Affection for her filled my chest with warmth. She was a giving woman whose generosity knew no bounds. I was a better man for having her in my life. Eyelids heavy, I had a hard timekeeping awake myself. After such a heated encounter, I longed for a brandy, followed by a long nap. “I have yet to service a woman in the manner you’ve performed on your wife.”
“I’m sure you will learn soon enough. We have a month of endless possibilities.” He righted his clothing with one hand. He proved rather adept at it, which didn’t surprise me. “The ideal woman to experiment on would be Lillian. She is very forgiving. If she wasn’t, I would never have married her.”
“No, I’m sure you wouldn’t. I’ll ask her tonight.” Lord Kendrick was right. She was everything good. I liked her nature, and my feelings for her were growing, the roots deepening in my soul. Loving Lillian wasn’t scary. Loving Lord Kendrick petrified me to the core.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Lady Lillian, Duchess of Alton
I pulled the cape closer to my body and lifted my chin to the weak sun. The train pulled into the station, and our compartment's occupants lined up to exit onto the platform. After a month of pure bliss in Scotland, Kendrick and I were escorting Colt to his new home before we made the last leg of our journey to London. The empty place in my chest expanded, and I tucked my hand through Colt’s arm.
Kendrick walked behind us, his hand guiding my back, the other holding Colt’s portmanteau. Our luggage was being delivered by the Alton servants to London from Scotland. If it weren’t for the men, I would break down in tears. I loved Colt with all my heart, and I hated that I would no longer see him every day.
“I was told the shipping company was a ten-minute walk from the station. Shall we stretch our legs? Or would you prefer a carriage?” Colt asked, his hand warm on my arm.
“I think we can walk.” I had too much pent-up energy. The train had been a novelty. By the second day, the reality of what would transpire in Liverpool cut me to the core.
Colt shifted the carpet bag in his hand and cut across the street. The tails of his wool greatcoat flapped in the wind. He was impeccably dressed, his jaw clean-shaven. A small red bruise showed on his neck behind his ear, courtesy of my husband.Our time at the ducal estate had been full of unadulterated exploration, a slice of heaven free of restrictions. I would never forget the passion we shared, nor could I deny how deep in love I had fallen for Kendrick and Colt.
The station was near the water, and the briny stench of the ocean, coupled with coal smoke, had me digging into my reticle for a perfumed handkerchief.
Liverpool was known for its shipbuilding prowess. The city was a bustle of activity with countless ships’ spires in the distance. “We’ve talked about the shipping business you inherited, but do you know anything about shipping?” I asked.
“I’m sure I’ll learn.” Brow furrowed, he steered me around a pile of horse dung.
“He is a natural-born manager. He needn’t know the business but how to make sure others can do it in his stead.” Kendrick pointed to a sign with the street name Colt had been provided with. Storefronts lined the thoroughfare, and several patrons greeted us with a friendly nod.
Colt asked a woman sweeping the cobbled walk for directions. “Excuse me, can you tell me where the Lawrence Shipping Company is located?”
“That’s it, across the street.” She craned her neck and inspected him with a critical eye. In gold lettering over a tattered awning, a sign said Lawrence Shipping Company. “Place ain’t open, mind ya.”
“I’m the new owner. Sir Colt Lawrence at your service.” Although he smiled at her, strain lined his mouth. He’d been led to believe that the company was lucrative, yet its outside appearance reflected nothing but a struggling company.
“A pleasure to meet ya. Good luck to you, Sir.” With a nod, she returned to her shop.
“Perhaps it isn’t as bad as it seems.” Kendrick laid a hand on his shoulder in comfort. Since leaving Scotland, he’d beenmorose. I echoed my husband’s frame of mind and fought tears at the most inopportune times. Soon, we would travel on the last leg of our journey to London and leave Colt behind.
Raindrops peppered us from the sky, adding to the dismal mood surrounding us. I linked my fingers with Colt’s and tugged him forward. As my friend, he needed support, not sorrow. It was challenging to keep a positive attitude when I wanted to break down sobbing. “Kendrick is right. Let’s not judge anything until you have all the facts.”
A horse and rider bounded down the street, forcing us to wait until the man passed before we could continue. A drop of rain ran down my nose, a cold wind following in its wake. My feet were heavy, and I felt like the joy had been stripped out of my heart.
“Did they send you a key?” Kendrick asked, staring up at the holes in the awning. The windows were covered with soot, and the place looked somewhat impoverished.
“I have one, yes.” Colt dropped my hand to rummage through his greatcoat pocket. I crossed my arms over my chest and forced myself to keep a smile in play.
