Page 18 of Loving an Earl
“I have both of you,” Lilly contradicted.
“Yes. You have us. But even ladies with protective families have fallen.”
“Enough, Mama,” Emmeline said. “She is a widow, and you know the rules are relaxed for her. Besides, I will be with her at all times. And Lilly is smart. Her father and Henry taught her well, as have we.”
Chapter Seven
Daisy helped Lillyprepare for her afternoon visitors. Lilly chose a pretty, soft-blue muslin day dress with matching slippers and wrap, should she get chilled. Daisy prepared her hair in a simple coil with several wisps dangling on either side of her face to soften the look. Knowing she wouldn’t get any more presentable, she went down the stairs to the drawing room to find Emmeline and Aunt Vivian sitting and awaiting the day’s callers. Lilly sat beside Emmeline on the dark-blue settee, which perfectly complemented her dress. Emmeline wore a lovely shade of pink, and Aunt Vivian wore deep green and a fashionable turban in the same shade.
“I’m nervous,” Lilly said to them as she adjusted her skirts and then clasped her hands together on her lap. “I’ve never received visitors, unless you count when I received friends and villagers to my father’s house or Henry’s. This is different.” So very different. She had never been so nervous in all her life. Well, excluding her wedding night. Or perhaps when she met Edmund for the first time...
The butler, Harrison, entered the room and announced, “His Grace, the Duke of Blackstone. The Earl of Langford.” After the formalities and greetings were concluded, the gentlemen sat in two of three chairs facing the settee. Aunt Vivian sat in a chair next to the settee.
Lilly didn’t know how she felt seeing Langford today after crying all over him and his near kiss at the Westport ball. She would admit, though, he looked handsome in his dark-brown riding clothes. Her fingers fluttered to her lips and her cheeks warmed as she thought about their almost kiss. Her eyes glanced at him and she found him staring at her intently. His expression was unreadable. Immediately she lowered her gaze and her traitorous heart beat a fast staccato.
“Did you like the flowers I sent?” Langford asked her as he tugged on his cravat.
Was he nervous? “Yes. I love wildflowers. I used to pick them all the time in the fields near Langford Manor.”
“Indeed. They are plentiful there. Do you miss Kent?”
Her heart pained at thinking about growing up there. “Yes. I spent my entire life there until Henry died. I can’t help but miss it.”
“I’m sorry. You can stay at Langford Manor, you know. I will be living in London for the most part, now that I have the estate business in hand. You can have the manor all to yourself if you’d like.”
Tears pooled in her eyes, and she blinked them away. Why was he being nice to her? “Thank you. It is good to know I can visit at any time.”
The tea tray arrived, and thankfully, Aunt Vivian offered to serve. Lilly didn’t think her fingers would work. She could hardly take the cup and saucer handed to her without them clattering. Instead of risking drinking her tea, she placed it on the low table in front of her with more clattering. Lilly sat perched on the edge of the settee, mindful of her posture, and nibbled on a sweet biscuit, hoping someone would speak so she wouldn’t have to continue conversing with Langford. She wasn’t used to him being kind or thoughtful and it was unsettling to her.
“How lovely you look today, Mrs. Fitzpatrick,” said Blackstone as he sipped his tea. The cup was swallowed by his large hands.
“Thank you, Your Grace. The weather is warm today. We are going to take a ride in Hyde Park later.”
“Langford and I were just discussing that on our way here. Our horses could use the exercise.” He nodded his head and smiled. “Perhaps we will see you.”
His gaze shifted and lingered a moment on Emmeline. How Blackstone looked at Emmeline with his haunting green eyes almost had Lilly swooning. Except they were haunting in a sad and vulnerable way. What must Emmeline be thinking and feeling? She glanced at her to find Emmeline studying the duke.
The butler returned and announced, “The Marquess of Hollingsworth.”
As greetings and, in her case, introductions were made, she studied the newly arrived gentleman. Emmeline had spoken truthfully when she said he was handsome. He stood tall, filling out his brown and tan riding clothes quite well. He had chestnut, wavy hair and kind, chocolate-brown eyes. When he took Lilly’s hand and bowed, his smile was devastating. She had the feeling many ladies had swooned when they’d found themselves the recipient of that smile. She could see at a glance he was the very definition of a rakehell, and she had best lock up her heart.
Hollingsworth sat, his hat dangling from one hand. “It’s nice to see you, Blackstone, Langford. Congratulations to you both on your inheritance. But also condolences on your losses. It’s been a long time since you both graced London with your presence. Do I understand you are back to stay?”
“Yes.” Blackstone also held his hat. “I won’t be sailing off to the West Indies or anywhere else.”
“Neither will I,” Langford added. “Caldwell will handle most of the traveling. Although Blackstone and I will spend plenty of time at our warehouse, no doubt.”
“You three have a gold mine in that company of yours. Too bad I didn’t have the foresight to have invested with you.”
Did the Marquess’s words mean he was short on coin? Was that why he was calling on her? Did he need to marry a wealthy woman, such as herself, or a debutante with a large dowry because his coffers were empty? Lilly hoped not because, honestly, he intrigued her, rakehell or not.
Although he had no knowledge of her trust from Henry. Nobody did but her and Mr. Beauregard. Not even Langford knew. So technically, as far as anyone knew, the only money she had came from the earldom. She was not a rich woman in her own right. He could not need to marry for funds if he was calling on her.
After the proper visiting time was over, Lilly found herself sad when all three gentlemen bid farewell. Langford never broached the subject of a husband for her, thankfully. After their conversation when he’d first arrived, he became quiet and serious for the remainer of his visit. But she knew it was only putting off the inevitable.
“My, the marquess certainly is a handsome devil,” Aunt Vivian said with a blush. “If only I were twenty years younger.”
“Mama!” Emmeline gasped. “What a thing to say.”
