Secrets of a Wedding Night (12 page)

Medford’s voice was solemn. “I’ve seen the threadbare rugs. I’ve noticed you’re no longer taking sugar in your tea. You adore sugar in your tea.”

Lily swallowed and glanced away. “I’m fine. Truly. Besides, you’re already doing me a large favor by hosting Annie’s come-out ball. You’re a true friend, Medford. I could ask no more from you.”

“I’ve asked you a dozen times to call me ‘James.’ We’re friends, Lily.” Medford’s probing hazel eyes did not leave her face. “I’m worried about you.”

“Worried? About me? Whatever for?” She fluttered a hand in the air.

“You’ve been telling me for months you’re fine, yet you’ve just welcomed fifty pounds as if it were the only thing keeping you from debtor’s prison, and you’ve been spending far too much time lately with that good-for-naught Colton.”

Lily laughed. “Now, there I shall agree with you, my friend. Any time I spend in Colton’s company is too much. But I am quite capable of handling Lord Colton. Don’t worry about me.”

Medford looked suspicious. He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded toward the voucher still clutched to her chest. “And the money?”

Lily allowed a slow smile to spread across her face. Fifty pounds was a virtual fortune. But it would only last so long. A lesson she’d learned well enough over the last five years.

Yes, it might be indecent, what she was contemplating, and no doubt it was risky. But Lily no longer cared. For one thing, it was anonymous, even if people did suspect her, and for another, as a woman, Society had left her little choice.

“My lord, I have only one question.”

“Ask it, my lady.” Medford bowed to her formally. “Your wish is my command.”

“What shall I write next?”

Medford threw back his head and shouted with laughter. “That’s the spirit!”

CHAPTER 13

Boom. Boom. Boom.

This time Lily recognized the blows on the door. The sheer volume of the knocks left her little doubt as to the identity of her caller. What did Colton want with her now? He’d already proved he could steal her breath with his kisses. What else was there? She needed to stay far away from him. She had begun to think he might actually have a chance at making good his threat to seduce her, were he allowed full rein.

And there was another complication. At present, she was sitting in the study with a bill collector. She’d just finished handing over a goodly amount of the money she’d received from Medford, and she was doing her best to rid herself of her visitor without parting with the remainder. Not to mention she would sink through the floor with embarrassment if Devon were to see the man and begin asking questions.

She stared at Mr. Hogsmeade’s balding pate as he informed her she owed him another five pounds.

“We’ve provided you with a great deal of credit, Lady Merrill, in the name of your late husband,” the round man said, “but now that you have failed to repay—”

“I understand perfectly, Mr. Hogsmeade,” she replied, barely attending to his uncomfortable, practiced speech, a speech she’d heard so often she could recite it herself. “There is no need to worry. I have recently acquired an income and will get you the rest of what I owe by the end of the month.”

She escorted the short man to the side door and breathed a sigh of relief when Evans indicated Lord Colton was already ensconced in the salon. That was close!

Lily kept Devon waiting for the requisite quarter hour. She sauntered into the salon as if she hadn’t a care in the world, Leopold running around her heels. “My lord, I thought that was you trying to break down my door.”

Confound it.
Why did he have to look so dashing? Buckskin breeches, a white lawn shirt, chocolate polished Hessians, and windswept hair. Clearly, no good could come of him looking that way.

He bowed over the hand she presented him. “Ah, but you’re mistaken, my lady. Had I intended to break down the door, it would not still be standing.” His smile was downright challenging. “Where are the flowers I sent you?”

Lily nearly choked. “I … ah … I … we took them to the sick house.”

He gave her a suspicious look. “The sick house?”

“Yes. I saw no need to let them wilt in the foyer when sick people could enjoy them.” She cleared her throat. “Please. Sit.”

He waited for her to sit first, of course, but instead of taking a seat in the chair she’d indicated, he slid next to her on the settee. She tried not to let him see it flustered her.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” she asked in what she hoped was a nonchalant voice. To her chagrin, her voice cracked a bit at the end, but otherwise, good form.

“I’ve come, my lady, to ask if you would allow me to escort you on a ride through the park this afternoon.”

Lily blinked. “A ride?”

“Yes.”

