Devil Disguised (14 page)

“Thank you, my lord.” He bowed and went down the hall.

Doctor Nelson approached him and Duncan asked, “How is the Lady Montgomery?”

“She has several scrapes and bruises, but is otherwise fine. I gave her some laudanum to help her sleep. I will be here tomorrow to check on her and your sister. Your sister should have the baby any day now; you need to watch her closely.”

Duncan replied, “Thank you, doctor. Please check on my butler, Simon. He was nearly struck by the carriage as well.”

The doctor turned and walked away.

A few hours later, Duncan was in his room trying to sleep. He had not seen Lily since the carriage ride and she had asked for complete privacy. Earlier, he had spoken to
his sister about what happened, but he did not want to tell her of his true concern over the situation. Eleanor was due to give birth soon and he did not want her worried about anything other than the health of herself and the baby.

He closed his eyes and heard the door open. He suppressed a smile as he imagined Lily standing near his bed. Still grinning, he opened his eyes to find to Simon with concern etched in his features.

He sat up instantly. “What is it, Simon?”

“My lord, the Lady Montgomery is attempting to leave.”

“What?” Leaping from the bed, he pulled on his shirt. He had already decided wearing pants to bed seemed to be a necessity. Pulling on his boots, he asked, “What is going on?”

Simon replied, “She was seen going to the stables. She should still be there.”

Duncan ran outside and to the stables. Lily was on a horse as two grooms looked very nervous. All three turned towards him as he entered, then he looked at Lily. “Are you trying to steal my horse?”

Anger and defiance emitted from her. “I need to leave, Duncan. Please move out of the way.”

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the grooms’ surprised reactions to Lily’s bold words and the use of his given name.

He hid a grin and stepped directly in front of the horse. “You are not leaving. Get off the horse, Lily.”

Her eyes narrowed as she turned the horse around and tried to maneuver around him. She reared the horse up and he quickly realized she was a far more accomplished rider than he would have imagined.

She ordered, “Please move. I do not want to accidentally injure you.”

He glanced at his grooms and they moved on either side of the horse as he issued a command to the horse and grabbed the reins. The horse calmed down while its rider looked furious. Lily glared as she held onto the top of the saddle and slid off. She stumbled from her dismount and Duncan released the reins to move to her side.

Straightening, she pushed his hands away. “Let go of me. I do not need your help.”

She shoved away from him and ran out of the stable. He followed as she turned away from the house.

He caught up to her easily and grabbed her elbow. “Lily, what the hell are you doing?”

She shook him off and shouted, “Leave me be! I cannot stay here.”

It was too dark to see her expression, but her voice seemed to be losing some of its thunder. He dipped low and threw her over his shoulder.

She struggled against his hold as he carried her towards the house. “If you are going to act like a child, then I shall treat you as one. I am taking you to your room.”

“Put me down! Don’t be ridiculous!”

She continued to struggle until he put her down in the foyer. Brushing her clothes, she stood tall and regal before she turned to go up the staircase. Duncan followed directly behind her and his hand caught the door before it closed. Dipping low, he picked her up again and tossed her on the bed.

She cried out as she bounced on top of the covers. “How dare you!”

“No, Lily. How dare you! What were you thinking? Where were you going? How were you going to protect yourself? Someone out there is trying to hurt you,” he shouted, clenching his fists as anger coursed through him.

Lily pushed herself upright. “Exactly. Someone is trying to hurt me, but I do not care. It doesn’t matter what happens to me, but I know I need to leave here so that person can’t hurt you or Eleanor.”

Tears began to form in her eyes as she looked away from his gaze. “I can’t live with myself if something bad happens to someone else I care about, just because of me.”

Duncan unclenched his fists and reached out for her hand. She pushed herself off the bed and went to stand before the hearth. He came up behind her and gently touched her shoulders. She shrugged and turned around to face him.

Tears ran down her cheeks as she said, “You accused me of having something to do with the deaths of those I love. You were right. I did.”

“Lily, please, do not do this to yourself.”

She stepped back and shook her head. “No. You need to know.”

Duncan’s heart clenched as he watched Lily hug herself and begin to pace. His stomach felt hollow as he waited for what she would reveal.

She looked at him, took a deep breath and said, “I was supposed to be in the carriage with my parents, but I changed things. I had a new dress for that particular ball we were attending and when I saw my parents had chosen one of the smaller coaches for our travel, I was not happy. We fought for a few moments, but the desire
to keep my dress wrinkle free won in the end. They rode out before me and I waited for my own carriage. I will never forget the horror of seeing their carriage turned over on its side.”

Inhaling sharply, she fought back tears and sat down in the chair behind her. “Then at the ball with Joshua, I knew I should depart because he had to leave early the next day for business, but I was enjoying myself. I had finally decided to move on from my parents’ deaths and wanted to enjoy the rest of the evening at the party. I stayed behind instead of sharing the carriage ride back with him. I still remember how he tried to hide his disappointment from me when he left. So, you see, my pride and selfishness killed those I cared most about.”

