Lily and the Duke (14 page)

“He doesn’t know the meaning of the word.”

“Lily, dear,” Sophie said, “if you’re not happy about the betrothal, what are we celebrating?”

“We are celebrating my new arrival.” Lily hugged Brandy. “Isn’t she precious?”

“Yes, she is,” Sophie agreed. “Where did she come from?”

“A gift from the duke,” Rose said, “along with all of these other incredible offerings.” She grabbed the leather case that held the diamond and ruby jewels. “Look at these.”

“Oh my God,” Ally said, her sandy eyes wide.

“And he gave her his Vermeer. Look.” Rose gestured. “I can’t even begin to imagine how much that painting is worth.”

“That reminds me,” Lily said, rising. “I’m going to move it to the dressing room. Otherwise Brandy might chew on it.” She lifted the painting. “I will miss looking at it though. My, he was inspired.”

“You’re the luckiest woman on earth, Lily.” Alexandra fingered the pearl choker and earrings. “These are beautiful. And all these art supplies. He certainly knows you, doesn’t he?”

“He doesn’t know me at all, Ally. If he did, he wouldn’t force me into this sham of a marriage. It’s his father all over again, isn’t it?’

“Not exactly,” Alexandra said. “Her Grace hadn’t even met the old duke when her marriage was arranged. You’re acquainted with your duke, and you seem to get on well enough, not to mention he’s handsome, rich, and titled.”

“None of that matters, Ally,” Sophie said. “Is he kind, Lily?”

“Well, he’s forcing me to marry him. That can hardly be called kind.”

“He is a kind man,” Rose said. “Lily and I have spent some time with him. He’s intelligent and articulate, and he has a pleasant personality.”

“Traitor,” Lily said.

“Lily, you are…fond of him. Admit it,” Rose said.

“All right, damn it. I am fond of him. Are you happy?”

“Incredibly. Now, for our celebration.”

Rose lifted a bottle of wine from the crate and summoned a servant to open it. It was returned quickly, along with four glasses.

“To our Lily.” Rose lifted her glass.

They clinked their glasses and feasted on the wine and truffles. After her first glass of wine, Lily began to feel quite celebratory, and the girls rang for the servant to open another bottle.

“Do tell us, Ally,” Lily said. “How was your tryst with Mr. Landon last evening?”

Alexandra giggled. “It was incredible, actually. We talked for a while, and then he put his arms around me and asked if I would grant him the honor of a kiss.”

“He asked? How gentlemanly of him,” Sophie said, “although I hardly approve of a man who requests that a lady meet him unchaperoned on a dark terrace.”

“I approve of him, that’s all that matters,” Alexandra said. “He’s incredibly wealthy, too. He has property in Scotland and America, and he owns a shipping company.”

“Who cares about all that?” Rose said. “How was the kiss?”

“Much better than Wentworth.”

“Well of course,” Lily said. “Brandy here is better than Wentworth, aren’t you, sweet?”

The puppy licked Lily’s face.

“Are you going to see him again?” Rose asked.

“Yes, we’re going on a carriage ride on the morrow. He’s in Bath today, on business, but he told me he expected to be back in time for dinner. Now, Rose, do you have any news for us?”

“Lord Evan and I—” She reddened. “Well, he kissed me after our ride yesterday. It was lovely.”

“How lucky you are!” Ally jumped up. “He’s almost as handsome as the duke. What of the duke, Lily? Has he kissed you yet?”

Lily’s skin heated all over, as memories of Daniel’s seductive kisses flooded through her. “No,” she said, glancing at Rose with a slight shake of her head. “But I expect him to be adequate, given his experience.”

“No doubt,” Alexandra agreed. “And I’m not sure I’d care one way or the other. Looking into that handsome face for a lifetime would be more than enough to keep me happy.”

Lily rolled her eyes and poured the last of the second bottle of wine into her glass. “Let’s open another bottle.”

“Perhaps we’ve had enough,” Rose said with a slur. “I’m feeling a bit lightheaded.”

“I’m marrying the duke, and I want another bottle.”

“The chocolates are almost gone,” Sophie said, hiccoughing.

“We may as well finish them,” Lily said, “and they go so sublimely with the wine, we simply have to open another bottle.” She giggled uncontrollably.

“I agree with Lily.” Alexandra rose to pull the cord.

Soon they were drinking again, laughing and chatting about their childhood, when knock on the door interrupted them.

“The modiste needs to see you, milady,” a housemaid said to Lily.

“What? Goodness, what time is it?”

“Half past seven, milady.”

“All right, I’ll be right there. I do hope I can walk,” Lily said, her words coming out in a hazy slur. “One of you must acc…company me.”

