“I intend to sail to India,” her brother replied. “I expect to be gone for the next year, at the very least. Perhaps longer.”
The air seemed to leave her lungs, and Lily gaped at him. “But why?” India was half a world away.
Her father struggled to rise from the chair, his face purple with anger. “Absolutely not.”
And in answer, she saw the trace of rebellion in her brother’s face. He met George’s fury with indifference. “We have business dealings there. I believe now would be a good time to expand our interests.”
“You have responsibilities here,” George insisted. “You are my heir, and you cannot go traipsing off on a fool’s errand in India. I forbid it.”
James gave a faint smile. “Of course you do.” But he didn’t appear at all concerned. “But I intend to go, nonetheless. And you cannot stop me.”
Her father’s face turned thunderous. “If you try, I will cut off your funds.”
“I have my own wealth, Father. And I am quite certain that you can continue ruling Penford in my absence, just as you’ve done for the past twenty-five years.”
He had planned this for some time, Lily realized. After he’d returned from school, her brother had been forced to obey their father’s commands, learning to become the next earl. But she knew he had despised every moment of it.
“James, please,” Lily reasoned. “India is so far away. I don’t want to imagine you alone for an entire year. It may not be safe.”
He reached out and ruffled her hair. “Oh, I’m not going alone. Arnsbury is accompanying me. It will be an adventure, and we will seek our fortunes before the chains of marriage are clapped upon us.”
The very floor seemed to sway beneath her feet. “Lord Arnsbury is going with you?” It felt as if she were caught in a tunnel, and a roaring noise filled her ears.
She saw the look in her father’s eyes, and the smug satisfaction. If Matthew went to India, there was nothing to stop George from forcing this marriage. Even James would be gone and could not support her cause.
“Yes, Matthew is going to keep me out of trouble.” James winked at her. “He can try, anyway.”
Lily took a chair and sat down before her knees buckled beneath her. She needed to see Lord Arnsbury, to learn for herself if this was true. Her mind spun with all the consequences of James’s journey. Her brother was arguing with their father, though she paid little attention to their words. This was a battle for control, and James had no intention of remaining their father’s puppet. He would forge his own path, regardless of the consequences.
And it seemed she would have to do the same.
In the course of two days, Matthew Larkspur felt as if his life had been uprooted. His best friend had decided to leave for India, and he’d received a desperate message from Lily Thornton, begging to see him.
James was seeking adventure, but from his friend’s reckless nature, Matthew suspected that he would wander straight into danger. And he couldn’t stand by and let it happen. James was the younger brother he’d never had, and he had a premonition that if he let the young man go, he would never return. Call it a ridiculous superstition, but he saw no choice but to accompany him.
And then there was Lily.
He didn’t want to leave her behind, either. Despite their age difference, he could not deny the fierce attraction that drew him to her. Her brown hair framed an innocent face with hazel eyes and a smile that knocked all reason from his brain.
But God above, her kiss brought him to his knees. He had stolen only two, but from the moment he’d taken her into his arms, he had desired her.
His footman had alerted him that she had come to call, and though he knew she would be angry with him for leaving, he needed to protect her brother. But he would not leave for India without saying goodbye.
He entered the drawing room and the moment he set foot inside, she flew into his arms. She gripped him tightly, and Matthew drew back to look at her face. “You act as if I’m never coming back, Lady Lily.”
Her hazel eyes held worry, and she admitted, “I need your help. My father is planning something terrible.”
He tucked her gloved hand in the crook of his arm and led her to sit down. “What is it?”
“He is arranging a marriage between myself and Lord Davonshire.” Her expression grew stricken. “I cannot marry him, Matthew. I hardly know him. And if you leave…”
“He will force you into it,” he finished. She nodded, and gripped her hands together as if trying to gather her courage.
He sat beside her, uncertain of what was right. Lord Penford was looking after Lily’s welfare, trying to ensure that she would have everything she ever wanted—and Matthew could understand his reasoning.
But Lily held no power of her own and he didn’t doubt her father could demand the marriage. With her brother gone, she could do nothing to stop it. And neither could he.
“What do you want to do?” he asked quietly.
