Deception

by A. S. Fenichel

  Lillian curtsied as if she were born to it. He wondered if his brother had taught her that as well. A pang of jealousy hit him by surprise. He wished he had seen her develop from the seamstress’s daughter into the woman before him. Brice had been lucky.

  The marchioness crossed the room and took Lillian’s hand. “It is a pleasure to meet one of Dorian’s associates. Please come in and I will call for tea.”

  Lillian’s eyes widened. She muttered a polite thank you.

  “Please have a seat.” His mother was remarkable in every way. She’d gone from being a woman who dined with kings to an exile with grace unblemished.

  Lillian sat on a small, overstuffed chair. Her back was stiff and her expression guarded. He saw none of the wild, restless woman he’d come to know. With her hands folded in her lap, and in the plain peach day dress, she might have been any debutant out calling on a neighbor for tea.

  His mother sat opposite Lillian, and he sat on the settee near his mother. “I’m afraid this is more than a social call, Mother.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, there has been an abduction, and we suspect it will involve our kind of action to recover the girl.”

  “Truly Whitmark? You think she was taken by those things you fight?” Her support of his and his brother’s choices was above and beyond what he expected of anyone, let alone a gently bred woman of means.

  “Do you know her?” Lillian asked.

  “Not very well, but she has never been any part of a scandal. She seemed a nice enough girl, quiet, obedient. I was surprised to hear about her disappearance. People are saying she ran off with someone to marry against her parents’ wishes, but she never seemed the type.”

  Dorian had heard as much from the note he received. “Do you think we might be able to gather information from your guests at the ball tonight?”

  “I am certain there will be several people in attendance who know the girl far better than I do. I can give you a few names if you like.”

  “That would be very helpful. Thank you.”

  Lillian cleared her throat politely and fiddled with her skirt. “My lord?”

  He tried to hold back his smile, but failed. Since by her own admission, she had no reputation of her own to fret about, he assumed it was his she worried over. “Indeed, I had nearly forgotten. Mother, we will need to tell people something in regard to Miss Dellacourt. Perhaps she is an old friend of the family.”

  “Oh, yes of course. She should spend the afternoon here. We can say she is staying with me for a short visit. It will be acceptable. No one will question it, and I shall make excuses over the next days until it is appropriate to say she returned to London. It will not be a problem.”

  The tea arrived, stopping the conversation. Once the maid left the room, his mother poured each of them a cup.

  Why was tea in his mother’s home so much better than anywhere else? He breathed in the warm mist of it and took a sip. Heaven.

  Lillian adjusted her seat, smoothed her hair, and clasped her hands. “My lady, I apologize for all the inconvenience. I do have one other problem and require your assistance.”

  His mother put down her tea, eyes filled with concern. “What is it, my dear?”

  “I’m afraid in my current occupation, fine ball gowns are not strictly necessary. I do not own an appropriate dress for this evening.”

  His mother’s face filled with delight and she picked up her teacup and saucer. “I’m sure we can find something stunning for you. I can send a note to a local modiste and see what can be done today. Have no fear, my dear. You can carry this off. You are quite beautiful, and people will be struck by that fact alone.”

  Her intuition was astounding as ever. Somehow, his mother understood Lillian’s distress and soothed it as she has soothed a thousand bumps and bruises during his youth.

  The rigidity in Lillian’s shoulders eased, and she sipped her tea.

  * * * *

  Dorian wanted to spend the day with Lillian. He wanted one day to live the fantasy. As it turned out, other than the astounding morning in his bed, the seamstress and his mother locked her away in a parlor, fitting her gown for the evening. Banned from the room and told to go home, he refused to leave. He paced the foyer, then the garden for two hours. He was sick of listening to birds and the breeze in the leaves.

  “Dorian,” Lillian whispered close to his ear.

  He hadn’t heard her approach, but he thrilled at the sound of her voice.

  She stood wearing the peach day dress she’d arrived in and looking shy. An expression he’d never thought to see on Lillian’s face. “I hoped to see you before I have to return home to dress.”

  The sun, low in the west, framed her as she walked a cobble path to reach him. “I’m glad you waited.”

  “Are you?”

  “Of course, this is our one day. Interrupted by work, but still within our agreement.”

  Was that all it was to her, a bargain she had made and planned to honor? He fought thoughts of what might happen tomorrow. For all he knew, there might not be another day. He’d live in the moment when possible. “Then I too am glad I waited.”

  She took his offered arm, and they walked along the path flanked by tall rose bushes. Perfect blooms filled the evening with their soothing scent. “Your mother is wonderful.”

  “I agree.”

  “How did you and Brice tell her about your choice of occupation?”

  “After Brice was attacked, there was no other choice for either of us. We have not spent much time on the front lines, but mother, Brice, and I have always known the day would come when we might have to give our lives to save humanity. I’m sure she is not happy about it, but she is practical and fiercely supportive.”

  “I like her very much.”

  Excitement bubbled in his chest. “I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. I noted she liked you as well.”

  Lillian shrugged. “She was kind enough to give me the names of a few people she believes were close to Truly and will be attending the ball tonight.”

