by Jenn LeBlanc
“I say, Trumbull,” the Marquess of Cheshire said, “wasn’t quite expecting this here.” He looked at his wife, who took his arm and smiled at him.
“Dear man, let the boy be.” She patted his arm.
The marquess grunted and turned back to the stairs.
Lady Fallon watched her daughters carefully, particularly Maebh, who stood arm-in-arm with Saoirse as the two descended the stairs.
Perry never took his eyes off of Lilly as he led her down the steps. When they reached the last step he stopped her. “Lilly, I would like to present you my family.” He turned, slowly gazing at each of his family members with a silent caution. “I present you, Miss Lilly Steele of Kelso.”
He guided Lilly around the entry, introducing and reintroducing her to each member of the family, purposely coming to Her Grace, the Duchess of St. Cyr, at the end. “Your Grace, Miss Lilly Steele. Miss Steele, Her Grace, the Duchess of St. Cyr.” He noted the concern in his own voice.
Lilly curtseyed deeply, rising only when she felt a touch on her shoulder.
“Please, child, there is no need of such formalities here. This is family. As you have been invited among us, you will follow accordingly.”
Lilly nodded. “Of course, Your Grace.”
Auberry glanced at Perry, then back to Lilly. “Miss Steele, if you throw a Your Grace around here, you’ll garner the attention of no less than three of us. That being said, my ladiy and my lord would serve a slightly more difficult proposition, and so that being said, with our host’s permission, we will do away with all formalities for the night. You will address me as Auberry.” She smiled warmly.
Lilly started to shake her head, and Perry saw the panic flash across her face. He took her hand and drew it through his arm as he captured her attention with a brilliant smile.
“As awkward as this may seem for my guest, I have no doubt she will endeavor to follow your wishes, though because she has such a great deal of respect for propriety, she may slip at times.”
Auberry nodded with a smile, patting Lilly’s hand.
Perry gestured to Harper, who sounded the gong for dinner, and Perry led Lilly into the dining room, followed by the rest of his family.
“Dearest nephew,” Auberry began, “do tell us of this woman Roxleigh is to wed. None of us have had the chance to see much of her, other than the ball where— Well.” She cleared her throat. “When he proposed rather…unceremoniously.”
“Ah, yes, her coming out sent her right back in, did it not? Amazing how that all went,” he said with a grin. “In truth, she is a wonderful lady, and perfectly suited to him, as he is to her. A weaker woman would never suffice, of course, and she has enough will to keep him on his toes and enough brains to prevent him wandering.”
“I see. So she truly is a Trumbull wife?”
“Oh yes, Your Grace, she is very much a Trumbull wife. Of the first order, I daresay.”
“What of her family? I heard she was from France, but weren’t there complications, or—”
Perry chuckled. “My dearest Aunt Auberry, you are so well practiced at beating the bush you never do have to chase your prey, do you?”
Auberry merely smiled.
“I now have responsibility for three young ladies. As my wards they will reside at Westcreek Park until they are presented to Society and married off in the proper fashion. Of course, Lady Francine is one of those wards, so I will have only two charges when I return for the wedding.”
Auberry looked around the room curiously.
“They stayed behind at Eildon Hill Park to help with the wedding plans while I came to London to…complete some business since I had quit with such haste.” It wasn’t so much of a stretch—he had quit with haste, they were left behind, and the details were unnecessary. Or so he thought.
“I’m to assume we shall meet your charges when we arrive at Eildon this week, then. That will be pleasant.”
“I imagine.” He pondered. “I haven’t had much cause to spend time with them as of yet, but I’m beginning to look forward to getting to know them.” He looked at Lilly.
“And you, Miss Lilly, you hail from Kelso. Have you met Trumbull’s wards?”
“I have, but not formally. They were being well looked after by the governess. She was quite protective and strict,” Lilly responded quietly.
