––––––––
Lilly was pale and shaking with disbelief. “They planned it all. He was going to be caught compromising me!”
“And I was supposed to be caught with Clarissa. Thankfully I am not so easy to catch,” Dominic growled.
“Why is she doing this to us?”
“Money, social standing. She wanted my father and now she wants me. She is not even my real aunt, but my mother’s cousin.”
More voices were heard coming, and three more people entered the garden.
“Lilly, where are you?” Olivia whispered.
“Shhh, Livie, we don’t want people to know we’re looking for Lilly.”
“We’re over here.” Dominic stepped out of the shadows.
Lydia rushed over, followed by Olivia and her brother.
“What happened, are you hurt?”
Both Lilly and Dominic were rather mussed. Dominic’s coat was smeared with dirt and leaves, while Lilly’s dress was horribly wrinkled.
“We were both trapped. He with Clarissa and I with Lord Hughes. I escaped through a set of French doors, but he caught me and dragged me here.” Lilly shuddered.
“Oh, Lilly!” Olivia cried.
“How did you get so roughed up, Redwick? Did Clarissa ravish you?” Devon laughed.
“I jumped out the library window,” Dominic grumbled.
“Really?” Lilly asked in astonishment.
“You don’t believe me?”
“Oh, I do.” Devon smirked. “A man will do anything to avoid an unwanted marriage.”
Lydia frowned at Devon. “An unwanted marriage, or marriage in general?”
“Depends entirely on the woman.” Devon winked at her.
“We need to think of a plan,” Olivia said.
“How are we going to get out of this? The ball is in full swing,” Lydia said. “Lilly cannot be seen as she is, and now that we’re all together we shouldn’t leave anyone alone.”
“All right—Olivia and Devon, return, tell your mother that Devon and I are going to escort you ladies to Vauxhall Gardens. Then Lydia and Olivia will return to inform Lydia’s mother and we will all meet at...?” Dominic paused for ideas.
“Our parents can catch a ride with the Lord and Lady Donald and we can take our carriage,” Olivia said.
“What about Lady Seavers?” Lilly asked.
“I’ll just pen her a note. She’ll understand if I don’t include Clarissa.” Dominic smiled.
“I’ll have the coachman pull up beside the side gate so we can spirit Lilly away,” Devon stated. “In no time, we should be on our way.”