––––––––
Lilly’s first week back in London was a success. The events they had chosen were with hostesses from the upper echelons of society, and Lilly was well received. In fact, Dominic—the mysterious new Earl of Redwick—seemed to cause more of a stir than Lilly. Chance escorted Lilly on a brief shopping excursion with Olivia and Lydia after a teary but happy reunion.
Being reunited with her longtime friends had been more emotional than Lilly thought it would. She felt revitalized and happy, especially when Dominic surprised her with her old wardrobe, discreetly pilfered from her home. Everything was going well and Lilly had managed to stay out of Dominic’s arms thus far.
But it was torture.
She missed him terribly. Missed his arms around her, his kisses, his laughter, and especially the way he looked at her when he didn’t know she could see. It was like looking into his soul, and everything he felt for her was displayed for her eyes alone. Being apart from him left her feeling empty, with an ache in her heart, even though she saw him every morning and evening across the dining table. It wasn’t the same as being able to touch him and feel his arms around her. It wasn’t the same as being able to openly love him, like she could when it was just them alone on his estate.
She was desperately in love with Dominic. Undeniably. Even as she sat across from him now, watching him sip his morning coffee, she fought a sudden rush of emotion. He no longer sat at the head of the table, but across from her at the center so they could talk easily. The moment felt intimate, like a husband and wife sharing a private breakfast.
The moment was lost when Clarissa sauntered in, eyes only for Dominic. He immediately delved deeper into his paper, determined to remain oblivious.
“Good morning, Miss Seavers.” Lilly smiled brightly.
“Good morning, Lady St. James,” Clarissa replied with barely concealed contempt. A footman pulled out her chair—conveniently, next to Dominic—and she sat down. “Good morning, my lord,” she said sweetly, clearly expecting him to melt with delight at her presence.
Lilly was greatly aware the Lady and Miss Seavers had marriage-minded ideas for Dominic, and Lilly’s presence did not fall in with their plans—except when they made every attempt to embarrass her, which usually fell short of its mark. She could see Lady Seavers growing more and more agitated when all her scheming came to nothing, day after day, ball after ball. She couldn’t stand how widely Lilly was accepted and how unpopular her own daughter remained. They were getting desperate, and with Lilly’s own debut ball coming next Saturday, Lilly was a little worried.
Lady Seavers was supposed to handle most, if not all the planning, but found devious ways to procrastinate until finally Lilly took over. The invitations went out yesterday and already the post was overflowing with replies. It was going to be a lavish affair and—if all went as planned—a ball no one would ever forget.
“Wouldn’t it be a wonderful day for a stroll in the park, my lord?” Clarissa asked shyly as she batted her eyelashes at Dominic.
Dominic grunted as a response.
“Indeed it would, Miss Seavers. Perhaps we should partake of one this morning?” Lilly responded politely.
Clarissa fairly scowled at her.
“Would a ride in Lord Redwick’s phaeton be more to your liking?”
“Oh, yes!” Clarissa beamed.
Dominic lowered a corner of his paper and glared at Lilly.
“I would be happy to drive you—if Lord Redwick doesn’t mind. of course. We shall cause a sensation.”
Clarissa’s face fell. “I naturally assumed Lord Redwick would drive me. I don’t think Mama would approve of you driving me, Lady St. James. Do you even know how to drive a phaeton? They are quite fast.”
“Yes, I’d like to know as well.” Dominic put down his paper and seemed quite perturbed.
“Well, of course I do. Garret Wynthrop taught me.”
“Who?” Dominic growled.
“Garret Wynthrop—er... Lord Jephcott,” Lilly stuttered. “It’s not that difficult with the right pair of horses.”
“When was this?” Dominic demanded.
Lilly smiled in delight. He was clearly jealous. “Two seasons ago at a house party in Somerset. It was great fun.” Lilly smiled at Clarissa, who was clearly puzzled by Dominic’s sour demeanor.
“I don’t think Lord Redwick approves of you driving his phaeton, Lady St. James. Perhaps you will drive me, my lord?” She batted her eyelashes again.
“I don’t approve of Lord Jephcott. He’s a gambler and a rake. Nor do you need to be causing a sensation by tooling around the park in my phaeton,” Dominic dictated.
Lilly would normally have been annoyed with such arrogance, but she was having great fun spurring his jealousy. She appealed to Clarissa once more. “Think of the attention we will garner from gentlemen, Clarissa. Surely even your mother can see the benefit of that.”
