Lilly felt guilty at the fabrication but needed to escape. It was not a complete untruth, anyhow. Pressure had built up behind her eyes in a most threatening manner.
“Go home, dear, and get some rest. I’ll tell Glenda.”
“I will, and thank you.” Lilly affectionately squeezed her aunt’s hand before maneuvering toward the exit. As she worked her way around the ballroom, she caught a glimpse of Michael dancing with the beautiful and, yes, likeable Lady Natalie. They seemed comfortable in each other’s arms, dancing in perfect harmony. As Michael’s gaze found her, Lilly put her head down and slipped out of the room. An aching in her temples strengthened the excuse she’d given her aunt. These emotions needed to be put to rest.
Enough already.
Early the next morning,wearing an old morning dress and a large floppy bonnet, Lilly itched to begin work in the garden. She determined to free herself of the past with some satisfying manual labor, and the early hours were the best time to do this.
The hired man, Burt, had worked for her aunt for over five decades and had long since lost the enthusiasm to keep up with the area covered in a tangle of vines and weeds. Dear Aunt Eleanor hadn’t the heart to replace him.
She found him leaning against the deteriorating gardener’s shack, seemingly contemplating the day’s duties, when she stepped outside. Concerned he might resent her interference, Lilly need not have worried. For before she could even ask, he located gloves, a rake, and a wagon for her use. Burt showed no reluctance whatsoever in handing over the gardening responsibilities.
Miss Fussy, who had followed her outside, took to exploring the perimeter.
Lilly did not contemplate tending the garden as a whole but took on a small area instead. It was easier this way, less overwhelming.
There, she allowed her concerns to work themselves out in the rich, cool soil as she pulled and cut and raked. As the sun rose higher, Lilly managed to clear a rather large area near the back gate. Under the long-dead dried brush, she was pleased to find several tender shoots which had survived the wintertime and were reaching upwards, eagerly looking forward to warmth again. She guessed them to be tulips. She also discovered some leafy clusters she thought to be lobelia. There was something spiritual about having one’s hands in the dirt, turning the earth, and assisting the plants.
Seeing Michael again had overshadowed the fact that she was entering a new and peaceful time of her life. She loved her aunt, and her aunt seemed to enjoy her company as well. Lilly believed Aunt Eleanor had become somewhat lonely. Despite all her friends amongst theton,there was something comforting, grounding rather, in one’s own family. Lilly knew Aunt Eleanor had grieved deeply at Lilly’s mother’s funeral.
Yes, she was in a better place than she had been in years.
Her life at Beauchamp Manor had been depressing, demeaning, and just plain cold. Lord Beauchamp had sent Glenda away as often as possible, and when she had been home, he had controlled the amount of influence Lilly could have over the girl. Until his illness had nearly completely incapacitated him, the baron always had the final say about what was or was not good for his daughter.
Lord Beauchamp had forbade Lilly to work in the actual garden on the property, so Lilly had found isolated areas where she could cultivate flowers, herbs, vegetables, and shrubs of herown choosing. She shared cuttings with some of the neighbors, and when she managed a good harvest, she would take baskets of food around to some of the poorer people who lived nearby. She’d read every book she could find on botany and even written down techniques she’d discovered on her own for certain types of plants.
Stopping to stretch, Lilly considered the small garden area. This was healing, working in plain sight, not having to worry about drawing the baron’s ire. Miss Fussy, tired of searching for unknown treasures, had found a sunny spot nearby and appeared to be sleeping soundly. Lilly smiled. How she loved the little imp.
Dragging the nearly full wagon, Lilly moved to the other side of this particular plot and discovered more lobelia. The pretty little blue plants made for delightful ground cover. They reminded her of Edgewater Heights. The plant had grown profusely along the driveway. Lilly leaned back on her heels and sighed. Although it was bittersweet to do so, she’d recalled the time she’d spent there hundreds, perhaps thousands of times.
Edgewater Heights was a delightful estate. Hopefully, the people Michael—no, she must try to think of him as the duke or His Grace. Yes, hopefully the people His Grace leased it to were keeping it in good repair. Thinking about Michael again, she touched her lips.
Lilly Beauchamp, the Baroness Beauchamp, had gone nearly nine whole years since last being kissed.
Nothing Lord Beauchamp had ever done could be considered a kiss.
The last true kiss she had been given had been very early in the morning, after returning from the waterfall when Michael kissed her goodnight, or more appropriately, good morning. They had both been tired and giddy from their lovemaking and love play in the water afterwards. It was amazing what twopeople could do underwater when there were no inhibitions to stifle their creativity.
Since that morning, throughout her entire marriage, Lilly had gone kiss-less.
Perhaps that was why she had become such a wanton under Michael’s—no,His Grace’s,no, Michael’s—kisses the previous night. (She could not think of him as a duke while thinking of him in relation to kissing.) She’d become a wanton due to her kiss-lessness. She had been positively starved for kisses. That was a very logical explanation.
And now that she had experienced it again, she would not be nearly as starved should such an opportunity arise in the future. Lilly brushed her hands together to remove some mud and went back to work.
Both her mind and her heart relaxed as a mental picture formed of what the plot would look like in a few months. Her muscles were tired but not from tension, rather from healthy physical labor. This was much better. Finally, Lilly removed the muddied gloves, found Burt as he puttered about, and filled him in on what she thought ought to be allowed to stay and what must go. Tomorrow, she told him, she would cut back and then remove the old rosebush. It was gnarly, and the thorns made exiting the back gate a dicey endeavor.
Lillyhatedroses!
“Lady Eleanor told me to let you make of it what you wish, ma’am. Just tell me what you’ll be needing, and I can make arrangements to get it for you.” The old man, rather than being put out by her interference, seemed pleased. Lilly’s heart lightened upon hearing this. After all, she hadn’t wanted to step on anybody’s toes with her plans. She was so grateful to her aunt for allowing them to stay with her. Lady Eleanor extended more welcome to Lilly than she’d ever received at Beauchamp Manor. The feeling gave her a great sense of relief.
Lilly gathered Miss Fussy up and headed back into thehouse. The pup was covered in mud. “I think we both are in need of a bath, little one.” She kissed the top of Miss Fussy’s head. She would ask Betty about having water brought up. Catching sight of herself in the mirror, she grimaced. Dirt smudged her face, and several strands of hair had escaped the tight chignon she’d begun the day with.
Just as Lilly turned to climb the stairs, Glenda’s voice cried out from behind her in alarm, “Lilly, you are going to dress properly today, aren’t you? You must, Lilly! I am so nervous. What if he comes to call this afternoon? What if hedoesn’tcome to call? I need you to be there because I know I will positively make a hash of things myself. He isso handsome! I believe I must be in love! He has the most beautiful eyes, and his smile is ever so charming…”
Feeling more than a little confused, Lilly’s brows rose questioningly. “Whoever are you talking about?”
“You ninny! You must remember Mr. Joseph Spencer. He is the son of an earl, and he claimed two dances with me, Lilly! He told me I was the most beautiful girl at the ball! He promised to call upon me. I simplyadorehim.” Ah, the young man who had been with Michael. Yes, Lady Natalie’s brother. Good God, was this really happening? It would be laughable if it wasn’t so ironically cruel.