“Not me,” Sophie said. “I’m beginning to feel wretched. Ally, take me to our chamber.”

“Rose, it will have to be you,” Lily said.

Rose lay on her bed. “In a moment.” She let out a soft snore.

“For goodness’ sake,” Lily muttered. She walked against the wall for support until she came to the chamber the modiste was using.

“
Ma belle
, do come in.” Madame LeRou held up the red garment. “I think you will be pleased. I will do the final fitting and then bring the gown to your chamber by the hour of ten. Is that acceptable?”

Lily hiccoughed. “Yes.”

Madame turned Lily so quickly that her head spun and she nearly lost her balance. Quickly the modiste unfastened her and had her step into the new gown. Lily stood quietly, her pulse racing, while Madame LeRou measured her and placed pins on the gown.

“
Bien
,” she said. “Now off with you. Madame has work to do.”

Lily dressed with Madame’s help, left the room, and walked back to her chamber slowly, blinking her eyes to keep them open. Rose was asleep on the bed. She would miss dinner. Lily decided not to wake her. Her afternoon dress was in decent shape, and it was one of her more glamorous ones. It would substitute nicely for a dinner gown. She took a deep breath and judged her appearance in the looking glass. Her reflection was blurry, but she was sure everything would be fine. She went to the door and grabbed the first servant she saw in the hallway and bade her to take care of Brandy until Rose woke up. Then she made her way to the double stairway, holding the railing for support.

D
aniel glanced
up and saw Lily enter the spacious dining room. Something wasn’t right. He rose and swiftly walked toward her, taking her arm.

“Lily, are you quite all right?”

“Of course, Your Grace.” She enunciated her words slowly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because your dress is rumpled and your hair is…” He inhaled. “Oh Christ. What have you been drinking?”

“The wine you gave me, my lord. That is, Your Grace. Who are you again?” She started to giggle.

“Come on.” He briskly ushered her from the room.

“What will people think?” She hiccoughed. “Oops, sorry.”

“Since when do you give—how do you like to put it?—two figs what people think?” He led her to the servants’ stairway and up the two flights to his suite.

“Oh, no. I’m not going to bed with you.” She hiccoughed again. “I’m not, I tell you.”

“You must really think the worst of me.” He shook his head. “Do you honestly believe I would take an inebriated woman to bed?”

“What?” Then, “Where’s Brandy, Daniel? Oh, I left her with a maid in my chamber. I want her.”

“Here, lie down.” He led her gently to the bed.

“I want my puppy.”

“I’ll get her for you.”

He pulled the bell cord and Putney appeared quickly. Daniel whispered to him for a few minutes and then went into his bath chamber. He returned, poured a glass of water from a pitcher on his dressing table, and went to Lily. “Here,” he said, tearing open a small packet. “Put this on your tongue. It will ease your headache.”

“My head doesn’t ache.”

“Call it a preemptive strike then. Stick out your tongue.”

She obeyed, and he poured the powder on it.

“It’s bitter!”

“Yes, I know.” He held the water to her mouth. “Drink.”

She gulped down a few swallows.

“Now, do you want to tell me why you were drinking wine this afternoon?”

“Not really.”

“Indulge me anyway.”

Lily hiccoughed again. “I’m not feeling very well, Daniel.”

“Do you need a basin?”

Another hiccough. “No. I don’t think so.”

“Now, why were you drinking?”

“Oh, that. Rose, Ally, Sophie, and I were celebrating our betrothal. They’re all terribly envious of me you know. Perhaps you should marry one of them.”

“I don’t want to marry one of them. I want to marry you.”

“Oh. I think I’ll take that basin now.”

He brought it to her.

“Oh, never mind,” she said. “It passed.”

“Keep the basin here just in case.” He went to answer a knock on the door, took a glass of brownish red liquid from Putney, and delivered it to Lily. “Drink this, and I’ll get a cold compress for your head.”

Lily shook her head at the thick liquid. “I’m not putting that in my mouth.”

“Yes, you are, young lady. Come on, drink.”

She took a quick sip. “Oh, it’s disgusting!”

“Yes, I know, but it works. Come on, all of it.”

Lily held her nose and swallowed the thick liquid until the glass was empty. “If I wasn’t going to be sick before, I will be now.”

“You’ll be fine. In fact, within an hour you’ll feel much better. The basin is here if you need it.”

Another knock on the door delivered Brandy.

“Here’s your puppy, Lily,” Daniel said, placing Brandy in her arms.

“You adorable creature. I missed you.” She yawned. “I’m sleepy, Daniel.”