“You don’t need attention from gentlemen, Lilly. You get enough as it is,” Dominic grumbled.
Lilly paused, afraid Clarissa would catch the very familiar way Dominic used her name, but Clarissa had jumped all over the mention of attracting gentlemen and didn’t notice.
“That would be great fun, Lady St. James, but I know Mama would not approve of me going anywhere with you.”
“Why not?” Lilly asked. Surely a duke’s daughter was not unfit company.
“Well...” Clarissa froze and looked between Lilly and Dominic. “You know...”
Dominic picked up his paper again and coughed.
Lilly glared at him, then at Clarissa. She was growing tired of being treated like a pariah simply because Clarissa wanted to claim Dominic for herself at the urging of her mother. Did she really think she could worm her way into his heart and title? Lilly was no longer an outcast masquerading as a servant, and although she could no longer claim to be a virgin, she was no one’s mistress. She was in love with Dominic, and when this was all over she would be his wife.
“No, I don’t know ,Clarissa. Is there some reason I would make unacceptable company for you?” She kicked Dominic under the table and was rewarded with a grunt of pain. It was time they dealt with the issue once and for all.
Clarissa squirmed uncomfortably. “My mama said... well?”
It was at that moment that Lady Seavers made her appearance. She took a seat beside Lilly and must have caught the scent of blood in the air.
“Good morning, everyone. What are we discussing?”
Lilly deflated. She was angry and ready to confront the Seavers, but a little afraid. Clarissa spoke up first, continuing the original discussion. “Lady St. James had suggested taking a ride in the phaeton since it is such a fine day.”
“What a fine idea. How generous of our lordship to take you.” Lady Seavers beamed.
Dominic set his paper down. “I regret to inform you that I won’t be able to accommodate Miss Seavers. I have business to attend to. Lilly has graciously offered to drive Miss Seavers. Apparently she is quite adept at driving a phaeton, and I do have a suitable and gentle pair of mares here in town that would be quite manageable.”
“That’s preposterous! A young lady cannot drive a phaeton here in town, that’s positively scandalous. I will not have my daughter associated with such wanton behavior.”
Lilly, who had just taken a sip of tea nearly spat out: “Wanton?”
“Yes!” Lady Seavers looked from Dominic to Lilly. "Don’t think I don’t know what is going on here, but I will not have the Redwick title besmirched by a harlot like you, Lady St. James.”
Everyone froze.
"Enough," Dominic growled. “I will not tolerate this anymore. I asked you to come here to protect the name of a young, dignified woman who is under my protection for the time being. From the moment you got here you have been rude and insulting. What has Lilly ever done to deserve such abuse from you?”
Lady Seavers went pale, and then blushed angrily. “You have insulted me by asking me to chaperone while you gallivant your mistress around town, trying to make her respectable. Well, I will not stand by while you throw your father’s name in the gutter and marry some treasonous whore.”
Lilly flinched as if she had been struck. She gripped her teacup so hard she was surprised it didn’t break. She wanted to run from the room, but could not make herself move. All she could do was stare at Dominic, who looked like some evil, vengeful god.
“My daughter would make a far better countess—”
“For the sake of your own life, Millicent, stop speaking.” Dominic’s voice was low and controlled, but potent with danger.
“If it were not for the fact that we have an elaborate ball in three days, at which even the Prince Regent will be in attendance, I would have Fields throw you out on your arse this very moment. I brought you here to act as chaperone to a respected member of the peerage, and foolishly you have tried to sabotage her. It ends now. You will not say another word against her. You will stay out of our sight until this is over and I send you back to Redwick cottage—a property I own, if you don’t remember.”
“Yes, my lord.” Lady Seavers was pale and shaking.
“You will be on your best behavior, and as for your daughter—you must be out of your mind to think that I would marry her. She’s my cousin, for Christ’s sake."
“Come, Clarissa, we must leave the earl to his breakfast.” Lady Seavers all but ran from the room, her daughter in tow.
“This isn’t over,” Lilly warned. “That woman is incorrigible.”
“I know.” Dominic sighed wearily.
Lilly was still shaken, but her heart was beating fiercely with her love for him. He had stood up for her so valiantly she had wanted to leap across the table and smother him with kisses. However, that would have done considerable damage to their ruse of guardian and ward. Lilly couldn’t wait for the day when she would be his wife in reality.