The Debutante Is Mine (16 page)

Before the music ended, he slipped into the hall and looked for a helpful footman to bring him another glass of kirsch.

W
hen the final vibration of the glissando drifted off, the assembly stayed quiet. Lilah did not even hear a rustle of fabric or throat clearing. Facing the harp and far wall as she was, the guests were seated to her left, but she hesitated to turn her head to address them. Having never performed for anyone other than family, she wondered suddenly if her skill on the harp was lacking. Or perhaps the piece of music she’d played was not in fashion. Nevertheless, she had enjoyed herself immensely.

Standing up from the stool, she turned to the audience, her gaze dropping to the floor as she curtsied. And then it began. The hush abruptly transformed into applause. She rose. Lifting her gaze, she saw the shocked and pleased expressions greeting her. Then several people began to move toward her, congratulating and complimenting her.

She even heard Aunt Zinnia and Mrs. Harwick nearby, telling of how Lilah had always been an excellent harpist but was too modest to play frequently in society. The truth was much simpler—she’d never had the opportunity. However, for the sake of becoming the Season’s
Original
, it would behoove Lilah to say that it was modesty alone. Society loved modesty. This comment curled her lips in a wry smile, and she imagined Jack would be smirking at the superfluous attention. Unfortunately, as she scanned the faces in the room, she noted that one in particular was missing.

Piper, who had introduced her before she played, came up to her now and embraced her. “You were simply angelic. I believe the entire room was transported to a cloud in heaven while you played.”

“Well done, Cousin,” Juliet said, now standing beside her. They shared a look between them, knowing that this was a step in the right direction.

Ellery made his way through the admirers and grinned broadly. “Miss Appleton, my admiration for your accomplishments grows day by day. No, I must correct myself and state firmly that my admiration grows moment by moment.”

Lilah returned his smile, though perhaps not with as much enthusiasm. “You are too kind, Ellery.”

“I am going to be away for the next few days, but when I return”—he took one step closer and lowered his voice—“I hope you would consider dining with my parents. They are both eager to make your acquaintance.”

Lilah didn’t know why, but she felt a sudden bout of tears threaten. And not tears of joy. A swift stinging pressure built up behind her eyes, and she had to blink rapidly to keep them at bay. “That sounds lovely.” She bobbed a curtsy. “If you will forgive me, I should like to take a breath of air.”

“I could escort you.”

“No. No. That is not necessary,” she said hurriedly, turning toward a side door.

Piper followed close behind. “Are you unwell, Lilah?”

The concern in her tone nearly caused a flood to break free. With the crook of her finger, she dabbed at the corner of her eye. “I feel rather foolish for leaving in such a rush. The attention was a little . . . overwhelming.”

Lilah just needed a moment to gather her composure. This was all happening so suddenly. Two weeks ago, she was practically invisible, completely forgettable, and worried all the time. Now that her hopes were coming to fruition, why weren’t her anxieties lessening?

“I know just what you need—the Serenity Room. It’s a place where Mother and Father go to . . . well, keep their sanity, I suppose.” Piper laughed, linking arms with Lilah and guiding her down the corridor. “It’s quiet, and there is a lovely view of the garden. Since the moon is out this evening, you should be able to see the reflecting pool.”

An instant later, however, Lark rushed up behind them. “Forgive me, Lilah, but Mother has requested Piper’s presence in the drawing room. The Creightons are leaving, and Mother wants us present to bid them farewell.”

Lilah began to turn back, but Piper stopped her. “This should only take a moment. The room is just up ahead. The second door on the left.”

If Lilah hadn’t needed a moment to gather her thoughts, she likely would have turned back regardless. But the Serenity Room sounded exactly what she needed. She left her new friends and soon found herself at the door.

Stepping inside the dark room, she instantly saw a figure standing at the window, looking out into the garden. “Oh! Forgive me. I did not mean to intrude.”

“Lilah?”

Backing out into the hall, she stopped suddenly. “Jack?”

It was certainly his voice, and now that she looked closer, it was clearly his form. She could tell from his distinctive stance, even though he seemed to be listing to one side at the moment.

“Come here,” he ordered softly, lifting a hand toward her, even as he turned back toward the window. “You would like this view. I imagine there are hundreds of spiders out there, spinning their webs on a clear night such as this.”

Lilah looked over her shoulder at the empty corridor. It would be unseemly to enter the room, knowing that Jack was there. Yet if she stayed only a moment, perhaps she could leave before Piper returned, and no one would be the wiser. Besides, she did want to see the moonlit view from the window.

