Devil Disguised (8 page)

LEASE TELL ME
you are not avoiding my brother again.” Eleanor pushed on the plush pillow behind her as she propped herself upright on her bed.

“No, of course not. I thought we could dine together since the doctor wanted you to stay in tonight. Remember, no one likes to dine alone.”

Lily waved at the servant who had been at the door and he wheeled in a cart of food.

“Yes, but that means my brother will be dining alone. Again.”

“I am sure he will be fine.” Lily looked away from her friend’s intense stare.

“Lily, what are you not telling me?”

Lily fidgeted and then reached out to help the servant with the food. “I just think that a day apart from the earl might be a good thing after last night.”

Eleanor reached out and took Lily’s hand, stopping her from arranging the food on a table next to the settee. “You are turning the color of a cranberry. What happened last night? Simon told me you all thought you heard an intruder, but no one was found. What else happened?”

Lily stood and turned away from Eleanor. “I may have slammed my bedroom door in the proximity of your brother’s face.”

She heard Eleanor’s audible gasp. “Lily! What on earth happened? Did he do something inappropriate?”

“No. He was a gentleman.”

Who was not wearing a shirt when he should have been, Lily thought. The image of the chiseled muscles of Duncan’s chest was firmly etched now in her mind. She felt her cheeks heat again as she remained facing away from Eleanor.

“Lily, please look at me.” Eleanor’s voice was full of concern.

Lily turned. “Eleanor, he just said something that angered me and I reacted poorly. Otherwise, he was quite the hero when he tackled poor Simon to the ground.”

“What? He tackled him! Why did Simon not mention this to me when he was here earlier?”

“Probably because Simon punched your brother in the face in his own defense.”

Eleanor sat up straighter. “Is this why I have not seen Duncan today?”

“I have not seen him either, but I did tell him to put ice on his cheek to help heal the bruise.”

“Did you now?” Eleanor grinned wickedly.

Ignoring the innuendo, Lily said, “Of course I did. My former fiancé was in a fight once and ice helped keep the swelling down from the area where he was hit.”

“Former fiancé? I thought you said at dinner last night that you are to be engaged upon your return to London?” Eleanor sounded wary.

Lily began to pace next to the settee where Eleanor remained seated. “Upon my return to London my uncle has arranged my union to a man I cannot recall ever meeting. My previous fiancé was a man named Joshua. He died in a carriage accident nearly one year ago.”

“Lily, I am so sorry.” Eleanor’s voice was laced with concern.

“Thank you. It was a very sad day.” Lily wrung her hands together. “I was engaged before that to a man named Vincent, but he died of consumption shortly after our engagement was announced.”

“Oh goodness. I am not sure what to say,” Eleanor whispered.

Lily shrugged her shoulders as she walked to the window and stared into the distance. “The first marriage was arranged and I was very unhappy about it. I felt awful because I was secretly relieved when Vincent died. My parents agreed not to arrange another marriage for me and I was glad when I found Joshua. I had once told my uncle that Joshua was the love of my life, but have found I do not miss him as much as I thought I would. I grieved hard for him, but the pain was not as unbearable as I would have imagined it would be. I wonder now what would have happened if we had married.”

Shaking her head, Lily’s gaze remained unfocused. She was not sure if Eleanor was even still listening, but she said, “My uncle thinks it is best for me to marry soon, but he has agreed that if I do not get on well with my intended that he will not force my hand. I do not know what will happen. I do not know how to explain to my uncle that I am afraid, but not of any imaginary threats or the person he seems to think is after me. I am afraid of getting engaged again. I think that maybe I am not meant to marry. I am frightened that the next man I am set to marry will die too.”

Lily felt a warm hand touch her shoulder gently as Eleanor said, “Oh, my dear, I am certain you do not carry a curse. You have had to bear much sorrow and you cannot hold yourself accountable for the misfortunes of others. Everyone deserves a chance at happiness and you more than most, I would say.”

Lily turned and embraced Eleanor. “Thank you.”

Eleanor stepped back and met Lily’s gaze. “I see a strong, confident woman standing before me. Even one who can stand up to the remarks of Lady Livingston.” She tilted her head. “I just hope your future husband knows how much fire you have in you. I must say I enjoyed watching you banter with Charlotte.”

Lily smiled and sat next to Eleanor on the settee.

They began to arrange food on their plates as Eleanor ventured, “I feel strange saying this to you, but I feel I must say I noticed the way you ate dessert last night. I am sure it was, in part, to give Charlotte a taste of her own medicine, but I can only imagine what my brother thought of the whole episode. He may appear very refined
and I am glad to know he has been a perfect gentleman with you, but he has a notorious reputation with women. He is my brother and I love him dearly, but you must know that if you play with fire you may get burned. I do not want to steer you away from Duncan, but I want to make sure you are aware of his reputation.”

Lily nodded and said, “Charles told me a little of your brother’s notorious ways. My uncle also said he was certain that I could handle myself and expected your brother to do the same.”

Eleanor bit her lip as a grin spread across her face. “I think Charles is a very smart man and I must say the two of them were quite the pair a few years ago.”

Lily’s interest was piqued. “Really? Do tell.”

