Page 58

Three short wraps on the door drew their attention.

“Come in,” Lilly called, rising and then crossing to her desk to tuck the letter into a drawer.

Eliza slipped inside.

After casting Zander an openly curious glance, she bobbed a little curtsy. “Miss Granger? His lordship, Aldric Davenport, Viscount Merrivale, has called. He asks if you are at home?”

Zander jerked his head up, his stomach coiling into a tight knot.

Why was the viscount here after all this time?

Zander still had not put aside his suspicion that Lilly might be Matilda Davenport’s by-blow.

“Am I at home?” Lilly repeated, as if thinking out loud. “Aldric Davenport. The son? I was not aware his father had passed.”

It was as likely as feathers on fish that this was a social call.

Lilly must have had a similar thought, for three neat lines appeared across her forehead before she schooled her features into her usual benign expression that concealed her inner thoughts.

“Yes, of course, Eliza. Please show his lordship to the drawing room. I shall be there shortly.” Her calm, composed response did not fool him.

The viscount’s unannounced arrival had thrown her.

Eliza nodded and closed the door behind her.

It did not escape Zander that Lilly had not ordered a tea tray.

Before he could suggest he should accompany Lilly, she faced him. Only the bright, apprehensive gleam in her eyes revealed her disquiet.

“Zander, will you go with me to meet his lordship, please?”

Did she suspect she might need a witness?

Zander would wager his reputation and hers, she very well might.

She inhaled a deep breath before rushing on. “I cannot help but think there is a troublesome purpose behind a visit after all this time.”

Smart lass.

“Certainly.” He opened the door and waited for her to sweep past him.

As always, he caught a whiff of wildflowers.

With a little encouragement from him, Mrs. B had divulged Lilly did not wear perfume, but she bathed with scented soap—her one indulgence.

He spoke into her ear as they made their way to the drawing room.

“I do not know why he is here, Lilly, but I caution you to speak as little as possible until he reveals his motives. He may simply be curious and want to see what you have done with the place.”

That was as likely as the Thames running dry.

Lilly made a noise resembling a grunt.

She was not as unaffected as she pretended.

“His father never once bothered to visit the home.” She slid Zander a sideways glance. “Why would his son do so, especially since Miss Davenport has been dead these many years, and according to her, Aldric Davenport, rarely set foot in England?”

Excellent question.