On a breath, she stepped into the small room, closing the door behind her. That way, if anyone should happen by, no one would make the wrong assumptions. With each step across the room, her slippers sunk into the plush carpet. The dim light outlined the shape of an overstuffed chair and long, sumptuous sofa. There was a table as well and a white stone hearth in the corner but not much else. This room likely served one single purpose: quietude.

She stood beside Jack with little space between them, he staring out one side of the window, and she the other. Somehow, their hands caught and intertwined. She wasn’t certain if she had moved or if he had, but she felt all of her anxiety evaporate from that one simple touch.

Still, she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Did you leave the Corbett Ball to go to that other woman—the one you mentioned the night we were in the garden? Have you spent these days apart with . . . her?”

He chuckled, his hand tightening around hers. “No. Nor with any other woman. And yet while I have remained
ever faithful
, you have been entertaining gentlemen in your parlor.”

“Your tone makes calling hours sound indecent,” she chided, trying to hide the pleasure his admission gave her. Even though his tone was more mocking than reverent, she knew he would not lie to her. He valued honesty. Therefore, she was honest with him. “I would have been
at home
to you.”

“I don’t think Lady Granworth or Lady Cosgrove would have approved.”

Likely not. “Juliet believes you look at me with a primitive sort of possessiveness. Of course, if that were true, then you would have listened to me play. Why didn’t you?”

“I did. I listened, fell under your spell, and then . . . ” He exhaled, the scent sweet like cherry cordial and wine, which made perfect sense because he had been drinking quite a bit tonight.

She faced him, and in the moonlight, she saw his gaze locked on hers. His vulnerability couldn’t hide. “And then?”

He tugged her closer, causing her to trip over her own feet and fall against him. His hands curved around her arms, holding her, keeping her secure. “Forget Ellery. He can’t have you.”

“Jack, you know it is not my choice,” she said, feeling those tears threaten again.

Jack lifted his hands to cup her face. “You’re mine, Lilah. Ask Vale. He knows. He sent me to you.” He nodded as if agreeing with himself. “You’re my Christmas present.”

Clearly, he was drunk, but still her heart yearned for more of these tender words, more of his thumb’s caress against her lips. “It is nearly the end of March, Jack.”

He blinked slowly and grinned. “Mmm . . . then it’s high time I opened the wrapping. It would be rude to wait any longer.”

She started to laugh until he leaned in closer, forcing her to place her hands against his chest. “In case you have forgotten, we are in your father’s house.”

“He won’t mind. He wants me to be happy, damn him.” He started nibbling at the corner of her mouth, along her jaw to the little indentation near her ear. “Don’t
you
want me to be happy?”

She closed her eyes and felt her body bend toward his, her resistance fading swiftly. There was something about being in Jack’s arms that felt too right to ignore. “Of course, but I do not . . . ”

“Because I want you to be happy. And
oh
, there are things I can do that would make you very happy, my Lilah,” he said against her throat, tasting the flesh over her pulse. “Mmm . . . I can taste your curiosity right here. Your heart is beating so fast. So eager. Do you want me to show you?”

Yes, please
. “You’ve had too much to drink. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

She was feeling a little drunk herself. Little wonder, with his intoxicating kisses over her flesh. It took every ounce of decorum within her to keep her from giving in to temptation and twining her arms around his neck. As it was, her grasp on his lapels was likely holding him closer, rather than pushing him away.

He chuckled, sliding his hands down her back and lifting her hips against his. “I know what I’m doing. I’m very . . .
accomplished
.”

Her head fell back as he opened his mouth over her throat. “I must marry another man.”

“Lilah!”
Juliet gasped from the doorway, the light from the hall spilling into the room.

Abruptly, Lilah pushed herself out of Jack’s grasp, which was actually so easily done that she was rather embarrassed that she hadn’t put any effort into it before. “It isn’t what you think. Well . . . I mean . . . it is . . . but I didn’t plan to be alone with Jack.”

“The door was closed.”

“Yes,” Lilah explained. “Because I didn’t want it to look like we were . . .
Bother
. I suppose it looks that way after all.”

“It does, indeed,” Juliet said as she stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. “And Mr. Marlowe, I asked you to refrain from bringing scandal to my cousin, and you agreed. Now, there are dozens of people headed this way to see the view of the garden from this window.”

“What?” Lilah’s heart stopped.

“With the family detained by farewells, the housekeeper is leading a tour. It is a good thing I wanted to bring your gloves to you and that Lady Piper mentioned that you were in here, Lilah. Alone.” Juliet frowned, wringing the gloves in her grasp. “Doubtless, someone noticed that I walked the corridor unaccompanied. Therefore, none of the guests would believe that the two of you merely happened upon this place by accident. You understand what ruination is, don’t you, Mr. Marlowe?”

