“I don’t consider myself to be one but…”
When she failed to continue Tristan impulsively reached for her hand, raised it to his lips, and placed a reverent kiss on her knuckles while steadily holding her gaze. Her lips parted on a whisper of breath while her eyes grew impossibly wide with surprise. Perhaps because of his inappropriate forwardness or, he hoped, because she felt the same simmering spark he did pulling at every nerve.
The kiss to her hand took no more than a second, upon which he swiftly released her and leaned back to add appropriate distance between them.
“I daresay there is more in heaven and earth, Lady Lilliana, than is dreamt of in any philosophy.”
She swallowed audibly and appeared to clench her jaw while staring at him as if in quiet outrage. And then she stood with sudden abruptness. Without looking at Tristan, she addressed her brother who was now returning. “Henry, I think I’ll leave you and your valet to enjoy the rest of the day together. I’m heading home so I can be ready for Grandmama’s arrival.”
Tristan knew Theodora Atwood, the Dowager Countess of Birchwood, was coming to join the family retreat which Lady Lilliana now chose to use as an excuse to quit his company. It stung, though not nearly as much as her use ofvaletinstead of his name – an obvious attempt to put him in his serviceable place.
“If you’ll just wait a few minutes,” Henry said, “we can…” He huffed a breath as his sister leapt onto her horse and began her homeward trek without a backward glance. “As much as I love her, I pity the man she’ll eventually marry. Heaven knows the poor sod will have his work cut out for him reining her in.”
Tristan said nothing. In his opinion it would be a pity to try and restrain Lady Lillian’s spirit. Furthermore, he wouldn’t mind being the poor sod Henry referred to. On the contrary, he’d count himself a lucky bastard indeed if he had even one chance in hell of making her his.
Four
Lilli paced her bedchamber while sorting through her turbulent thoughts and emotions. After returning from her ride she’d ordered a hot bath, hoping this would help her relax. Instead, sitting still had only made her more restless.
Now, dressed in a sage green day dress she’d put on in preparation for Grandmama’s visit – not because she knew the color suited her and she hoped Mr. Henley might see her in it – she tried to figure out what to do. Not only with herself but with the unwelcome sensations her brother’s employee managed to coax from her.
When he’d clasped her hand sparks had ignited deep in her stomach. And when his lips had brushed over her skin…
Gasping for breath, Lilli drew to a halt and placed one palm against the window overlooking the front driveway. Leaning forward, she pressed her warm cheek against the cool glass in an effort to stop the feverish effect the memory wrought on her body.
How dare he quote Shakespeare of all things? How dare he increase her interest by doing so?
She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled deeply, slowly forcing her heart into steadier beats.
She reached up idly and folded one hand around the quartz pendant. “Why are you doing this to me?”
The whispered words had scarcely been spoken before she spotted a carriage. Lilli watched its approach with quiet relief. Grandmama was finally here, providing Lilli with the opportunity to get the answers she needed.
Of course she had to wait for the lady to be received by her parents, which involved a much too long conversation over the most tedious tea–drinking Lilli had ever endured. After which the dowager countess declared her intention to take a nap because the journey had worn her out. Lilli forced back a groan and resigned herself to additional waiting.
By five o’clock she believed herself ready for Bedlam. Having perched on a hallway bench with a clear view of her grandmother’s door, Lilli tried to pass the time with a book even though it was nearly impossible to focus on the plot. The words seemed to dance across the page in a nonsensical tangle of ideas she had no hope of absorbing.
Finally, after what felt like an utter eternity even though the hallway clock suggested only one hour had passed, the door to her grandmother’s room opened.
Lilli shot to her feet, dropping her book in the process and causing her grandmother’s maid, Tabitha, to turn in surprise. “Good afternoon, my lady.”
“Good afternoon.” When Tabitha’s gaze took in the book on the floor, Lilli stooped to pick it up. Swallowing, she clutched it between her hands. “Is the dowager countess awake?”
“She is.” Tabitha inclined her head. “Shall I inform her you desire to speak with her?”
Lilli nodded. “Please do.”
No more than a minute passed before she was ushered into the bedchamber. Her grandmother gave her one look before swiftly dismissing the maid. The door closed and Grandmama held out her hand, urging Lilli closer to the chair in which she reclined. Her forest green eyes studied her closely as she approached.
“What’s troubling you, my dear?”
A long and heavy sigh pushed its way up Lillian’s throat. She took the outstretched hand and held on tightly. “I…”
There was suddenly too much to say, too many forceful emotions all leading to too many questions.
Grandmama nodded toward a chair adjacent to her own. “Why don’t you sit and calm yourself. I’m sure whatever the issue is, you and I will manage to find a solution.”
Comforted by the gentle tone, Lilli lowered herself to the cushioned seat. Although Grandmama said nothing further, the ensuing silence was filled with expectation.
