Devil Disguised (5 page)

Nodding, Simon replied, “The Lady Montgomery was very pleased with her room. Dot began to show her the home, but then Lady Montgomery chose to walk around the grounds by herself. Then, as you know, she left dinner early.”

Duncan sighed heavily. “Very amusing, Simon. Now what else did she do that I am not aware of?”

Simon’s tone became serious. “She left her room in the middle of the night and made her way down to the kitchen. She ate some slices of an apple pie that had been left on the counter and then returned to her room. She has not yet risen.”

“Thank you.” He nodded at his butler who turned to leave.

Duncan donned his jacket and went outside in the direction of the stables. He had already asked his sister to find Lily and spend some time with her. He planned to be gone most of the day, but would return in time for dinner. It had been difficult last night to act indifferently towards Lily. In truth, she had instantly captivated him, but he needed to remain very skeptical of her. He must keep a level head around her so that he can assess her actions without any bias.

Tonight he hoped his sister would be present for the meal, but if she was not he was relieved knowing that Charlotte would be at dinner. He needed a distraction and the widow of Lord Livingston would serve that purpose.

The day had passed quickly and Duncan saw the glow of candlelight from the downstairs windows as he approached his home. Handing the horse’s reins to a waiting groom, he dismounted and went directly to his room to prepare for dinner. He bathed, shaved and dressed quickly. He heard familiar voices just before he entered the dining room. His sister and Charlotte were conversing and both smiled as he stepped forward. He kissed his sister on the cheek and then the hand of Charlotte.

In answer to his unspoken question, Eleanor said, “Lady Montgomery will be down any moment. I enjoyed spending time with her today. You should have told me she is so delightful.”

As if on cue, he heard rustling and turned to see Lily enter the room. He tried to hide his sharp intake of breath.

He had done his best not to think of her today, but seeing her now, he knew he would never forget her. She wore a deep blue gown that accentuated her hourglass figure and the color matched her eyes perfectly. The cut of the gown was low, drawing his attention even more than yesterday to her tempting cleavage. Her hair was pinned up, but several blond curls escaped delicately touching the top of her shoulders. He had hoped Charlotte could distract him, but he could not take his eyes off of the stunning woman who just entered the room.

Lily met his gaze and said, “Good evening everyone. I apologize for my tardiness.”

He was vaguely aware the two women standing next to him were staring and waiting for his response, but no words came to him.

Eleanor said, “Good evening, Lily. You look lovely this evening and you are not a bit late. Please, come in and meet Lady Livingston.”

Duncan cleared his throat and then said, “Yes, apologies. Lady Charlotte Livingston, let me introduce you to Lady Lily Montgomery. She will be our guest for the next few months and will provide Eleanor with someone to talk to besides myself.”

Charlotte said, “It is a pleasure. I am sure we will get to know each other quite well as I am invited to dinner here at least once a week.”

Lily’s eyes widened as she asked, “Really? Is your husband a good friend of the earl?”

“I am certain he would be if he were still alive. He passed away two years ago.”

“I am sorry for your loss,” Lily said.

Duncan watched as Lily’s expression changed just a bit before smooth composure was back like a mask across her features. She said nothing more and Duncan noticed she did not bring up her own losses, which would have been easy to do.

Charlotte said, “I try to think that everything happens for a reason even if the reason is not immediately clear.” She glanced in his direction as a sly smile appeared. “I have been lucky to have met the Earl and his wonderful sister. They have helped me through these past two years.”

Lily tilted her head and quirked her mouth up in a near smile before she nodded slightly. She looked at him as if he had done something she expected.

He was about to speak when Eleanor said, “Dinner has just been brought in. Please let us sit and enjoy what I am sure will be a wonderful meal.”

Everyone took their places at the table and began eating in silence as wine glasses were filled. Eleanor and Charlotte began talking about the latest happenings in Brentwood and discussing baby names.

Duncan said, “Well, if you want my opinion, I am partial to Duncan, Edward, Eleanor, Rose, and, of course, Charlotte. As long as the baby is not named something for which he or she can be teased, I am sure we can all become fond of the name.”

Eleanor laughed. She took a sip of wine and glanced between him and Lily before she said, “I am glad you approve of our family’s given names, but I think Lily is a pretty name as well.”

Lily smiled slightly and took a drink of her wine.

“Lily, dear, you have been remarkably quiet this evening. Do you have any names you like?” Eleanor asked.

Lily put her glass down and wiped her mouth delicately with her napkin before she replied, “I was told yesterday that the earl did not appreciate chitchat at dinner so I was merely trying to comply with his request. I think any name you choose for the baby will be perfect. If you will all excuse me, I am very full and need to retire.”

Eleanor and Charlotte put their forks down and gaped as Lily stood. Duncan automatically followed her movement and noticed her plate of food was hardly touched. Lily bowed and walked swiftly from the room.