Lilah felt the ground sway beneath her feet. If she were ruined, she would never become the
Original
. Ellery would not marry her. Nor would any other nobleman. She would be at Winthrop’s mercy. And Juliet would lose her wager, not to mention her house. Mother would likely disown her. The disgrace would taint Aunt Zinnia’s standing amongst the
ton
. And a scandal was no way to repay the woman who’d offered her a home.

Beside her, Jack straightened, seeming more sober than he had been a moment ago. “I’ll climb out the window. No one will know.”

That was true enough. After all, Piper knew that Lilah was here but not Jack. Still . . . “No. You could get hurt. I could not bear it,” she whispered to him.

He looked at her, saying nothing, but his eyes were clearer now. Then he turned the latch of the window, swung it inward, and threw a leg over the edge as if he were mounting a horse. “I apologize,” he said at last, before slipping down to the ground.

When Lilah turned around, she saw that Juliet was no longer the only one standing in the doorway. Lord Thayne was there as well. And the collective voices of a dozen other people followed close behind.

“Max,” Juliet said, beseeching him with a hand on his arm. “Please. Do not speak of this. Do not let this ruin Lilah’s life, as it did mine all those years ago.”

He stared at Juliet for a moment, his expression grim. Everyone in the room knew that he had the power to both ruin Lilah and to make Juliet lose any chance of regaining her house. But for the first time, an emotion other than loathing crossed his face as he gazed at Juliet.

Lilah wondered if a kissing scandal and animosity were the only things between them or if there was more. Though whatever it might be, she regretted that in asking Thayne for help, Juliet was sacrificing some of her pride in return.

“Close the window, Miss Appleton, and fix your hair.” Then he returned to the corridor. “Did anyone bring a lamp? Because it’s dreadfully dark in there. I believe we’ve missed the moon’s reflection on the pool already.”

His distraction gave Lilah and Juliet just enough time to recover. At least on the surface.

The true damage had yet to be determined.

L
ilah sat on her vanity stool, seeing the bright eyes and rosy cheeks of her other self in the looking glass. She sighed, worried about the cause. “Nellie, have you ever been in love?”

“Aye, miss,” her maid answered with a wan smile, seemingly distracted while she brushed the length of Lilah’s hair. “He works on a farm, not far from your father’s manor house.”

Lilah never knew this about Nellie. Then again, she’d learned a lot about her maid in the past week or more. As Lilah had grown more confident, Nellie had too. It was as if Lilah’s worrying nature had been related to her maid’s nervousness. Now, after having put more faith in Nellie’s abilities, her maid was transforming as well. Although Lilah suspected that Nellie had had a self-assured nature before she’d worked for Lilah’s father.

“How did you meet him?” Lilah asked, curious about Nellie’s secret life.

“Occasionally, the cook would send me there to collect a cup of fresh milk. But once when Joseph—I mean, Mr. Shalley—wasn’t busy, he showed me how to milk the cow myself and welcomed me to return whenever I wanted. Then he started walking me to chapel, and we’d spend our half-day Sundays together.”

“Was this Mr. Shalley tender toward you? Kind?” In the mirror, Lilah watched her maid blush.

“Aye.” There was a wealth of meaning in that single syllable.

A fresh understanding crept over Lilah, causing her to blush as well. “Do you ever regret falling in love with him?”

Nellie shook her head. “Not once.”

Lilah’s thoughts drifted off to last night as Nellie pinned her hair. Falling in love with Jack would be terribly inconvenient.

Before long, Juliet entered the room. Their gazes met in the mirror, a shared secret between them. They had not spoken of last night, neither the compromising situation in which Juliet had found her nor the fact that, because of Lilah, Juliet was now indebted to Thayne.

And it was Lilah’s fault.

Once again, when in Jack’s presence, Lilah had forgotten to worry about the worst thing that could happen.

Juliet lifted a copy of this morning’s
Standard
into view.
“ ‘Our fascination with Miss A— increased after last night’s performance at the Earl of D—’s soiree. She is certainly one to follow.’ ”
She placed it on the vanity and patted Lilah’s shoulder. “This all but assures your success. It is good news . . . on many levels.”

Yes. It meant that no one had learned of her transgression. And also that no one was paying much attention to the rumors regarding Winthrop. At least, not yet.

Lilah glanced down at the page, skimming the lines to be certain. That was when she saw a mention of Jack.

“In a great disappointment to many curiosity seekers, our Mr. M— made a rather poor showing. Now, one must wonder at the reason M— has ventured into society at all.”