  He walked them deeper into the intricate formal garden. The French style was a walk through his childhood with high shrubs and a maze of paths formed.

  “Where are you taking me?” She leaned over, skimmed her fingers over a yellow rose, drew close and breathed in its fragrance.

  “I was hoping to steal a kiss in the garden.”

  She seized him in a hard kiss.

  A jolt raced to his cock. He grabbed her around the back and bottom, pulling her tight so she could feel what she did to him. Her gasp allowed him to deepen the kiss, swirling his tongue around hers. He threaded a hand through her hair. Her fingers dug into his shoulders so hard she might leave a bruise, and he relished the idea she might mark him.

  Panting, he broke the kiss. They both tried to catch their breaths. He wanted to control his emotions as he did with all things, but when it came to Lillian, it was impossible. Even the idea of her scattered his brain.

  A change of thinking was in order. He needed some semblance of order. With the offer of his arm, they continued to walk. “What did you tell the seamstresses about all the weaponry strapped to you?”

  “Your mother suggested I remove all of my knives before they undressed me. I have been poked and jabbed more this afternoon than in battle.”

  Dorian pictured a rather large pile of knives and other weapons piled in some cupboard. He tried to think of a time he’d felt as alive or happy. He knew they’d be delving into things that could get them killed and likely escalate the war with the demons, but he had never been more contented.

  “Why are you grinning like an idiot?” she asked.

  “You make me happy, Lilly.”

  The blush he was coming to adore bloomed on her cheeks but disappeared just as fast. “This is all just a fantasy, Dorian. The real world, with all its danger and poison, is about to wash it away.”

  He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. They were not the soft, silky flesh of a
debutant. No. Lillian’s hands had callouses. They were strong and a touch hard. He noted scars and bruises along with scratches left from their encounter the night before. Most men would be appalled, but he relished everything she was and kissed the hand a second time. “I do not think this can be washed away by anything. Delayed, perhaps, but no demon will vanquish me or my feelings for you.”

  “We might be dead before the night is over, and you worry over feelings.”

  “It is that very fact that pushes me to follow my instincts where you are concerned.”

  She shook her head but bloomed with the sweetest smile. “You are a fool.”

  “An idiot and a fool, high praise.”

  “Indeed.” She threaded her fingers through his, and they walked back toward the house.

  Can a heart explode with joy?

  Dorian had tarried long enough. He had to return home and dress for the ball. He hadn’t attended many social functions since joining The Company. It was difficult to change his demeanor from the demon hunters to the staid manners of a gentleman in polite company. He wondered how the hunters living in London did it. He’d ask Lady Tullering one day how she managed to have a duel life for three years before her fiancé discovered her hunting.

  He returned to his mother’s townhouse, dressed in fashionable black with a crisp white cravat. The guests had begun to arrive. There was a low murmur around the room. Dorian looked up at the top of the stairs and lost his breath.

  Ruby red curls piled intricately atop her head. Tendrils spilled down around her face. He longed to touch her. Her blue eyes, which had mesmerized him from first sight, were made even brighter by an emerald dress that revealed the swell of her breasts and hugged her hips to perfection.

  He hadn’t known he was holding his breath, but as she descended, he finally drew in a gasp of needed air.

  “You look dashing.” Her smile suggested she knew what she did to him and every other man in the room.

  “You are stunning, Lilly.” He offered his arm, she took it, and they stepped into the ballroom. “I have only one question.”

  “And what is that?”

  “How many weapons do you have hidden under your rather revealing gown?”

  Her bubble of laughter was more than enough reward. “I have to leave some mystery for you to sort out. After all, your twenty-four hours is still ticking.”

  “I look forward to discovering each and every hiding place.”

  “Be careful, you might get hurt. Some objects can be deadly.”

  “Oh, I’m well aware of that, mon trésor.”

  Perhaps she blushed because he used the endearment in public or maybe she was thinking of what might happen later after the ball. Whatever the case, he loved to see her smooth cheeks pink. More than that, he adored that only he seemed able to elicit any type of feminine response.

  “Dance with me, Lilly.”

  “We have work to do.”

  “My one day is not over yet.” The subtle strains of a waltz began. He took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor.

  She glided along with him, and in spite of her protest, walked into his embrace.

  He wrapped his hand around her lower back and offered the other for her to take. “No boots, does this mean those clever blades of yours are left behind?”

  “My sai are above stairs, but I assure you, my lord, you are well protected.”

  He laughed so loudly every head in the room turned toward them. “I’m happy to hear that. I was worried the real Lilly had left me for the night.”

  “I thought that was what you wanted, a sweeter, less dangerous woman.”

  He shook his head. “You are mistaken. I would not change anything about you, Lilly. I find you quite sweet enough, and I revel in the danger.”

  “You are a very strange man.”

  “Perhaps that is true, but I stand by my words.” He swirled them effortlessly around the dance floor. It was not crowded for the waltz as many people still disapproved of the intimacy of the dance.

  His mother watched them from the corner of the room. Her fan splayed out in front of the bottom half of her face.

  “I think that is Miss Foster, the missing girl’s friend.” Lillian nodded in the direction of a young woman with puffy, red eyes engaged in the use of a handkerchief to dab away her tears.

