Devil Disguised (12 page)

“How dare you!” Charlotte’s voice rose and then was lowered again. “He will ruin you and break your heart.”

Lily stared directly into the other woman’s eyes. “Only if I let him.”

“You cannot handle a man like him. You will remember my warning one day.”

Charlotte turned on her heel and walked out of the store.

Lily took a deep breath and looked down. The fabric she held was now wrinkled, crushed by her angry hold.

She pushed the conversation out of her mind and walked over to the store clerk. She needed some new dresses and would not let her talk with Charlotte ruin her day. She was fitted for two new evening gowns and two new day dresses. She noticed the clock and it was nearly time to meet Duncan. She had spent the entire time in the dress shop.

After arranging to pick up her dresses, she stepped outside. She immediately saw Duncan speaking with a pretty young woman who was with a small child and approached them. She kept a polite distance and waited for them to finish their conversation. Duncan had his back to her as the woman continued to smile and laugh at something he said. The small child the woman held
was tugging on her arm while holding a small red ball with his other hand. The child obviously wanted to go, but the woman was simply engrossed in the conversation. Lily wondered if that is the expression she had on her face when she spoke to the earl, one of fascination and wonder.

Suddenly, the little boy dropped his red ball and it rolled far into the street. He tugged hard and was released from the woman’s grasp as he went into the busy street. Everything seemed to slow down as Lily yelled at the small child and rushed out into the street after him. She pulled him back by his shirt collar and pushed him away from the street, but she saw his eyes focus again on the ball. She stepped sideways to pick up the ball and heard screams. Turning she saw a carriage careening towards her. She froze. She saw the horses as they were yanked back in their reins, their nostrils flaring. Then, she closed her eyes.

She landed on the ground, hard. This was it; she was finally struck down after all the near misses. She waited for more pain, but instead felt someone touching her face.

“Lily!”

She opened her eyes and took in a deep breath.

Duncan was on top of her with concern etched in his features. He eased off of her and looked over her. “Are you all right?”

A crowd had gathered around them and the carriage driver hopped down and ran towards them. The man said, “Are you both all right?”

Duncan keep his eyes on her as he said, “I am fine. Lily?”

She looked down at herself and saw she was still clutching the red ball. She sat up and replied, “I think I am fine.”

Duncan helped her stand and she handed the ball to the little boy. The woman now holding the child had tears in her eyes. “My lady, I am so sorry. Thank you for what you did for my son.”

Lily nodded. The horses made noises and she saw them again in her mind coming at her. She moved quickly back onto the sidewalk.

Duncan took her arm. “We are leaving.”

He guided her into the carriage and sat across from her as the crowd dispersed.

She tried to focus on her surroundings as the carriage moved and Duncan gripped her hands. “Lily, are you truly all right?”

Was she? She shook head. “I could not move. I am not sure why. I froze the other times too. I should be dead.”

Duncan shifted and appeared uncomfortable. “You were very brave saving that child, but I am glad I was able to pull you away.”

Lily nodded and looked at him as something indescribable crossed over his features. He said, “I will send for the doctor when we arrive.”

“No, please. I am sore, that is all.”

She had to focus on something else and was getting uncomfortable under his direct gaze. She had to shift the attention off of her. She said, “I ran into Lady Livingston.”

He tugged his jacket sleeves. “Did you?”

“Yes. We had an interesting discussion. About you.”

“Beg pardon?” He looked at her, his eyes wide.

She shrugged her shoulders and wondered why in Heaven she was bringing this up. Maybe she hit her head. She hesitated and then said, “She warned me to stay away from you. That you are a man who will ruin me and break my heart because only she can satisfy you.”

“What?” Utter disbelief crossed his features before she saw the anger flare in his eyes. He slapped the door of carriage hard and the carriage suddenly stopped. He looked over her, opened the door, and jumped out of the carriage.

Stunned, Lily watched as he paced outside the carriage like an angry lion. He took a deep breath looking up at the sky before reentering the carriage.

Meeting her gaze he said, “Despite my recent actions, I have no intention of ruining you or breaking your heart.” He took a deep breath. “May I ask what you said in reply to her?”

Lily nodded. “I told her that she was delusional, but that will not stop her from wanting you.”

A slight smile spread across his features. “She is delusional. You have surprised me with your honesty so I will admit I am well aware of Lady Livingston’s desire for me. I have encouraged it far more that I should have at times. However, I would appreciate that in the future you do your best to not discuss me with any of my female acquaintances or anyone else for that matter.”

“I will see what I can do.” Lily smiled sweetly at him.

“Thank you.”

They rode the rest of the way back to his home in an uncomfortable silence.

UNCAN WATCHED AS
Lily walked directly to her room. She still refused to see a doctor. He went to the library, poured a brandy, and then sat down at his desk. Taking a deep breath, he was glad he had made it through the day with Lily, even after the usual events of the night before. He stared into his glass, the liquid untouched. He recalled the inhuman effort it took for him to leave her room last night, but when he saw the fear in her eyes, he knew he had to depart despite the protests of his body.

