Her mother then changed tactics and began taking extra pains to ensure for meticulous chaperonage. She either performed the duty herself or instructed the maids with strict rules regarding the diligence required.
The freedom Lilly had experienced at the Willoughby ball was not to be experienced at any subsequent events. Her mother never allowed her to dance with Captain Redmondmore than two times, and, when they attempted to walk out onto a terrace or patio, either her mama or her aunt watched them—never far away.
The moments in which theywereable to steal some privacy, without a watchful chaperone, were limited to open carriage rides and an occasional moment in the drawing room with the door open. Her aunt or mother always nearby.
And Lilly had made some friends.
Somewhat isolated since her sister’s death, Lilly hadn’t had many such opportunities back in Plymouth. She’d nearly forgotten the pleasure to be had with ladies her own age. Furthermore, they’d so enjoyed their first shopping trip, it had become the first of many such outings.
Rarely a day passed that she, Caroline Harris, and Penelope Crone hadn’t made plans of some sort. And they complemented one another’s personalities.
Caroline, bubbly and outgoing, had a tendency to point out absurdities as they toured about town. Penelope frowned upon the absurd and was very opinionated. She liked to discuss and ridicule the rules women were forced to follow—rules, she never failed to point out—that had been established by men. Between the two of them, the girls added a sense of whimsy and inventiveness to Lilly’s days.
These outings also made a much-needed distraction from her feelings for Michael, which at times, overwhelmed her. Being able to enjoy herself, apart from him, grounded Lilly and reassured her mother. There was a certain vulnerability a lady felt when one other person became so essential to her happiness.
One particularly sunny morning, while wandering through various shops with their maids discreetly behind them, the girls coincidentally met up with Mr. Harris, Viscount Danbury, and Captain Redmond. This chance meeting was fortunate, for they realized quickly that, when gadding about in a group ofboth ladies and gentlemen, chaperones weren’t nearly as intrusive.
Amongst a cluster of such friends, a courting couple could find themselves afforded some unexpected leniency. Michael, clever as he was, took full advantage of these opportunities. It was as though the springtime was made for them—made for their love.
Toward the end of the season, Michael told Lilly he wished to show her his estate in the south. He told her he would speak with her father but wished for her to see his home first. It wasn’t dreadfully far from London, near Southampton, but the journey would take two days by carriage. They would need to make the trip in a manner that would not harm Lilly’s reputation.
During tea one afternoon, Aunt Eleanor solved the conundrum.
She suggested the captain make a house party of it. If she and Mrs. Bridge chaperoned the group of young people, the break from town would be considered utterly respectable.
Michael didn’t want to delay.
He would leave the next day with Danbury, and they could address any repairs necessary before the party arrived. Lilly and the other guests would not leave town until Sunday. Three days later!
Melancholy at the thought of not seeing Michael for all of five days, she attempted to suggest they all travel together.
But her mother restrained her exuberance. If Lilly did not show some patience in all of this, her mother promised her, they could forego the journey altogether.
Her mother didn’t understand. What with all of thislongingfor him andachingfor him!
There was some consolation, however, in that Viscount Danbury had planned a party at Vauxhall for that very night. The evening promised to be romantic, indeed!
Every season Danbury and his mother hosted their friends in a private booth. Upon hearing that the viscountess would be present, Lady Eleanor and Mrs. Bridge relinquished their rather demanding duties as chaperones with relief. It had been a busy season, and they were run down from attempting to keep up with the young people so far. They welcomed a quiet evening at home.
The weather was perfect that evening, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, a warm breeze barely stirred the leaves on the perfectly placed trees. There was no threat of rain, not a single cloud. Nearly bursting with excitement, Lilly stood at the railing of the barge with Michael by her side.
She wore another new dress, purchased by her aunt, this one more risqué than her others. Aunt Eleanor wasn’t nearly as prudish as her mother could be.
The bodice, although not quite scandalous, displayed a tantalizing hint of cleavage and the back was cut daringly low as well. Made of a vibrant blue silk chiffon, the simple cut of the nearly backless dress was more sophisticated than anything she had ever worn. When they had departed from her aunt’s town house, Lilly wore a shawl, covering the exposed skin on her back. Had her mother seen it, she would not have allowed Lilly to set foot out the door.
Whether it was due to the dress or the fact that Michael was departing the next day, Lilly’s mood was unusually daring that night. Up until that point, they’d managed to steal but a few kisses since the initial ride in the park. And those kisses had been short and sweet, as there had always been a chaperone nearby.
Like every other lady attending the Gardens that night, Lilly was warned not to separate from her group when exploring the meandering paths in the forest. Even Aunt Eleanor told her to remain only on the paths that were illuminatedwith lanterns. The other trails, she’d said, could be quite hazardous to a woman’s virtue.
Of course, these warnings merely served to pique Lilly’s curiosity. And by the time she’d climbed into the carriage, she was already hoping she and Michael might find themselves lost together on one of these very same dangerous trails.
A roguish look from Michael suggested he had similar designs.
Danbury had reserved one of the more extravagant boxes for their party which allowed for a protected vantage point in which to dine and watch the revelry. The viscountess insisted that anything else would have been common and vulgar. Gently bred young ladies didnoteat in public.
For the first hour or so, everybody stayed in the supper box, drinking champagne and sampling the sliced ham and strawberries provided. There was an orchestra and dancing and a great deal more to see, however, and the younger people soon announced their intent to explore the famous gardens.
Michael and Lilly, Harris and Penelope, and Danbury and Caroline stepped out into the merriment with warnings that under no circumstances were they to allow themselves to be separated from each other. Nodding reassurances toward the viscountess, they were quickly swallowed by the river of revelers strolling among the amusements. Colorful paper lanterns illuminated their way, casting the night in a mystical light, with shadows laden with opportunity.
