He set the dog on the floor, reached for the linen cravat and gently untied it. The dog shook his head once it was gone, licking his lips. Lily mixed a few drops of laudanum into the broth and set the bowl down in front of Sebastian. The dog took a tentative lick and then began to drink. He stood, keeping weight off his broken leg, and slurped at the broth as if it would be taken away at any moment.
When he had finished, he licked his chops as if begging for more. “Later,” she promised him, stroking back his ears. Her fingers brushed against Matthew’s, and she froze at the unexpected contact. He took her hand in his and held it for a moment.
The touch unraveled her good sense, but she fought the urge to pull her hand back. Instead, she fumbled for conversation. Anything. “H-how did you sleep last night?”
The moment she asked, she realized what a bad question it was.
“Actually, I slept well last night,” he admitted. “I think Sebastian helped.” He rubbed at the animal’s ears again, and the dog licked at his fingers.
She softened at the sight of the pair of them. “I am glad to hear it.”
But then, Matthew drew closer. “It has been a long time since I slept for more than a few hours at a time.” His tone was husky, reminding her of what it was to sleep in his arms after a night of lovemaking. A soft rush of desire heightened her sensitivity, making her long to be touched by this man. And for a brief moment, it was as if the man she’d loved was standing before her once again.
James interrupted her wayward thoughts when he returned with a pair of dark trousers. He approached, holding them out to Matthew, and ordered, “Go upstairs and find a room where you can change into these. I’ll have yours cleaned and sent to your house later.”
Matthew took the trousers and regarded Lily with a look of interest. Her pulse quickened at the sight of his brown eyes watching her. You must not think about him undressing.
She would try not to remember his muscular thighs or the way his body had felt upon hers, skin to skin. Her traitorous body went breathless at the memory.
Matthew gave her a knowing smile before he left her behind with the dog.
“You’re looking flushed, Lily,” her brother remarked. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes. It’s just very warm in here.” She picked up another linen cloth and began drying off the dog.
“You haven’t touched your breakfast,” James added. “You should eat.”
Her brother was right, and she made a plate of food, bringing it to his desk. Then he pulled a chair beside her, and she picked at the eggs that had gone cold.
“Stay away from Arnsbury,” her brother warned in a quiet voice. “I can see the look in your eyes. Do not forget how dangerous he has become.”
“He’s getting better,” she argued.
“He’s not the same man you knew once. Don’t believe that Arnsbury is safe—he’s not. Just like that dog over there could snarl at you and bite. And you don’t know when his mind will break again.”
She knew he was trying to protect her. “I’ll be careful.” To change the subject, she inquired, “Are you attending the Duchess of Worthingstone’s ball this evening? Evangeline will be there, so I’ve heard.”
A stony look crossed her brother’s face, as if he knew exactly what she was doing to turn the subject. “Stop trying to play matchmaker.”
Lily stabbed a bit of sausage with her fork. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. Evangeline loathes you.”
“Then why would you mention her name to me?”
“Because I would find it most interesting to watch the pair of you together,” she said. “I wonder why it is that you are still at odds. I know after you left for India, she was furious, but it seems a long time to hold a grudge.”
“We are not at all suited. Every time I walk close to her, she attempts to blend in with the wall. Or she hides behind a potted plant. She is shy and ought to marry a man as quiet as she is.”
Lily wasn’t so certain. Evangeline was indeed a wallflower, but beneath her shyness was a strong woman. “I thought you were friends at one point.”
“I am not going to discuss this with you. Suffice it to say, it is best if we go our separate ways.” A troubled look crossed her brother’s face, but she didn’t press him.
She pushed her plate away, and when the footman came to clear away their dishes, he added, “Dr. Fraser, er, that is, Lord Falsham has come to call.”
“Excellent. Please send him in,” Lily said.
The footman started to put away the food, but Lily stopped him. “No, leave it for now.” Matthew had not yet eaten. She stood from the desk and waited for the doctor to come into James’s study. Her nerves tightened, and she hoped she had tended the dog properly.
When Dr. Fraser entered, she smiled at him. “I am very glad you could come.”
“It was no trouble at all.” To James, he nodded, “Penford, it’s good to see you again.”
“And you,” her brother answered. “Forgive my sister’s summons. She was quite upset when this dog was injured last night. She felt it necessary to send for you.”
Dr. Fraser shrugged it away. “He’s one of God’s creatures, is he no’? We’ll have a look and see. I suppose this is the animal, aye?” He knelt by the hearth. Sebastian’s tail thumped, but he didn’t rise. “There’s a good lad.”
Lily moved toward the animal and knelt beside the doctor. “He is. I think his leg is broken, and he has many cuts. I tried to clean them with water, and I put some salve on them.”
The doctor studied the dog’s wounds. “You were right. His leg is broken. But Lady Lily, I must be telling you that ’tis rare that a dog can heal from a break such as this. Most veterinary surgeons would be killing it.”
She was horrified at the very idea. “It’s only a broken leg. Why should he die from that?”
Dr. Fraser stood up. “Many of the surgeons believe that ’tis no’ worth tryin’ to heal a pup, especially if he could have rabies. Some might take the leg off.”
