Scandalous Scoundrels

by Aileen Fish

  “All right. Let’s go.” Eric quickly got up and strode purposefully for the door.

  ***

  Lily sat in the courtyard, staring off into space. How had things spiraled so out of control so quickly? Yesterday she had been ready to find a husband and save her family and today she was the ruin of them. She heard someone come up behind her but she didn’t turn. She was too ashamed to face her family.

  “I want to talk to you.” James’s voice was cold.

  She turned slightly then. “I’m sorry. I’ve let you down. I’ve let the entire family down. I don’t know how… I don’t know how I let things go so astray.” She took a deep breath. “If I have to marry Colonel Kingsley, I will.” She felt a sick dread in her stomach at the words but she didn’t flinch or show any outward sigh of emotion.

  James’s shoulders slumped slightly then he sat himself down next to her. “You are not marrying that man if I have to throw myself in front of a train. He is a snake. But, I don’t know how we are going to get out of this.”

  The butler stepped out onto the courtyard. “Eric Sampson is here to see you, sir.”

  Lily jumped and James stiffened. Then he stood quickly and headed for the doors. He turned back to his sister, “Don’t move.”

  ***

  Eric was waiting for James in the office. He had been in the room before but he noted now that is was a nice room. Rich yet understated. Warm and friendly like the Carter family. With the exception of James. Eric flexed his hand. Negotiating with a guardian who did not like him was going to be challenging.

  James entered and sat himself behind the desk. “Unless you are here to propose marriage I’m not sure we have much to talk about.” James’s voice was hard.

  “I am.” Eric stated directly.

  “So it was you who took my sister into a room unchaperoned. It is an unforgivable offense.” James’s eyes were hard and his voice was rising but Eric held his ground.

  “I came here because I care for your sister. Whatever you think of me, I would never hurt Lily but the same cannot be said for Kingsley. He is a cruel man, particularly toward women. Her life would be as good as over if you choose him over me.” Eric watched James intently. He saw the muscles of James’s jaw flinch and Eric knew that James agreed. He relaxed a little.

  “I have made it no secret that I did not favor you as a suitor for Lily. I still don’t. You have forced my hand and I resent it.” James’s fists were clenched.

  Eric waved his hand. “James, I am not the one forcing your hand. What I do not understand is why Kingsley is so keen to marry her. Does she have a large sum of money with her dowry?”

  “Not money, land. Land on the Boston harbor that was bequeathed to my father when he married my mother and was preserved for Lily’s husband,” James gritted out.

  Everything suddenly made sense to Eric. He wondered how far Kingsley would go to get his hands on that land. His instincts told him far.

  “You said that you haven’t told a great deal of people about this land, who might know?”

  James stared at him momentarily. “I suppose anyone who took the time to check public records.”

  Eric took a deep breath. “He’s after the land.”

  “What?” James stared at him.

  “Colonel Kingsley does not live off an army salary. He does some trade with the East. I know he imports porcelain and silks from China but I have heard that he has some illegal operations as well.”

  “How would you know that?” James looked skeptical.

  “My wife was very close to the Colonel. Too close.” Eric willed his jaw to unclench. He couldn’t let anger cloud his judgment now.

  James nodded his head. “Port land and warehouses would help with any businesses but if needed to stash something illegal for a time it would be crucial.”

  Eric leaned forward looking James hard in the eyes. “I think the Colonel started the rumor to force your hand and I don’t think he is done trying to persuade you to marry him to Lily.”

  “If I refuse, what else can he do?” James stated simply.

  “He can finish what he started last night.”

  James stopped, then nodded his head. “I hate to admit it but that would explain his actions. Still, if Lily leaves society and returns to Maine he has no opportunity.”

  “True, but you have the wedding coming up and if he knows Lily is the owner of that property he may have some knowledge of your financial situation. He may know you need to marry Lily. It is not a secret in Boston Society.” Eric sat back and ran his fingers through his hair. He knew the lengths Kingsley would go to get his way.

