Chapter Nine
T he dancing and feasting continued into the night, and Matthew had to admit, the Irish knew how to celebrate. More than once, men had tried to share whiskey with him, their cheeks reddened with drunken joy.
Iain’s sisters, Colleen and Sybil, tried to encourage Matthew to join the dancing, but he could not bring himself to leave the shadows. He had come to Ireland at Charlotte’s insistence, and he knew that she and Juliette were always watching him. He had nearly ended his life, albeit unintentionally, and he hardly trusted himself.
After he had awakened with the doctor and his family surrounding him, he’d felt a sense of shame for what had happened. And so, he had begun each day as a single step. He bargained with himself, claiming that he would try to become a better man and atone for his failings.
He forced himself to get out of bed each day and eat food that tasted like dust. He’d attempted Dr. Fraser’s suggestion of standing outside for minutes at a time. But even a few moments made his heartbeat quicken with fear.
A few paces away, he saw that Lily’s face was flushed, and she was laughing at something one of the older Irishmen had said. The man had reached for her hand, but she shook her head. “Forgive me, sir, but we’ve only just met.”
He wondered if the man had made an improper remark and stepped in. “Is everything all right, Lady Lily?”
“Yes, of course. Padraig here has asked me to wed him, but I could not be so bold.” She was still laughing, and he returned her smile. The Irishman had to be eighty years old, if not older. His blue eyes twinkled with mischief, and he had no teeth left in his wrinkled smile.
“You’re a fine cailín , to be sure,” he cackled. “And in my day, all the women wanted to wed me.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow at that. “How much whiskey have you drunk, sir?”
“Not enough,” the old man remarked cheerfully. “When I’m no longer standing, that’ll be enough.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Lily said, joining him. Her hazel eyes were bright with merriment. “My goodness, I never imagined these people would love a wedding so much.”
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked.
“I am.” She smiled warmly at him, and he drank in the sight of her beauty. Her brown hair was nearly red against the firelight, her skin flushed from the dancing. He could not stop staring at her, and Lily seemed to sense his interest. She averted her gaze. “Rose and Iain have already departed, but the guests will undoubtedly eat and drink until dawn.” Her voice came out faster, as if she were trying to fill the space with conversation.
He didn’t want her to feel awkward or afraid of him, but he offered his arm. “Would you care to walk with me for a while?”
Lily hesitated and glanced back at the others. Idly, she rubbed at her arm. “It’s getting late. I should probably go back to the house.”
“I’ll escort you there.”
He waited, and she gave a nod of agreement. After they walked a few steps, she inquired, “Why did you travel so far, Lord Arnsbury? It truly wasn’t necessary. You could have simply sent a letter.”
He slowed his pace, wondering quite how to explain it. She didn’t know of his close brush with death that night. But he said, “I couldn’t go on as I had before. Not when I had sunk so low. I needed to leave London and prove to myself that I could begin again. The journey gave me the time I needed.”
She stopped walking and faced him. In the moonlight, her face held sympathy. “And now?”
He reached out to take her hand, and her fingers curled over his. “Each mile helped me to clear my head. Not only from all the medicines and draughts, but it gave me the chance to find out what was left of me after India.”
Her expression sobered. “I know what you mean.” After a pause, she added, “Forgive me for speaking so plainly, but after we parted ways the last time, I saw that my father was right. I was only eighteen, infatuated with the idea of an elopement. You and I didn’t truly know one another.”
They were drawing close to the house, and he stopped walking again. “I never meant to force you into an unwanted marriage, Lily.”
“I know. It was my own fault. And perhaps it’s better that it was never legal.”
It was an easy solution, one that enabled them to have their freedom. And yet, he didn’t like the idea of abandoning Lily. He did remember the night he had shared in her arms, and he had accepted the gift of her innocence. It felt wrong to walk away from her now, but he knew she deserved better.
Before she could take another step, one of the drunken men stumbled into her. The Irishman was a large bearded man, and he reached for Lily, leaning in. “Here, now. You’re a pretty thing. Come on and give us a kiss.”
Matthew didn’t think but shoved the man away from her. The raw urge to protect Lily overshadowed all else. Leave her alone.
The drunken man lunged back, and Matthew dodged a blow to his stomach. In an instant, the world appeared to slow down and his surroundings blurred. His hands curled into fists, and he struck hard, welcoming the crunch of bone and bruised skin.
“Matthew!” Lily cried out.
He was dimly aware of men cheering while someone cried out for him to stop. But truthfully, it felt good to defend her honor. He was fully in command of his senses, and within seconds, the drunkard was lying face down on the ground, unmoving.
He hadn’t fought in months, but a surge of righteousness filled him. No one would harm Lily while she was under his protection.
Yet somehow, she appeared terrified at his actions, frozen with fear.