Touching her last night he now knew with near certainty she was a virgin and somehow that made a difference. Despite her seductive actions at dinner and her past engagements, she had never been with a man. The satisfaction and power that knowledge gave him made him surprisingly uneasy. He looked down at his glass and pushed it away from him.

He was beginning to realize he might be wrong about her. She unselfishly stepped in front of a carriage to save a small boy and his toy. He recalled the moment he heard the screams and saw Lily in front of the carriage. He had been terrified for her. Shaking his head, he decided it was time to let his sister know what happened.

The servants had brought in food so Duncan could eat with Eleanor in her room. Apparently, Lily had requested that dinner be brought to her room. He sat across from his sister and told her about the events of the day.

“Why do you seem so surprised by her actions, Duncan?” Eleanor asked.

Duncan hesitated. He had always been close to his sister. They lost their parents long ago; and, they relied on each other. There was no one he trusted more, man or woman. He leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. He could not look at his sister when he said what he needed to say. “I have made some less than honorable assumptions about Lady Montgomery.”

“What do you mean?” There was a hard edge to his sister’s words.

“I mean that I considered the many tragedies that have befallen her, suspect. I wondered how anyone could be so fortunate while others close to her met untimely demises. I began to consider what she would have to gain by the deaths of those closest to her.”

“Duncan Cavanaugh! How could you even fathom that Lily could be involved in hurting someone, much less those she loved the most?” Eleanor shifted to sit straighter in the bed and he knew she would stand if her condition
allowed it. She glared at him. “I know you have issues with trusting women, but this is absurd!”

Duncan pushed his hands on either of side of his head, exasperated. “I think I may have made a mistake in my assumptions, despite her feistiness. I have even blatantly accused her of ill deeds.”

Eleanor gaped. “I cannot believe she still speaks to you! I am tempted to tell her to stay far away from you.”

“She has already been warned to stay away from me. Apparently, Charlotte saw Lily in town today and said that I will ruin her and break her heart.”

Eleanor closed her mouth as her eyes narrowed. “That wicked widow. I told you to stay away from her, Duncan. Charlotte is the one you should not trust. Charlotte wants you for herself. You realize that don’t you?”

He stood up and walked to the window. “Yes. I know Charlotte is waiting for me to profess my undying devotion to her even though she knows I will never do that.”

“No, of course you are not devoted to her. You just seduce her a few times a month.”

He whirled to look at his sister.

She glared back at him and scoffed, “Oh please, I am not stupid. I am well aware of your reputation, Duncan. I am also not blind and I see the way you look at Lily. I have already warned Lily about your reputation as well. Please tell me you have treated her with the respect she deserves.”

Why the hell had he even started this conversation with his sister? He turned away from her to look out the window again.

“Oh dear.” Eleanor’s voice was full of concern.

Duncan took a deep breath. “I have not ruined her, Eleanor, if that is what you want to hear. But some of my recent actions were less than honorable.”

Eleanor sighed. “I am not hearing anything I want to hear right now, Duncan. It is a good thing you saved her life today. You owe that to her, along with a multitude of apologies.”

“I know.” Turning, he looked at his sister as he thought about the last confession he wanted to make and said, “I was less than honest when I spoke to you about her the other day. I think Lily is a beautiful woman and I have enjoyed the time I have spent in her company.”

Eleanor grinned widely. “I know.” She tilted her head and said, “You should know she feels terrible about the things that have happened to those who were close to her. She has been avoiding suitors recently despite Charles’ efforts because of her fear that something will happen to the next man she loves. She thinks she is cursed, despite the luck she has had in avoiding injury to herself. I hope she can find someone to be happy with since I think she deserves it more than most.”

Duncan sat on the edge of the bed, stunned at his sister’s words. He struggled when he looked at Lily as he was convinced of her potential to do harm, despite her angelic beauty. Now in his mind he saw her fragility, despite her outward strength. His view of Lily was completely changing.

“Duncan?” His sister spoke softly as if hesitant to disturb him.

He smiled at her. “Thank you for telling me. I may be a cad, but I will do better where Lily is concerned.”

Eleanor smiled. “I know.”

Leaving Eleanor’s room, he glanced at the door across the corridor. He had to see if Lily was all right and walked swiftly down the hallway to her door. Resolve set in his mind to be honorable, he knocked. He heard her soft voice say, “Come in.”

Her eyes widened at the sight of him. She stood in front of the hearth and appeared flustered as she lowered her hands from behind her neck. With an angry tone she asked, “What do you want?”

“I wanted to make sure you were still all right.”

“Yes, I am fine. Thank you, but there is no need for you to check on me.”

Lily walked towards him and opened the door wider, a clear indication she wished him to leave. He noticed her dress was askew and appeared partly unbuttoned. “May I help you with your dress?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I can manage just fine. You can leave.”

He stepped behind her and saw the multiple small buttons and hooks on the back of the dress.

She spun around to face him. “I did say I can manage, Lord Cavanaugh.”

Duncan smiled. “Yes, you did, and I told you to call me Duncan.”

She took a step back away from him and blushed.

He moved closer to her. “Lily, let me help you with your dress. I promise I will not touch you inappropriately.”