There was another person in this room I desired as well. My feelings for him ran deep, and I wasn’t sure how to survive without him in my everyday life. “I would like to propose a toast to my friend, Sir Colt Lawrence, on his recent good fortune.”
Colt snapped his head up from where he was contemplating the tablecloth and glanced about as if afraid he’d been caught out. He’d been quiet for most of the evening, which was not unusual for him. I had insisted that he attend the night’s event. He was part of my inner circle, and I cared for him deeply.
“Colt kindly agreed to come on one last adventure with me before moving to Liverpool. I thank him for his stellar character and wish him luck in his every endeavor,” I said.
“To Sir Colt, our very dear friend,” Lillian said, tears swimming in her expressive eyes. She’d been shocked when I told her about his leaving. They had grown close in the pastmonth and were true confidants. It pained me to admit I was the tiniest bit jealous. She knew everything about my secretary, and I had known very little until she disclosed the truth.
“It has and always will be my pleasure to serve the house of Alton.” Colt raised his glass, amber eyes full of longing meeting mine before the need faded into amusement. “I would like to turn the tables and toast Lord Kendrick and Lady Lillian. Both have been exceedingly kind to me, well, lady Lillian has. Lord Kendrick could use more polishing or glazing as the potter in him would put it.”
Laughing, I climbed to my feet and finished my glass of wine, eager for the night to move on to more sinful delights. “To new beginnings.”
The efficient staff pulled out the seats for the ladies as the entire table stood and echoed my actions and sentiment. “To new beginnings.”
I held out my hand to Lillian, and she placed it on mine. Her touch was light, and her head was down, affording me a view of a wayward curl that wound its way around her earlobe. I leaned in close and whispered, “Are you ready to retire, Your Grace?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” She nodded and lifted her eyes to mine. Shyness had crept in, but longing rested there as well. The two sides of Lillian would take time to digest. Over time, she would come into her own. Until then, I would have to be patient, not my strongest suit. In the past, Colt was the one to keep me in check. He would be gone. “Come, wife, I have some mischief to attend to before we find our bed. I believe the good vicar is enamored of my mother.”
“Good, I wasn’t the only one who noticed,” she said, wry amusement cutting through her bashfulness. “Do you intend to play matchmaker?”
To see her happy brought warmth to my chest, and I nodded. “I intend to put a bee in the legendary bonnet. We need to separate our mothers first. They are thick as thieves.”
“Indeed, they are. Never fear, it is customary for the bride to um, require her mother’s help with preparing her, um, toilet for the, um, well ...” She rounded the table with me. We approached our families, her cheeks a bright pink at her inference of the upcoming intimacies we would share.
“Are you expecting or dreading?” I asked, needing to know the answer. All of my lovers had been eager participants. She’d shown herself to be a passionate woman in the past. There had been no artifice in our first encounter; thus, I assumed it was nerves on her part.
“I ache for you.” The words were spoken in such a quiet voice I almost missed them.
“Then we are of a like mind.” Comforted by her assurances, I pressed a kiss to her temple and inhaled the soft lily fragrance of her hair. In a short time, we would consummate our marriage.
“Don’t forget to remind Colt that he still owes me a scene,” Lillian said.
I caught him watching us with envious eyes. My pulse picked up even more, and I willed my body to behave. That would require him to join us at some juncture, which made me more eager for the night to begin. I arched a quizzical brow at him and motioned with my head to my mother. He picked up on my hint and moved in her direction. Together, we would divide and conquer.
My mother was still in conversation with Lady Tapper, their backs to Reverend Lowe and Lord Tapper. The men were discussing horseracing, a subject I steered away from. My wastrel father had a fondness for whores and horses. I didn’t blame either the whores or the horses. I blamed him for hisreckless behavior. I might be a degenerate, but in matters of finance, I put myself last.
“Mother. It has been an eventful day, and I wish to retire for the evening,” Lillian said, airy and soft-spoken. She left my side, clasping her mother’s arm, and tucked hers into it.
“Oh, yes. It has been the most magical day.” Lady Tapper teared up and squeezed her daughter’s arm. She was an emotional sort who loved Lillian.
Lord Tapper placed a kiss on Lillian’s temple. “Good night, Your Grace. My little girl.”
“Good night, Papa.” Lillian’s eyes glazed over with emotion, and I found my throat tightening at the display of affection between the three of them. The two women left the room, trailed by Lord Tapper.
“Reverend Lowe, will you be returning to your parish tonight, or can I tempt you into staying on board for our wedding day brunch? I’m sure my mother would wish the same.” I had to keep him in proximity for my plan to work.
She frowned at my broad hint before recognition dawned. It never ceased to amaze me that my mother was such a comely woman, and she’d no idea. I blamed my father for the horrible way he demeaned her over the years.
Cheeks turning a soft pink, she seemed to decide and nodded. “Yes, please say you will join us.”
He glanced from me to my mother, pleasure enhancing his square jaw. He was a handsome bloke and good-humored, a worthy suitor for my mother. “I would consider it an honor to attend.”
Colt stepped in and addressed Lowe. “The sun is setting, and the wind is calm. Perhaps you and Lady Helen would like a promenade on the deck while I order a room made up for you.”
Lowe held out his arm, his enthusiasm palpable. My mother was more reserved, but she laid her palm on his proffered sleeve. “Good night.”
“I thought you had no tolerance for matchmaking?” A smile dimpled Colt’s cheeks as the couple walked away. Clad in a black evening suit, he appeared dapper and very enticing.
“Sometimes, I find it very helpful. My mother needs a beau, and it appears she might have found one. What is wrong with a little matchmaking?” I gripped his shoulder. Aware of the servants still awaiting our departure so they could clear the room, I guided him toward the door.