“He deserves to live as much as a sheep or a cow.” Lily stroked Sebastian’s fur, and the dog turned to lick her hand. “And I’ll not allow you to amputate his leg.”
Dr. Fraser smiled. “I didna say that I would be doing such a thing, Lady Lily. Only to warn you that other surgeons might act differently.”
Her shoulders lowered with relief. “Thank goodness.” She took a breath, stood, and asked, “Did I set his leg properly?”
He reached down to feel the leg again, and the dog whimpered. “Just a little pinch, lad. Naught t’be worried about.” Dr. Fraser made a slight adjustment to the limb, and the dog let out a short yelp. “There now, that’s better.” He wrapped the bandage around the dog’s leg tightly and secured the end. “You nearly had it right, lass.”
But it bothered her to think that she had set the dog’s leg in an improper position. Had she not summoned the doctor, the bone might have healed wrong and crippled the animal for the rest of his life. She wished she knew more about healing, even with only a book to help her learn.
Dr. Fraser stood and asked, “Will you attend the Worthingstone ball this evening? Juliette and I would be glad to see both of you there.”
“Yes, I will come. And so will James,” Lily asserted.
The doctor nodded. “Then I’ll be seeing you there.” He leaned down to rub the dog’s ears before he left.
Matthew entered the room at that moment, wearing her brother’s trousers. “Lord Falsham,” he greeted the doctor. “I know Lily was glad to have you look in on the dog.”
“Ah, lad, you can be calling me Dr. Fraser. I was that long before I inherited the title of viscount. It feels as if you’re speaking to someone else,” the man remarked. “I didn’t realize you had come to call.”
“I was here earlier when the dog decided to relieve himself on my leg. James was kind enough to loan me a pair of trousers.”
The doctor barked out a laugh and shook his head. “Animals have their own ways, do the
y no’?” Then his gaze sharpened upon him. “You’re looking better than the last time I saw you.”
“A little,” Matthew agreed. But Lily noticed that there was a slight trace of tension between the men.
“He’s sleeping with dogs now,” James said, clapping him on the back. “It agrees with him.”
There were times when she wanted to strangle her brother. “Matthew offered to watch over Sebastian the first night. I was grateful for it.” To end James’s teasing, she offered, “Perhaps you would like to sleep with the dog this evening?”
“Not at all,” James replied. “I prefer more pleasant company.”
Dr. Fraser picked up his bag and said, “I should be going now. Juliette will be wanting to know where I am.”
They bid him farewell, and after he had gone, Lily realized that Matthew hadn’t eaten anything yet. “Would you care for breakfast?”
“If there’s anything left.” He took a seat near the desk.
Lily fixed a plate for him from the leftover food and sat beside him. Sebastian sniffed the air and hobbled his way over to rest at Matthew’s feet. “I suppose he is hoping you’ll drop food for him.”
“Just so.” He dug in with his fork and “accidentally” let some of the eggs fall to the carpet. The dog devoured them hungrily.
Lily smiled and turned back to her brother. “You will go with me to the duchess’s ball tonight, won’t you, James?”
Her brother sighed. “If I must. But I am not going to dance with Miss Sinclair.” His tone held a warning, but she cheerfully ignored it and smiled at him.
“And what of you, Matthew? Are you planning to attend?”
She posed the question idly and was surprised when he answered, “She is my cousin, so I might. If you want me to.”
She thought about it for a moment and realized she did want to see him there. During the last ball, she had enjoyed his company, despite the runaway kitten. “Yes, I would like you to come.”
Matthew reached for her hand and held it a moment. “Then I will.”
Lily wore a lilac-colored ball gown and had tucked violets into her hair. Right now, she stood beside her friend Evangeline, who wore a short-sleeved gown the color of dust, with a neckline that covered any hint of a bosom. The grayish-brown silk did nothing for the young woman’s complexion, and her hair was twisted into a severe updo.
“You look lovely tonight, Lily,” Evangeline said. “Especially in that color. Have you changed your mind about finding a husband?”
“Not at all. Thank you.” She studied her friend, trying to decide if she dared to broach the subject of Evangeline’s attire. “I do not mean to offend, but was this truly a gown of your choosing?”
Evangeline beamed. “It’s perfectly dreadful, isn’t it? I asked the modiste to find silk the color of mouse fur. Now I can safely remain a wallflower, and no man would dare ask me to dance.”
“It is. . .certainly a different color than any I’ve seen before.”
“My mother was horrified. She thinks I should make a greater effort to find a husband, but why would I want a man to govern my life with his own rules? I am perfectly happy with my books. And my father seems content to let me remain a spinster.”
Evangeline’s father, Cain Sinclair, had a darker reputation among the men. Born a Scottish commoner, it was well known that her father would not hesitate to shoot any man who dared threaten her virtue. He would likely dress his daughter in black crape and a veil, if he could.
James crossed the room and joined Lily, pretending he didn’t notice Evangeline standing beside her. “Lily, would you care to dance?”
“Not just now, thank you. But I am certain Evangeline would be happy to take my place.” She sent him a smile filled with mischief.
