Page 17 of Loving an Earl
Rearranging herself, Lilly sat up, leaning against the headboard, and sighed deeply. “I did not stomp. I was hurrying. Anyway.” She ran her fingers down her plaited hair, checking the ribbon keeping it secure. “The duke is a terrible man. He said lewd things to me and asked me to be his mistress.”
Emmeline inhaled deeply and said, “Sorry, I should’ve warned you. He did the same thing to me once.”
Lilly glared at her. “Why didn’t you say?”
“By the time I thought of it, he was asking for the dance.” She made a noise in the back of her throat that resembled a growl. “He is a wicked man. I feel bad for the duchess.”
“Don’t.” Lilly huffed. “She put the idea in his head.”
Emmeline stared at her, her mouth open in a wideO. “She didn’t.”
“I assure you she did. She told me so herself. I could almost feel sorry for her, except that she sent her depraved husband after me.”
“I’m shocked.” Emmeline paused, fluffing the pillows behind her back. “But at least that explains Westport. What about Langford?”
Langford.“He took me into an empty room to comfort me after dancing with the duke, which I might add, seems unlike Langford, but apparently he saw that I was upset. I cried all over his clothing while he vowed to protect me. Then he spoiled everything by trying to kiss me. What a hypocrite.”
Emmeline sighed. “The fool. I’m sorry your first ball didn’t go perfectly. And as for Langford, heisbehaving unlike himself, now and last year—not at all like the Langford I used to know. I will hope he may yet come to his senses and improve.” Emmeline hugged her. “I’ll leave you to get some sleep. The good news is, we get to do all this again tomorrow. It’s sure to be better.”
Lilly closed her eyes, trying to sleep, but every time she did, the Duke of Westport’s face and Langford’s face flashed back and forth; she had to pop her eyes open to make the visions disappear. Struggling to keep her eyes wide open, she wondered if one could sleep that way.
*
As Lilly madeher way to the morning room for breakfast, the sun shone in through the windows, putting a smile on her face. They’d had nothing but cold and rainy weather since the year began. If the weather held, perhaps they could take a ride in Hyde Park later in the day.
She fixed a plate with coddled eggs, sausages, and toast. With the help of a footman, she sat down at the empty table. Immediately, a hot cup of chocolate was placed in front of her. No sooner did she wonder what was taking Aunt Vivian and Emmeline so long to rise than they both entered the room. Aunt Vivian was chatting about last night’s ball, and Emmeline was smiling, making Lilly wonder what had made her cousin so happy this morning.
“Did you stop in the hall and see the flowers on the entry table?” Emmeline queried as she fixed a plate.
“I went through, but I never looked around. My stomach was growling something fierce, and all I could think about was eating. Why?”
“There are several bouquets of flowers and cards on the table. Blackstone sent me beautiful white roses with a card. He’s coming during afternoon tea.” She looked at Lilly and smiled. “There are also yellow roses and a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers, both cards addressed to you.” Emmeline produced the cards. “This is the roses card. Open it first.” Her eyes were wide with excitement.
Taking the card from Emmeline with trembling hands, she was afraid to find out who the roses were from—probably from the debauched duke. She broke the seal but didn’t recognize it, not that she would recognize any seal but the Langford one. Reading the card, her brows drew together as she tried to put a face to the name. “It’s from the Marquess of Hollingsworth.” She’d been introduced to several gentlemen last evening, but none were memorable other than the Dukes of Westport and Blackstone. “He will be calling on me today. Did I meet him?”
Emmeline and her mother exchanged looks. “He was in attendance last evening. You weren’t introduced to him, but obviously, you caught his eye,” Emmeline said. “He is thirty-five, most handsome, wealthy, and well-liked. His father recently passed, and he has inherited the title. I remember him well from my very first Season. All the debutantes vied for his affections. He stayed far away from them. I can only surmise he is hunting for a bride and an heir now that he’s inherited his father’s title and estates.” She paused and frowned. “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention there were rumors about him several years back. But the details are unknown to me and nothing came of it. At least, I don’t think so.”
“But why should he call on me?”
“Besides the fact you are beautiful?” Aunt Vivian added to the conversation.
“I suppose.” She broke the seal on the second card. A seal she knew well this time. Her insides shivered.
My Dearest Lilly,
Please forgive me for last night. There are no excuses for my behavior. I will call upon you today to discuss a list of suitable gentlemen seeking brides. I think it’s for the best.
Your Humble Servant,
Langford
“The pompous man,” she said out loud with a huff. “It’s from Langford. He’s calling on me today to discuss possible husbands for me. Does he think he can just marry me off?”
“No, my dear, of course you are entitled to your own choice,” Aunt Vivian’s soft, placating voice resonated in the modest room. “I’m quite convinced he means well. As his uncle’s widow, he feels responsible for you. You are still so very young. I’m sure he means to advise you so you aren’t taken advantage of by a fortune hunter or a man unworthy of you. He’s doing his duty to his uncle.”
“There’s no need. I can take care of myself. Make choices for myself.”
“This is your real first time in Society. I’m appalled to say there are members of theton—gentlemen and ladies both—who would have no scruples in ruining you or taking advantage of your naïve, young self.”