“Through the park?”

“That is the customary location, is it not? Now, of course it’s predictable that you’ll say no, but hear me out—”

Lily heard one word, and one word only. “Predictable.” She shot off the settee. “Very well, let’s go.”

She quickly moved toward the door, intent on gathering her cloak, bonnet, and gloves. Of course a ride in the park with Lord Colton was a bad idea. A very bad idea indeed. But she’d already declined his offer of dinner, and she refused to be
predictable.
Besides, if they remained here, another creditor might come to call.

Devon blinked a few times, obviously surprised by the ease with which she had capitulated, but he got himself together quickly and followed her out the door.

A new phaeton waited outside, a groom stood nearby, and two lovely sorrels pulled the thing. Lily nearly whistled as she marched down the steps toward it.

“Not bad, Colton,” she whispered under her breath.

“What was that?” he asked, taking the steps two at a time to catch up to her.

“A fine bit of luxury for someone deeply in debt,” she said. “The creditors won’t take it from you while we’re in the park, will they? I’d hate to have to walk all the way back home.”

“Ah, Lily, so nice of you to be so preoccupied with my finances, as usual. I do appreciate your concern. I expect you have no such concerns for Lord Medford.”

“You and Lord Medford are two
very
different men.”

“Thank God,” Devon spat out.

Lily raised a brow. “Why do you dislike Lord Medford so?” she asked as Devon helped her into the conveyance.

Devon rolled his eyes. “Let’s just say we weren’t exactly friends at school.”

“Did something happen between the two of you?”

Devon grunted. “Nothing specific. He’s just the kind of bloke whom everyone adores. He’s too blasted perfect for my taste. Perfect breeding, perfect fortune, perfect manners, perfect … everything.”

Lily hid her smile. “You mean he’s the opposite of you.”

Devon narrowed his eyes at her but the smile that lingered around his lips told her he wasn’t truly angry.

She settled into the seat and arranged her skirts. Something squirmed near her ankles and she pulled up her feet sharply, stifling a yelp. “What’s that?” She tentatively leaned down to have a look. A puppy jumped into her lap.

Lily squealed with delight. “Oh, good heavens. Devon, she is adorable!” She lifted the puppy, her thumbs under the dog’s top paws, and examined her. An abundance of dark gray curls, with white patches around both eyes and at the tips of all four paws. “The spots make her look like a bandit,” she said, still laughing.

Devon’s face wore a bright smile. “Do you like her?”

Lily kissed the wriggly little animal on the top of her head. “Like her? Of course I do.”

“I think she looks like an animal the Americans call a raccoon. Only her tail is much shorter.”

Lily turned the puppy around to inspect her stubby tail, which was wagging so fast Lily thought it might fly off. “Yes, definitely not a raccoon tail, but otherwise, I’m quite certain she has raccoon in her lineage.” The puppy spun around and licked Lily’s face. She laughed. “Where did you get her?”

Devon nodded to the groom and told him to stay behind. Then he climbed up next to Lily, took a seat, and shook out the reins. “I found her, actually. That’s what I was trying to tell you last night. The men I … dispatched, had this little ball of fur with them. I’m not sure what their plans were, to sell her no doubt, but I couldn’t allow such blackguards to take her.”

Lily squeezed the puppy close and tucked the dog’s little head under her chin. “No, no, of course not.”

Devon gave her an almost shy look that made Lily feel things she didn’t want to examine.

“I thought you might take better care of her.” He cleared his throat.

Lily gulped. “Me? You’re giving her to me?”

“Do you want her?”

Lily smiled. “God knows if Annie ever discovered I turned down an animal in need, I’d never hear the end of it. But I’d no idea you have a soft spot for animals, Devon.” She scratched the puppy’s ears and the dog snuggled up happily into her lap. Ah, she’d just have to find the money to feed this little one somewhere.

Devon clucked to the horses and soon they were on their way into the park. “Like I said, I couldn’t leave such an innocent with those scoundrels.”

Lily smiled at that too. “You’re nicer than you want anyone to think you are.”

Devon gave her a mock-aghast look. “Please. Do not tell anyone. It would ruin my black reputation.”