“You will need to learn to speak up, especially at tables as large as this. You see, my sons at the other end looked quite interested in any word of Perry’s charges, but were unable to hear your response,” Auberry said with a smile. “Don’t you worry, I’ve no doubt Perry would rather they were left without the information,” she added with a quiet laugh.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” She closed her eyes for a moment, hoping only to survive the rest of dinner.
“Auberry,” the duchess replied.
“Beg pardon, Auberry, I might not remember all the names here tonight, but yours is quite beautiful.” She tried to smile, but believed it looked a bit crooked.
“Why, thank you, that’s very kind of you to say.”
Lilly nodded, then looked down the table.
“Perry, you brought me here for a specific purpose. I imagine it’s time for you to explain yourself,” Auberry said.
Perry choked and covered his mouth politely with a linen, his eyes growing wide as he glanced down the table. She followed his glance to see fifteen pairs of eyes—and then hers—on him. “Hmm.” He groaned, placing the linen back in his lap. “I, well, I was hoping for a more private audience with Your Grace,” he said politely.
“Of course you were,” she said, giving him a preemptive glare.
“Yes, well… Lilly will be my brother’s guest at his town house across the Park. She will need a chaperone while there, until we return to Eildon for the wedding.” Lilly turned abruptly toward him, and he smiled, continuing. “Naturally I thought of you, as you adore shaping the young ladies of the ton, bending them to your will and mastery.”
“Naturally,” she said with a grin. “Nonsense, however,” she added. “Who is to remain with you in London? Calder, I assume, and who else, Warrick?”
Perry nodded as Calder looked to Warrick with a shrug. He had long since ceased being surprised when his mother knew more than they believed she ought.
“Well, the answer is clear. No need to open Roxleigh House, as she will come to Calder House. You won’t remove this poor old duchess to a new location against her will. Calder House may not be as impressive as Gideon’s grand town house, but it is sufficient.”
Perry laughed and shook his head. “Sufficient, is it, Your Grace? You are well aware that Calder House is more than adequate, and nearly on the same grand scale as Roxleigh House. Impressions are not what counts under these circumstances, merely Lilly’s safety.”
“I see. A bit more than a chaperone,” she said sotto voce.
Auberry looked at Lilly, who shied under the sudden scrutiny. She knew she could see the network of scars covering her face. Auberry captured her attention and smiled warmly, setting her back at ease after her untoward scrutiny. Then one of Perry’s hands went under the table and wrapped securely over her knee. She concentrated on the steady warmth and smiled back at the duchess.
Auberry looked to Perry and nodded as the final course of dinner was served.
Lilly looked down the table, watching the rest of the family interacting so easily and calmly together. She had always imagined that the people of this status acted in a proper manner at all times, even in their own company. Perhaps the majority of them did, perhaps it was merely this family that was different. Whatever the reason, she loved their jovial banter, the ease with which they conversed. It reminded her much of her own family.
As dinner finished and the women rose, drawing the men politely from their seats, Perry requested an audience with Auberry, who acquiesced. He made his apologies to the men, who awaited a round of port, and escorted the duchess and Lilly to his study.
He led them to the settee in
front of the fireplace, then took a seat in a chair nearby.
“Well, I take this meeting to mean we have certain points that must be explained,” Auberry said.
Perry nodded. “I would never, upon my honor, place you in a position where you might find yourself in defense of your own propriety. For that reason, I wish for you to know everything there is to know, and I’ve no doubt you will know best how to proceed from there.”
She looked to Lilly, who appeared a bit peaked. Auberry reached out and patted her hand, reassuring her, and Lilly smiled up at her, not quite lifting her head from where she gazed at the floor.
“Miss Steele came to be known to me when I returned to Eildon with my brother,” Perry began quietly, then explained Lilly’s upbringing, her injuries, and how they met.
Auberry listened intently, occasionally looking to see how Lilly was faring.
Perry paused after explaining how he found Lilly in his carriage.
“I assume that brings us to London and the need for a chaperone.”
