Devil Disguised (19 page)

Desire radiated from him, turning his brown eyes black.

“You are so beautiful,” he said breathlessly.

She felt beautiful simply because of the way he was looking at her.

“Duncan,” she uttered.

Her breathing became erratic as he stepped forward and touched her shoulder.

Suddenly, she heard a loud gasp that was not her own. Duncan’s eyes widened before he spun around and placed himself in front of her.

She could not see who had entered the room, but recognized Mary’s voice as she heard, “Beg pardon, my lord! Please forgive me. I knocked and thought I heard the lady say to enter.”

Lily picked up her dress from the floor and pulled it over herself. She stepped to the side and said, “Lord Cavanaugh was helping me with my dress that is all. I am fine and you can leave now, Mary.”

Mary blushed bright red as she bowed and replied, “Of course, my lady. Please, I am so sorry.”

Placing towels down on the bed, Mary kept her head down and backed out of the room.

Nervously, she looked at Duncan. All passion was gone from his eyes replaced by what appeared to be anger.

He hesitated before he said, “Goodnight, Lily.”

He walked out of the room as Lily held her dress tightly. Tears began to blur her vision, but she could not decide if they were from frustration, disappointment or embarrassment. Shaking herself, she wiped the tears away and finished undressing. Pulling her nightgown over her head, she collapsed in bed and fell asleep instantly.

It was late in the afternoon when Lily woke and rang for a servant. After soaking in a warm bath, she dressed and enjoyed luncheon in her room. She learned from Dot that everyone was keeping to themselves as the day was starting in the household much later than usual. After dressing, she decided to get a book from the library downstairs since Eleanor and the baby were still resting.

Bright sunlight poured through the windows of the foyer as she finished her descent. She laughed to herself thinking of all the times she had taken this route in the darkness of night. She took her time selecting a book from the library. Book in-hand, she went down the main hallway and saw Simon greeting someone in the foyer. Approaching them, she got a better view of a tall, dark-haired, handsome man. The man said, “Simon, where are they?”

Simon beamed. “My lord, as you turn to your right, they are in the first guest room on your left.”

The man smiled widely as he slapped Simon on the shoulder. He glanced at her and then he began to move towards the staircase. He hesitated on the bottom of the
stairs and turned towards her again as his head tilted slightly.

Looking at her, he said, “Beg pardon, my lady.” Then he grinned and ran up the staircase.

Lily moved forward. “Simon, who was that?”

Simon grinned even wider as he gestured at the man and replied, “That, my lady, was Lord Andrew Worthington.”

She gaped. “He is back!”

Simon clapped his hands together softly and said, “Yes! Lady Worthington will be so happy to see him.”

“This is wonderful, Simon! I cannot believe he arrived so close to witnessing the birth of his son!”

“I am simply happy he is here, my lady.”

“As am I. I look forward to speaking with him.”

Simon nodded and said, “You will see him again soon, I am certain. Do you need anything, my lady?”

“No, thank you, Simon. I will be reading in my room if anyone is looking for me.”

“Very well then. If you will excuse me, I must see if Lord Cavanaugh has awoken.”

Lily’s eyes widened at that piece of information. When Duncan did wake up, he would have yet another surprise waiting for him. Grinning, Lily entered her room. Sitting in a chair near the hearth, she opened her book and began to read.

UNCAN HEARD THE
knock again, but this time he said, “Come in.”

Simon entered the room, looking concerned. “Good afternoon, my lord. Are you well? What do you need?”

“I am fine, Simon. Yesterday was an eventful day. Please draw me a bath and bring me something to eat.”

“Of course, my lord. There are some things we should discuss, but first you must know that Lord Worthington has just arrived.”

“Andrew! That is wonderful! I will make haste.” Duncan rose from the bed.

“He has just arrived and is with Eleanor now so I am sure you have a few moments,” Simon said with mirth.

“Ah. True.” He sat back down and said, “I will then await my bath, my luncheon, and my further discussion with you.”

“Very good, my lord.” Simon did a quick bow and left the room.

Duncan was very glad that Andrew had arrived. Eleanor would be very happy, but it also meant his sister would be leaving soon and that would leave him alone with Lily. With that thought on Duncan’s mind, Simon entered the room with the bathing tub and servants bringing in buckets of hot water as well as a tray of food.

The servants left as Simon went to put another log on the fire and Duncan entered the bath.

Simon said, “My lord, you need to be aware the servants are gossiping about yourself and Lady Montgomery.”

“What are they saying?”

“Well, it appears you both looked disheveled upon your return from Lady Livingston’s and then Mary saw the two of you together in the lady’s room.”

Duncan clenched the bar of soap in his hand as he tried to keep his voice level. “Please remind everyone that I expect their discretion when it comes to both my activities and those of my guests. In addition, please tell Mary that any assumptions she makes about what she saw will only hurt Lady Montgomery’s reputation, not mine. I would expect her to defend Lily and protect her good name. I am not sure exactly what Mary witnessed, but I can tell you I had been helping Lily with her dress and we were not completely unclothed.”

“Of course, my lord.”

“What did Peter find out about the mishap with the carriage last night?”

Simon replied, “Nothing further. He said he was certain that the bindings were secure on the horses, but he
had not stayed with the coach the entire time. We both spoke to the grooms and footmen, but no one recalls anyone near the coach before you left for the party.”

