Page 27 of Loving an Earl
“Great.” Edmund stepped out of the carriage. “He brought reinforcements. No doubt telling his sister to befriend Lilly and gush about how wonderful her brother is. Hopefully, Lilly will remember what I told her about him. I’d hate to have to divulge his dark secret.”
“Me too, if I were Hollingsworth.”
“It’s a good thing you aren’t. Let’s go in and find seats. With any luck, there will be open seats near Lilly and Emmeline.”
*
Aunt Vivian hadbegged off tonight’s musicale, so Emmeline and Lilly came alone. They took seats halfway between the first and last rows. The row was unoccupied but for them. It only lasted for a moment. Lilly wasn’t at all surprised when Langford and Blackstone asked to join them. Blackstone sat on Emmeline’s right, and Lilly sat next to Emmeline with Langford on her left. To everyone there, they would resemble two couples. All part of their plan, no doubt. She wanted Emmeline to be with Blackstone—they loved each other. But did she want to sit next to Langford? Without thinking, she’d brought her gloved hand to her lips and relived their intense kiss. Of course, he would think she favored his company. After all, she had let him kiss her this afternoon. He would think she wanted him.
Oh dear, what a pickle. She did want him. But did she reallywanttowanthim? She was becoming indecisive where he was concerned.
The Burlington girls’ musical talents grated on Lilly’s nerves almost as much as Langford’s presence did, if only because she was annoyed with herself with regard to him and the feelings he provoked in her. He occasionally leaned toward her, whispering something or another. But she didn’t hear a word he said as her ears continued to be pummeled by the sounds of bad violin and pianoforte playing, along with the pounding of her heart because of his close proximity. Reliving their kiss from that afternoon had caused her entire body to warm. She didn’t want to think about it. But it was difficult with him sitting and breathing so close to her with his scent wafting her way. She’d believed it to be musk previously, but it was sandalwood, if she weren’t mistaken, and it was pulling her in. She wanted to lean close to him and inhale his potent essence. How mortifying.
She refused to glance his way, her eyes centered on the girls—young ladies, really. One had to be her age, and Lilly remembered seeing her at the Westport ball. Perhaps Langford would be interested in her? Hollingsworth sat across the aisle from her and tried several times to get her attention. Lilly politely ignored him, if one could ignore politely. If what Langford told her today was true, she didn’t want to get drawn into his life. She refused to be used as a pawn in the disagreement between him and his mother. Nor would she ever want a mother-in-law such as that. She would make her thoughts and feelings known to him at some point tonight and put an end to it.
When the musicale finally ended, the young ladies bowed to enthusiastic applause, most likely due to its conclusion and not the talent of the players. Most of the guests mingled through several rooms getting refreshments. Lilly and Emmeline were no different, only she was exasperated that Langford stuck to her like an unwanted piece of lint.
“Care for some punch?” Langford asked. “I can’t guarantee you it tastes good.” He dipped the ladle and poured two small cups. “It looks rather watery.”
“Thank you.” She took the cup he offered. “It looks fine.” Though taking a sip, she had to agree with him. It was watery and tasteless. “Perhaps the biscuits will be better,” she remarked. Langford handed one to Lilly. She took a small nibble and shook her head. “Stale already. Too bad, they are my favorite.” Feeling his eyes on her, she looked at him and frowned. “You don’t have to stay by my side. I’m perfectly capable of keeping myself safe around Hollingsworth. In fact, here he is.”
“Lady Langford.” Hollingsworth bowed, taking her hand in his and brushing her gloved hand with his lips. “It is lovely to see you this evening. Perhaps we could have a private word?” His head swung to Langford. “If your guard will allow it?”
Hollingsworth was forced to take a step back as Langford moved in front of Lilly as though he were her great protector. She placed her hand on his arm. “Langford,” she said in her sternest voice, one she’d never heard herself use before. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like a word with Hollingswoth, and I believe Blackstone is trying to get your attention.”
Lilly moved around Langford, took Hollingsworth’s offered arm, and strolled with him back into the musicale room, where they were afforded some privacy with only several other guests milling about. She waited for him to speak. For the first time in her presence, he appeared uncomfortable and tense.
“What has Langford told you about me?”
His words surprised her. She didn’t expect him to come right out and ask. But he deserved the truth. “Something on the lines that your mother wants you to marry Lady Priscilla Amesbury.”
He visibly cringed. Did he dislike Lady Priscilla that much? “That is true. But the decision of whom I marry is mine and mine alone. My mother’s wishes don’t factor into it.”
“I’ve been told you need to marry posthaste. If you don’t, your mother is the type to force the situation by using subterfuge.”
He chuckled. The sound was deep and held not a speck of amusement. “You are correct. Langford has good spies. Nonetheless, you are your own woman and can make your own decisions.” He took both her hands into his and stared into her eyes. His were pleading with her, desperate in their intensity. She truly felt bad for him. But not enough to marry him. “I want to marry you. Please say yes.” His words were whispered and she shivered because of how they were said, as if his very life depended on her answer. And then he added. “I know we have only just met, but I ascertain we will suit perfectly. You will never want for anything and have the freedom to do as you choose. I would never try to control you.”
“Langford also said if I allowed you to keep pursuing me, he would divulge certain secrets of yours to me.” She pulled her hands from his and instantly his eyes darkened and became guarded. So he truly had secrets. “I’m terribly sorry, but I must refuse.”
He bowed, his expression one of rejection and something else. Possibly wariness. “I hope you find the man you are looking for.”
With his parting words, he left Lilly, her insides hollow and her eyes stinging with sadness for the marquess. Somehow she would force Langford to share his secret with her. Even though she was confident she’d made the right decision regarding Hollingsworth, she wanted to know what put that guarded and haunted look in his eyes.
That eventual conversation notwithstanding, she needed to stay away from Langford as much as possible. He was also not the gentleman for her even if she wanted him at times. She had several years before she would be considered past her prime. And she had no mother or father breathing down her back. However, her heart pained at the thought. She would give anything to have both her parents still alive.
In any case, it wasn’t imperative that she marry anytime soon. No need to settle on a gentleman until she knew she loved him and he loved her in return.
Seeing Emmeline standing with Blackstone in the refreshments room had her making her way to their side.
“I surmise you turned Hollingsworth’s offer down. He left rather abruptly, looking distraught,” Emmeline said softly for their ears only.
“Yes. I can’t marry a man I hardly know or love. Nor is there any hurry to marry. I’m still young.” She glimpsed the sadness in her friend’s eyes and knew she’d said the wrong thing about being young. Wisely, Blackstone kept his eyes averted and pretended not to hear.
As the guests started leaving, Blackstone said, “May I escort you lovely ladies to your carriage?”
Lilly had to swallow the words she wanted to ask Blackstone before they escaped her lips. She wanted to ask where Langford was. But it was none of her business, and the more he stayed far away from her the better.
Emmeline took his offered arm. “Thank you.” After stopping at the door and retrieving their cloaks and Blackstone’s cape and hat, they went down the stairs and to their waiting coach.