“W
hat the devil were you thinking last night? Alone in a room with an unmarried woman of society? Marlowe, even you know the risks.” Thayne’s shouts could have been heard in Scotland, and with all his stomping around, the floor of Jack’s study would soon splinter. “There’s no telling what Juliet witnessed.”

“Hardly anything,” Jack murmured. Even though he wasn’t entirely sure what he’d been doing at that precise moment, he knew that it couldn’t have been too bad. Certainly not as bad as what he’d wanted to do.

“I do not want to know. Please tell me naught!” Thayne sliced his hand through the air in a cutting motion, likely meant to intimidate. “I’ll never forget the way Juliet looked at me. She was so . . . haunted and lost. Then, because of you, she was obliged to ask me for help.
Me
, Jack! Do you know what that must have cost her? And what aiding her has cost me?”

Jack had an idea. He also found it interesting that suddenly
Lady Granworth
had become
Juliet
to Thayne for the first time in years. Because of last night, Thayne and Lady Granworth’s past scandal must have bubbled to the surface for them. However, if Jack’s own imbecility had caused Lilah’s ruin, then unlike Thayne and Juliet, Jack never would have let her out of his sight until they were wed. Damn the consequences and damn her father’s will. If Jack had to get Lilah with child for their marriage to have validity, so be it. And if he had to imprison her mother in the same house with them so that she could not disown her daughter, then so be it as well.

At least, that had been the plan he’d formed in his liquor-soaked brain. This morning, however, that
brilliant
brain of his had formed factions—half armed with lances of fire and half with shards of ice. Thoughts were difficult to pinpoint in the ensuing melee.

Jack remembered bits and pieces of last night: a strange conversation with Dovermere, wanting to kill Ellery, and seeing Lilah’s face in the moonlight. Her bed-curtain lashes had closed as he’d held her in his arms. Then, they’d sprung open in shock when Juliet had entered the room to find them alone.

Jack pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut. Even though he was not a drinker by nature, he still knew how to hold his liquor. But perhaps he shouldn’t have attempted to hold so much of it. “Think of it this way—now that you have done a favor for Juliet, she owes you a favor in return. This might be the favor that ensures Wolford’s victory.”

“Ha! Have you even bothered to read this morning’s
Standard
? The column states that Miss Appleton is
one to follow
. With the end of the month at hand, Wolford’s refusal to be shepherded, and the
Original
sure to be announced, I have little hope of being the victor.”

Jack would have shrugged, but he discovered that sitting perfectly still at his desk while carefully holding his face in his hands was the only thing keeping him from becoming ill. “If you leave now, I will make sure that Wolford attends whatever event you have scheduled for this evening.”

“Why do you think you’ll be able when I have failed?”

“Because Wolford would find it amusing if I went with him.”

“Hmm . . . ” Thayne’s pacing steps halted near the corner of Jack’s desk. “After last night, if there is one person who can make Wolford look good by comparison, it is you.”

W
ith Aunt Zinnia visiting Mrs. Harwick, and with Juliet at her solicitor’s office, Lilah indulged in a moment of solitude. She played the harp, allowed Nellie to experiment with her hair, and then strolled into the garden to check her azaleas. The buds were the size of her thumb, a beautiful dark-rose color. They would start to bloom any day now. She hoped when they did, she could tell Jack about them. Or perhaps he would come to see her.

Distracted by this happy thought, she entered the townhouse through the garden door and paid no attention to the sound of knocking down the hall until Mr. Wick opened the front door, and in stepped a familiar face.

Then, before Lilah could even say Ivy’s name, the Duchess of Vale rushed through the foyer, down the hall, and embraced her. Lilah hugged her back, more than delighted by the surprise. “Ivy, when did you return?”

“Only this morning. North is seeing that his aunt is settled, and I—well, I could not wait to see you.” Ivy beamed, her winter-blue eyes shining gaily.

“You have always been impulsive.” Lilah laughed. Her dearest friend couldn’t have returned at a better time. Right now, she needed some advice. “I thought becoming a duchess might have cured you of it.”

“Never,” Ivy said with feigned severity before she laughed as well. “Thankfully, North understands my nature. Sometimes he is rather impulsive too.”

Together, they walked back toward the parlor. On the way, Ivy untied her hat, revealing a twist of white-blonde hair, before leaving her hat and gloves on the foyer table. After asking Myrtle to bring a tea tray, they stepped into the parlor.

“I have heard that you are taking the
ton
by storm,” Ivy said. “How could I have stayed away for an instant longer?”

“Since when do you believe overblown rumors?” Lilah shooed her friend with a wave of her fingers toward the settee. “As you see, I am still very much as I always was.”

