“All of us except Papa. You know how much this opportunity here in New York has meant to him, Mama. We shall not allow a small setback such as this to ruin that for him. We shall handle the matter one step at a time, and the first step is for me to confront Mr. King.” She held her head high, taking a deep breath as she composed herself for the conversation that lay ahead.
“Would you like me to come with you, my dearest?” her mother asked tearfully.
Lily shook her head and gave her mother’s hand a gentle squeeze. “No, thank you, Mama, but I must end things on myown. You may watch from the gallery so that everything is proper, but I will face Mr. King on my own.” She swallowed hard, feeling as if her throat were far too dry.
“As you wish, my dearest. I shall watch from a distance.” Her mother offered her one final smile of encouragement before allowing her to pace.
Her feet moved slowly at first, as if her shoes had been filled with lead, but she quickly found her courage again and left her chambers, walking along the gallery of their fine New York home until she spotted her fiancé below.
He is really here.
Her heart jolted, bringing back the feelings of that morning when her world had crumbled. The immense pain she felt toward him collided with memories of a man who had courted her the honorable way.
The two images did not seem to make sense to her at all as he ran a hand through his thick crop of brown hair and looked in her direction. His square jaw was set, making his hard features appear even harsher.
“Lily,” he whispered her name just as his dark brown eyes fell on her. He seemed just as shocked as she felt as he ran his tongue over his lips. His shoulders and top hat that hung loosely in hishand were almost soaked through, further evidence of the storm that was raging through the streets.
She turned her face while whispering an affirmation to herself before descending the stairs. “I can do this.” She focused on her steps, watching her white shoes peek out from beneath her white day dress at the hem.
I can do this.
She felt her heart hammering in her chest as yet another crack shook the windowpanes in the foyer.
Oliver stood rooted to the spot, his normally straight posture rigid with concern. He was at least a head taller than Lily, who was of medium height, but he somehow seemed shorter to her after everything she had heard.
It did not take her long to reach the bottom of the stairs. She kept her cool and inclined her head in a greeting. “Mr. King.” She stood on the bottom step, keeping one gloved hand poised on the banister.
Dropping his shoulders, Oliver shook his head. “Now, honey, what is this Mr. King business? You have called me Oliver in private since we got engaged…” His voice was filled with disbelief as his damp hair flopped to the side. His tanned skin was beaded with droplets of water.
“Do not call me that, Mr. King,” Lily snapped, feeling used and foolish.
His face stiffened instantly, making his sharp features appear even sharper as his brow creased into a frown. “I take it that you have read the gossip columns this morning. I was hoping to explain matters before they reached you.”
Lifting her head defiantly, Lily looked him straight in the eye. “Explain matters? I am certain that no explanations are needed. You were seen leaving the lodgings of a notorious woman, regardless of her social standing. I dare say that you were not there to take her temperature, or did I miss something? You are the son of a wealthy businessman, are you not? Because the last time that I checked, you were not training to be a physician or anything else that would excuse your presence in her life.”
Oliver opened his mouth, shutting it again quickly when she stood her ground. “Now, honey, that is not fair…”
“I told you to stop calling me that,” she snapped again, more fiercely as her anger began to grow.
Lifting his hands in the air, Oliver surrendered. “Very well, I shall refrain from calling you honey. All I am asking is that you hear me out. I can explain everything if you would just listen to me.” He took a step forward, forcing Lily to step back instantly.
His expression changed in an instant as he clenched his jaw. “I see that you have resolved to make matters more difficult than they need to be.”
Lily cocked her head to the side, staring him down as she pushed back her anger. It took her a moment to respond, but when she did, she removed her hand from the banister and slipped off her emerald ring.
“No, honey, you cannot do this!” He began to complain, stepping away from her as he shook his head repeatedly. “I gave you that ring as an engagement gift. You cannot just give it back. What will people say?”
His answer stunned her as Lily froze. “Did you really just ask me what people will say? Everyone is already talking about you, Mr. King, and by extension, me! I highly doubt that my ringless finger will spark more gossip than your deeds!” Her voice grew thinner as the lump at the back of her throat choked her words.
The audacity of the man astounded her.
The stiffness in his expression gave way to a darker look of anger as he narrowed his eyes, and Lily could not help but wonder if she had ever known him at all. “Be that as it may, we will need to ride out the gossip. All of the plans are in place, and everyone is expecting a wedding.”
“I am more than certain that there is not a soul in New York who expects this marriage to go ahead.” She held the ring out to him.
Oliver shook his head even more fiercely and gestured in front of him almost violently, making crosses with his arm. “I shall not accept this.”
“I am afraid that I am not giving you a choice. Not that you gave me a choice of what gossip is spread about my life.” She held his gaze for a heated moment, feeling the resentment in his eyes penetrate her broken heart before placing the ring carefully on the banister and turning to leave.