  James looked down at his desk. “He knows Lily needs to marry. I mentioned her possible engagement to Mark when he was here about a contract. He asked me why the rush and I made a vague reference to finances. He must have thought last night she was engaged.”

  “The only way Lily would be completely safe is to be married,” Eric stated. He knew what he had to do to keep Lily safe.

  James frowned looking skeptical. “You think he’s that much of a threat?”

  “I know you don’t know Kingsley, but I do and I am telling you he is a threat to Lily. I am not going to let her get hurt. These are my terms. We are to be married by the end of the summer and she is not to attend any social engagements without my presence.”

  James stood, placing his hands on his desk. He leaned forward, his face contorted in hard lines. “I don’t know what choice I have but know that if anything happens to my sister, you will answer to me.”

  Eric nodded, relief flooding him. “I will do whatever it takes to keep your sister safe.”

  “I will allow you to share the…” James paused, his mouth hardening into a firm line. “…joyous news.”

  “Just one more thing, I don’t think we should share any information about Kingsley with Lily until it is necessary.” Eric wanted to spare her from anymore worry.

  “Agreed. Lily is waiting for you out on the courtyard.” James sat back down at his desk. Eric had a moment of regret but he couldn’t help what James thought of him. Now he had to focus on keeping Lily safe.

  As Eric stepped outside he could clearly see Lily sitting on a bench with her back to him. He stood for a moment, watching her. Her mouth was tensed with worry, her brow creased. He had the sudden desire to wipe those worries away.

  “What did he want?” Lily asked without turning.

  “Not too much,” Eric answered approaching her on the bench.

  “Oh, I am sorry, I didn’t know, I mean I thought you were James.” Lily stumbled over her words.

  “Obviously.” Eric gently took her hand. “Do you mind if I sit?” he asked.

  “Please do.” Lily moved over slightly and he took the seat next to her. “I said some awful things to you this morning.”

  “Most of which I deserved.” Eric squeezed the hand he was still holding. His thumb slid over her skin. Her skin was so soft. One piece of hair danced in the breeze. He longed to touch it and tuck it behind her ear. He let go of her hand. He could feel himself falling into her already. This is what he hadn’t wanted to happen. “Lily, I am an honorable man despite my actions. I have inadvertently gotten you into a great deal of trouble and I intend to get you out of it.”

  “What are you talking about?” Lily felt her pulse rising.

  “James and I have discussed it and, provided you are amenable to it, we are to be married at the end of the summer.”

  Lily’s heart slammed in her chest. A flurry of emotions passed through her body at once. Excitement, fear, and disappointment battled in her mind. There was no declaration of love, only duty. There was another fear that crept in but she pushed it back down. Kathryn’s accusations echoed in her mind and the rumors about his first marriage amplified them.

  Still, she had little choice in the matter. She needed to marry and the man she felt more connected to then any other was proposing.

  Lily swallowed her doubts and smiled. “Of course.” />
  “Excellent.” He kissed her cheek but the contact was brief. “Toby is going to be absolutely thrilled when I tell him. Why don’t we have a picnic sometime this week to celebrate?”

  “That would be lovely.” Lily looked into his eyes but his quickly left hers. It filled her with apprehension.

  “If you will excuse me, I have some arrangements to begin making. I have something for you that I will send over later this afternoon.” He stood and she followed suit.

  She looked at him and the reality of what was happening sunk in. They were going to be married. She would live with him, see him every day. What kind of husband would he be? The kind she imagined or the one that Kathryn accused him of?

  “Have a good afternoon,” she said as he departed. What a ridiculous thing to say to the man you were about to marry. She sat back down. She had been ruined and saved all in a day.

  ***

  “Damn it!” Colonel Kingsley sat in a wingback chair in his study. While his body looked relaxed, his face clearly showed the fury he was feeling.

  “You didn’t really think her brother would agree to the marriage?” Kathryn sat nearby, a smirk on her face.

