Lady St. Matthews extended her hand to Lilli. “Lilliana. Come and meet the new Duke of Weston.”
When the subject of her introduction stood and turned in Lilli’s direction, she stared at his handsomely striking face, unable to look away. He had a no-nonsense demeanor as he returned her stare. His expression, though a little way off, lost its sternness and seemed to soften. His eyes twinkled. Lilli wanted to curl up in his lap and snuggle in close, leaving all of her burden of responsibilities at his feet.
The moment she acknowledged that thinking, she shut down that traitorous thought and stiffened her back. Walking forward, she dropped her gaze that had been locked on his and tried hard to seem as though he had not affected her. He was the only man who had called to that secret part of her that longed for someoneto strip her of duties except to him, for a short time. No man had seemed strong enough or capable enough to handle that particular aspect of her, so Lilli had assumed that she was an anomaly.
She shoved that part of her back while her inner self was pleading to be let loose with this man. No, she would not make herself vulnerable. He was the man she was hoping to avoid. She walked around the sofa and sat next to her grandmother presenting him with her most prickly nod.
“Your Grace,” she said.
Her voice sounded stilted and hard as stone. It hurt even her own ears, but he didn’t seem to notice. Of course he didn’t, because he was likely a pompous arse himself but when she glanced up again, she caught that same twinkle in his eye. Was he laughing at her? Did he see through her pretense? She didn’t want to react tohim,but she had the almost uncontrollable urge to laugh at the foolishness of the whole ordeal.
“Gran, have you rung for tea?”
“Of course, my dear. His Grace came to offer his assistance if I meet my demise before you are of age. He is taking over his father’s obligation and I think that is noble of him. Do you not think it a kindness, my dear?”
“I’m sure the duke has more in life to contend with than keeping me on his plate of obligations.” Lilli turned to His Grace and said, “It is indeed a kindness that you would consider taking over your father’s agreement, but I assure you, it is not necessary.”
“Not necessary, Lady Griffin?”
“No. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and my estate without having you underfoot. I absolve you of your burden of possible guardianship.”
This time he did smile and his eyes laughed. “My dear Lady Griffin, I promise you that my father instructed me specifically,personally and in his will to maintain the guardianship and to agree to make myself available should the time come. You would not ask me to shirk my duties.”
“But I can manage things myself.”
“Be that as it may, I am under obligation and find I am in agreement with my father’s assessment. Unless your father, if he is still alive, decides you do not need a guardian, then only he can rescind the agreement. No one else.” The duke’s voice brooked no argument, and it sent deliciously unfamiliar tendrils of excitement through her center.
“I shall send my father word and tell him I do not need a guardian if great-gran is… well, should she be unable to stay with me until I reach twenty-five. Which is less than four years.”
“Yes, Lady St. Matthews has said that is so. Do you know where your father is?”
“I’m sure I can find him.”
“Lilliana, you have no clue as to that man’s whereabouts.” Gran was no help.
“I know where his family hails from.”
Lady St. Matthews patted Lilli’s hand. “Yes, that is true, but he has never answered any of the letters sent his way these past eight years.” Her grandmother looked at the duke. “Thank you for agreeing to continue the arrangement. Lilliana is quite independent and very capable in most areas. She is protective of her freedoms and I am sure there is some concern that she will be limited, should I pass early.”
“If that should happen, milady, I will of course have some restrictions to keep her safe but nothing that would stop her from continuing on as she is, provided she maintains proper behavior.” He ended his assurance by turning to gaze steadily in Lilli’s eyes. “Unfortunately, I can’t be sure unless we are put in that position, which I am quite positive we will not be. You seem of excellent health, my lady.”
“I am still in the room, Your Grace. It is rude to speak about a person without engaging them in the conversation.”
“Lilliana! I do not know what has gotten into you. You have been brought up better than this.”
Lilli knew she had and was not a rude person typically, but her feelings of attraction were not subsiding, and she was feeling churlish. How could her inner self be so drawn to him? He could be difficult if he were to become her guardian. She had to resist the feelings of comfort from him. Her desire to allow her vulnerable self out could very well sabotage her ability to control her life as she saw fit.
“I would like to get to know you a little more, Lady Lilliana.”
“Well, I’m not sure I wish it but already, my choices are being run roughshod over.”
“Lilliana! That was rude and you will apologize.”
The door opened. “Yes, I apolo—Oh, look. Our tea has arrived,” said Lilli.
She made a fuss over the tea and refreshments, serving each person and then sitting back down to enjoy her tea. “How far do you live from Heatherfield, Your Grace?”
Oliver gave her a distinct brow lift. Lilli squirmed and looked down to busy herself with smoothing out her skirt. She was tingly in unmentionable places and felt like a naughty child. He had caught her out.