“Lie back now. Get some rest.”

“What about Brandy?” she asked drowsily, snuggling into Daniel’s pillow.

“Putney will take her to the kennels. They’ll care for her until tomorrow.”

“All right then.” She closed her eyes.

Daniel pressed a damp cloth to her forehead.

“That feels nice,” she murmured. “Come lie with me, Daniel.”

“No, love, not while you’re foxed.”

She opened her eyes abruptly. “I am not foxed!”

He laughed softly. “Of course not. Now go to sleep, I’ll wake you in a bit.”

“I need to dress for the ball.”

“I’ll wake you in time. Close your eyes. I’ll stay and watch over you.”

“You’re so sweet.” She reached for him. “Hold me. I want to feel your arms around me.” She closed her eyes.

What could it hurt? He lay down beside her and gathered her in his arms.

“That’s nice,” she murmured and then began to snore softly.

Daniel kissed her chastely on the forehead, smiling because she wanted him. Perhaps she did care for him.

In vino veritas,
he thought.
In wine, there’s truth.

L
ily awoke
, naked, in Daniel’s bed. He held her gently, making love to her, softly crooning her name. “Lily, Lily, Lily.” She sighed, enjoying the feel of his hands on her skin. “Lily, Lily…”

Something cool and crisp fell from her eyes when she opened them to see Daniel sitting next to her, shaking her arm gently.

“Lily, Lily.”

She was still fully clothed, lying on his bed. The lovemaking had been a dream… What had fallen from her eyes appeared to be thin slices of…cucumber?

“Daniel?”

“I’m here. How are you feeling?”

“Why was there cucumber on my face?”

“It’s an old trick of my mother’s. When her eyes are tired and puffy, she swears by slices of cucumber, so I had the kitchen send some up.”

“Ugh. What is that awful taste in my mouth?”

“Just an after effect of your…indulgence.”

“It’s probably from that horrible glop you forced down my throat. What was in that stuff anyway?”

He chuckled. “You don’t want to know. Does your head hurt?”

Lily shook her head. “I must look dreadful, though.”

“You’ll always be beautiful to me, love. Your face looks good, actually. I’ll have to tell my mother that her old wives’ tale has merit. But your hair needs a little work, and you need a bath and tooth brushing.”

Lily twisted her face into a grimace. “You’ve seen me at my worst. Do you still want to marry me?”

“I’m sorry to tell you but, yes, I do.”

“Good God.” She stood, a little lightheaded, but remarkably sturdy on her feet.

“Lily, if you don’t feel you can attend the ball tonight, we can announce our betrothal on the morrow.”

“No, I feel…better. Surprising, but true. Perhaps Putney should market that concoction of his.”

“I’ve often thought so myself.”

She turned to face him. “Daniel, I…”

“What is it, love?”

“Thank you for looking after me.”

“I would do anything for you. I had hoped that you knew that by now.”

“I…”

“It’s all right.”

“No, it’s… Your gifts were very generous, Daniel. They touched my heart, really. But I can’t accept them, especially the Vermeer. It’s too much.”

“I want you to have the Vermeer. It will be half yours when we marry anyway.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Lily said. “When we marry, I cease to be. I’ll have no ownership rights. Everything of mine will belong to you, and I shall be forced to obey you and yield to you in every way.”

“Lily…”

“It’s true, and you know it.”

“I would never take away your identity.”

“But you will exert your husbandly rights, won’t you?”

“I’ll have to exert some of them. It will be my duty to take care of you and see to your best interests,” he said. “You’ll be my responsibility.”

“I don’t want to be anyone’s responsibility. Damn it all to hell!”

“Lily, please.”

“I need to go to my chamber and dress for the ball. There isn’t much time.”

He strode toward her.

“No.” She held up her arms. “Don’t bother escorting me. Discretion is a moot point now, isn’t it?” She walked out the door and shut it, not quietly, behind her.

Lily entered her chamber and found Rose bathing, looking pale and sickly.

“There you are, Lily. Lord, my head is throbbing.”

“I can fix that,” Lily said.

She rang for a maid. “I need a bath prepared for myself, and then I’ll need by hair done. First, though, I need a headache powder for my sister, and find Mr. Putney and tell him I need a glass of whatever he made for me earlier.”

“Milady?”

“He’ll know what I mean. In fact, I need three glasses. Deliver two of them to Ladies Sophie and Alexandra next door. Now go.”

“I would really like to die,” Rose said. “I swear on Mother’s life, I will never drink again!”

“Don’t say that, dear, you’ll miss out on the champagne tonight.”

“My goodness, don’t mention champagne.”