“Lily,” he said quietly. “It’s all right. He won’t harm you.”
But when she took a step back, he realized that she had not been afraid of her attacker—she’d been afraid of him.
“I should go,” she said. And before he could reassure her that he’d been fully in command of his senses, she had disappeared into the house. He could have pursued her, but he didn’t want her to feel threatened in any way.
No, she hadn’t understood what had truly happened this night, but for him, it marked another step forward. He was not trapped within a world of harsh visions and torture—instead, he had begun to move on.
And it felt good to be whole once again.
London
Lily sat by the fireplace, books scattered on the floor all around her. She had been reading about how to concoct an infusion of chamomile. A knock sounded at the door, but before she could rise from the hearth to answer it, the door to her bedroom swung open. Her grandmother never bothered to wait on a reply before she entered.
“Lily, why are you on the floor? Ladies do not sit before the hearth unless they are scullery maids.”
“Hello, Grandmother.” She stood and kissed Lady Wolcroft on the cheek. “I did not expect you to come calling.”
“I live here from time to time, if you have forgotten.” The older matron chose a chair and sat down. “Now then. I have accepted an invitation for you to attend Lady Falsham’s supper party. It will be an intimate gathering, and she has promised to invite several eligible gentlemen.”
Lily sighed and laid the glove down upon a table. “Grandmother, I am not going to be married.” She had made up her mind not to wed again.
“Nonsense. Of course you will. We simply have to find the right man for you to manage. Someone handsome, of course. And wealthy. A marquess or a duke, perhaps. I still believe Lord Davonshire would make an excellent match.”
“After Father died, he wasn’t so eager to wed,” she pointed out.
“Only because he was a young man who wasn’t ready yet. But he may have changed his mind.”
She couldn’t quite bring herself to agree with her grandmother. The thought of being courted by any other man troubled her. Lily stood by the glowing coals of the hearth. “I need time to get over Matthew.”
Mildred shrugged. “He’s no longer suitable for you, and you know it.”
“I suppose you heard about the fight that broke out at Rose’s wedding.” Undoubtedly that was one of many reasons why her grandmother did not approve.
But to her surprise, Mildred laughed. “It was indeed entertaining. I will grant Lord Arnsbury that—he did defend your honor from that drunken lout.”
“I had never seen him fight like that before. I was afraid he would kill the man.”
“Oh fiddlesticks. He knew precisely what he was doing.” Her grandmother straightened in her chair. “No one else bothered you after that, did they?”
“I wouldn’t know. I left the celebration and went back to my room.”
“Oh, yes. You didn’t hear about all the Irish women swooning over Lord Arnsbury.” Was her grandmother actually…defending Matthew? She had no reason for it, especially given her desire to match Lily up with someone else.
“Half of the ladies were throwing themselves at him,” Mildred finished. “Offering to kiss his bruises and all that nonsense.”
A strange ripple of jealousy took hold. “And what did he do about it?”
“Why should you care? He’s not your concern anymore. You’re going to find a man who is dull and terribly wealthy. Who would want the excitement of a man brawling over you?”
Was it her imagination or was her grandmother’s tone somewhat ironic? Lady Wolcroft smiled serenely. “Now then. You will attend the supper party and find someone else. Believe me when I say it is for the best.”
“I intend to be a spinster, Grandmother. I will be perfectly content, wedded to my books.”
“Not if I have aught to do with it.” Lady Wolcroft stood and regarded her. “You have a romantic heart, Lily. You were never meant to be unmarried, and well you know it.”
She could give no answer to that. But she sensed that her grandmother had set forth a strategy to do battle.
Heaven help her.
After he returned to England, Matthew began immersing himself in the estate ledgers, seeking ways to occupy his time. There was a mountain of correspondence he’d neglected since his return from India, which gave him a purpose.
He noticed that they had received several letters from a woman named Sarah Carlisle. He had no notion of who she was, but there were at least six letters from her, all sent within the past year.
He slit open the first letter and was about to read it when his mother interrupted with a knock upon the open door. She strode into the room in a swirl of blue skirts. “Matthew, you really ought to venture out of this study,” Charlotte bade him. “Your cousin Juliette is hosting a supper party this evening.”
Matthew winced at the thought. “I hardly think it would be wise. I am not interested in anyone’s company just now.”
“You have a seat in Parliament,” his mother pointed out. “And you must try to take your place in society. It is your responsibility as the earl.”
Then she sent him a pointed look, adding, “It is also your duty to marry a young lady from a good family and sire an heir.”
Matthew could not imagine how his mother could come up with such a suggestion. “I am hardly fit to marry any woman.”
She moved closer and touched his arm. “But each day grows a little easier, does it not?”
He didn’t know how to answer that. “I need time, Mother. Just leave me be.”