Duncan knelt down in front of her and took her hands in his. “Lily, you did not hurt those you loved. Someone else, with evil intentions, did that. You were very lucky and I am certain those you loved would be happy that you are still living.”

Lily tried to pull away, but he held her forearms. “Duncan, please, I am a danger to you and to Eleanor. That person knows I am here now and I meant what I said, I could not go on if something happens to you or your sister because of your association with me.”

He reached up, caressing her cheek and gently wiped away a tear with his thumb. “Lily, nothing will happen to any of us, I promise you. Running away is not the answer. The person could still try to harm us whether or not you are here. We cannot predict their actions,
but I know I promised Charles I would keep you safe. Let me do that.”

She leaned her face into his hand and then covered his hand with her own. Blue eyes held his gaze as he felt an overwhelming urge to comfort and protect her. Her gaze dropped to his lips as she leaned forward. Cupping her face in his hands, he brought his lips to hers. He kissed her softly as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She shifted forward in the chair as he continued to kneel in front of her. Wrapping his arms around her, he deepened the kiss. She tasted like honey and tears.

Easing his hold and brushing his lips over hers he began to pull back from her. Opening his eyes he watched as she slowly opened hers and said, “Duncan, I -.”

He kissed her softly, stopping any further comment from her lips, which were swollen from their kisses. He pulled back and gently lifted her chin as he waited for her eyes to meet his. “You are not leaving. Make yourself comfortable because you will be staying until Charles returns.”

He stood up quickly and stepped away from her. Moving towards the door, he saw two envelopes on the nightstand. One was addressed to him, the other to Eleanor. He picked up the letters. “I appreciate that you at least wrote us your farewells.”

He looked over his shoulder. “I may take away your pen and paper if you continue to only write letters about leaving.”

Lily gasped.

“I read what was on your desk when the ink spilled over the letters. You need to write all your friends and tell them you are happy here because you are not going anywhere,” he ordered.

Satisfied the point was made, he left the room enjoying the look of disbelief on Lily’s face.

Moving swiftly down the hall he entered his room and sat on his bed holding the two letters Lily had written. He opened the one addressed to him and read the elegant script.

        
Dear Duncan,

        
As you have probably become aware, I have left the safety and comfort of your home for another location. I cannot bear the thought that you or your sweet sister could be put in harm’s way somehow because of me. I truly do not know or understand why anyone would want to hurt me, but I must now face what I have been denying for so long, someone wants to harm me. The carriage that almost struck Simon and me had a driver who wore a mask, so I know now that was no accident. I feared for my life, but I cannot worry for your life and Eleanor’s too.

        
Please forgive me for leaving so abruptly and I will find a way to return your horse to you. I have grown accustomed to your home and have enjoyed your company and that of your sister’s. Please look out for her and the baby and do not search for me. I will find my way back to the city where the Queen has a tower and will write to you when I am safely in a new place.

        
You should know that I meant what I said to Charlotte at dinner. I have truly found staying with you far more pleasurable than I could have imagined.

        
Lily

        
P.S. Please tell your wonderful cooks that I will miss the delicious desserts they always left for me in the kitchen.

Duncan smiled as he folded letter and placed it on the table near his bed. He was glad to know she felt safe and comfortable in his home and he planned to keep it that way.

UNCAN SLEPT MUCH
later than he usually did, but then again he had not slept much the last several nights. He took the other letter Lily had written and went to see Eleanor.

Eleanor smiled as he walked in the room. “Hello, Duncan. What happened last night? I heard the maids gossiping.”

Duncan sat on the edge of the bed and handed the note to her. “This is something Lily wrote to you when she thought she was leaving.”

“Leaving!” Eleanor exclaimed.

He touched her hand. “She is still here, but she planned to leave last night to keep us safe.”

“Keep us safe? From those who are trying to harm her?”

Duncan sighed. “Yes. She attempted to leave in the middle of the night so she could keep you and me out of harm’s way.”

“Duncan, it frightens me that she is so scared and that someone has found out where she is staying.”

He grimaced. “I have spoken to Simon. The staff is going to take shifts to patrol the outside and inside of the home at night. I have also asked everyone to keep watch. I have no idea what this person is willing to do to get to Lily. I also do not want you to be alone. I insist you have someone with you at all times.”

Eleanor rubbed her extended belly. “Thank you, of course. What about Lily?”

“I think she will argue with me about it, but I do not want her to be alone either. I will find a way to make sure she is safe.”

“I am sure you will.” Eleanor grinned as Duncan kissed her forehead.

Duncan shook his head at his sister and left the room. Out in the hallway, he heard laughter coming from the foyer. As he walked downstairs, he saw a dark haired woman talking with Lily.

Lily turned upon his approach and said, “Du -, Lord Cavanaugh, this is my maid, Mary. Charles asked her to come and stay with us!”

Duncan stepped forward as Mary curtsied. “My lord, I have a letter.”

He took the proffered letter and read it quickly. It was very brief and simply asked that Mary be allowed to help Lily, if needed. He was slightly offended that Charles thought Lily now needed her own maid, but when he saw the delight on Lily’s face, he pushed the negative thought aside.