“Come on.” Lily held up a towel. “Out of the tub.”

Lily helped Rose dry off and put on a dressing gown, and then brushed out her hair for her. The maid came back with the headache powder and Rose grimaced when the bitterness fell on her tongue.

“It will help,” Lily said. “My bath is ready, and I need to hurry. When the maid comes with a glass of…disgusting looking liquid, I want you to drink it all, do you understand?”

Rose nodded. Lily bathed quickly, and then used double the amount of tooth powder and scrubbed her teeth thoroughly, trying desperately to remove the coating of invisible film that seemed to cover them. She brushed her hair briskly, noting that Rose was lying still on her bed. Lily responded to a knock on the door. Two maids stood in the hallway, one holding the concoction for Rose, the other her ball gown.

“Madame apologizes that the gown wasn’t here earlier, milady.”

“That’s all right, no harm done.” Lily took the gown and laid it carefully on her bed. “I’ll need you to return in half an hour and see to my hair, and my sister’s.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Lily carried the glass of liquid to Rose. “Drink up, dear.”

Rose looked at the glass. “You can’t be serious”

Lily nodded. “Every drop, or I shall have to use force. I won’t lie to you. It’s dreadful. But you’ll feel much better in a half hour or so. Come on.”

Rose held her nose and drank.

“You may feel a little bit sick, so I’ll get a basin, but you probably won’t need it. I want you to lie down and close your eyes, and I’ll wake you in half an hour.”

Rose nodded. Lily fetched a basin for her sister, wished for some cucumbers but knew there wasn’t time, so she wet a cloth in cold water and placed it over Rose’s forehead and eyes. She continued to brush her hair until it shone and rang for a maid to help her into her gown.

The gown was revealing, as she had planned, but it was also lovely and flattering. The color highlighted her rosy skin tone and her dark hair, and despite the fact that the low curved V neckline made her breasts look as though they were likely to tumble out, the bodice of the gown was remarkably secure. The ruffling about the bustle made Lily’s narrow hips appear more luscious and curvy than they actually were, and the sleeves, which were off shoulder, draped seductively from the pearl studded clips, showing Lily’s well-shaped shoulders and arms.

“My lady, you are a vision,” the maid said.

“Fetch my pearls from the dresser,” Lily said.

Unfortunately, the rubies would clash with the vivid crimson of the gown, but the pearls would be exquisite. The maid returned and helped Lily clasp the choker and earrings.

“Now, what to do with my hair? I want something…shocking.”

“Leave that to me,” the maid said. “Come and sit.”

“I need to wake my sister first.” Lily hurried over to Rose’s bed and gently nudged her. “Come on, Rose, it’s time to wake up.”

Rose yawned and opened her eyes. “Is it time for the ball?”

“Nearly, dear. Sit up now. How do you feel?”

“Much better, actually. How in the world?”

“Mr. Putney’s secret.” Lily rang for another maid to tend to Rose and then seated herself at a dressing table to have her hair done before Rose had a chance to scrutinize her gown.

By the time Lily’s hair had been swept on top of her head, Rose was seated next to her, dressed.

“My, Lily, that gown…”

“Lovely, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes, of course, you’re lovely in anything, but what will Papa say?”

“I don’t give two figs what Papa says. He’s marrying me off. I’m no longer his concern.”

“Lily…”

“Everything will be fine, Rose. You look incredible, by the way.”

“Thank you, but I’m afraid I can’t hold a candle to you. I would never have the nerve to wear such a daring gown, but my, you are splendid in it.”

“Thank you, dear.”

The maid wove pearls through Lily’s hair and curled the soft waves with a hot iron, creating a cascade of curls that just brushed the back of her neck.

“You’ve done a lovely job,” Lily said to the maid.

“I’m glad you’re pleased, milady. Do you have need of anything else?”

“No, not at the present. Thank you.”

She dabbed clove oil on her wrists, behind each ear, and in her cleavage. She put on her white elbow length gloves, sighed, and took them off again. “I’m going to use just a bit of rouge.”

“Lily, you never paint your face,” Rose said.

“I’m going to tonight.”

Rose, stood, nearly knocking over the maid just finishing her hair. “Your skin is beautiful, like a moonstone cabochon, and your cheeks have the natural flush of a sweet raspberry mousse. Please don’t spoil it.”

“Oh, never mind. I won’t do it.” She carefully put her gloves back on.

“Thank God,” Rose said under her breath.

“I heard that,” Lily snapped. “Are you ready? We need to go.”

“Yes, yes. I can’t believe how much better I’m feeling.”

“Amazing stuff, isn’t it? Putney would be a rich man if he bottled it.”