  “I will have my mother make an introduction.”

  They circled the room again.

  Lillian said, “You dance very well.”

  “Thank you. I was going to comment on your dancing. Who taught you the waltz?”

  She smiled and pinked. “Your brother.”

  Dorian’s gut tightened. “I didn’t realize dancing was part of your training.”

  She cocked her head. “Are you jealous?”

  “I suppose I am. Why were you waltzing with Brice?”

  Her giggle was like music. “I think I like you jealous. It is a bit perilous. Perhaps I will keep the nature of my dancing with Brice to myself.”

  “Are you toying with me?” His grip tightened.

  She squeezed his hand. “I am teasing you.”

  He relaxed.

  Lillian said, “What a shame. You are no longer jealous. Brice taught me to dance so I could blend in at a ball when the need arose, as it often has. He also taught me proper elocution and how to curtsy.”

  “Did my brother also instruct you in billiards? He used to be quite good.”

  She shook her head. “No. That was Reece.”

  The dance ended, but he ached to keep holding her. With a sigh, he stepped back and bowed.

  She made a pretty curtsy and grinned up at him.

  He shook his head, but his heart pounded with excitement. “I will go and speak to my mother.”

  Lady de Montalembert broke away from a group of dowagers. Her deep black velvet gown glided across the floor with every step. She took his arm with both hands and gave a squeeze. “You require some introductions, I assume.”

  “You assume correctly, Mother.”

  She tugged his elbow tighter, and they weaved around the edge of the crowded ballroom. “May I ask you a personal question, Dorian?”

  “Of course.”

  “What are your intentions with this young woman?” She had pulled her dark hair severely back, making her cheekbones look even higher.

  “You mean, Lillian?”

  “Yes. Where do you hope this relationship will lead?”

  “What makes you think there is a relationship beyond work?”

  She raised both her eyebrows. “I am not blind. You look at her as if she were the sun and the moon. I can see you are in love with her, but where will it end?”

  His heart leaped. “I assure you, my intentions are honorable. Are you worried because she has no means and no title?”

  “Pish. Of course, you have good intentions. Your honor is not in question, my dearest. As to the other, I had nothing when your father fell in love with me. I do not care for such things. I only care that you are happy. I have never seen you look at any woman the way you look at Miss Dellacourt. I only wonder how you can be happy together under your current circumstance.”

  “I think Lillian shares your concerns, Mother.”

  “She is a very sensible woman. But you disagree?”

  “I am smitten, and I will not let anything, save her absolute refusal, stop me from having what I want.”

  His mother smiled. “Then I wish you the best of luck. I hope you will convince the lady. She seems quite set in her ways.”

  “She is. It will take some work on my part.”

  The crowd had grown to a crushing volume. As they crossed the room, several people stopped them to chat. Finally, they joined Lillian at the far side, and Dorian’s mother gave them the names of three people worth speaking to.

  Ross was the missing girl’s suitor. While he was keen to talk, he knew nothing about her disappearance and seemed more put out than concerned for his beloved.

  The victim’s clos
est friend, Miss Jane Foster, stood alone off to the side and looked as if she’d rather be anywhere besides a ball. The mousy brown haired girl’s face was pale and her eyes red and puffy.

  Their hostess had introduced them.

  Lillian took the lead. “Miss Foster, I wonder if you might be able to help me. I’m very keen on finding your friend, and I understand you were with her when she disappeared.”

  The girl’s eyes welled with tears, and Lillian herded her toward the garden doors.

  Dorian produced a handkerchief and handed it over. They remained within sight of the ballroom so as not to start a scandal, but they would not be overheard nor the girl’s crying be noticed.

  Jane dabbed her eyes and sniffed. “What can you do?”

  Dorian said, “We know people who look into exactly this kind of circumstance. If you can tell us what you remember about what happened, it would be a great help.”

  “There is so little to tell. We were shopping on Princes Street. My maid was with us. Mother rarely lets me go out without her, but she had an appointment. We were feeling so grown up to be out on our own.”

  “Where did you shop?”

  “Here and there, and then we stopped for a chocolate at Corrine’s Café. We had just stepped out of the door and were waiting for the footman to bring the carriage around. I turned away for a moment and looked down the street. May, that’s my maid, screamed, and when I looked back, two men were dragging Truly away. I think she was unconscious.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  The girl looked off into the dark garden. “Her head lolled to the side in a strange way.”

  “What did you do then?” Lillian asked.

  “I screamed for help and some men ran after them, but they turned a corner, and no one could find a trace of the men or Truly. I should have done something.”

  “You did all you could, Miss Foster. No one could have done more.”

  “Do you think you can find her? I miss her so. She was my best friend in the world. You would think she’d have been found by now.”

  “Why do you say that,” Dorian asked.

  “Her father is titled and rich. I thought for sure he’d have her found post haste.”

  “I’m sorry, but who is her father?”

  “Oh, you are new in town. Truly is the daughter of the Earl of Brentshire. He is one of the richest men in Edinburgh. I think he has an English title too. I don’t know why no one can find her. You will try, won’t you?”