To Seduce a Bride (5 page)

He flashed her a lazy smile. “I am willing to make allowances for your testiness, Miss Loring, since I know the cause.”

You are the cause of my testiness,
Lily thought in frustration.
Not the aftereffects of the champagne.

She wanted to be rid of the provoking marquess. Fortunately she had an ideal excuse. Drawing another calming breath, Lily forced a cool smile. “I would invite you to come in for refreshments, my lord, but I don't have time to entertain you this morning. I need to find my sister Roslyn and make certain she is all right. After the robbery last night, she will likely have little desire for company.”

Lord Claybourne frowned at that. “What robbery?”

“Oh, hadn't you heard?” Lily felt a bit more confident now that she wasn't quite so much on the defensive. “Last night Roslyn stayed late to direct the servants in setting the Hall to rights after the ball. Afterward, Lady Freemantle was driving her to Miss Blanchard's house when their coach was held up by a highwayman at gunpoint barely a mile from here.”

His brows snapped together. “Were either of them hurt?” The sharpness of his tone was gratifying, Lily thought.

“Thankfully, no. But the footpad was likely wounded. The Duke of Arden happened along in time to foil the robbery and shoot the fleeing brigand. And now there is a massive search out for him.”

“Where is Arden now?”

“At Freemantle Park. He stayed the night there to give comfort to Lady Freemantle and my sister. Perhaps you might wish to speak to him yourself.”

Still frowning, Claybourne made no reply, and Lily realized that her gaze had somehow wandered to his mouth. She felt heat tinge her cheekbones as she recalled how the magic of that sensual mouth had burned into hers….

Jerking her unruly thoughts back to the present, she said pointedly, “I am certain you don't want to keep your horses standing any longer, Lord Claybourne.”

His frown easing, he raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you dismissing me, Miss Loring?”

Lily couldn't help but smile at his arch tone. No doubt a nobleman of his rank and consequence was rarely given a dismissal. “Make of it what you will, but you do not strike me as lacking in understanding.”

His mouth quirked. “Perhaps you're right. I should speak to Arden and see if I can be of assistance. But I am not letting you off the hook so easily, sweeting. I will return at a more convenient time so that we may become better acquainted.”

Lily eyed him in dismay. “There will never be a convenient time.”

“Then I shall simply have to persuade you otherwise.”

He had an utterly devastating smile, she thought, vexed at her own response. But no doubt he was well aware of his appeal, how irresistible he was to women.

When he picked up the reins and gave his grays the office to move forward, Lily held her breath, only letting it out when his lordship drove off. She was vastly relieved by his departure, but dismayed by his promise to return.

She was still watching his retreat when Tess's voice broke into her distracted thoughts.

“Do you plan to tell me what that was all about, Lily? I trust you had good reason for your incivility.”

With a start, Lily offered her friend an apologetic look, having forgotten Tess was even there. “Indeed, I had good reason. I warned him that Winifred was doing her best to pair us together, but he completely disregarded my warning.”

“What happened between you last night?”

“Well…” Lily hesitated. She would rather not have to confess about her wantonness in the stable loft with the marquess, yet she didn't like to keep secrets from her dear friend. “I encountered his lordship just before I left the ball with you. I had drunk three glasses of champagne because I was feeling sad at losing Arabella, so I'm afraid I was rather foxed when he found me.”

Tess's gaze sharpened. “He didn't try to take advantage of you?”

“No…not exactly. But I may have tried to take advantage of
him.
” Her mouth curved ruefully. “I wasn't thinking too clearly at the time. I fear I acted something of a wanton and gave Claybourne the mistaken impression that I am lacking in morals. And you saw the result this morning. I don't want him presuming he can add me to his long list of conquests.”

“I imagine his intentions are more honorable than that,” Tess replied with dry amusement. “He drove all this way to pay you a formal morning call. A gentleman doesn't do that if he has a nefarious purpose in mind.”

