His dearest Lilly, a woman, essentially, alone in the world. Her deceased husband had not provided adequately for her nor for his own daughter. The only family they had left to depend upon was a quirky old woman.
Nearly a decade ago, he had made a promise. He’d promised Lilly his love, his name, and his heart. Years ago, he’d had every intention of honoring his promise.
But he had not.
He was being presented with a second chance.
Feeling invigorated by his decision, Michael leaned forward and urged his horse into a gallop in the direction of his offices. He had work to do.
Lilly sat backupon her heels and examined her work. With the sun barely peeking over the horizon, she had donned an old day dress and come outside to work in the garden. Sleep eluded her.
Over and over again, her mind returned to the moments she’d shared with Michael. Unable to help herself, she remembered what she’d felt when he’d touched her, when he’d laughed with her, when he’d looked into her eyes.
You must know I love you. I never stopped loving you.
She remembered the feel of his body pressing her into the soft grass beneath them.
You are the master of my heart, of my body.
Lying in bed, remembering how they had been togetherthe previous day nearly stole her breath. She’d even been tempted to touch herself, closing her eyes, imagining his hands.
Continuing to rest on her heels, she placed her hand upon her stomach, over her womb.
In spite of society’s expectations, in spite of her position with Glenda and Aunt Eleanor, an aching part of her soul wished Michael had released his seed into her body—that they could have made a child together.
During all her time with Lord Beauchamp, it was the one thing he could have given her which would have taken some of the sting out of being married to him—of living her life without Michael.
Carrying Michael’s child would have involved numerous complications. She would become a fallen woman, shunned by all of society.
But she would have found a way.
She chastised herself for thinking thusly.
But she had remembered something. She had remembered when she’d wiped at her thigh, there had been some…some of it had seemed to be coming out ofher.
Agitated at her own thoughts, she pulled at some weeds and broke up a large clump of dirt.
What if she were?
She would leave London—move to a small village far away. Her aunt and Glenda need never be exposed to her condition. Society need never know. As a widow, she could alter the date of her husband’s death. People might suspect the truth, but she could live with that.
Upon this thought, she threw the clump of dirt at a large tree.
What a fool to think such things!
He’d protected her, and rightfully so. They’d made love twice, and on both occasions, he’d withdrawn. She needed todismiss such fanciful and ridiculous thoughts from her mind forever.
She needed to move forward. Her future was going to be a pleasant one. As, it seemed, was Glenda’s.
They were expecting a visit from Mr. Joseph Spencer soon. Of course, this was not something a person could depend upon, as Lilly knew all too well. But she was hopeful for her niece.
Furthermore, she’d received no further threats from Lord Hawthorne.
Glenda and Mr. Spencer seemed in love. It would be an excellent match for her niece, and then Lilly could relax, knowing her sister’s daughter was cared for. Heavens, she sounded like her father now.
Hmm, Lilly thought. Negotiating the marriage contract was likely going to fall upon her. Perhaps she ought to obtain some legal aid. She had no experience with such and did not want to make a mistake that would come back and haunt either Glenda or their children years from now.
She tilted her head to the side as a thought occurred to her. Could she perhaps have a very small sum included to provide her with a minimal income soshecould live independently? She most definitely was thinking like her father now.