Charlotte let out a quiet sigh. “Lily’s grandmother wants her to find a new suitor and marry. I understand your cousin Adrian intends to court her.”
The idea of Lily dancing with Adrian made him tense. Or any other man, for that matter. He struggled to force back the possessive thoughts he had no right to. “My cousin would not be an appropriate match for her.”
“Then you had best attend the gathering and stop him, hadn’t you?” With a smile, his mother departed the study.
She had known precisely how to aim her arrow, and it had struck true. He had given Lily time and space, but he found that he missed her company. Was it worse to remain here in this house or to see her with another man? He had no answers to that.
By way of a distraction, he picked up one of the letters from Sarah Carlisle and opened it. Then he blinked and read it again. Five hundred pounds? This woman expected him to pay her such a vast amount? And what was she talking about, protecting his secrets?
This was blackmail, pure and simple. His mood darkened when he opened the second letter, and then the third. All of them repeated her demand for five hundred pounds
But there was one portion of her note that stopped him cold. Your father and I had an arrangement. See that you keep it.
Had his father been paying this woman an ungodly sum over the years? For what purpose? His mood grew grim when he wondered if they had indulged in an affair. A rush of resentment filled him at the thought. He had always idolized his father, believing there was no better man.
He tossed the letters onto the stack, promising himself he would think no more upon it. There was nothing this Sarah Carlisle could do, now that his father was dead.
And he had no intention of discussing any of this with his mother.
For nearly half an hour, Matthew stood on the outskirts of the room, wishing he hadn’t come. Although his mother had demanded that he attend Cousin Juliette’s gathering, he preferred to remain apart from the others.
Yet, when Lily arrived with her mother and grandmother, she studied him with a strange expression before she crossed the room.
Her brown hair was braided in a soft updo with a few flowers tucked in the strands. She wore a light rose gown with two flounces, trimmed with lace. But as she drew closer, he saw that her attention was caught by something on the floor behind him. He turned and saw Beast crouched upon the floor.
“What on earth?” Matthew couldn’t imagine how the kitten had managed to stowaway and sneak into Lady Falsham’s ballroom. He crossed the room quickly, intending to rescue the animal.
“Did you bring a guest?” Lily asked, reaching down to pick up the kitten.
Beast purred, and Matthew ruffled the animal’s ears. Her expression held amusement, and he shrugged. “Honestly, I have no idea how he got here.”
She studied him, her hazel eyes softening. “Perhaps he crawled into your coat pocket and slipped out when the footman took it from you.”
“I think I would have noticed if there was something moving in my pocket.” He plucked the animal from Lily’s hands and set it upon his shoulder. The kitten began nudging his face, and she laughed.
It reminded Matthew of the first night he’d seen Lily, all grown up as a young lady. It had been years since then, but he was still fascinated by her, perhaps now even more so. And there had been a runaway cat, even then. He smiled at the memory.
“Well, however he got here, we’ll have to make sure your Beast gets home safely.” As if in answer to Lily’s suggestion, the animal began crawling down his frock coat.
He noticed that she had relaxed her demeanor around him and answered her smile with his own.
“You’re in trouble now,” she warned.
When the kitten hopped down, he saw Beast trotting toward the guests. His cousin Juliette was approaching, and Lily offered, “I’ll go and get him before he’s trampled.” She excused herself and hurried after the animal before their hostess could greet her.
His cousin met his gaze with a warm smile, oblivious to the kitten. “It was so good of you to come this evening, Matthew. We haven’t seen enough of you as of late.” He tried to manage a smile, and she teased, “I am certain my aunt Charlotte had to drag you here, didn’t she?”
“Indeed.” He narrowed a glance at Lily, who was following the kitten as he moved toward the center of the ballroom. She looked ready to pick up her skirts and pursue the animal but was trying not to be too obvious. Instead, she walked slowly toward the kitten, as it disappeared behind the guests.
“Well, I intend to steal you away for a moment.” Juliette linked her hand in his arm and brought him over toward several young ladies. Matthew sent Lily a silent plea for help, and she nodded, her gaze turned downward to search the floor for the kitten.
He could only imagine the horrified screams, if Beast happened to attack the skirts of any young ladies. Though the animal was quite a handsome feline, the element of surprise would make any woman screech.
“Are you feeling better?” Lady Falsham asked, in all seriousness. Her green eyes held concern, and she added, “Your wounds seem to be healing.”
“They are.” He glanced back toward Lily, who was standing still in the middle of the ballroom. From her posture, it appeared that she’d trapped the kitten beneath her skirts.
“And what of Lady Lily?” his cousin prompted. “Have you renewed your friendship?”