“He
does
have a nefarious purpose in mind.” Lily retorted. “You heard him just now. He intends to court me!”

Tess pursed her lips as if biting back a smile. “Lily, there is nothing criminal about him wanting to become better acquainted with you.”

“There is if he thinks our closer acquaintance will lead to marriage.”

Tess laughed outright at that, which made Lily grind her teeth. “This is not at all funny, Tess!”

“Actually it is, dearest. Not that Claybourne may be in the market for a wife, but that he seems willing to consider
you
for the position. If he knew your feelings on the subject of matrimony—”

“He
does
know my feelings. I told him so last night in no uncertain terms.”

Tess's expression sobered. “Would it be so terrible to entertain his suit for a time? You are limiting your future significantly if you won't even consider the possibility of marriage.”

Lily grimaced. “You only think so because you are a hopeless romantic—which I am not.”

“He seems extremely charming.”

“He is that.”
And much too seductive,
Lily added to herself. Yet she had an entirely different plan for her future than marriage. A plan that did
not
include becoming the chattel of a husband, putting herself under his lawful control. Besides, no matter how charming and seductive and handsome a gentleman might appear on the surface, looks could be highly deceiving—as her own father had conclusively proved.

“Lord Claybourne's charm is entirely beside the point,” Lily stated resolutely. “Nothing could tempt me to wed him, so there is no reason for him even to try to court me.”

“So what do you mean to do about him then? I seriously doubt a man like Claybourne will give up easily.”

That question stumped Lily. “I have no earthly idea.” She had never encountered this sort of predicament, having to deal with a nobleman who might actually wish to marry her.

“Well,” Tess commented at her silence, “I must go for now, Lily. As you said, I am dreadfully late for my appointment. But I promise I will return later and help you sort this all out.”

“Yes, go, please. Your meeting is much more important.”

Tess spent most of her time doing charitable works, focusing her efforts primarily on the Families of Fallen Soldiers, since she had tragically lost her betrothed to war two years ago at Waterloo. And she was currently occupied in persuading the local gentry to contribute to her cause.

When Tess had gone, Lily picked up her valise and his lordship's gift basket and turned to mount the front steps of the manor.

Recalling her friend's amused response to the prospect of Claybourne courting her, Lily shook her head in consternation. The notion might indeed have been humorous if it wasn't so alarming.

She knew she would be too vulnerable to him if she remained here at Danvers Hall while Arabella and Marcus were away on their monthlong wedding journey. Dealing with a nobleman like Claybourne was beyond her experience. He was completely, dangerously unlike any man she had ever known, with his easy smile, his heart-stirring charm, his breathtaking sensuality.

Yet she was not about to sit here waiting to be the victim of his unwanted courtship. She had to take action. If for no other reason than to prove that she was her own woman, in control of her own destiny.

Come now, be honest with yourself,
a nagging voice in Lily's head chided.
You are afraid you will let your reckless nature lead you astray. That you will surrender to his unquestionable allure.

A pained smile tugged at her mouth. That was the real trouble, Lily acknowledged unwillingly. The deplorable truth was, she didn't trust her ability to resist Lord Claybourne if he became her suitor. He would simply be too tempting.

Perhaps she would do well to leave home for a time. But where to go? Now that she had ample funds, she could pay a visit to her former neighbors and friends in Hampshire, but she had little desire to travel all that distance and be compelled to remain away from home like a fugitive.

What about going to London to stay with Fanny? Not Fanny's main residence where she plied her courtesan trade, of course. But she owned a boardinghouse in London…. Coincidentally, they had discussed it just last night at the wedding ball.

Lily frowned as she let herself in the front entrance door. Fanny had not been her usual vivacious self at the ball, and when pressed, she'd confessed that she was worried about two of her close friends who were having financial difficulties.

Lily had pondered their problem during her sleepless night of tossing and turning, but she hadn't come up with any bright ideas for earning nearly thirty thousand pounds.

