That being considered, she still wished she had something prettier for tonight. Not that she needed to impress Michael, but she didn’t want to appear unfashionable while dining with a duke.
Glenda chose to wear one of the new dresses that had been made for her debut this spring. The very pale pink chiffon had barely-there puffed sleeves and tiny butterflies embroidered along the bodice. She wore new satin slippers, and Mary had styled her hair in an elegant upsweep with several chocolate-colored curls falling decoratively down her back.
When the ladies exited their room, a maid escorted them downstairs to the duke’s private dining area. Rising from his chair, Michael then bowed formally as they entered. He now looked very much, a duke.
The mud from earlier had been washed away, and he was now dressed in evening finery. At the sight of his soft, clean hair and summer-blue eyes, Lilly’s mouth went dry.
He had a manner of smiling without actually moving his mouth. His lips might barely twitch, but laughter lurked in his eyes. It was part of his natural appeal.
He did this as she sat down.
Awareness buzzedthrough him the moment Lilly entered the room. This surprised him. But it oughtn’t.
She seemed small, beside her stepdaughter. Petite, quiet, and mysterious.
The younger girl, bold and unself-conscious, had no such inhibitions. She took one look at him, flushed crimson, and made a deep curtsy. “Your Grace. I am so very honored to have been invited to join you this evening. Such a distinction to dine in your exalted company. Our limited conversations have become tedious, as you might have guessed, what with it always being just the two of us.”
Lilly rolled her eyes heavenwards and made a half curtsy. When she finally allowed her gaze to settle upon him, he nearly laughed at her expression. She’d not meant for him to see her roll her eyes.
Lilly, apparently, was still unsuccessful at hiding her emotions.
She hadn’t changed all that much, then.
The servants rushed forward and pulled out the dining chairs for each of the ladies.
“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Beauchamp.” The younger girl stifled a giggle and blushed profusely at his comment. It had been this way with marriageable misses everywhere since he’d become the duke.
He couldn’t help but watch Lilly.
Her gaze darted around the room, as though she’d rather look anywhere but at him. He was grateful she had been here, at the inn, to clear up the issues surrounding his identity, but he also resented her presence.
For years, anger had burned inside of him. She’d married another man. She’d not waited for him to return. During the darkest time of his life, she’d failed to honor their pledge toeach other.
And yet, most unfortunately, Michael was still drawn to her. Lilly’s striking silver-blond hair and warm golden eyes captivated him all over again.
She now belonged to another man. She had a stepdaughter. The girl must be her niece.
When they had courted, Lilly had told him about her dead sister’s widower and the motherless girl.
“It’s been a long time.” Michael spoke softly, unable to look anywhere but at her. He willed her to meet his gaze as he spoke. Lilly stared down at her bowl as a servant ladled some stew into it. Had she forgotten so easily?
She answered, still not looking up. “I trust you are well, Your Grace? Today’s adventure notwithstanding?”
Michael thought he could read the emotions in her eyes. Ah, but he had been wrong earlier. She was, in fact, better at hiding her emotions now. Meeting his gaze at last, she donned a mask of some sort. This was a different Lilly. This was the Baroness Beauchamp.
Michael searched her face before answering. He too, could be nonchalant. “I am doing well, yes. And despite today’s calamities, I find myself most fortunate, indeed. For here I am, dining with two very lovely ladies.”
Glenda blushed and then found her voice once again. “Was it terribly frightening when the highwaymen attacked you? Were there dozens of them?”
“It happened rather quickly, actually.” Anger flared as he mentally revisited the heist. “Too quickly in fact. The robbers jumped from the trees overhead, onto the coach, and before we could do much of anything they had driven off with it.” Shaking his head, he muttered, “Failed to carry my pistols today, idiot that I am.”
Two little lines appeared on Lilly’s forehead as she frowned. “Do you think the attack was random?” she asked astutely.
Michael contemplated his answer carefully. “It would appear so, but one can never be certain.”
The mask slipped, and a flicker of concern crossed Lilly’s once-again-expressive face. “Did they attempt to harm your person?”
“Not directly. But stranding a person in such a remote part of the highway doesn’t take much concern for their safety in mind.” He chuckled. He didn’t wish to discuss his concerns right then. Some close friends in London would help him shed light on this outrageous attack. Hugh Chesterton, the Viscount of Danbury, would assist him in ferreting out information. This was no discussion to have with ladies.