“We have,” he said, though he didn’t know if Lily was still frightened of him. At the moment, he was grateful that she was trying to prevent the Beast from being trod upon. When he glanced back at her, he saw that her face was flushed. People were beginning to stare, for she was standing in the middle of the room for no apparent reason.
“That’s good,” Lady Falsham said. “Her grandmother hopes that she will marry. I know Lady Wolcroft has her heart set upon Lord Davonshire, but I think you might have a chance at Lily, if you gave her a reason to hope.”
An older gentleman had caught sight of her and was approaching now. Matthew saw no choice but to rescue her swiftly. “An excellent idea, Cousin. In fact, I believe Lady Lily promised me the next dance. If you will excuse me.” He bowed, not giving her the chance to stop him.
The older man approaching Lily was portly, and he lifted his hand to her in a wave. It was Lord Tyson, a widower who had fourteen grandchildren at last count.
Matthew saw the amused looks on the faces of the bystanders, and he crossed to Lily’s side quickly before the gentleman could reach her.
“The Beast is under my skirts,” she said. “I can’t move or he’ll escape.”
“What do you want to do?” Matthew couldn’t exactly kneel down and peer under her gown to find the creature.
“Pretend as if we are in a conversation, and I’ll crouch a little lower to keep him from escaping. With any luck, he’ll stay imprisoned by my petticoats.”
“Lady Lily!” Lord Tyson smiled broadly as he reached them. “You look simply beautiful this evening. I know you must be itching for a dance.”
“Thank you, Lord Tyson, but I intend to sit out the next set.”
His smile didn’t diminish at all, but he withdrew an ear trumpet from his coat pocket. “What was that?”
She raised her voice slightly and answered, “I said I prefer not to dance.”
His face furrowed and he inquired again, “What did you say?”
This was getting out of hand. Matthew took Lily’s arm, and said, “I am escorting the lady back to her mother, Lord Tyson.”
“Whatever for?” He appeared genuinely puzzled.
“Please excuse me, Lord Tyson.” Lily crouched down in a mock curtsy and kept her skirts trailing along the ballroom floor.
“I am in need of a wife, you know!” he called out. But she pretended not to hear him, shuffling across the floor.
Matthew led her away and inquired, “How long have you known this man?”
“I met him two days ago.” She placed her hand in the crook of his arm, trying to hurry him along. “Let us go to the terrace, and then I’ll lift my skirts for you.”
He couldn’t stop his smile at her remark. “That sounds scandalous, Lady Lily.”
She blinked a moment and then laughed. “You know what I meant.” As they continued walking toward the doors leading outside, she continued dragging her skirts. Then abruptly, she stopped walking. Her face paled, and she pursed her lips together.
“What is it?”
“He’s crawling up my petticoats.” Lily winced, and he knew there was no choice but to get her outside quickly. Unfortunately, there were other guests milling about the gravel pathway.
“I’ll help you.” He led her outside, and Lily hurried with him. There were lanterns hung around the small walled space, lighting the darkness.
“Oh, heavens, his claws are like needles.” Her face wrinkled, but she reached toward her right hip and tried to grasp the fabric. “Help me, Matthew.”
They moved toward the furthest corner, and he said, “Face the wall. I’ll try to find him.”
“You cannot go rummaging through my skirts in front of everyone,” she hissed. “Ow, ow, ow. Let go, Beast.”
He saw the bulge of silk and said, “Trap him there, against your hip. I’ll kneel down and try to get him out. If you keep your skirts wide, I should be able to reach underneath and seize him.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” she protested. “Someone will see you.”
“Would you rather I stand in front of you while you search?”
She gave a slight shriek, clapping her hands over her mouth. Then she began shaking her skirts, hopping on one foot, then the other. A moment later, a ball of fur came bolting out from beneath her skirts. Matthew dove for the kitten and seized him. “Not so fast, Beast.” He managed to grasp the animal, and then sat up on the gravel path. Lily’s shoulders were shaking, and she was laughing so hard, tears came to her eyes.
“I’m so sorry. I know I shouldn’t, but he’s so mischievous. I still cannot believe he managed to follow you here.”
The sound of her laughter was infectious, and he could not help but laugh as well. Never had he imagined he would be sitting on gravel at a social gathering, holding a runaway kitten. Lily’s laughter warmed him, and he stood, holding fast to the kitten. “Perhaps he missed seeing you.”
Her face softened, and he was caught by the flush upon her cheeks. In the lantern light, her eyes were bright, and he was transfixed by the beauty of her face. “I might have missed him, too,” she murmured. “It’s good to hear you laugh again, Matthew.”
He held out the kitten to her, and she stroked his ears. Her fingertips brushed against his, and the slight touch sent a flare of interest through him.
It was a new beginning, he decided. And one that held promise.