Perry smiled and inclined his head. “Not quite.”
Lilly blushed and Auberry took her hand. Perry explained, in vague terms, Lilly’s requet to him. It weighed the air upon them like a heavy blanket as the room sat in silence and she considered his words. Then she spoke.
“Believe me when I say that the fact you have the support of Calder and Maebh speaks volumes about what has happened between the two of you since you arrived here. I don’t require you to give more details, but I imagine my nephew here has done creative and impressive things to fulfill your request for help. ”
Lilly looked at the small hand resting on hers and smiled shakily up at her.
“You really have done very well with your speech practice, yes?” Auberry asked.
Lilly nodded.
“I imagine my nephew has been teaching you to read and write?”
Lilly nodded again, a heavy blush traveling her face.
“Well, we may not be able to have quite as much fun in our lessons, but we will continue nonetheless. And while you are under my protection, it will be my duty to protect you, even from my nephew, so I’m afraid those particular lessons will be suspended for now.”
“As you wish, Your Grace—Auberry,” Lilly said.
“You must be very well versed in proper behavior since you were being groomed to attend our Gideon’s household, correct?”
“For a time.”
“Perfect. That will come in handy when I take you out with me. We won’t endeavor to attend any balls or great functions, but we shall attend tea with acquaintances should we be invited, and we shall take a few turns around the park. This will not be simple for you, my dear. A bit of a trial by fire, I’d say, but as you did exceptionally well being surrounded by my clan, I would guess you’ll fare well regardless of the situation.”
Perry smiled and stood. “Shall we return to the parlor to join the rest of the family?”
Auberry stood and pulled Lilly up from the settee. “We’ll go find the ladies. Chances are the gents are still avoiding our company.” Auberry then turned to Perry. “We’ll also be able to talk more easily without you brooding over your charge.”
Perry cleared his throat. “I would prefer she not be referred to in that manner as I do have three already, to whom I do not have the same intention.”
Auberry smacked his arm. “You may be a rake of the first order, but we are ladies of the highest order and you will remember yourself in our presence,” she said haughtily, her grin sparkling in the dim study.
Perry glanced at Lilly, whose spine straightened and chin rose perceptibly.
“As you wish, Your Grace. I will see you both soon.”
Lilly curtseyed. “Until then, my lord.”
Perry took her hand and placed a kiss across her knuckles, then turned it over, placing a kiss in her palm and a final kiss on the inside of her wrist.
Lilly’s skin tingled and she smiled brilliantly.
“Peregrine Afton Trumbull, you will behave!” Auberry admonished.
He stood straight then nodded to his aunt. “Yes, Your Grace.” Then he turned and walked out of his study to find the men and their spirits.
“Oh, you have done him well, my dear. He is quite thoroughly besotted.”
Lilly smiled, uncertain.
“Make no mistake, hearts are breaking across London and well across England this very night. My nephew is no longer available to the matchmaking mamas.”
They returned to the parlor, to the rest of the Trumbull women.
Lilly watched them carefully, noticing the small actions and demeanors that set them apart from her class, and indeed from their own and one another as well. Quite before she was ready, the door opened and the parlor was flooded with the men of the family, each one finding a place next to a wife or sister as Perry came to stand at her shoulder.
“Well,” Auberry said, “it is late, and my family has an early train to catch. We should be off.” She turned to Lilly. “Gather your things, dear, time to remove to Calder House.”
Lilly’s eyes grew wide, and Perry’s hands clutched her shoulders rather suddenly. “Aunt, I had intended to bring Lilly to Calder House in the morning. I—”
Auberry waved him off. “Peregrine, you have charged me with a duty. It matters not what you intended or what you believed. She is now my responsibility and as such I cannot allow her to remain in your care.”
Perry’s jaw tensed and he walked around the chair Lilly rested in, drawing her to her feet and escorting her from the room silently.