On the arms of their brother—who had scrutinized Lily’s gown but said nothing—Lily and Rose were among the last to enter the magnificent ballroom. They found Sophie and Alexandra and sat down.

“My, Lily, you look radiant,” Alexandra said. “Only you could pull off a gown like that.”

“Don’t be silly,” Lily said. “You could do it in a heartbeat. Tell me, are you feeling quite well?”

“Yes, thanks to that concoction the maid brought us. What was it exactly? Goat’s blood? Eye of newt?” Alexandra giggled.

“Could be. I don’t actually know. His Grace’s valet mixed it up. It’s miraculous.”

“I’ll say,” Sophie chimed in. “I wasn’t sure I could make it to the ball, but I didn’t want to miss the announcement of your betrothal.”

“I’m so glad you’re both here.” Lily looked upstairs to the balcony. “Dear Lord,” she said, her breath catching in her throat.

Daniel entered, descending the grand staircase. He was dressed formally, in a dark grey velvet coat and white shirt with a black silk cravat. His hair was pulled back in a queue, disappointing Lily slightly. She did so love the sight of his thick layered hair gleaming as it touched his broad shoulders. But pulling it back gave him a noble, no,
royal
look, as if he were the prince himself. He wore crisp white gloves and snug black trousers tucked into shiny black leather boots.

“Is your heart going pitter-patter yet, Lily?” Alexandra giggled, staring in the same direction.

“My, he is something,” even Sophie admitted, fanning herself. “I know looks aren’t paramount, but… Goodness!”

Lily stared at Daniel, barely hearing as the duchess strode with grace to the middle of the dance floor, silencing the room, announcing the betrothal of her son, Daniel Farnsworth, the seventh Duke of Lybrook, to Lady Lily Jameson, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Ashford. The thunderous applause was muted in her ears, and she swallowed nervously as Daniel walked toward her, took her hand, and led her to the dance floor. She ogled him, his magnificence and gloriousness, as the orchestra began a waltz. Daniel took her in his arms, positioning her carefully, as her arms and legs seemed to hang limply, and started twirling her around the dance floor. She sighed audibly.

“You look stunning, Lily.” He gazed into her eyes as if he couldn’t stare at her hard enough.

She jolted back to reality. “For God’s sake, I’m not trying to look stunning, I’m trying to look like—”

“A strumpet. Yes, I know. But you failed to take a few things into account, love.”

She looked up at him, but said nothing.

“First of all, you have too much natural grace and class to ever be mistaken for a strumpet. You could have come out dressed in nothing but a feather boa, and it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“Perhaps I should have tried that,” she said hotly

Daniel’s eyes narrowed, but he spoke smoothly. “Had you done that, you would have no doubt earned the undying gratitude of every married woman here on the morrow.”

Lily regarded him, confused by the comment.

“Secondly, you are the future Duchess of Lybrook. You make your own style. Within a fortnight, every woman here will be shamelessly imitating you.”

“Oh, Lord…”

“So you see, your attempt to humiliate me and yourself has failed miserably. However, you have succeeded in convincing every man here that I am the luckiest bastard on the face of the earth.”

“Daniel…”

“There isn’t another woman here, not even your mother or your sister, who comes close to your beauty tonight. You were made for vivid colors. You were made to shock people. You were made for that gown, Lily. It works for you.” He laughed softly, his breath caressing her cheek. “You will fill my life with surprises. Every day I shall wonder what you will do next. It will be a joy to be your husband. You haven’t succeeded in driving me away.”

“Will I ever drive you away?”

“I’m afraid not.”

He twirled her in dance steps unfamiliar to her, but due to his superior skill she followed effortlessly, the momentum pushing her closer against his body, her skin tingling from his heat.

“You want to shock people?” He winked at her. “I’ll show you how to shock people.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

“Daniel!” she gasped.

He winked again. “You bring out the beast in me, Lily.”

“Oh my.”

When the waltz ended Daniel led her to the refreshment table. “You probably don’t care for any champagne,” he said.

“Punch will be fine, thank you.”

Soon men were gathered around them, begging Lily for the honor of a dance.

“You can’t keep her to yourself all night, Lybrook,” Polk said, leading Lily to the floor.

She danced with Polk, her brother, Ally’s Mr. Landon, Lord Evan, her father, one of Daniel’s solicitors, his personal physician, and what seemed like a hundred other young men with whom she wasn’t acquainted. Daniel also claimed her three more times. When her feet and legs could no longer bear the strain, she stole out to the terrace for some fresh air and found a private dark corner in which to regain her composure.

“That was quite a little exhibition you put on in there,” a voice said from behind her.