When Lily arrived back at the carriage, she adjusted her wrap against the chill. The autumn air had turned bitter, and her mother was chattering endlessly about the supper party and the dancing. She stepped inside with the help of her footman and slid onto the leather seat, half-listening to Iris’s exclamations.
They drove through the streets, and her mother asked, “How is Lord Arnsbury? I saw him walking with you in the garden.”
“He is improving with each day.” And she admitted to herself that she had enjoyed seeing him again, in spite of the kitten’s mischief. Matthew had remained at the ball, after giving Beast into the care of his footman with instructions to take him home.
Iris smiled warmly and added, “I do like that young man. You should marry him.”
The words came out of nowhere, and Lily bit her lip. “I—I don’t think so, Mother. I do not intend to marry anyone.”
“Nonsense. You need to marry and have babies. I do miss my babies.” Her mother sighed and leaned back against the carriage. Her face clouded over, and Lily recognized that Iris was starting to slip into one of her spells. Since Rose’s wedding, her mother had enjoyed several weeks of clarity, but Lily feared it was all an illusion.
“Rose will have a baby soon,” Iris murmured. “I do believe so. Especially with that handsome Irishman she married.” Her mother pressed her hand against the carriage door. “I miss George so very much, you know. There are days when I wish I could join him.”
“Mother, no.” Lily didn’t like the direction of this conversation. Out of desperation, she offered, “The babies will need their grandmother.”
Iris appeared confused for a moment. Then she rapped at the carriage and called out to the coachman. “Nelson, stop for a moment.”
Lily didn’t like the look in her mother’s eyes, but the coachman obeyed and the carriage pulled over to the side of the road. “What is it, Mother? Are you not feeling well?”
Before Iris could answer, she threw the door open and bolted out into the streets. Lily hadn’t expected it, and she tried to follow, but her skirts tangled up. “Nelson, stop her!”
The coachman gave the reins over to their footman and hurried after Lady Penford. Lily gathered up the yards of fabric in her skirt and left the carriage to chase after them. It was dark outside and she knew this wasn’t a good idea to be out in the London streets with only a coachman and her mother.
But what choice did she have? Her mother could easily be trampled by horses or accosted by a stranger.
It wasn’t easy to pursue Iris on foot, but she eventually caught up to her. Nelson had restrained Iris, who was kicking and shoving at him. “Let me go, or I’ll have you dismissed from your post.”
“Lady Penford, please. It’s not safe here.” Nelson kept a firm grip on her, but the older woman began to scream.
“Help!”
A few bystanders turned to look, but before anyone could approach, Lily saw a dark figure hurrying toward them. When he reached the light, she saw that it was Matthew. His carriage was nearby, and a sudden rush of relief passed over her.
“Lady Penford, what is it?” Matthew asked. He motioned for Nelson to let go of her. The coachman waited until he was closer and then obeyed.
“I want to be with George,” Iris wept. “I’m so lonely. I just…need George to be with me.”
Matthew exchanged a look with Lily.
Help me, she pleaded silently. Her mother’s grasp on reality was slipping away. Lily worried that she might have to take Iris back to Yorkshire if she continued to have bad spells.
“May I escort you home?” he asked her gently. “You must be weary after this long night.”
His sympathy seemed to break through Iris’s frustration, and she looked back at him with tear-filled eyes. “I—I don’t know. What’s happening?”
“Mother, let us go and have a hot cup of tea,” Lily urged. “It’s very cold outside, and you need to get warm. Matthew will accompany us, won’t you?”
He nodded and offered his arm. “I should be glad to take you home.”
Iris rested her gloved hand in the crook of his elbow, weeping silently as he helped her walk back to the carriage. Lily overheard him giving orders to Nelson to drive around the city for a while, giving Lady Penford time to calm herself.
When they were safely inside the vehicle, he took a seat beside her mother, talking all the while. His calm tone seemed to soothe Iris, and she leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes after a time. The rocking motion of the carriage helped, and Lily whispered, “Thank you, Matthew.”
He gave a nod. “How long as she been like this?”
“Ever since my father died. It broke her heart, and I know she wanted to join him in death. Rose and I had to take her to the country, and even then, she has not been well. She may never be the same.”
The worry over her mother was a burden she would always carry. But for now, it eased her to have someone else to share the responsibility.
“She is lucky to have you,” he said quietly. In the darkness, his steady gaze warmed her. Lily felt the comfort of his presence and braved a smile.
“Will you stay a while, just to help me get her inside the house? You could have tea with us, even though it’s late.”
“I will stay as long as you have need of me.” His quiet reassurance filled the space between them. He reached out to take her hand, and she squeezed it in thanks.
A moment later, the carriage lurched, and she went crashing forward into his arms. Matthew caught her, and Iris awakened.
“What’s happened? Was there an accident?” Her mother’s eyes had gone wild, and she twisted her hands together. “Why have we stopped?”
