“Years ago.” Lilly’s answer was vague, obviously wishing to downplay the connection.
But Miss Beauchamp was not so cooperative…rather somewhat gauche, instead. “The duke was her beau.”
“Glenda!” Lilly admonished her stepdaughter. And then to Lady Natalie. “His Grace and I were friends. It was a very long time ago. Heavens! I was barely Glenda’s age.”
Lady Natalie tilted her head to one side, and her eyes narrowed slightly. Most definitely not as empty-headed as he’d thought.
“He courted her before he was the duke,” Miss Beauchamp supplied.
“I’d just returned from the war.” Michael could not help but remember. It had been the most tumultuous year of his life.
“He was not a rake.” Lilly surprised him with her statement. “He was a gentleman, even then.” Upon her words, he felt a stabbing sensation somewhere near his heart. He’d acted most dishonorably.
He could not help but meet her eyes. She was being sincere. She was not mocking him, nor was she speaking sarcastically.
“I’ll bet the viscount wasn’t such a gentleman back then!” Lady Natalie laughed. Danbury took no issue with such a declaration.
“Of course I wasn’t, my lady. Whyever would I want to be?”
Lilly did not participatein the remainder of the conversation, which mostly consisted of Danbury and Lady Natalie bantering between each other over who of thetonwere and weren’t either gentlemen or rakes. They both finally agreed that Viscount Castleton was worse than even Danbury. He must be! He was the Earl of Hawthorne’s son and heir.
Lilly allowed their conversation to drift over her as she relished the warmth of Michael’s jacket. Michael had never smelled strongly of any cologne, so a person could only knowhis scent if they were close to him. Feeling herself a pathetic fool, she inhaled the distinct scent that was him—cleanliness, sandalwood, and the outdoors. She savored it. She savored his closeness. Snuggling deeper into the jacket, Lilly closed her eyes. She would only rest for a moment. Lulled and relaxed, it felt as though hardly any time had passed at all when the carriage slowed. Lilly roused herself as the driver turned, taking them up a long and elegant drive. This must be London Hills, the Earl of Ravensdale’s estate.
Glenda could not and did not contain herself from gasping charmingly as they passed the lake and home that came into view.
Encircled by lush greenery, tucked under an assortment of lofty trees, the three-story house was fashioned of limestone the color of butter. The manor was built on a rise, surely providing magnificent views in all directions. Southerly facing, the perfectly placed windows and arbors reflected unfettered sunlight. Lilly caught glimpses of whimsical statues of various types of birds positioned between a few charmingly situated walking paths. One path led to a lily pond with the statue of a youthful boy with his hand aloft, a small bird perched upon his wrist.
The grounds appeared to be in pristine condition. “I thought your father said he hadn’t done much with this estate and needed us to itemize maintenance issues.” Michael spoke to Lady Natalie. “But at first glance, it looks to be in perfect repair. And it certainly isn’t ‘small.’”
Lady Natalie had a smug look on her face. “The property consists of just over eighteen acres. It passes through the women on my mother’s side of the family. My mother’s older sister did not have any girls. She passed away a few years ago, and it has been put in trust for me along with annual funds for upkeep.” She turned to Michael. “It’s listed in the contracts.”
Good heavens! Lilly thought, this property was part of Lady Natalie’s dowry.
“It’s a beautiful estate, my lady.” Glenda looked to be in awe and perhaps a tad covetous.
The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the semicircular steps extending out and down from the grand entry. Barely waiting for it to halt, Michael climbed out to assist the ladies down from the vehicle. Lady Natalie then led them inside and directed Lilly and Glenda toward a retiring room so they could freshen up after the long ride.
When everyone met back in the front reception hall, Lady Natalie proudly offered them a tour. Leading the way, she took Lilly’s arm while Cortland and Danbury followed. Glenda and Mr. Spencer dallied behind.
“Oh, Lilly, I am so very glad you came today. I especially wanted to showyouone of my favorite places in the entire world!”
Lilly smiled and regarded her surroundings in admiration. “I can imagine! Do you think you and the duke will live here for part of the year after your marriage?”
“I don’t know…I hope so.” Lady Natalie sighed, and they both took several more steps before she spoke again. “Did you have many doubts before your marriage? You mentioned once that your father pressed you into accepting your husband’s suit.”
Lilly’s breath caught. How did one answer such a question? Lady Natalie ought to be a lovely friend and confidante, but Lilly’s previous relationship with Michael made this nearly impossible.
Perhaps she could speak with somehonesty though. “I did not wish to marry the baron. I did so entirely to please my father.”
“Did you notlikethe baron?”
This required some thought. She most definitely couldnottell Lady Natalie about Rose—about the nature of her marriage to the baron. But she was sympathetic and also a little concerned at the girl’s lack of enthusiasm to marry.
Which was ironic, indeed.
So, she would say what she could. “I respected him and accepted him as a member of our…of society. I did not know him very well.”
Lady Natalie had more questions. Lilly suspected she was seeking some sort of encouragement. The younger woman would be looking for reassurance that arranged marriages could be comfortable and loving.
