CHAPTER1
Lily Manning had always loved a wedding, but the one she was currently preparing to attend gave her little pleasure. She watched as her maid held up two gowns for her perusal and flinched.
“I think we decided it was between these two for the ceremony, Mrs. Manning,” Susan said. “They’re both equally lovely.”
Lily tried to maintain her focus on the choice before her and not the emotions boiling in her chest and stomach. “What colors are in Alice’s gown, again?” she asked.
“When I spoke to Mary,” Susan said, referring to the maid of the bride, “she said there’s some pink in the bodice, to offset the ivory and silver.”
Lily smiled and at least that wasn’t forced. “Pink has always suited my sister. She’ll be a beautiful bride. Though she’s always lovely.”
“It’s unfair you haven’t been able to see the dress yourself, nor be part of the wedding preparations, if you don’t mind my saying so, ma’am,” Susan said with a little side glance Lily’s way.
Lily shrugged, even though she felt anything but dismissive ofthattopic. “Well, you know how Lady Westinghouse is. Since my father’s death, my stepmother has pushed me further and further away from my sister. She always goes on about how I shouldn’t be so involved, as Alice and I are only half-blood.”
“Hmmph,” Susan grunted. “The viscountess didn’t say that when she practically let you raise that baby girl. And you just a child yourself.”
Lily knew she should correct her servant, gently remind her of her place, but Susan was only saying what she, herself, felt. And it was nice to have someone on her side. Still, it did nothing to reduce the sting of the truth and so she changed the subject.
“The rose gown will complement hers well, then. Let us plan for that one. And if my stepmother makes a fuss over the matching colors, we’ll always have the blue to fall back on.”
“Very good,” Susan said, “I’ll pack them both, then, with that in mind. Are you still expecting Lady Delacourt this afternoon?”
“Yes,” Lily said, some of her difficult thoughts fading as she thought of her old friend, Esme. Much had changed in her life since they’d been girls together. Since Esme’s return to Society after a long, unexplained absence and a sudden marriage to a dashing earl, Lily had felt the shift in her. The increased confidence. Perhaps a little hint that she was a bit more jaded. Still, they’d reconnected happily.
From downstairs, the front bell rang and Lily laughed. “That is probably her now, as if she knew you were talking about her.”
“I can finish with the rest, ma’am,” Susan said. “And everything will be ready to go for the long journey of the next two days.”
“Thank you,” Lily called out as she exited the room and headed downstairs. Her butler, Gregson, met her in the hallway. “I’ve surmised that Lady Delacourt has arrived.”
“Indeed, Mrs. Manning, you are correct,” Gregson said with a smile. He was a jovial man, though he kept her house in tight order. “She’s in the parlor with tea already awaiting you.”
“Excellent man, I’ll ring if we require anything else.” She squeezed his arm and then entered the parlor to find her friend already pouring the tea and arranging biscuits artfully on a plate for them to share.
“Oh, Lily!” Esme said, crossing to kiss each of her cheeks as she entered. “I’ve already made myself at home.”
“I’m glad of it.” Lily laughed as Esme returned to the sideboard to fetch a cup and then handed it over. “You’ve done my job as hostess very well.”
“Entirely impolite of me, I know, and I would have waited. My manners haven’t slipped so much…or at least I think they haven’t. But I admit, I’mstarving.” Esme touched the ever-increasing swell of her stomach beneath her gown. “This baby is going to be as tall as his father from day one, I fear, for all I feed him.”
Lily laughed and reached out to gently touch her friend’s stomach, a little twinge of pain accompanying the action, despite her joy for Esme. “Well, I could not deny a child whatever they wanted. Or you. Please sit. Tell meeverythingabout what is going on in your world.”
“The usual,” Esme said, settling onto the settee and resting her plate on her stomach with a laugh. “Blissful happiness, punctuated by occasionally being ignored at parties due to my scandalous departure and return to Society.”
Lily pursed her lips at the thought. “Well, damn anyone who doesn’t accept you with open arms.”
Esme gave her hand a squeeze. “Oh, you’re kind as always, dearest. But you needn’t make that scrunched up face. All I need is the support of my dearest friends, after all, and I’m so lucky in those. I rather like makingthemall whisper behind their fans, especially when Delacourt scandalizes them further with the occasional stolen kiss.”
“He doesn’t ever hide his ardor, that’s certain,” Lily said, and once again had to ignore the little twinge of envy.
“And what ofyou? I assume you’re all prepared for the trip out to Pembrooke Hills for the wedding next month.”
Lily sipped her tea. “Susan and I were just picking my dress for the wedding, itself, and it was the last decision to be made, so all the packing should be finished by now. I’ll be off in the morning. I should arrive in two days assuming there are no problems on the road with weather or highwaymen.” She shook her head. “Honestly, if a highwayman were to waylay me, I might just run away with him rather than attend this fiasco.”
“The lover of a wicked thief, there’s an image,” Esme said before she tilted her head. “Still have your worries about the marriage then?”
Now Lily had to be careful. “I know Delacourt is friends with the groom.”