“Wait here,” Matthew bade them. “I’ll find out.” He opened the door and closed it behind him.
Lily rubbed at her shoulders, which were bruised from the collision. She didn’t know what had caused them to stop, but it was her mother’s fear she had to manage.
“I’m certain everything is all right,” she said. “You aren’t hurt, are you?”
“No.” But Iris appeared agitated by the accident. She began twisting her hands together, staring out the window and muttering to herself about wolves. Lily reached out to take her hand. “Matthew will be back in a moment. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
But it was indeed taking a while. Lily started to open the door, and then she saw Matthew approaching. He was no longer wearing his coat, and he was carrying a bundle of something enormous, dark, and furry. Was that an animal bundled inside his coat? Lily saw the concerned look on his face and asked, “What is that, Matthew?”
A whimpering sound came from the coat, and he said, “It’s a dog. It ran out in front of the horses and startled them. I don’t know if he’ll live, but I didn’t want to leave him there.”
In the darkness, Lily could hear the dog panting and whining from pain. “Bring him inside the carriage, and we’ll take him home. I want to have a look at him.” She had read the medical book Dr. Fraser had loaned her, but she wasn’t certain if she knew enough to help the animal. Perhaps not.
And yet, she did want to help in some small way. The dog was enormous, like a black bear, and she didn’t know what breed he was. His fur was matted and filthy, and his ribs were evident through his skin.
Matthew climbed inside the carriage, and the dog nearly filled up the entire space. Lily moved across to the opposite seat and the animal was so large, his head rested in her lap. “He looks half-starved.”
“It’s likely he had to fend for himself in the streets.” Matthew closed the door to the carriage and reached for her hand before she could pet the dog. “Be careful. A hurt dog might bite you, and we don’t know anything about him.”
“Oh dear,” Iris muttered. “Oh dear, oh dear. It’s a wolf you’ve brought.” She edged backward against the seat, but Matthew blocked the door with his leg. Lily met his gaze, trusting that he would prevent her mother from fleeing.
“It’s not a wolf, Iris. It’s a dog who has been hurt. Lily wants to try to heal him.”
“But he’s so big,” Iris whispered. “I don’t know. He could be a wolf.”
“He’s not, I assure you. And I will not allow him to harm you,” Matthew promised. Then he turned to Lily. “Do you think it’s all right that I brought him here to you?”
“I would be more upset if you had left him to die.” She looked up at him. “I don’t know if we can heal him, but I want to try.”
They rode through the streets, back to the Penford townhouse. Lily started thinking back to the books she had read and remembered that she should not give him any food or water—at least, not until she was certain there were no serious injuries. This dog needed their help, and she was going to do everything she could to save him.
When they arrived home, Matthew carried the dog inside. Lily guided her mother into the house and gave orders for hot tea. She also requested a blanket, water, bandages, and salve for the animal’s wounds. “Oh, and bring me the laudanum, Hattie.” She didn’t know if it would help the dog, but it was all she had.
“Where do you want me to take the dog?”
“Into the study. We can lay him upon James’s desk.” She told Hattie to take her mother into the parlor and give her tea. “Mother, will you be all right?”
“Yes.” Iris paled at the sight of the dog. “I would rather not be in the presence of a wolf just now.”
“He’s only a large dog who has been badly hurt,” she repeated. “I am going to take care of him. But Hattie will bring you some tea and see that you’re feeling better.”
“Yes…I…that would be fine,” her mother murmured. It did seem that she was still frightened of the dog. She took several steps away from them. “I’ll just have my tea now while you look after him.”
Lily didn’t like the way the dog appeared so still and quiet. He was hanging in Matthew’s arms like a dead weight. “Follow me. I want to see his injuries right away.” It was too difficult to tell how wounded the animal was, but his flesh was scraped raw in several places.
Matthew walked down the hallway with her until they reached her brother’s study. She was surprised to find James seated inside, surrounded by papers. “I need your desk, James.”
Her brother stood, eyeing the bundle in Matthew’s arms. “What have you there?”
“It’s a dog,” Lily answered. “I am going to tend his injuries, and I need a large clean surface for that. Clear off your desk, if you would. I don’t want to get blood on your ledgers.”
Her brother’s expression was a blend of amusement and fascination, but he obeyed. “Lily, what do you know about tending wounded dogs? He’ll bite your hand off.”
“No, he won’t. Matthew will hold him for me.” She wished she knew how to put the dog to sleep, but how? The laudanum might work, but she wasn’t certain of the dose.
“Oh, so you’re going to have him bite Matthew’s hand off, is that it? That’s all right, then.” Her brother cleared off his desk, and Matthew set him down on the surface. Now that they had more light, she saw that the dog was larger than she’d realized. It must have been an enormous strain to carry him this far, but Matthew appeared indifferent to the weight.