  The Colonel grabbed her forearm and pulled her close. “That is enough,” he said. He held her arm for a second more and a slight fear flared in her eyes. He smiled and let her go. “He wouldn’t have had a choice if Sampson hadn’t interrupted. That man has been a thorn in my side for far too long. I thought you had convinced her not to marry him.”

  “You might have appeared the more attractive candidate if you hadn’t tried to force yourself on her,” Kathryn snapped.

  “I thought she was engaged. It seemed the quickest way to solve my problem.” The Colonel shrugged. “I’ve made a few miscalculations.”

  “Just a few. You are not engaged to Lily Carter and Eric has not suffered at all! Right now he is engaged to a beautiful heiress.” Kathryn took a deep breath about to continue.

  A second man, also in uniform, sat in the shadows. “We will make sure the two don’t get married, but we will have to do it soon. Our leave is almost over and we need to have our business secure before we go. We can’t keep bringing goods into port that we can’t store.”

  “Quite right.” Colonel Kingsley nodded. “It shouldn’t be difficult provided Kathryn can complete her part.”

  “I don’t think I’m the one you need to worry about,” she bit back.

  In response, Kingsley raised his hand and smacked her hard across the face. “I told you, that’s enough.”

  “We will wait until her brother’s wedding. If she isn’t there, her family will not be able to hide her absence. You, of course, want your bride to be able to enter back into society?”

  “Of course,” Kingsley smiled. He was going to enjoy this.

  Chapter 9

  The morning of Tom’s wedding was a perfect New England summer day. The sun was shining bright but the temperature was mercifully mild, a rarity for late June. The house rose early and there was a buzz of excitement that filled the air as people bustled about.

  Lily began dressing in a beautiful sapphire gown, one of many that Eric had sent over the week before. The thought of him made her sigh in frustration and she paused in her dressing. They had seen each other several times over the past few weeks, but with each visit Eric seemed further away from her. She couldn’t explain the distance and she didn’t have the slightest idea of how to bridge it. Kathryn’s accusations danced in her thoughts as well. Was Eric really so cruel to Caitlin? Her nerves fluttered at the thought of actually being married. At least, she thought with a smile, she wasn’t marrying Colonel Kingsley.

  She finished dressing and May came in to begin arranging her hair. She put on her diamond necklace and earrings and then her ring, a gift from Eric. Stepping back, she looked in the mirror and smiled. At least she looked calm and well put together. She was to arrive at the Handlers in an hour to help attend to Danielle. She looked down at her ring one more time and her thoughts again drifted back to Eric. Why would he agree to marry her if he didn’t want to even get to know her? She sighed and pushed these thoughts aside. Today was about Tom and Danielle.

  The ceremony was beautiful and Lily blinked back tears as she watched Tom and Danielle stare blissfully at each other. She sat with her family, Eric and Toby just on the other side of her. She had been the object of many stares but she tried to ignore them and focus on her brother and new sister-in-law. As the ceremony ended, people began to file out and meander to the drive where their carriages would take the guests back to the Handlers’ for a reception for the new couple.

  In the crush of the crowd moving out of the church, Lily became separated from her family. Only Toby remained by her side and Lily held his hand as they slowly walked down the steps.

  She was lost in her own world. Her thoughts turning on her own upcoming marriage when a group of men suddenly caught her eye. Standing across the street from the church entrance, they stood out from the rest of the passersby. Their clothes were travel worn and dusty from time spent in the woods. Their faces were hard and their eyes were all staring directly at her. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she stepped into the carriage, helping Toby in behind her. Eric snapped the door closed behind them both and Lily exhaled, realizing that she had been holding her breath.

  “Where are James and Elise?” Lily asked surprised but relieved to see Eric sitting next to her niece, nephew and the new governess.

  “Riding with Tom and Danielle,” Eric said as he looked out the window, directly at the spot where the men had stood.

