“The blacks inside are your team, Yer Grace?”
“All four of them! Now move!” Unwilling to draw their employer’s ire, the boys scampered to the coach house. Cortland turned to Arty. “Better make sure they do it right,” he said.
Arty smiled, sauntered into the coach house, and began issuing instruction to the boys.
The conveyance was ready within one quarter of an hour.
Before heading back toward town, Michael and Arty retrieved the hired mounts so they could return them to the posting inn. That was the only stop they would make. With a deadline awaiting them, Michael had no time to waste with magistrates.
All in all, it had been quite a coup.
For later that night, Michael and his footman rode into Mayfair, both of them sitting on the driver’s box, just after sunset. It was not so late, though, that he would miss the first of Danbury’s political dinners.
Marveling atthe events of the past forty-eight hours, Michael pondered the guests at Viscount Danbury’s table. Danbury, of course, sat at the head of the table while his mother, the viscountess, held up the other end. She was an eccentric woman, known by the colorful plumes she wore in her startling white hair. At times, the feathers added up to twenty-four inches of height and a similar number of inches to the girth of her head. Every time she stood near candles burning in wall sconces, he was fearful she would go up in flames. In that moment, she discoursed avidly with one of Lady Natalie’s older brothers. Michael was uncertain which one, however, as they were all similar in looks. He imagined once married totheir sister, he would remember each of them by their given names.
The Earl of Ravensdale had done well securing his line.
Seated beside Danbury was Hector Crone, Baron Riverton. His baroness, Lady Riverton, and daughter, Penelope, sat at the other end, near Danbury’s mother. Riverton was an amiable fellow who hadn’t committed to either side of the issue. Michael and his allies hoped to win him over that evening.
Lady Natalie sat to Michael’s right and her father on his left. He’d spent considerable time engaging his bride-to-be in pleasant conversation, only to find himself repeatedly comparing her to Lilly. It seemed every word Lady Natalie spoke had been rehearsed. Her ability to discuss the weather, fashion, and various events of the season would, nonetheless, keep her above any criticism as a duchess.
He’d be bored to tears if, once married, their conversations remained so limited. Hopefully, after some time as his wife, she would speak what was on her mind and in her heart—to him at least. He intended to grow to love her eventually. He intended to have warmth in his marriage.
His discussions with her father were a great deal more interesting. Lord Ravensdale, through hard work and thoughtful investments, had rejected the concept that aristocrats avoid trade and had successfully increased profits on all of his estates. He’d come into his title unexpectedly while employed as a barrister. Ravensdale’s own father had been a disowned younger son who, after marrying below his station, hadn’t maintained contact with his aristocratic roots.
Michael had met Lord Ravensdale during the first year he’d become Cortland. Upon discovering the older man’s wisdom and strength of character, he’d come to value the earl’s mentorship.
Although the men discussed some politics at the table, they did so only in a general sense. They would wait until the ladiesremoved themselves before going into any detail regarding their strategies and proposed alliances.
Michael had been pondering what Hawthorne had wanted to accomplish with the highway robbery. It was no secret the man was something of a fanatic when it came to the separation of the classes. Many of his servants had left his employ for that very reason. He’d been labelled an eccentric, a strange character. Michael suspected the man belonged in Bedlam.
Except he was an earl.
Likely, the robbery was not going to be his only attempt to block them. Although neither Michael nor his servants had been injured, Hawthorne had proven he was not above using foul means to accomplish his ends. They would need to keep a watchful eye on the bastard.
Had it not been for Lilly, Michael would have been considerably delayed and his agenda completely upended. He also would not have gone after Hawthorne and, without Arty’s help, would have been unable to recover his coach and team in such a timely fashion. It was difficult to keep his mind off her. He ought to call on her aunt tomorrow to assure himself of their safe arrival. She deserved no less than his gratitude.
And then he would make no further efforts to see her.
Arrivingat the achingly familiar townhouse, Lilly and Glenda were greeted with enthusiastic affection by Lilly’s aunt, Lady Eleanor Sheffield. Lilly hadn’t seen her since her mother’s funeral and was saddened to see how much the lady had aged. Her eyes still sparkled with mischief, however, as she exclaimed over Glenda that she would be the talk of thetonthis season. Aunt Eleanor pulled them into her cozy drawing room and sent Mary and her own servants to assist in bringing in the luggage and unpacking it in the girls’ rooms.
The weather had cooled that evening, and the fire roaring in the overlarge hearth was welcome indeed. Tea and sandwiches were brought in as the three settled in to catch up with one another.
Lilly hadn’t prepared herself for the memories that assaulted her the moment she entered her aunt’s home. Nine years ago, Michael had called upon her often. He’d come during receiving hours and taken tea with Lilly, her mother, and her aunt. He had also dined with them on several occasions with everyone expecting his presence among the family to one day become permanent. There had been a few moments when they had been left alone in this very room and managed to engage in various…other…activities.
A lump lodged itself in Lilly’s throat. She was glad for Glenda to fill her aunt in on the events of their journey. Glenda told her Aunt Eleanor about the duke who had been robbed by highwaymen on his way to town. She told her all about how he had been handsome and very charming and had known Lilly before becoming a duke. She told her he had ridden in their coach with them for a day and a morning and had been very pleasant indeed.
Aunt Eleanor was not so old she did not remember who this duke was. She watched Lilly in concern and then tentatively said, “Captain Redmond, now the Duke of Cortland, is to marry the daughter of a dear friend of mine in May. As I am the bride’s godmother, all of us, of course, shall be invited to the festivities.”
Lilly schooled her features to hide her inner turmoil. She did not want her aunt to suffer guilt for celebrating with her friend. But, oh God, life could be cruel indeed. Lilly had not bargained for such a complication as this!
“It is Lady Ravensdale, then, who is your friend?” Lilly maintained a peaceful demeanor.
“It is, dear. I’ve known Josephine for years. Along with theirdaughter, the youngest, there are four sinfully handsome sons.” Pausing in her enthusiasm, she peered closely at Lilly. “This connection, does it cause you distress, my dear? If so, then we must avoid the family. I was hoping enough time had passed, but if not, be truthful. I’ll not cause you torment over it.” The older woman’s eyes regarded her in concern.
Lilly refused to deprive her aunt of her dear friend, Josephine Spencer—who just happened to be Lady Ravensdale—who just happened to be Michael’s betrothed’s mother. “I shall be fine, Aunt. I am, however, weary from the long drive today. Would you be disappointed if I excused myself early? I can hardly keep my eyes open.”
“Oh, but of course, you must go right up to bed! You remember the room you took before? I have put you in the same. And I still have Betty with me, and she is so pleased to act as your maid again!” Aunt Eleanor rose to her feet and placed her hands on both sides of Lilly’s face before Lilly could exit the room. “I am so very, very happy you have come to stay with me. We are going to have the most delightful of seasons!” She looked Lilly straight in the eyes, searching for any misgivings or second thoughts. “Everything is going to turn out fine. It always does. Get a good night’s sleep, and then we will discuss our plans tomorrow!” She kissed Lilly on the cheek and then shooed her off to bed.