The dog’s black fur was matted and coated in blood, and his head was large with a rounded snout. She had not seen a dog like him before, but it was his soulful eyes that caught her heart. He stared at her, trembling with pain, and she murmured, “I’m going to fix you, Dog. Just hold still, and I’ll make it better. I promise.”
“Keep your hands away from his mouth, Arnsbury,” her brother warned.
“Indeed.” Matthew used his coat to restrain the forelegs and head of the dog. The moment he held down the animal, it frantically tried to twist and buck against him.
“I need to sedate him,” Lily said. “When Hattie comes, we’ll do that first. And I think it would be wise to muzzle him gently. Perhaps with your cravat.”
Matthew nodded in agreement and rested his hand upon the dog’s head. “Easy, there.”
“What sort of dog is he?” Lily asked. She had never before seen a dog so large.
“I believe he’s a Newfoundland breed. They are usually quite calm and gentle.”
The dog’s whimpering grew louder into cries of pain. It bothered her deeply to see the animal in such agony, and Lily vowed to herself that she would heal him to the best of her ability.
Hattie arrived at last with the bandages, blankets, and a basin of water. She set them down upon the desk and then pulled out the laudanum and salve from her apron pocket. “Is this all you’ll be needing, Lady Lily?”
“Yes, thank you.” Her mind was spinning with what to do. First, she needed to take the edge off the dog’s pain.
“I have tea and biscuits on a tray in the hall,” Hattie added. “Shall I bring them in?”
“No, take them to my mother,” she replied. She could not imagine having refreshments right now. To her brother and Matthew, she asked, “Should I try the laudanum on him first?”
“Whiskey might be better,” her brother suggested.
“I am not about to get this poor dog intoxicated.” She reached for the laudanum, deciding that it would be best to start with a few drops and observe him. Lily poured a tiny spoonful and gave it to him to lick, but the dog ignored it and lay back panting.
“Hattie, I’ve changed my mind,” she called out to the maid. “Bring me a biscuit for the dog.” She needed a means of getting him to take the laudanum, as bitter as it was.
“He might not eat anything,” James warned. “He looks as if he’s barely conscious.”
She suspected as much, but they would try. When Hattie returned with a biscuit upon a plate, she poured a few drops of laudanum upon it. “Hold his mouth and teeth for me, Matthew.” The dog appeared to be stunned by all that had happened, and her brother was right. The animal showed little interest in the food, despite his frail and starving state.
Instinct warned that the moment she began probing his wounds, he could lash out at Matthew. A muzzle was most definitely needed, but not until she got him to drink some of the sedative.
“Since he won’t eat, we’re going to have to pour it into him,” she warned Matthew. “I want you to hold him steady, and I’ll take care of it.” Given the dog’s size, she suspected he would need more than she’d imagined.
Matthew drew his forearm across the animal and used both hands to pry open the dog’s mouth. Lily eased a spoon inside and poured the droplets upon his tongue. Once she was finished, Matthew released the dog. The animal licked at his chops as if he loathed the bitter taste. “I know that’s awful, but it will make you feel better.”
“Now you can muzzle him,” she said to Matthew. He removed his cravat and gently wound it around the dog’s mouth, tying it off behind his ears. They waited for a time until the dog’s heavy panting seemed to ease, and he closed his eyes. She prayed she had not given him too much.
From the bent angle of his back leg, Lily could see that it was broken and would need to be set. The top layer of his skin was shredded from being dragged across the road while dried blood and dirt matted his fur.
She would need to clean the wounds to prevent him from getting a fever. “I’ll need you to hold the basin,” she said to Matthew. To her brother James, she added, “Go and bring me three more pitchers of water and some towels. I will also need two short pieces of wood, about this length.” She demonstrated with her hands, knowing the broken leg would need to be splinted.
Her brother obeyed and retreated into the hallway.
“You’re doing well with the dog, Lily,” Matthew said quietly. “I believe you will heal him.”
She was grateful for his quiet faith. “I will do the best I can.” But his confidence in her offered a support she hadn’t known she needed. She had read about treating wounds, but never had she attempted it herself.
James arrived with the remainder of her supplies, along with a large basin. Lily gave it to Matthew and asked him to hold it beneath the dog’s wounds. With the pitcher, she began pouring water over the scraped flesh, washing away the dirt and debris from the road. The dog jolted when she touched his raw skin, but she spoke softly to him. One wound was a large gash, but it didn’t appear deep. She was careful to avoid his broken leg, but it did seem that the other three limbs were intact.
Some of the water spilled upon Matthew, but he shrugged away her apologies. “It’s no matter to me.” She saw that several splinters of wood were embedded in the dog’s flesh, and she pulled them free as best she could.
