Danbury smiled wickedly. “I have. It seems you need a suitor, and I am most gratified to oblige.” He toggled his eyebrows at her and then leaned back indolently, crossing one leg over the other. “In the dark, it is very possible Hawthorne saw not you and Cortland, but you and myself. Although I am assisting Cortland with the amendment, I would not have the power to do anything to stop it, even if a lover of mine didwish it.” He gave her a moment to consider his words. Michael had told him a great deal. “And,” he added, “I do not have a fiancée.”
She nodded in agreement. “I hope it is enough to discourage the earl. If he doubts any connection between Michael and me, I can only hope he will desist with this blackmail.”
Danbury nodded sympathetically. “Cortland didn’t relay many details, but I am more than willing to help.” He took her hands and gave them a reassuring squeeze. “I shall find it most agreeable to play swain to your loveliness for the entirety of the season if necessary. Would that be so very difficult for you to endure, my lady?” He lowered his voice seductively and looked at her from beneath hooded eyes. This sultry look would have brought any other woman from the age of seventeen to seventy to her knees—but not Lilly.
Lilly merely rolled her eyes. “Well, I suppose if you are to be myamore, you should begin by addressing me less formally. I give you leave to call me Lilly.”
“And you shall call me Hugh,” he responded.
Once the decision was made, they agreed the fewer people aware of the scheme, the better. They didn’t want Hawthorne to find any new opportunities to make trouble. With that matter settled, they then went over the upcomingtonevents Lilly had planned on attending with her aunt and Glenda.
Danbury made notes to attend as well.
He would return later to escort the ladies to this evening’s musicale.
It didn’t take longbefore the possibility of a connection between the Baroness Beauchamp and the elusive Viscount Danbury created something of a stir.
By arriving together at the Shufflebottoms’ musicale on oneanother’s arm, they gave the gossips plenty of fodder. Many of theton’s matronly gossips remarked upon the fact that the viscount had, in fact, paid court to the beautiful young widow quite attentively the previous evening. Throughout the entirety of the performance, Danbury only left her side for a few moments to procure her and the ladies refreshments during intermission. He also, quite scandalously, held her hand in his and raised her fingers to his lips more than once.
It would have all been vastly amusing, Lilly thought, had they not been sitting directly in front of Lady Natalie and her betrothed. It was as though Michael’s gaze burned into her back. Each time Danbury placed a kiss on her knuckles, it felt like a betrayal. Why, oh why, did life have to be so complicated?
Hawthorne was in attendance as well and appeared slightly perplexed as he watched Danbury’s antics. More than once, Lilly caught the unnerving gentleman scowling in her direction. She had to admit, having Danbury as an escort, as something of a protector, was soothing. Throughout her marriage, she had often been exposed to insult and injury. There was an ease in knowing she was not the only person watching out for her well-being.
Danbury entertained her and those around them by whispering very unlover-like things into her ear throughout the concert. He told her that her eyes were the color of a goldfish he’d had as a child. He told her he’d try to kiss her, but he’d be thinking of his goldfish while doing so and that would ruin his manhood for all others. He told her she probably would not enjoy him kissing her anyway, what with all of her fishiness and his feline charm.
It appeared to the world, however, that he was infatuated.
Hawthorne was not the only person present who was bothered by Danbury’s display.
“Why on earthwould Lilly enter into a liaison with Lord Danbury?” Lady Natalie leaned into Michael and whispered. “I know he’s your friend, but he’s not likely to have honest intentions! Oh, I do not wish to see Lady Beauchamp hurt. I think she has been sad for a long time.”
Michael patted her on the arm but could not find the right words to respond. Did Danbury have to sitso very closeto Lilly? Did he have to touch herthat oftenand was that his handupon the lady’s thigh? And although he was charmed to see Lilly smothering laughter more than once, he could not help but feel annoyed that it was Danbury who incited it. Most likely, he was murmuring romantic drivel into her ear.
The plan was most effective, nonetheless, for Hawthorne looked stymied indeed. Michael was coming to think that Lilly was right. Hawthorne could not have had a very good look at Lilly’s companion in the gazebo. Perhaps he now doubted himself.
Even more encouraging, over the past few weeks, members of Parliamentwere coming to doubt Hawthorne. His ravings sounded increasingly like those of a madman, so much so, even strong proponents of the Corn Laws had begun politically distancing themselves from him. Not that this meant they would change their vote, but it was likely, even if Hawthornedidexpose Lilly, nobody would believe him. Michael hoped the situation would resolve itself soon enough. He was doing his best to leave the past in the past. Except was it the past anymore?
TEMPTATION
What with the work Michael was attempting to accomplish in Parliament, he had little time to visit his fiancée.
Furthermore, he lacked much desire to do so.
But it was expected of him. Her father expected it. Her mother expected it. Hell, all of society expected it.
And Lady Natalie was a lovely girl. She’d done nothing to put him off. In fact, he’d realized she wasn’t nearly as empty-headed and frivolous as he’d feared.
No, it was nothing she’d done.
So, when she requested he attend a picnic she’d scheduled with her brother and Miss Glenda Beauchamp, he felt duty bound to accept. He set aside an entire day, rearranging meetings and appointments so he could participate.
She had failed to inform him, however, that Danbury and Lilly would be attending as well.
Seeing Lilly in society, even from a distance, had been difficult. She stirred a restlessness inside of him. And something else—something he was reluctant to identify.
But he was an engaged man. Contracts had been signed,and it went without saying he would dance attendance upon Lady Natalie. He was a grown man—a duke, for God’s sake. He would be pleasant and sociable. He could control his urges for a few hours.
Nonetheless, upon arriving at Lady Eleanor’s townhome in the Earl of Ravensdale’s newest open carriage with Lady Natalie, her brother, and Danbury, Michael looked to the sky hoping for rain.