Perhaps by going to London, she might help Fanny determine a way to aid her friends, and solve her own problem of eluding Lord Claybourne at the same time.

It certainly deserved some serious consideration, Lily decided as she turned her valise and basket over to a footman and went in search of her sister Roslyn.

         

She found Roslyn in the morning room, cataloging the vast array of wedding gifts the guests had sent to the Earl of Danvers and his new countess, Arabella. Fortunately, Roslyn professed to be perfectly fine after her ordeal.

Despite her assurances, however, Lily wished she could have been there to help her sister last night, especially since
she
was probably better able to face down an armed highwayman. She at least knew how to fire a pistol with fair accuracy…although she was well aware that Roslyn's delicate golden looks were deceptive. There was a vein of fine steel in her sister's elegant aristocratic spine. And according to Winifred, Roslyn had comported herself with remarkable courage, saving her ladyship from being robbed of one particularly cherished piece of jewelry.

“It sounds as if you were very brave,” Lily said after hearing Roslyn's abbreviated version of the tale.

“I was frightened out of my mind,” Roslyn replied dryly. “But at least no one was harmed.”

“Except for the brigand. I understand Winifred's bailiff has initiated a search for a wounded man.”

Roslyn nodded. “Yes, although we don't hold out much hope of finding him.” She studied Lily in turn. “Are you certain you are all right, Lily? You look as if something has upset you.”

Though knowing her cheeks were still flushed from her encounter with Lord Claybourne, Lily decided not to confide the reason for her high color. Roslyn had enough to worry her, recovering from a highway robbery after nearly being shot. And she had worked her fingers to the bone for weeks, planning and preparing for Arabella's wedding celebrations.

And admittedly, Lily thought with a tinge of guilt, she didn't want to confess about her foolish lapse in judgment last night. After all her vows of never wanting anything to do with eligible noblemen, it smacked of hypocrisy to have enjoyed Lord Claybourne's stunning kisses so much.

“I am not upset,” Lily replied. “I merely have a touch of the headache, and having Tess drive me home in her gig didn't help.”

She told her sister about getting foxed on champagne, leaving out the part about being in the stable loft afterward.

But as usual, Roslyn was too perceptive. “Is that all that is wrong, Lily?”

She bit back a sigh, knowing she would have to offer some valid explanation. “Well, perhaps not
all.
Winifred is still driving me to distraction with her maddening attempts at matchmaking.”

“I know,” Roslyn agreed wholeheartedly. “I was her target last night and again this morning. You were right about her wanting to pair me with Arden. It was mortifying in the extreme.”

“Well, I don't intend to remain here to become Winifred's hapless victim,” Lily said, coming to a decision. “I mean go to London and stay at Fanny's lodging house. She has room, and she has asked my advice in dealing with two of her friends who operate the house. I don't know if I can help them, but I would like to try.”

Roslyn stared at her in surprise. “You intend to hide out in London in order to elude Winifred's matchmaking schemes? Are such drastic measures really necessary?”

Lily returned a wry grimace. “I am beginning to think so. If I can't be found, then I needn't worry about any unwanted suitors, do I? I cannot stay here in Chiswick, obviously. And no one will think to look for me at Fanny's place, including Marcus. You know he would not approve of my intimacy with her scandalous friends.”

And Lord Claybourne will never find me there either.
Relieved by the notion, Lily suddenly thought of another way to throw the marquess off her track and instantly felt more cheerful. “I have it! You can tell Winifred and anyone else who inquires that I have gone to Hampshire to visit friends at our old home.”

Roslyn's brows drew together in puzzlement. “Why would you want her to think—”

She cut off her sister, not wanting to admit how irresistible she found the marquess. “Please, Rose, just humor me this once.”

Roslyn's gaze became searching. “Lily…is there more you aren't telling me?”

“Not at all. Don't worry about me, dearest. It is nothing I cannot handle.” Lily smiled reassuringly before adding under her breath, “I simply have absolutely no intention of allowing any man to court me, let alone wed me.”