Lily bit back a smile. Sometimes her sister had quicker wits than anyone gave her credit for. There had been a time when their friend, Evangeline, had worshipped James from afar, but it had ended badly.
Her brother had the graces to look guilty, but he offered, “I imagine she’s forgiven me after two years.”
“It’s doubtful,” Lily added. “Women do hold grudges, you know.” But James stepped aside and allowed them to leave the house. His expression revealed that he wasn’t quite certain whether to believe them.
Rose climbed into the carriage with the help of their footman, and Lily followed, setting her basket down at their feet. With the door still open, her sister asked James, “Is there anything you’d like us to say to Evangeline on your behalf? Perhaps we should offer your apologies on being such a cowardly donkey’s posterior?”
James let out a sigh and shook his head. “Whatever happened to sisters taking their brother’s side? Are we not family?”
“Not in this instance,” Rose said. “You abandoned Evangeline when she was in love with you and left for India without a goodbye. She despises the ground you walk on.”
Thankfully, he appeared uneasy at the prospect of paying a call. “I suppose you are right. Give her my good wishes.”
“She wouldn’t accept them, even if I did.” But Rose inclined her head with a warm smile. “But I will tell her you are sorry.”
With that, the footman closed the door, and their brother waved them on. Lily studied her sister. “You are an accomplished liar, Rose. I’m not sure that’s such a good thing.”
Her sister reached for the kitten and tucked the feline into her lap. “It worked this time. But next time, we may not be so fortunate. Even if you do regain Lord Arnsbury’s friendship, you should know that our brother believes he ought to marry you for what he did.”
Lily sobered at that. “I know.” With a rueful smile, she added, “I had always intended to marry Matthew after he returned. But I believed he would want to wed me…not because he was forced into it.”
“I can try to reason with James. But this should be your decision. And if you don’t want to wed him, after all is said and done, you can come live in Ireland with Iain and me.”
Her sister’s suggestion was reassuring, though Lily had no desire to leave the country. It was only an offer of freedom, a chance to escape her troubles.
“Not yet,” she said. “Not until I’ve done what I can to help Matthew recover.”
It might not be enough, she understood. She didn’t want to even imagine what he had suffered when he’d been a captive. But she would not turn away from him when he needed her.
The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the Arnsbury townhouse, and nerves gathered in her stomach. “Thank you for coming with me, Rose.”
“You’re welcome. I will stay here and have the coachman take me to pay a call upon Evangeline. I can keep my word to James, and you’ll have time to be with the earl.” She handed over the kitten, her gaze thoughtful. “I’ll return for you in a couple of hours. Good luck, Lily. You’ll need it.”
Lily gathered the basket in one arm and tucked the kitten inside to keep the animal safe. And when she left the carriage, she prayed that she wasn’t making a terrible mistake.
Lily waited for a quarter of an hour in the drawing room before Lady Arnsbury arrived to greet her. “Thank goodness you’ve come.” The matron offered her hands and squeezed Lily’s. Her face held nothing but worry, and behind her, Lily saw Dr. Fraser and his wife.
Although the Scottish doctor had been born into a simple life, he had inherited his uncle’s title of Viscount Falsham. Lady Falsham’s brown hair had lines of silver in it, but she still held a classic, delicate beauty. “Matthew has worsened since you left,” she said quietly.
A numb feeling settled in Lily’s stomach. She should have come yesterday, despite her doubts. “What can I do to help?”
The doctor chose a seat nearby, steepling his hands together. “I’ve treated men like Lord Arnsbury before, Lady Lily. But the healing process is no’ so verra easy.” He exchanged a look with his wife, who had gone pale. “He’s like a man come back from the battlefield. His mind has closed off all that he doesna wish to remember.”
Even me,Lily thought. She reached down to the basket, suddenly feeling foolish. A man who had suffered from torture didn’t need a basket of strawberry tarts or a kitten. Those weregifts for a child, not a grown man. Her cheeks reddened, and she wished she hadn’t brought them.
“Perhaps I shouldn’t have come,” she ventured. “Especially if he is suffering so badly. I might cause him to remember something he wishes to forget.”
“But your presence does seem to bring him back to reality,” Lady Arnsbury pointed out. “I think he needs to see you, even if he does not understand the reasons.” Her face faltered, and a flush rose over her cheeks. “I know he was…not himself the other day. But I will accompany you now.”
It was an understatement, given the shattered teacup and Matthew’s response to it. But Lily said nothing at all. She was here to help him and would do all that was necessary.
“I will also join you both,” Lady Falsham offered.
Lily thought about leaving the basket behind, but was rather worried that the kitten would wander away. The lid was latched, but the animal might begin meowing. She picked it up, feeling the sway of the kitten’s movement inside.
“Will you remain downstairs for a moment?” Lily asked the two women. “I will call out if I have need of you.” She wanted a moment alone with Matthew, to determine his mood and behavior.
The ladies agreed, and Lily went up the stairs, praying she could help the man she loved.
