Lilli allowed herself a moment to clear her head before saying, “I don’t think the rose quartz crystal is working.”
Her grandmother appeared to mull this over. She gave Lilli a speculative glance. “Were you not the first of my granddaughters to suggest this, I might believe you and chalk up to coincidence my own accomplishment with the crystal all those years ago. But you’ve seen the success your three cousins had in making love matches this past year. Perhaps it is simply taking you longer to find your intended.”
“The problem isn’t so much in not finding him,” Lilli confessed, “but rather with his being absolutely and totally…” She waved her hands as if that would explain her predicament.
“What?”
Lilli groaned. “I think I might be destined to end up with Henry’s valet, Mr. Henley.”
Grandmama leaned back. Lips pursed and eyes wide she looked like a startled fish. A very short, “Oh,” was her only response before she eventually knit her brow and asked, “are you sure?”
“No. Of course not. That’s why I think there must be some mistake.”
“Hmm…”
Her grandmother’s pensive tone didn’t offer the reassurance Lilli had hoped to find by confiding in her. “I mean” – she laughed, but it sounded nervous instead of dismissive – “an earl’s daughter cannot possibly marry a servant. Can she?”
Rather than answer the question, Grandmama folded her hands in her lap as if they were merely discussing the latest novels they’d read. “Tell me, what was your first encounter with Mr. Henley like?”
“He rescued me,” Lilli said. “From a rabbit trap he himself had dug.”
Grandmama chuckled. “And?”
Lilli didn’t pretend not to know what her grandmother asked. “It was as though time stood still the moment I saw him, and then, when he knelt to pull my leg from the hole, the touch of his hands, his nearness and scent, awoke something so fundamental to my existence I feared I might die when he released me.” Realizing she was gripping her armrest, Lilli forced herself to relax her fingers. “This need for added closeness with him has been getting worse ever since.”
“And it won’t get any better until you accept it for what it is.”
Lilli shook her head. “How can I? The situation is utterly impossible.”
“Challenges are to be expected, and since you and Mr. Henley are clearly destined to be together, there must be a way to overcome this particular one. Tell me, what do you know of his background?”
“He mentioned having two younger sisters when Henry and I went out riding with him earlier today.”
“And his parents?”
Lilli blinked. “I’ve no idea.”
“Well then.” Grandmama stood. “I recommend we do some research. I’ll start by quizzing your brother over dinner.”
“You think Mr. Henley might be more than what he appears?”
“I’ve no idea, my girl, but if he is then that would certainly solve your problem. Wouldn’t it?”
Since her grandmother made a valid point and she was hopeful her reasoning would prove correct, Lilli gave her a quick hug, thanked her, and went to prepare for dinner.
The ebbing days of summer provided the perfect climate for a picnic, and today’s mild afternoon sun warmed the otherwise cool air. Guests had begun arriving an hour ago, filling each corner of Stratham Hall with an insufferable buzzing that grated on Tristan’s nerves. Thankfully, they’d all disappeared outside to sit on blankets near the pond while eating sandwiches and cake, leaving the indoors blissfully silent.
Even so, it was impossible for Tristan to enjoy the reprieve when he looked out the window and saw no fewer than five young gentlemen showering Lady Lilliana with attention. At this distance he couldn’t gauge her response, not that it mattered when he knew each one would make her a far better match than himself.
Vexed by this, by the inferiority imposed upon him due to his father’s actions, Tristan turned his back on the bothersome scenery and decided to go for a walk. He needed to move, to expel the tension building inside him. To focus his mind on something besides the woman he could not have. If at all possible.
Besides, nothing constructive would come of standing about worrying over something he had no control over. So he strode along the paved edge of the long rectangular water features dug into the left side of the garden. A neat row of conifer trees shielded him to some degree from anyone glancing his way.
Heels clicking against the paving, Tristan crossed between two of the water features and descended a series of stone steps leading toward the flower garden. Here, tightly trimmed hedges marked the edges of winding pathways intended to take the visitor on a fragrant journey of colorful exploration. There were benches too, placed in carefully designed square areas intended to link each path, allowing for plenty of opportunity to sit and enjoy the surrounding beauty.
Tristan inhaled deeply, then pushed the air back out, and felt some of his tension abate. The sound of gravel crunching beneath his boots accompanied him as he proceeded at a more leisurely pace. It was peaceful here, a sanctuary for any chaotic mind. He almost regretted not bringing a book when he sank down onto one of the benches a short while later.
A couple of sparrows hopped around near his feet while butterflies and bumblebees flew with lazy abandon between the asters and dahlias that filled the surrounding flowerbeds. Relaxed, Tristan let his mind wander. He thought of how lucky he was to have found employment with Henry, who’d taken him on right away despite his lack of references. He considered his sisters, Iris and Emma, whom he’d been forced to leave behind with his parents.
