Lily was about to ask which remedy helped the most when the maid entered with another tea service and set it on the table before Lady Warrick. Lilian watched while the maid poured and handed Lady Warrick the steaming cup.
“The water was boiling when I poured it. Cook already anticipated you would need this soon and thought that perhaps very hot tea might do the trick. Watch that you don’t burn your mouth, Lady Warrick,” the maid said with a curtsey.
Lily frowned. No herbal tea should be served without steeping first and it was never wise to drink very hot tea. Not only did you risk burning your mouth, but the healing essence of the herbs would not be released to help. “What are you trying today, if I may ask?”
Lady Warrick sat forward and was lifting the cup when the maid replied.
“This one is supposed to help an upset stomach. Cook called it Pennyroyal.”
Lily’s heart clenched as panic surged. Without thought she stood and grabbed for the cup but only succeeded in knocking it from Lady Warrick’s hand, spilling the contents onto the carpet. “Good Lord, don’t drink that.”
Lily suffered a minor burn to her wrist, but ignored it. The maid and Lady Warrick simply stared at her as if she were mad.
“Lady Lilian, are you quite alright?” Lady Warrick asked as she stood.
“Yes. I’m sorry. It’s just that—”
“What is wrong? Did I hear Lady Lilian yell?” Lord Warrick asked as he came through the door. Artemisia followed directly behind.
“What on earth have you done now, Lilian?” Her father demanded.
Startled, Lilian stumbled backward, stepped on the hem of her dress and fell against the table, causing the tea pot to tip and break on the edge. The hot, herbal tea spilled over her feet. She bit her lip, but couldn’t stifle the cry of pain quickly enough.
Her father’s face flamed with rage and Lily blinked furiously to keep the tears at bay. Bloody hell, her feet were on fire and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it. Her discomfort was nothing compared to any insult to Lord Maxwell’s family, and he’d probably tell her she deserved exactly what she received because of her ill behavior. As Lily wasn’t up to another lecture from him, she kept the pain to herself.
“Fetch a towel for Lady Lilian right away,” Lady Warrick ordered
“It is no less than she deserves for being clumsy,” Artemisia stated as he approached.
Lily tried not to wince when he grabbed her arm.
“Come along. You have caused quite enough trouble already.”
As Lily was pulled from the room, she glanced back at a stunned Lady Warrick. “I am sorry.”
“Yes. You will be sorry, Lilian. Especially if Lord Maxwell calls off because of the ill-mannered display his family just witnessed.”
Chapter 18
As Max rounded the corner on the way to his brother’s home he was brought up short when he saw Artemisia practically haul Lady Lilian down the steps and to the waiting carriage. Appalled at Artemisia’s treatment of her, Max immediately picked up his pace only to have Dresden grab his arm.
“Let go.”
“No,” Dresden warned. “I’ve seen my uncle in this state and it’s better for Lily if no one interferes.”
“He dragged her to the carriage as if she was no more than one of his hunting dog.”
“She will be fine,” Dresden assured him. “He’s not going to harm her when he needs her to marry. And for the record, he treats his dogs better than he does his daughter.”
Aghast at this information, Max watched helplessly as the carriage drove off before continuing on to his brother’s house.
“I wonder what set my uncle off this time,” Dresden mused.
“I can’t imagine Lady Lilian could have done anything to upset him.” A disquiet fell around Max. Lady Lilian’s words from the night before came back to him. After witnessing the way her father just treated her, and if this has been her experience her entire life, no wonder she did not want to be under the control of any gentleman. Max glanced over to Dresden. Surely her cousin was proof that not all gentlemen were like her father.
Yes, the law considered a wife a possession of her husband, but Max would need to somehow prove to Lily that just because the law saw her as one thing did not mean he would treat her as such.
The footman opened the door and they stepped into the foyer and then the sitting room. “I just saw Artemisia practically throw Lady Lilian into a carriage.” Max paused and took in the upset tea service, broken cup and tea staining the carpet. “What disaster befell this room?”
“It was the strangest thing. One minute Lady Lilian and I were having a pleasant conversation. When my herbal tea arrived, she asked what kind it was.” Jocelyn explained the next sequence of events. “I am afraid Lady Lilian burned her feet.”
“I hate to say this Maxwell, but I don’t like your future father-in-law at all,” Drake offered.
“You’ll get no argument from me,” Max replied.
“Still,” Jocelyn interrupted. “I am disturbed over what just occurred. She is a lovely lady, Max, but she has some strange notions and now this display.” She indicated the table. “Are you sure you want to marry her?”
“Excuse me,” Dresden interrupted. “I may have an explanation.” The three watched with interest. “Lily is highly knowledgeable of herbs. She has learned everything she could with regard to their medicinal purposes.” He focused on Jocelyn. “If Lily reacted that strongly, it could only be because she was convinced you would come to harm.”
Lily sat at her writing desk and penned a note of apology to Lady Warrick for her behavior this afternoon and explained her strong reaction to the choice of tea before offering solutions to her illness.
Her feet continued to burn and the slippers grew tight due to the swelling, but she could not remove them. Her father forbade it. She’d only been allowed to change her stockings and dress because of the tea stains, and then she was to make sure that her appearance was perfect once again so that she was presentable when Lord Maxwell called. Lily didn’t really see the need for her to be present. She was only the bride to be bartered.
Cook was preparing a poultice for her burns and once Lord Maxwell left, her betrothal sealed, Lily intended to finally treat her burns and crawl into bed and rest. With any luck, she would not be required to attend the scheduled ball this evening now that she was betrothed.
As she folded the letter there was a scratch at her door and Lily called for them to enter.
“Lord Maxwell has called for you,” her maid announced.
Lily blew out a sigh. She did not wish to see Lord Maxwell again. Ever. He had betrayed her and it still stung.
“Please have this delivered to Lady Warrick when you can leave your duties,” Lily asked the maid. She wished she could send her straight away, before Lady Warrick drank something dangerous for her, but Lily could not dictate
to the staff, only ask, and the maid was least likely to report to her father. A footman, however, would, and Lily had no wish for her father to read this particular missive, as he would object, thus putting Lady Warrick in further danger of digesting something that could harm her and the child she carried.
With a sigh, she gently walked down the stairs, wishing nothing was on her feet at the moment. Even the soft silk of her stockings against the burns was uncomfortable. Where the slipper pressed in, it was nearly unbearable.
Max paced in the small parlor. She paused for a moment before entering. “You wish to see me.”
Max abruptly turned and focused on Lily, his green eyes so intense she nearly sucked in her breath.
“Yes. I had hoped you and I could come to a mutual understanding that a marriage between us could be a very pleasant venture.”
“You have known since we met that I do not want to marry you or anyone.” She continued into the room. At least he was showing desire to compromise, but that didn’t negate the fact that he had ignored her desires to remain unwed to begin with. “Like every other gentleman, you made a decision concerning my life and future without one thought of how I may feel,” she pointed out in a biting tone.
Max stepped forward and reached for her. “Last night took all choices from both of us. Surely you understand.”
Lily took a step back, unwilling to allow him near her. Despite the circumstances, and how much it angered her, she was still susceptible to his charm. “It was, as your sister-in-law said, only a kiss. You did not compromise me in any way. It was not necessary to ask my father’s permission to marry me.”
“It certainly was necessary. Did you not notice your father’s reaction?”