“It’s unnatural,” the viscountess said. “And you shall not do such a thing in my house.”
“You are correct, she will not,” George said. “Because she won’t live in your house. Not ever again.”
Lady Westinghouse’s eyes went wide. “Does that mean the wedding is still on? Gracious, why didn’t you say so? This is all forgotten. Of course you would do the right thing?—”
It was troubling how quickly the woman could go from rage to sickly sweet. George raised a hand to interrupt her. “There will be a wedding, but not between Alice and me. I will marry Lily. And Alice will come to live with us, under our care.”
All the color left Lady Westinghouse’s face and she pivoted toward Lily. “You little bitch!” she screeched. “How could you?”
She stepped toward Lily, and George put out a hand to stop her. “Have a care, my lady,” he said. “In how you speak to and act toward my future wife. There are many ways this can end for you and some of them will allow you to have some of the same benefits you wanted when it was Alice you blackmailed into this marriage.”
She jerked her gaze toward him. “What are you saying?”
“You could still have a connection to the house of Pembrooke if you can manage to control yourself.” He hated to offer that to her, but if it freed Lily and Alice from her cruelty, he would do so.
There was a long pause and he couldn’t read the viscountess’s expression as she glared at Lily and Alice, then back at him.
“And what about a settlement for the broken engagement?” she asked at last. “If Alice goes to live with you, I somehow doubt I shall be able to arrange another.”
“I will not marry, Mama,” Alice said.
George looked at her with pride. She was afraid and yet she still spoke up for herself. There was a flash of Lily’s strength in her, it seemed. And he admired her for it. “You heard her. Yes, I’m sure we can arrange a settlement. An annuity, I think would be best, the payment of which determined by your behavior.”
“What would be the terms?” Lady Westinghouse asked through what seemed like clenched teeth.
“Easy enough, or at least they should be. You will not speak against Alice or Lily. Ever. And you will not bother either of them. If you’re lucky enough that either of them wishes to see you, you’ll allow that to be their choice. Step out of line and the payments stop.”
Lady Westinghouse glanced toward them. It was clear she was angry, but she was also greedy and grasping. The second seemed to eclipse the first. “Fine,” she hissed out.
He moved closer to her. “And if you ever put a hand on Lily again, I will make you sorrier than you can imagine. I will destroy your world with a flick of my wrist and I’ll never think twice about it.”
Her eyes widened at the statement and the quiet rage behind it. She nodded and then glanced at Lily. “I am sorry, my dear. You know I didn’t mean for you to fall.”
Lily straightened her spine. “I’m certain you didn’t. Now perhaps it would make the most sense for you to go back to London as soon as possible.”
She nodded. “Yes. I’ll look for the full terms and a first payment from my solicitors there.”
She hustled from the room and Alice sighed. “She didn’t even say goodbye.”
George moved to her and took her hands. “I am sorry, Alice. But I’m so very happy that you’ll have a place with your sister and I. And that we’ll get a chance to know your Mary and see your life unfold in the way you wish.”
“Lily is right,” Alice said with a little smile. “You truly are a good man. And now I leave you to this very good man, Lily. I’ll be sure the friends and family are all gathered for the celebration.”
She kissed Lily’s cheek and squeezed George’s hand before she slipped from the room.
“Will she be well?” he asked.
Lily looked up at him. “She will. Thanks to you.”
“Thanks toyou,” he said in return. Then he touched her face, the face he would see beside him all of his days. “I wonder how much time we have before we’ll be expected to join the others?”
She laughed. “Not enough, you wicked thing.”
He drew her closer in his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. “You underestimate my abilities, my love.”
EPILOGUE
Five Years Later