Eleanor tilted her head and said, “Hmm. I fear I have already said too much. Duncan is my brother after all. Instead, let us enjoy this delicious meal and we will talk of London and all our favorite things about that city since my brother is not here.”

Lily had managed to avoid any contact with Duncan for three days, but after Eleanor’s constant nagging; she decided enough time had passed for him to forgive her past actions. As she waited in the dining room, she smoothed the front of her green colored dress and then plucked along the delicate ruffles that curved along the short sleeves and edges of the bodice. She wanted to look demure and planned to eat her dessert in a normal fashion. Shaking her head, she did her best to recall why in heaven she truly
ate the piece of chocolate cake in the manner in which she had the other day. Something inside her wanted to be as provocative and daring as Charlotte. Staring into the hearth, she heard movement near her.

“Good evening, Lady Montgomery.”

The deep timber of the earl’s voice resonated into her bones. She turned, but this time did not gasp upon seeing Duncan’s handsome figure so close to her own. She felt her stomach flutter as she tried to hide her sudden nervousness.

“Good evening, Lord Cavanaugh,” she replied evenly.

He already had a wine glass in his hand and lifted it up. “Please, join me.”

She nodded and the chair next to his own was pulled out by a servant. When had the place settings changed?

She asked, “Am I not to sit across the table from you this evening?”

“I thought it was unnecessary to shout at one another tonight.” His mouth quirked up as he sat down.

“I see.” Lily watched as wine was poured by a servant into his now empty glass before the servant filled her glass as well. She sat in the chair at Duncan’s left side as he remained at the head of the table.

He lifted his glass and said, “To enjoying any entire second meal together. I will do my utmost to not offend you before dessert and hope to walk you to your room without getting the door slammed in my face.”

Lily blushed. “I apologize. My behavior was inexcusable.”

“No, on the contrary, you were very brave. I was just not prepared for the sight of you nearly naked.”

She swallowed to hide her gasp as she watched him drink his entire glass of wine and then signal for more. Hand shaking she reached for her own glass and enjoyed the feel of the red wine as it moved smoothly down her throat.

Trying to sound nonchalant, she said, “I heard the noise and acted quickly. I thought of bringing a candlestick, but not a robe.”

“Again, you were very brave.” He paused and looked down at his plate. “So, tell me, how is my sister?”

Taking a deep breath and a bite of her food, Lily relaxed a bit. She told him about some of the conversations she shared with Eleanor, but avoided any mention of London, her former fiancés or his reputation. She was surprised to find it surprisingly easy to talk with him.

“Lord Cavanaugh, I must say -.” Her words were halted by a quick motion of his hand.

He said, “Please, call me Duncan.” He signaled again for his glass to be refilled and tilted his head in her direction. “Continue.”

“All right, Duncan. I was just going to say your sister is wonderful. I feel as if I have known her all my life. I am grateful to be here with her. And, please, call me Lily.”

A smile spread across his face softening his strong features, but it caused her nervousness to return.

He said, “I agree, Lily. My sister is delightful.”

He hesitated as if he would say something else, but then lifted his glass and took another drink. She lifted her glass and drank as well. She felt a little giddy and knew that they had finished at least two bottles of wine between them over the course of the last few hours.

She said, “It must be very late. I think I should retire.”

She stood up quickly. Duncan followed her movement and gently held her shoulder as she swayed slightly.

He said, “Let me walk you up.”

She wrapped her arm through his as they headed into the hallway. It was dimly lit and she was vaguely aware no servants were about. He put his hand over hers and pulled her into the library.

“I want to get something to read,” he murmured.

Releasing his hold, she followed him and stepped into the room, which was lit by the glow from the fireplace.

Turning to look at the bookshelf to her right, she sensed he was looking at her as he asked, “Do you need something?”

She turned and met his gaze as he pointed to the bookshelf.

“No. Thank you.”

She watched as he seemed a little unsteady as his right forefinger glided over the titles of the books. He glanced sideways at her as he pulled a book from the shelf. Walking towards her, he said, “This is a murder mystery. Do you like mysteries?”

She laughed slightly as the effects of the wine she drank made him seem a little less imposing than he was trying to be. She replied, “I enjoy a good mystery.”

His gaze traveled over her length before he said, “You are a mystery to me.”

He swayed slightly as he held out his arm for her. She hesitated, but wound her arm through his as he led her back towards the door, but then he stopped and pulled away. He looked down at the book and tossed it with
expert precision onto a nearby chair. Closing the door, he placed his forehead against it and said, “How do you do it?”

Staring at his back she replied, “Pardon me? How do I do what exactly?”

He turned around to face her and his expression was almost feral. The effects of the alcohol no longer apparent. “How do you act as if great tragedies have not occurred all around you? How are you so strong, yet look so vulnerable? How do you go on so easily and are able to smile as if everything is all right?”

Lily paled. She shook her head as her breathing became shallow. “I, I don’t know.”

“I am just trying to understand you.” Duncan stepped closer to her. He cupped her cheek with his hand gently, but his gaze remained hard.

She pushed his hand away from her face, but he wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

Inhaling sharply, she smelled a mixture of soap, cologne and wine as she was pressed into his hard form. It was a form she had seen all too well the other night and she felt his strength as she pushed against him.