“No. That is not true at all. You are much changed, and I am not merely speaking of your appearance. Granted, I am surprised. I recall many mentions of a ‘vast forehead,’ and yet all I see is a lovely expanse of creamy skin. You have a heart-shaped face, Lilah. I have known you all my life. How could I not have noticed this?”

“I took great care to conceal it.” Until recently, she’d never had the courage to try anything different. She was already growing accustomed to it. Sometimes when she looked in the mirror, she even forgot what she’d looked like before.

“Yes, I recall your creative fringes over the years and constant wearing of bonnets. I also remember, quite clearly, what your mother would say. Yet in all the years I had asked you to experiment with a new style, you refused.”

Ivy’s speculative frown forced Lilah to explain the truth. In the next few minutes, she summed up the bargain between Juliet and the Marquess of Thayne and the reasons for inserting herself into their conflict.

Ivy reached across the settee and squeezed Lilah’s hand, a poignant smile on her lips. “You were always the bravest person I knew.”

Instantly, Lilah dismissed the claim. “Brave? You were the one forever finding yourself in danger.”

“And how dangerous was coming home with a dirty pinafore when the worst I had to bear from my mother and father was a tsk and a kiss on my forehead?” She shook her head. “It was nothing compared with what you and Jasper faced each day. That is what made you brave. You never ran away, although I remember encouraging a gypsy tour at one time or another.”

Lilah gave a watery laugh, only now realizing the tears clogging her throat. She sniffed. “I believe you packed a satchel for me each summer for nearly five years.”

“Very true,” Ivy agreed. “But I must say that there is something else about you as well. You have a certain confidence about you. Your cheeks have color and your mouth . . . This is strange to admit, but I do not think I ever noticed it before. Have your lips always been so red and plump?”

Lilah felt her cheeks flush with warmth.

Ivy sat forward, making Lilah wonder if she could see too much. “And now you are blushing, and my curiosity is piqued. Could it be that you have fallen in love?”

“Ivy, you are completely incorrigible,” Lilah said on a breath. “How could I possibly be in love with someone when the Season has only just begun?”

“It took less than a week for me to fall in love. Less than a minute, actually.” For years, Ivy had been in love with Jasper, but after he’d broken her heart, she’d abandoned any idea of love. At least, until she’d met the Duke of Vale this past Christmas, and his
Marriage Formula
had brought them together.

“Yes, but you had the
Marriage Formula
to aid you.”

Ivy glanced away. “Well . . . not entirely.”

“What do you mean?” Lilah asked, grateful for the change in conversation.

“Tut tut.” Ivy waggled her finger. “Now is not the time for that. Instead, I want to hear about the man who has stolen your heart and brought such color to your cheeks.”

She should have known better. Ivy was rather tenacious when she wanted to be.

Lilah glanced toward the open door to make sure Myrtle hadn’t returned with the tea tray yet. “I’m not entirely sure he has stolen my heart.”

Ivy pivoted toward her, eagerness in her wide grin. “So it
is
that you are in love—or at least think you might be. I knew it. You have a glow about you that I have never seen.”

“Perhaps you are seeing the effects of cleverly applied cosmetics. Juliet knows many secrets of beauty.”

“I have no doubt of it, but no. I am not going to be dissuaded. I have heard rumors that a certain gentleman has shown you favor. Tell me, are you in love with Viscount Ellery?”

“Ellery?” Lilah balked. “I do not know him well enough. He has come to call here three times, and once, we went on a carriage ride with the elder two daughters of the Earl of Dovermere. We spoke of Surrey but nothing of consequence.”

Ivy frowned and tilted her head in puzzlement. “I’ve read only one name from your letters. If it is not Ellery, then who could it be? What is his title?”

Lilah drew in a breath. She would never think of admitting this aloud to any other person, but Ivy was the only person who might understand. And the only person who could guide her in what to do from here. “Jack does not have a title.”

“Oh,
Jack
, is it? You are using his Christian name?” Ivy lifted a pale brow. “It must be quite serious.”

Lilah didn’t want to go into depth about their kisses or their meeting in the Serenity Room. Therefore, she censored her response. “Not too serious. After all, without a title, we cannot marry.”

Ivy’s mouth dropped open for an instant before she collected herself and then grinned madly. “You have thought of marrying him?”

Lilah gulped. Those were only passing thoughts, simple wishes that, if she had the power to choose her own fate, she would want a man just like him. Or not
another
man like him, but him. Only him. As the realization dawned, she slowly nodded. “But it would be foolish—disastrous, even—to fall in love with him.”

“My dear,” Ivy began, her face a mask of severity hiding the smallest of grins, “I would wager that you already are.”