Shaking his head, Duncan said, “I am not angry with Peter, but I want you to ask everyone again about the coach. I find it hard to believe those bindings and ties became loose on their own.”

“I will see to it personally.” Simon hesitated before he said, “There is one more thing. Lord Brian Adair arrived this morning to request an audience with Lady Montgomery. I informed him that she was indisposed and would be quite busy for the next few days attending to the Lady Worthington, but I did not mention your sister’s baby to him.”

Duncan exhaled before he took a deep breath and said, “Thank you. That was perfect. You may go.”

Simon nodded and turned to leave the room.

Duncan said, “Simon, one more thing. How is Lady Montgomery faring this day?”

“She appears well, my lord. She rose a few hours ago and she was down in the foyer when Lord Worthington arrived. He was too excited to greet her properly, but I am sure they will meet this evening.”

“Thank you, Simon.”

Simon left the room as Duncan absorbed the information he just heard. After taking his time bathing and eating, Duncan went over to Eleanor’s room. He knocked and entered. Andrew stood up from the bed as he held his newborn son. Eleanor looked radiant.

Andrew said, “Duncan! Have you met little Henry Worthington, yet?”

Duncan smiled and said, “I met a newborn baby yesterday as a matter of fact, but I did not get his name.”

Andrew sat back down next to Eleanor. “Well, I must say he is a handsome lad, who will surely break many a woman’s heart one day.”

Duncan smiled and looked at his sister. “How are you feeling, El?”

“I am good, but very tired. Still, I am happy that Andrew is here.” Eleanor gazed into her husband’s eyes.

Duncan moved towards the door and said, “Congratulations to both of you. I will check on you later.”

Andrew stood. “Wait a moment, let me join you. Eleanor was going to rest and I would enjoy a drink after my long journey.”

Andrew placed the baby back in the crib next to the bed, kissed Eleanor, and then met Duncan at the door.

They both went downstairs and into the library. Duncan poured two brandies and gestured for Andrew to sit in a chair near the fireplace.

Taking one of the glasses, Andrew sat down as he raised his glass in a toast. “Thank you for taking such good care of Eleanor. I knew you would.”

Duncan raised his own glass and sat down in a chair across from his brother-in-law. “I would do anything for Eleanor, you know that and I enjoy having her here. Congratulations again on little Henry.”

Andrew smiled as he sipped the drink and then closed his eyes as if savoring the liquid. Opening his eyes, he grinned before he said, “It appears Eleanor is not your only guest. On my way in, I saw a very beautiful young woman, but I did not introduce myself.”

Duncan took a swallow of his drink before he replied, “That is the Lady Lily Montgomery. She is Charles’ niece.”

“Ah. I thought as much. Eleanor just spoke to me about her. El adores her.” Andrew looked at his glass before he glanced at Duncan. “She is stunning. Even on my way up to see my wife, I caught myself turning back to look at her.”

Duncan felt his jaw clench before he said, “Yes, Andrew, I am well aware of her beauty.”

Andrew grinned as he stood to refill his own glass. “How is it she has come to be staying here with you?”

“Charles is in India and he asked that I look after her while he is away.”

Andrews’s eyes widened as he gaped. “I know Charles is your good friend, but that is a lot to ask of both of you. Her reputation could be damaged if she is unwed just by being in a room with you, much less living under your own roof. He does recall that you are unmarried?”

Duncan only glared in response.

“Goodness. Well, Charles is aware that his niece is very attractive and that you are not blind. Am I correct?”

Duncan slammed his glass down on the table near him and stood up. “Dammit, Andrew! I am a man and I am hardly blind! Lily is the most attractive, infuriating, enticing, and fascinating woman I have ever met. I have to push away my desire for her every day. It is driving me mad! I am determined not to ruin her, but I am not sure how much longer I can keep that promise.”

Andrew held up his hands. “Calm down. I did not mean to offend you. I know Charles is your good friend and you are doing this for him. But, could she not stay
elsewhere? I am certain if I asked Eleanor she would love to have Lily stay at our home.”

“She needs to stay here, with me.”

“Listen, Duncan, if you have such strong feelings, then maybe -.”

“It is not about my feelings! It is about Lily’s safety!”

Andrew put his glass down and stood up. “Safety? What the hell do you mean?”

Duncan looked down and exhaled before looking sidelong at Andrew. “Yes, her safety. To put it bluntly, it appears someone is trying to kill her.”

“What?” Andrew touched Duncan’s shoulder. “What did you just say?”

Duncan straightened and looked directly at Andrew. “At first I thought it was a crazy notion, but since Lily has been staying here someone has broken into the house and entered her room just to steal a picture of her. Then a masked man in a carriage tried to run her down and just last night the horses pulling our carriage mysteriously became unhinged.”

Andrew’s gaze darkened. “I am not happy hearing this, especially since my wife and newborn child are staying here as well!”

“I hired extra staff and had someone stay with Eleanor at all times.”

“Wonderful, so you hired what one or two extra people and; let me guess, Simon is the first line of defense?” Andrew threw his arms up and stepped back.

“For your information Simon is stronger than he appears. He even took me down not that long ago when he thought I was the intruder.”

“So you never caught the person who entered this home? And, you are bragging to me about your butler’s ability to tackle you because he somehow mistook you for an intruder! What the hell is going on here, Duncan?”