“Doing so won’t change my options, which is where the issue lies.” Lilli sipped her tea before daring to ask, “Aren’t there any young men here in Cornwall who’d make me a suitable match?”
Mama gave a short laugh. “Cornwall is large so I’m sure there are.”
“I mean someone I’ve not yet encountered in London.”
“Hmm… It’s possible.” Mama pursed her lips, the cogs in her brain clearly turning. “I’ll set my mind to it later today if you like. After I’ve finished reading about the scandal involving Lady Gwendolyn.”
“The Marquess of Wentworth’s daughter?” When Mama nodded, Lilli asked, “What scandal?”
Mama sighed. “The foolish chit was discovered with one of her parents’ footmen if you can believe it. Not with a titled rake whom she might have married but with a servant of all people. Now she’s been shipped off to Lord knows where, but there’s no question she has been permanently ruined and her family’s name dragged through the mud. Honestly, I cannot imagine what she was thinking.”
With no idea how to respond, Lilli took a bite of succulent bacon and started to chew. The sooner she got her brain occupied with someone other than Mr. Henley, the better. In any event she would strive to avoid him at all cost during the rest of her stay at Stratham House.
“Would you care to tell me what’s going on?” Islington asked. He regarded Tristan with a probing gaze.
Tristan glanced up from the ledger he was reviewing for the tenth time that morning. The numbers had tallied perfectly the first time he’d gone over them, but when he’d heard Lady Lilliana’s voice coming from the hallway half an hour earlier, he’d decided against leaving the study for the time being. It was the best way, he’d reasoned, to avoid her altogether and save himself the sweet torment of being near a woman he had no business feeling the slightest degree of attraction toward.
Deliberately, he gave his employer a blank look. “Forgive me, my lord, but to what do you refer?”
Islington’s eyebrows drew together, creating a series of creases upon his brow. “Not even in London do you remain indoors all day. You enjoy a change of pace, I’ve noted – getting away from my bachelor lodgings for a while to stretch your legs by running errands or performing other tasks. Devil take it, you even partner with me when I practice my fencing or when I desire a game of chess. But since arriving here last week, it’s been nearly impossible for me to drag you from this room. Hell, you’re always busy with something, whether it be a collar that suddenly needs pressing or an urgent bill you’ve somehow managed to produce.”
Ah.
Tristan hadn’t realized the viscount was so observant. He’d not said a word until now.
“My apologies, but I believed it prudent to make myself scarce while here so you can enjoy your family’s company without a servant’s interference.”
This turned Islington’s frown into a scowl. “I was of the impression that you and I were more than employer and employee, that we were becoming friends.”
“We were, but–”
“I genuinely like you, Mr. Henley, and I enjoy your company. I hope you weren’t merely keeping mine on account of duty or because I’m paying your salary.”
Realizing his mistake, Tristan gave his head a quick shake. It hadn’t occurred to him the viscount might think he was the one Tristan strove to avoid, so he swiftly told him, “I enjoy your company too and value the friendship you’ve offered thus far.”
“Excellent.” Islington’s grave expression faded. He smiled with such delight the hair at the nape of Tristan’s neck stood on end. And then he said, “In that case I would like for you to accompany my sister and me on a ride. It will do you good to get some fresh air and exercise.”
God help him.
“My lord, I…” When Islington raised an eyebrow in challenge, Tristan emitted a weary sigh. “Of course. When should I be ready?”
“Is fifteen minutes enough?”
The fact he would even ask was an indication of Islington’s respect. Tristan would not risk losing that, not even to guard his own heart. So he nodded and voiced a succinct, “yes.”
But when he arrived at the stables and spotted Lady Lilliana, he knew the day would pose a far greater challenge than he’d expected. Because there she was, dressed in a snug pair of fawn–colored breeches paired with a brown velvet jacket. Tristan scarcely knew where to look without either appearing rude or worse, like a man on the cusp of being devoured by lust.
Merciful heavens.
He swallowed past the tightness in this throat and forced his attention to Islington, who stood nearby holding the reins of a gleaming black stallion. How the hell could the man permit his sister to venture outside her bedchamber in such attire? How could he allow Tristan and...and...the stable hands a view of her perfectly formed bottom?
It boggled his mind and ate at his nerves until irritation flooded his veins, mingling with his desire to haul the woman against him and run his hands over those tempting curves. Gritting his teeth, he managed a greeting, which sounded too harsh to his own ears.
Thankfully, no one else seemed to notice the turbulent state of his mind and body. Lady Lilliana for one refused to look in his direction, simply tossing a greeting at him while checking the harness on her horse. Meanwhile, Islington waved Tristan toward a caramel–colored mare named Toffee and told him to lead it outside.
Eager for a task to distract him from the woman he had as much chance of ignoring as he might a blistering headache, Tristan followed Islington out of the stables while focusing every ounce of awareness on the steady clip–clop of hooves against stone. Which worked rather well for a few blissful moments. Until Lady Lilliana strode from the stable as well, swung herself into the saddle with elegant fluidity, and kicked her horse into a trot.
Holy hell.
