“Lady Samantha Durary, my lord.” Samantha curtseyed as well.
“A lovely name for a lovely lady.” Lord Barrot gave her a kind smile. “Are we sticking with that name, Luc?” He turned to Lucas.
Lucas took a breath, then paused before answering. “I thought it best to modify the name slightly, just to protect her from . . . others,” he added delicately.
Lord Barrot nodded. “What were you thinking?”
“Miranda,” Lucas replied.
“And are you at peace with that, my dear?” Lord Barrot turned to Samantha, who gave a single curt nod.
Liliah was consistently surprised at her sister’s resilience and resolve to move forward. She had been expecting to coach and encourage her sister, yet Samantha had risen to every occasion. She had grown up so much in the past year, it was humbling to think that Liliah had missed it.
“Good, good. I’ve made all the arrangements necessary and Miss . . . Miranda will be leaving tomorrow morning with my wife’s lady’s maid. Her name is Emily, Miss Miranda. You’ll love her, a more circumspect and gracious person you’ll never meet. Believe me, she’s endured my wife for nearly three decades.” He gave a wink to Liliah’s sister.
“He sounds like an old codger, but he loves his wife to distraction. Don’t be fooled by his bluster.” Lucas spoke to Samantha with a wicked grin.
Liliah was quite at ease with this new acquaintance, and she hoped her sister felt the same peace. She cast a glance to her sister, studying her face. A small bemused grin tipped her lips and her wide eyes had lost their edge.
“Now, since we’ve established the formalities and the particulars of the plan, Lord Barrot, by your leave, I’ll let Miss Miranda remain in your care till tomorrow, while I take my wife and celebrate our marriage.” Lucas spoke politely, however the underlying message was caught clearly by Liliah, who felt the anticipation ofcelebratinghit her in full force. Yet her heart lingered with her sister; would she be at ease with this arrangement?
“Miss Miranda.” Lucas turned to face Liliah’s sister, giving her his full attention. “Lord and Lady Barrot have my full trust. They have guarded many secrets throughout their lives, and are the most trustworthy of people. Are you at ease with this arrangement? I’m aware you’re trusting your future to my, and their, hands. I haven’t earned such trust, but I know you give it on account of the faith you have in your sister. For that, I thank you, and will endeavor to be worthy of such a gift.”
Tears stung Liliah’s eyes as she listened to her husband speak so kindly to her sister. Clearly moved,Miss Miranda—Liliah practiced her sister’s new alias in her mind—nodded thoughtfully. “I thank you, for taking such a grave risk on my and my sister’s behalf.”
“The honor is all mine. After all, it takes a great risk to earn such a precious reward.” Lucas inclined his head and then turned back to Liliah. “Do you wish to have some time to speak with your sister?”
Liliah nodded. “Yes.” Lord Barrot and Lucas quit the room to give her and Samantha some privacy, and as the door clicked shut, Liliah rushed to embrace her sister. The familiar scent of rosewater floated through her senses and she wondered just how much time need pass before they could be reunited. She utterly trusted Lucas, but she knew that her sister must be struggling despite her brave demeanor.
“Are you truly well?” Liliah asked, studying Samantha’s face.
“As well as can be, under the circumstances. I understand the risk, but I’m willing to take it. Apparently I’m more like you than I thought.”
“Than either of us thought.” Liliah reached up and smoothed Samantha’s hair from her face.
“Go. And know you won’t ever be far from my heart, and I hope we will be reunited soon.”Miss Mirandaspoke softly.
“It won’t take much to travel to Scotland, my love. I’m sure you’ll see me quite soon,” Liliah assured her, and hugged her tightly again.
“If I haven’t said it yet, I’m ever so happy for you, dear sister. You truly found a love match.”
Liliah gave a soft giggle. “I did, most unexpectedly. And I have faith that you will as well, when the time is right.”
“Let us survive one adventure at a time.”
Liliah nodded in agreement, then released her sister from the embrace, taking several steps back and giving one last loving glance before opening the door. A very elegantly dressed lady with kind blue eyes was waiting expectantly.
“Lady Heightfield?” she asked with anticipation.
“Yes,” Liliah replied, glancing at a beaming Lord Barrot.
“Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Lady Barrot, who is utterly beside herself to have a guest.”
“Ah, Lady Barrot, a pleasure. Allow me to introduce—”
“Miss Miranda! How famously we shall get along! And your gown? I know that modiste’s designs well. You’ll have to help me look through my latest fashion plates from Paris, I just received them today!” Lady Barrot had grasped Samantha’s hands and was pulling her down the hall, talking with a jubilant tone.
“And that, is my wife.” Lord Barrot chuckled.
