Lilly gazed around the foyer curiously. The carpet was worn, but all the wood had been shined and polished. There wasn’t any dust to be seen, and lemon oil scented the air. “It’s beautiful, Michael! It is grand, and yet, it feels like a home.”
Satisfaction settled upon him at her words. Once they reached the landing, he guided her past several doors. They led to the master’s suites. He would have loved to ensconce her in the suite adjoining his but knew that was out of the question—for now. So instead he took her to his next favorite room.
He opened the door and gestured for her to enter. The carpet, the drapes, the linen, and the counterpane had all been replaced especially for her visit. The room was clean and modern and comfortable. The window boasted the best view in the house, south over the gardens. Beyond the gardens, one could see the forest and far off in the distance, on a clear day, the sea.
A footman stepped in behind them and placed Lilly’s trunk at the end of the bed. Michael addressed her. “I have designated one of the servants to act as lady’s maid for you. I wasn’t sure if you would bring Betty along or not.”
“How kind of you, Captain Redmond. We did not, in fact, bring Betty along.”
“I shall send her up shortly, then, if you wish to freshen up?” Michael sounded very formal. She waited for the footman to leave and then after he had partially closed the door behind him, Lilly threw herself into Michael’s arms. In her enthusiasm, both of them tumbled onto the large bed.
“Oh, Michael, I have missed you so!”
This was one of the aspects he loved most about her. Her exuberance for life—her utter lack of forced ennui. She did not play games with him, and yet her innocent sensuality wreaked havoc on his libido.
Michael wrapped his arms around her and couldn’t help smiling. Holding her close, inhaling her scent, and kissing her skin felt like the most natural thing in the world.
“You cannot imagine all the work that needed to be done here.” This was so very inappropriate, he knew. Lying on herbed with the door halfway closed. If anybody were to discover them, she would be thoroughly compromised.
And then he would have to marry her.
Which he intended to do anyway.
“So you were too overwhelmed with the estate to miss me?” she teased.
His answer was to roll her onto her back and kiss her thoroughly.
Being away from her had been torture. He’d never imagined he would feel such need for another person. Lilly Bridge in his home, in his arms, provided him with a feeling of completeness. As though he had been starving and then served the perfect meal. She filled that hollowness he’d carried around since he couldn’t remember when.
“It was either that or turn around and return to London, Lil,” he admitted, reluctantly pulling away from her mouth. “I want everything to be perfect for you. I didn’t want you to come here and be disappointed.” He held her face tenderly and touched his lips softly to hers. Once, twice, again…
“Someone’s coming,” Lilly whispered. Growling in frustration, he pushed himself off the bed and pulled her up to stand.
Turning to the vanity mirror, Lilly smoothed out her dress and then tucked a few wayward strands behind her ears. Michael ran his own hands down the front of his jacket but realized they’d likely not fool anyone.
A few of her hairpins remained on the center of the bed, which was now rumpled as well.
“Knock, knock.” Her mother’s voice sang through the open door as she pushed it open wide. Aunt Eleanor, Miss Crone, and Miss Harris were right behind her. “Lord Danbury gave us instructions to Lilly’s room. We thought we would locate her before finding our way downstairs for tea.”
Both Mrs. Bridge and Lady Eleanor glanced knowingly atthe rumpled counterpane, and then Lady Eleanor raised her brows questioningly.
Lilly, who appeared somewhat rumpled as well, flushed under her mother’s scrutiny.
Michael walked across the room and indicated the view outside the window. “This room has one of the best views on the estate.” He’d had to turn away quickly in an attempt to subdue his own arousal. Stealing his thoughts, he imagined himself swimming in very cold water. “If you look beyond the forest, you might get a glimpse of the sea.”
“Captain Redmond, your estate is absolutely divine!” Miss Crone sang.
“After being in the carriage for two days, I cannot wait to walk around and explore,” Miss Harris chimed in as they reached around each other to take in the view.
Michael glanced over his shoulder and saw Mrs. Bridge was sending him a definitively icy stare. “Captain Redmond”—she spoke in a clipped voice—“would you step into the corridor so I might have a word with you?”
It wasn’t a question. It was more of a command.
Even though Michael intended to ask for Lilly’s hand when her father arrived, he realized that now, more than ever, he must defer to her family’s sensibilities. He didnotwish to sully their relationship in any way. He also wanted to have a good rapport with his future in-laws.
“Of course, madam.” He followed her out of the room.
Once they had exited into the sparsely decorated hallway, she closed the door and faced him.