Once they passed through the gates of Hyde Park, Devon maneuvered along the foothills and valleys. Then he took the phaeton down a secluded little dirt path that ended underneath a bridge. Most secluded.

“Ah, so, this is more of your plot,” Lily said. “Though I must admit this is quite the picturesque scene.”

“My plot? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I merely thought you might enjoy the scenery. I thought we might take Bandit, here, for a walk.”

Lily watched him warily from the corner of her eye. “It’s lovely,” she conceded. “And no doubt Bandit will love it.” With one arm, she scooped up the puppy and allowed Devon to help her from the phaeton with the other. They walked along the bank and Lily let Bandit down onto the ground. The tiny dog hopped around and rolled in the grass, causing Lily to laugh and Devon to smile.

Lily slowed her pace and Bandit kept up beside them, stopping every few paces to roll around or sniff out some interesting smell.

“Where is Miss Templeton this afternoon while her fiancé is off with me?” Lily asked, unable to stop herself.

Devon’s eyebrows shot up. “You know very well I am no longer affianced to Miss Templeton because of that pamphlet of yours.”

Lily crossed her arms over her chest. “If you’ve asked me to go riding today in an effort to convince me to write a retraction, you’re wasting your time.
If
I had authored the pamphlet, I would have no intention of writing a retraction. Your time would be much better spent looking for another wealthy young woman to marry. After all, you need to pay for that impressive phaeton of yours.”

Devon turned to face her, his eyes so intent that she thought for the span of an instant he was going to take her face in his hands and kiss her. And God help her, she wanted him to. She closed her eyes. She leaned forward.

“Got you!”

Lily’s eyes flew open just as Devon’s hand closed around something on her shoulder. He jogged away a bit to the nearest tree, knelt down, and opened his hand.

“What was it?” Lily asked, brushing off her shoulders.

“Just a spider.”

“A spider!” Lily twirled around in a frenzy, swatting at her skirts. Bandit barked and hopped around her ankles, clearly convinced her new mistress was playing some sort of fun game. In an effort to avoid hitting Bandit, Lily knocked herself off balance, tripped over a tree limb, and would have gone flying if Devon’s arm hadn’t snaked around her middle and stopped her fall.

His warm, strong hands set her upright and lingered on her hips.

“You’re safe. I’ve got it,” Devon said, his mouth hovering barely above hers.

Lily trembled at his touch. She stepped away and continued to swipe at her shoulders. “If one spider found me, his friends and family might not be far behind.” She ran her hands across her arms and face and swooshed away the invisible spider, squirming the entire time.

“Settle down,” Devon commanded with another chuckle. “I told you I got the thing. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t worry?” she repeated, still brushing off her arms and her dress. “Do you know how much I
detest
spiders?”

“I thought you told me you couldn’t stand to see anything hurt.”

Lily shuddered. “Ugh. I make one exception and that is for spiders.”

“They eat bugs.”

“They have eight legs. Eight! It’s unnatural.”

“Their webs are quite amazing, actually.”

“Death traps! Not to mention, they
jump
!” She didn’t stop running her hands up and down her arms.

“Here now.” Devon plucked her hands away. He brushed off her bonnet, her arms, and her back and led her over to a stone bench where they sat, somehow calming her and making her feel safe at the same time. Bandit hopped over, curled up beneath the bench, and soon was exhaling little puppy snores.

Lily took a deep breath and gave a self-conscious laugh. “I suppose you think I’m a complete ninny now, but you haven’t any idea how much I detest those creatures.”

“Yes. I do.” Devon smiled. “I remember your reaction at the Medleys’ picnic five years ago. I’ve never seen such a sight. One would have thought a wild boar was after you.”

Lily stopped squirming. “You remember that?”

“I daresay all company present remembers that. You carried on as if you were being chased by a pack of wild hounds.”

Lily winced. “Ah, well, yes. It’s always rather been a flaw of mine, being frightened of spiders, that is. I believe I am quite brave when it comes to many things, but spiders scare me senseless.”

“So I’ve gathered,” he said with another knee-weakening smile.

Lily straightened her shoulders and cleared her throat. She patted the top of her bonnet self-consciously. “Yes. Well. Thank you very much for dispatching the blackguard.”