“I would sooner stand in a corner and peel wallpaper,” Evangeline answered cheerfully. “But thank you for the offer.”
James’s posture grew rigid at the insult. “I see your manners have not improved, Evangeline.” To Lily, he apologized, “Forgive me, but I am trying to avoid being matched up by the meddling mamas.”
“Matchmaking meddling mamas,” Evangeline repeated. “Now there’s a phrase I’d wager you couldn’t say three times without twisting up your tongue.”
“I don’t recall that you are part of this conversation,” James snapped.
Now why on earth was her brother being so rude? Lily was startled to see the flare of anger between the pair of them. Evangeline’s cheeks were fiery red, and she took a step toward James. “I don’t know that I want to be part of a conversation with you.” Without another word, she spun and strode away, disappearing into the crowd.
Lily was horrified by her brother’s behavior. “Why on earth would you behave like such an awful man? I’ve never seen you this way before.”
“We do not like each other,” he said calmly.
But there was far more to it than that. Her friend was normally a quiet young woman who made pleasant conversation—not at all a fierce termagant who looked as if she were contemplating murder.
But before she could think upon it further, Adrian Monroe approached. He bowed to her and said to her brother, “Lord Penford, it is good to see you back from India. I know your sister was most overjoyed at your return.”
“You are already acquainted with Lily, then?” James mused.
“We shared a dance a few months ago,” he said. With a warm smile, he invited, “Would you care to join me, Lady Lily?”
There was something about the man’s tone that struck her as insincere. Since it would be rude to decline, she told him, “I fear I have already promised this dance to my brother.” She tucked her hand in James’s arm. “Perhaps another time.”
Her brother did not seem pleased as she led him to join the dancers. There was tension within him, and he remarked, “You were trying to avoid Mr. Monroe. Why?”
“He was too forward the last time I danced with him.” Something about the man made her uneasy, and she preferred to keep her distance.
“Shall I speak to him about his behavior?” James took his place across from her and bowed while she curtseyed.
“No, let it be. He’s harmless.” She took his hand, and they joined in the country dance. Her brother was quite a good dancer, though reluctant. She found herself relaxing and enjoying herself as he spun her in place.
But his expression remained serious. “Is Matthew courting you again?”
She shook her head. “We’re friends, nothing more.” But despite her dismissal of the idea, she had felt a shift between herself and Matthew. She enjoyed spending time with him and had appreciated his help tending her new dog, Sebastian.
The dance ended, and he asked, “Would you like lemonade or something to eat?”
She nodded. “I would, yes. Shall I come with you?”
“If you wish.”
They began walking toward the refreshments when Lily caught a glimpse of Matthew in the shadows near the hall. It warmed her to know that he’d kept his word about attending the gathering. “Actually, I think I will go and talk with Lord Arnsbury for a moment.”
She nodded toward the hallway, and James raised an eyebrow. “I hardly think that’s proper with no chaperone.”
“The door is open, and I know you will join us within a moment or two.” She narrowed her gaze at him. “Don’t you trust me?”
He shrugged. “I trust you. I am not so certain I trust him.”
“It’s only for a moment, James.” Without waiting for his consent, Lily crossed the room and slipped into the alcove leading toward the hall. Matthew was standing in the shadow of the stairs, dressed in evening finery.
“I see you’ve found a place to skulk.” She smiled at him. “And I hope there are no stowaway kittens this time.”
“None at all. I am free to skulk at my leisure. Or watch the people from a distance.” Then he took her hand and guided her back so that she could see from his vantage point. “Do you see the woman in white over there?”
“Y-yes. What about her?”
“She is making her debut.”
Lily was far more distracted by Matthew’s breath against her cheek. At this moment, all she could think about was kissing him and touching the muscled edges of his body.
“Do you know her?” she managed.
“No. But I find it fascinating to observe the guests.” His hands drifted to the small of her back, and a flare of yearning slid over her body. The very touch of his hands made her skin rise with anticipation.
She struggled to put together her thoughts. “Are you. . . planning to remain here, hidden from view?”
“I am. It’s better this way.”
“Why?” Was he still feeling unnerved by crowds of people? But his hand moved over her spine.
“Because then I can watch over you.”
The words slid over her like a caress, and she warned herself not to fall beneath his spell. Her brother’s warning echoed in her thoughts. Don’t believe that Arnsbury is safe—he’s not. And you don’t know when his mind will break again.
She knew James was right. . .but she also remembered how much she had once loved Matthew. And she didn’t know if that same lover was beneath the surface of the man who stood behind her.
“I should return to the ballroom,” she said. But she couldn’t quite bring herself to move. Here, in the shadows, she wanted to pretend that Matthew was her husband, that they were stealing a quiet moment together.
“You could stay,” he murmured. “Just for a little while.”
Lily wanted that, so badly. She remained motionless and answered, “Sometimes I daydream of the way it used to be, before you left for India.”
“We were different then.” His mouth rested against her hair, and goose bumps rose over her body.
What the Earl Needs Now (The Earls Next Door Book 2) Page 13