  “They were very disconcerting,” Lily commented as she felt another shiver run up her spine. Without realizing it, she outwardly shivered.

  “Why?” Eric’s attention snapped back to her.

  “It is silly, I’m sure but I felt that they were staring at me.” Lily sighed, sure Eric would laugh it off but he didn’t.

  “Lily, don’t go anywhere alone today. Stay close to me.” Eric’s eyes bore into hers and she nodded her assent. She wrapped her arm around Toby, who snuggled into her side. Emma and Jamie quickly jumped off their seat and into the remaining space on their aunt’s lap. She kissed each child’s head and snuggled them closer, drawing strength from their presence. She looked up to see Eric still looking at her but his eyes had softened.

  “We are going to have to start working on providing you with more children as soon as we are married.” Eric’s face broke out into a full smile, the first Lily had seen in a long time. She felt herself blushing but she too smiled. Perhaps children would bring her and Eric closer together.

  “That would be wonderful,” she murmured softly and hugged the children once again.

  As they entered the Handlers’ home Eric tucked her hand into his arm as the children milled around them. “Remember what I said, stay close,” he whispered. One of his fingers brushed a hair away that trailed across her cheek.

  Lily looked into Eric’s eyes. They held such tenderness that she forgot where she was for a minute. Kathryn DeMarco’s voice shattered the moment like a hammer to ice.

  “Well look at the happy couple. Aren’t you just a picture?” Her smile did not reach her eyes and voice could not have sounded more false.

  “You’re too kind.” Eric’s voice was flat in response. She looked quickly at him, wondering if he too thought Kathryn was faking her enthusiasm. He frowned as he looked at his former sister-in-law.

  “Eric dear, I need to speak with you later. There are some pieces to Toby’s estate that have just come to light.” Kathryn smiled even more brightly. Lily reached for Toby’s hand, pulling the boy closer. It was ridiculous to feel that she had to protect the boy from his aunt but something in Kathryn’s demeanor felt almost dangerous.

  “Of course. Perhaps a little later?” Eric nodded as he spoke and Kathryn moved on. Lily sighed with relief.

  For the next two hours, many well-wishers congratulated Tom and Danielle on their marriage and Eric and Li
ly on their engagement. Eric had been right. While people may have been talking behind their backs, to their faces they were nothing but enthusiastic. Apparently Eric held enough influence in town to silence any dissent on his choice of bride or the accelerated timeline for their marriage.

  Lily found herself enjoying the reception immensely. The Handlers’ home looked beautiful for the event and many friends and family she had not seen for a long time were there. She felt herself relaxing for the first time since her engagement. She also found herself looking forward to her marriage. For whatever reason, it hadn’t occurred to her that she could soon have children of her own. Just the thought made her smile.

  “What are you smiling about?” Eric asked next to her. Lily blushed, not realizing that she had been outwardly expressing her joy.

  “I was thinking about what you said earlier about children, actually. I hadn’t thought beyond Toby but now that you mentioned it...” she trailed off, unsure of what to say.

  “It hadn’t occurred to me either until I saw you surrounded by children, but frankly, it’s a beautiful picture.” His hand brushed the small of her back as he softly spoke in her ear. It nearly took her breath away. “After Toby, Caitlin was sure that she did not want any more children. I had resigned myself to that fact but I must admit, I always did.” He paused again and Lily unconsciously held her breath. She had never heard him talk about Caitlin and this information fascinated her. But he stepped back. “It is obvious you’ll make a wonderful mother to Toby and to any other children we have.”

  “Thank you,” Lily replied trying not to sound disappointed. She had so many questions, she didn’t dare ask. Usually, he was so distant and their relationship so new that she did not want to pry. Lily also had to admit that while she was glad they were making a connection, she wanted to be more to him than just a good mother. She knew it was impossible, but she wanted him to tell her how passionately in love with her he was. She did not have time articulate any of this, however, as another couple approached to engage them in conversation.