Lord Davonshire took her gloved hand and held it for a moment. “And I would like to know thatyouare well.” With a slight smile, he added, “Our fathers were such good friends, after all.”
From behind her, she heard Evangeline’s intake of breath. Although her friend was fascinated by the earl, Lily didn’t feel the same way at all. She had been so frustrated by her father’s attempts at a betrothal, she had no interest whatsoever in Davonshire. Not like her feelings for Matthew.
“Until we meet again.” Lord Davonshire released her fingers and turned back on the pathway with Sebastian trotting at his side. The dog obeyed his master without question. Although Lily she knew she had made the right choice for him, it hurt so badly to let him go.
Evangeline emerged from the trees and returned to her side. “I’m so sorry, Lily.”
She blinked back her tears. “So am I.”
Chapter Twelve
Matthew entered his family’s townhouse and gave his hat and gloves to a footman. The servant took them and added, “My lord, Lady Arnsbury is taking tea in the drawing room. She asked if you would join her when you returned home.”
“So I shall.” He crossed through the hallway until he reached the blue drawing room. The wallpaper was the color of a robin’s egg with drapes that were white and blue. He saw his mother seated upon the settee, and her expression brightened when he arrived.
“Matthew, I am glad you were able to join me.” Charlotte poured him a cup of tea without asking and added sugar, offering it to him. “I’ve been wanting to speak with you.”
His first thought was of Miss Carlisle. Had the woman carried out her threat of spreading stories? Matthew took the cup and joined his mother, sitting across from her. “What is it? Has something happened?”
She paused a moment and said, “I wanted to see how you’ve been…feeling during the past few months. We haven’t truly talked in a while.”
He understood what she meant now. Ever since the night when he’d fallen into despair, his mother had hovered over him, afraid he would do the worst. And the truth was, after he’d hurt Lily, his own life had seemed useless and wasted.
“Each day grows easier,” he admitted. “Sometimes the nightmares come, but I have found that I am now able to sleep at night.”
“And you are eating again.” Charlotte smiled warmly at him, offering a plate of sandwiches. He took one to satisfy her, though he wasn’t truly hungry. “You do not know how worried we were.”
It had been a dark time, but he did believe Lily’s forgiveness had helped. “It was not easy.”
Charlotte poured herself a second cup of tea. “And how are things with Lady Lily? Dare I hope that we can post the banns soon?”
“I have asked her to marry me,” he admitted. “But she has not yet agreed.”
At that, his mother set down her cup. “Why ever not?
Because she does not yet trust me, he thought. But he managed an excuse, saying, “She is studying veterinary medicine.”
Charlotte stared at him as if he’d confessed that Lily was trying to grow wings. “Why on earth would she do that? Is she interested in horses?”
“Lily prefers smaller animals, such as dogs. She saved the life of a Newfoundland and she also gave me that Beast of my own.” He nodded toward the kitten, who had wandered inside the drawing room and was poised to attack the furniture. Matthew leaned down to scoop the kitten into his lap.
“I hope you will continue to court Lady Lily,” his mother said. “I like the girl and her family. She is good for you, Matthew.”
“She is. And I intend to keep paying calls on her.”
A strange look crossed his mother’s face, one that held a hint of wickedness. “It may sound Machiavellian, but I would not hold it against you, if you were to seduce the girl.”
He said nothing, for he’d already done that, two years ago. It had been passionate and impulsive, and he’d made promises of marriage that he’d fully intended to keep upon his return.
But both of them had changed over the years. And though he wanted her by his side, he understood her wariness.
“Lily is a good woman,” he reminded his mother. “And I intend to win her heart on her own terms.”
“With flowers and jewels?” Charlotte prompted.
“No. With books on veterinary medicine and pamphlets.”
His mother let out a rueful sigh. “You, my dear son, have much to learn about how to court a woman.” Charlotte rose from her chair and came to embrace him. “And do not delay too long, for I should like to have grandchildren before I die.”