A few moments later, as the family gathered in the entrance, sorting out their capes and mantles, Lilly and Perry descended the steps to the throng. He led her to Auberry.
“You’ll not snub me, sweet boy. As aggravated as you might be with me, you still adore me unquestionably. Say goodbye to your aunt properly,” she said, tilting her cheek to him.
Perry shook his head and fought a smile as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. He squeezed her hand. “I’ll be calling on you early.”
“And you’ll be turned away,” she replied. “We have much to accomplish. You will continue to try, and will be consistently turned down. I’ll allow it, eventually,” she said with a grin.
Perry growled and the group silenced before hearty chuckles caught and rolled throughout the entry. He pulled his hand from her and pointed at each of his male cousins. “I look forward to the day you are to receive such treatment,” he said with a glare, then pointed to the ladies. “And don’t think for one moment you will escape this hawkery. I intend to watch over each one of you, terrifying every suitor who deigns to approach your person.”
The group silenced sufficiently, Auberry patted Perry on the arm. “Well done, nephew, well done. Now, let’s be off.”
He grasped Lilly’s arm as she turned to follow Auberry. He lifted her hand and placed a last kiss in her palm, then closed her fingers over it and released her. She stood mesmerized.
“Tut-tut, Miss Lilly, let’s not have a scene,” Auberry said over her shoulder.
Lilly turned slowly and followed her out.
The next morning the family quit London by rail, set to arrive in Carlisle late that evening, then to proceed to Roxleighshire by carriage the following day.
Perry grimaced at the morning. He readied then watched the maid gather the rest of Lilly’s belongings—checking under the bed for a missing slipper, finding it under the chair. He was going to miss Lilly dreadfully.
Less than an hour after breakfast, the curricle was loaded and he was rumbling through the streets of London to deliver his beloved’s accoutrements to his cousin’s town house. He’d never realized just how far a drive it was to Calder House; he always thought it close, but it was nearly thirty minutes by carriage. That meant at least fifteen minutes by mount.
He jumped to the pavement in front of the beautiful home as footmen rushed about, pulling her trunks from the boot and the roof. He ran up the grand stai
rway to the portico.
The front door opened to him slowly and Perry nodded impatiently to Albert as he walked through the foyer and swept into the front parlor.
Albert took Perry’s gloves and hat. “Her Grace is in the morning parlor, my lord. She is expecting you.”
The morning parlor was opened up to let in the fresh summer sunshine. Lilly rested on a chaise by one of the French doors which overlooked the park, her smile brighter than the sun. Auberry was with her.
“Sweet Lilly,” Perry said, almost like a benediction as his eyes found her.
“Come, Perry, off with you. I believe Calder and Warrick await you at White’s.”
Perry looked at Auberry and frowned. “I brought Lilly’s things. I thought perhaps—”
“You thought, but no such thing will happen. Make your peace and be off with you now.”
Perry shook his head. Perhaps he should have chosen Fallon for a guardian.
He laughed uncomfortably and kissed Lilly’s hand. Auberry’s polite clearing of her throat stopped him from turning it over. He walked from the room, bowing deeply from the entry before pulling the door closed behind him.
“I thought he would never leave,” Auberry said. “Goodness, that boy dawdles.”
Lilly smiled nervously as she stared at the door.
“What is it?”
“Only that I don’t believe this entire thing is in his best interest,” Lilly said quietly.
“You don’t say?”
Lilly shook her head. “What I asked of him—” Her face warmed and she dropped her gaze to the floor. “Was patently improper. I understand that. I know that, I knew that at the time. But I was so afraid. I had carried this bit of terror with me everywhere I went.”
The duchess took her hand and held it in both of hers.
“You do understand what I asked of him, don’t you? You do understand what it was he agreed to?” Lilly asked without meeting her gaze.
“I understand you had been violently misused, and you requested my nephew to demonstrate the proper way a man should touch a woman.”
Lilly blanched and looked up, surprised the duchess had responded so bluntly.