ILY WANTED TO
run, but decorum dictated she should simply walk away as fast as possible. She passed into the main hallway as she heard Eleanor shout, “Duncan!”

This time she knew he would follow her, but she was hoping to get to her room before he could catch up to her. She grabbed the bottom of the staircase’s curved railing and made it two steps before her forearm was held in a vise like grip. She gasped as she spun around and found herself face-to-face with the earl.

His jaw clenched as he met her gaze. Dark brown eyes seemed to bore into hers. She felt his grip ease on her arm as his thumb moved in a caress. A chill went down her spine with the touch and she saw him glance down at his hand as if he just became aware of the contact. He did not release her, but moved closer and for a brief moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but instead he said,
“I would like you to come back into the dining room so you can finish your meal with us.”

She did her best to disguise the anger from her voice, as she replied, “No. Your sister would like me to return, but I do not think any of you will miss me. I am exhausted and need to retire.”

His eyes narrowed and his grip shifted to her hand. “Please, come back to the dining room.”

The way he said the words made Lily somehow know he rarely asked or begged anyone for anything. Part of her wanted to go back, but if she did then she would be looked upon as a spoiled child who was just chastised. She had her pride. She said, “I will not. Please tell your sister I will see her tomorrow.”

Duncan released his hold and stepped back. “Goodnight then.”

She did a curt nod as she turned and continued up the stairs.

“Lady Montgomery.”

Lily paused at the sound of his deep voice and she looked down at him.

He said, “I would have liked you to stay. Dessert is to be a chocolate soufflé.”

He grinned at her as if he knew she was not only very hungry, but she would be missing out on one of her favorite desserts.

She did her best to steady her voice as she said, “Have a piece for me then.”

“Oh, I most certainly will.” Smiling wider now, he went down the hallway and back to the dining room.

Lily went up to her room and slammed the door. She rang for Dot and paced as she waited for the maid, her frustration mounting. The earl consistently irritated her and it was only her second day here! Dot arrived, interrupting her thoughts and helped her undress. She went under the plush bed cover, but just as before, sleep eluded her. Moving to the small-carved desk in the room she started to write a letter to Charles, but upon reading it over tore it to pieces. She looked at the clock near her bed. It was very late, but she knew what she wanted to do.

Slipping on her robe, she made her way downstairs with the hope that there was some dessert left in the kitchen. The moon’s glow coming through the windows provided the only light she needed to make her way towards the kitchen, but at the bottom of the staircase, she noticed candlelight coming from the library. For a moment she hesitated, but then continued on since getting something to eat in the middle of the night was not a crime. She neared the partially open door and heard a woman’s moan. Lily gasped as the woman made the unmistakable sound again. Moving closer to the door, she dared a glance inside the room and gaped.

Charlotte was against one of the bookcases and the earl was kissing her. Lily was mesmerized by Duncan’s muscular back and arms as his shirt was partly removed while Charlotte’s dress hung from her shoulders. Then his hand was reaching to lift up Charlotte’s skirt. Lily looked down as memories of being in Joshua’s arms assailed her. She felt heat rise in her cheeks as she knew very well what the earl was about to do. The couple in the room shifted
positions and Lily turned to go back upstairs, hoping she had not been noticed.

Lily shut the door to her room and felt the heat continue to radiate from her cheeks. She touched her face and shook her head to clear it. Of course, she knew Duncan would be with the widow; she guessed that the moment Charlotte said she was unmarried and dined here often. What had her flushed now were her own memories of being intimately touched by a man and somehow knowing that the earl’s touch would be so much different. Taking a deep breath, she sat on the edge of the bed and tried to ignore her wicked thoughts; then her stomach rumbled.

She waited until nearly an hour had passed and decided to venture out again. Hurrying down the staircase, she exhaled in relief when she noticed no light or sound came from the library. Hurrying forward, she entered the quiet, empty kitchen and she saw not one, but two soufflés. Smiling, her mouth watered as she found a fork and took one of the small white dishes containing what was sure to be a taste of heaven. She could smell the sweet chocolate as her fork pierced the crusty top. Even though it was cold, the delicate taste and texture of the soufflé remained as it moved across her palate.

She moaned, savoring her next bites before she scrapped the dish clean. Placing the dish in the sink, she rinsed off the chocolate that somehow got on her fingers. Giggling a little, she wiped her hands and stepped back into a hard form behind her. She gasped as her heart pounded in her chest.

“How did it taste?”

The earl’s deep voice rumbled behind her. His body was brushing against hers and it was oddly intimate. Turning to face him, she was pressed between him and the kitchen sink behind her. His white shirt was partly open and even with only with the moon’s dim light; she could see the hard planes of his chest. Impossibly, he stepped closer to her as her low back pressed into the edge of the sink.