Lily was staring at him, as if she wanted to say something more but couldn’t find the right words. He offered a light shrug. “I suppose I should go back to my room. I’m likely frightening away my mother’s guests.”
“Thisisyour house, as you said before. They can go away if they’re frightened of you,” Lily answered. He was surprised to hear her defend him. Then, she stole a glance back at her sister, as if trying to make a decision. “My mother told me I ought to enjoy this ball, to do whatever I wished.”
“Within reason.” He was rewarded by a faint smile that vanished from her face a moment later.
“Yes. And I think I would like to walk through the garden now.”
He wasn’t certain whether she was dismissing him, but she waved for her sister Rose to come closer. “Do you want to join us?”
He thought about it for a moment. He had remained inside his room for over a week, and the atmosphere was stifling. This was something he needed to do, to push back against the darkness and take a step forward.
Part of him believed he shouldn’t accept her help, not after he’d rebuffed her earlier. And yet, he saw nothing demanding in her expression—only the offer of friendship. This was a walk in the garden, nothing more. And so, he offered his arm.
Lily placed her hand upon it and when her sister drew near, leaning on her cane, he gave his other arm to Rose. Her brown hair was dotted with blossoms, and she wore a bright blue gown. The young woman smiled brightly at him. “Hello, Lord Arnsbury. It’s good to see you out and about once again.”
“It has been a long time, Lady Rose.” He bowed his head in greeting, and she smiled when they began walking. Lily’s sister had to lean against him, since she could not walk quickly, but he didn’t mind. It was a good distraction from the strange feeling of being out of doors once again. The air was warm by London standards, but it lacked the brutality of the desert sun. Each step was easier than the first.
In the moonlit darkness, he led the women along the gravel pathway. Lily barely said a word, though it had been her idea. Rose, in contrast, admired the flowers blooming.
“Have you enjoyed your evening?” he asked Lily, attempting conversation.
With a hint of a smile, she answered, “I tried something different. Instead of being a quiet, shy young woman, I answered questions with complete honesty. I’m not certain the gentlemen liked it very much.”
“Then they were not right for you,” he said. He ignored the tightness in his gut that rose up at the mention of other men.
“I agree,” Rose added. “Honesty is the best way to begin any relationship.”
Lily broke out in a laugh. “When you began your relationship with Iain, you nearly stabbed him with a rake. I’m not certain that was honesty.”
“Of course it was. I was completely forthright that if he tried to hurt me, he would be skewered.” Rose smiled brightly, and a flare of amusement caught Matthew in the gut.
The emotion seemed foreign somehow, but he said, “A man always likes to know where he stands.”
He led them toward the stone fountain, which was comprised of a cupid statue with water streaming from its arrow tip. Lily took off her glove and reached out to the water, letting it spill over her fingers. Then she sent him a mischievous sidelong glance, flicking water over him.
Droplets spilled over his scar, and Matthew stared at her in disbelief. “That wasn’t wise,” he warned.
He reached under the running water, preparing to strike back. Lily couldn’t stop her smile, and she taunted, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Lily, don’t provoke him,” Rose warned, stepping away from both of them. She leaned on her cane until she reached the safety of the shrubbery.
Matthew lowered his hand from the water, and Lily beamed at her sister. “See? I told you he wouldn’t.”
He rewarded her answer by squirting her in the face with the water he’d concealed in his palm. Lily shrieked with laughter and reached into the fountain, splashing more water at him. Matthew dodged it and grinned at her. “That wasn’t very ladylike, Lily.”
“But it was great fun.” Her hair was slightly wet, and the burst of laughter brought the sparkle to her eyes. “I should apologize, but I don’t want to.”
He noticed that Rose had retreated further away to give them a measure of privacy. He saw it as an opportunity and drew closer. Her face held mischief, and he rested one hand on the edge of the fountain.
“You may want to run, Lily.”
“Why?” Her sidelong glance showed she didn’t believe he would follow through with his threat.
“Because you’re tempting me.”
A sudden blush flooded her cheeks, but she didn’t move. Instead, she peeled off her glove and slid her hand into the water. “Perhaps you are the one who should be careful.”
He removed his own glove and took her hand beneath the water. It was freezing cold, and it numbed his hand. But he held her palm, preventing her from doing anything foolish.