The dog nearly came off the table when she touched a tender spot, and she was glad that Matthew had muzzled him—else he might have lunged to bite her hand. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured to the dog. “I’m trying to be gentle.”
Lily could feel the dog’s ribs through his skin, and what he needed was good food and a warm place to sleep. She continued caring for the dog, all the while speaking to him in a soft voice.
“You are such a good boy,” she praised him. “So very brave.” She put some of the thick salve upon his cuts and bandaged the larger gash, wrapping the linen bandages around his torso. The dog continued to whine, and when she touched his broken leg, he whimpered.
“I’m going to splint his leg,” she told the men. “Matthew, I want you to hold him down while I try to set the bone.” He kept a firm grip on the dog, and she palpated the leg gently, trying to feel where the bone had broken. The break didn’t seem too bad, and she studied his other legs to determine how to set it. The animal yelped when she moved his leg, but the bone did appear to slide back into position.
Lily took the thin pieces of wood James had brought and placed them on either side of his leg, binding it with bandages. Then she inspected the splints to be sure they would not move out of place.
“There now. That’s done.” She inspected the dog for further injuries, but it seemed that she had tended everything. His fur was wet, and she tried to dry him off as best she could.
Her earlier nerves had dissipated, replaced by a strange sense of triumph. This animal would heal because of her. Even now, she could see him resting easier, and the thought filled her with satisfaction.
“I’m going to make a place for him to sleep by the hearth,” she told the men. “James, will you stoke the fire?”
Her brother did, while she went to fetch the blanket Hattie had brought earlier. After she spread it out on the floor, she reached toward the dog.
“Let me carry him, Lily,” Matthew intervened. “He’s far too heavy for you. Especially now, when he’s had so much laudanum.” He lifted the dog from James’s desk, and she saw the tremendous effort he used to carry the dog. She could not help but notice his taut muscles when he placed the dog upon a blanket near the hearth. A sudden flash of memory overcame her, of when she had felt Matthew’s skin against hers on their wedding night. She had traced the lean planes of his body, learning each and every muscle. A warmth suffused her skin at the thought, and she tried to push it away, focusing her attention upon the dog.
Lily knelt down beside the animal. “There now,” she murmured, stroking his ears. She tucked the blanket around him “Sleep until morning.” To Matthew, she asked, “Should we unwrap the muzzle?”
“Not just yet,” he said. “We do not know the dog, and pain is often worse the second day. If he awakens and is hurting, he may try to bite those trying to help him. When you feed him, we can take it off.”
Lily suspected he was right. She reached out to pet the dog, stroking his damp fur by the hearth. He laid his head down and closed his eyes as she soothed him.
“You did well with the dog, Lily,” Matthew said. “You have a gentle touch.”
She smiled, feeling at ease for the first time in a while. “It feels good to have a sense of purpose. Even if it is only a dog.”
“I am certain he appreciates it, though he can only growl or bark.” Matthew joined her on the floor, reaching out to stroke the dog’s fur. The animal gave a low snore, and Lily started to draw her hand back. Matthew rested his palm atop hers, covering her hand. For a moment, she let him touch her, feeling the heat of his hand on hers.
Her brother cleared his throat, reminding them both of his presence. “Shouldn’t you be going now, Arnsbury?”
Lily gave a sheepish smile, for she had forgotten all about James standing near the fire. “In a moment, he will. Matthew, thank you for your help tonight. And especially with Mother when she ran away.”
Her brother’s gaze narrowed, for she had neglected to tell him of Iris’s attempt to escape. “What happened?”
Lily gave him a short version of the story and said, “I think she gets lonely, and it causes her bad spells to worsen. I was glad Matthew was there to stop her from fleeing.”
Her brother appeared uneasy by it. “Thank you for your help, Arnsbury. Calvert will see you to the door.”
But Matthew kept his hand atop hers, his expression turning amused. “I can stay longer, if you like.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Her brother sent him a pointed look, and Lily understood the silent message.
“Unfortunately, I think James is right,” she said. “It is rather late.”
“Someone should sleep with the dog,” Matthew suggested. “It’s a strange house, and he might awaken in pain.”
“I was planning to keep the door to the study closed,” Lily said. “I believe he will be fine.” But she was quite conscious of Matthew’s touch. Instead of petting the dog, his thumb was stroking her hand.
“Good night, Arnsbury,” James said, opening the door. “I’m certain you can see yourself out.” It was a not-so-subtle reminder of the time. But instead, Matthew grinned at her brother as if he were the one leaving. “Goodnight, Penford. Sleep well. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
James tipped his head to the side and regarded him. For a moment, there was a silent battle between them, but Lily could not tell why. Then her brother surprised her by saying, “Do you know, I’ve a mind to let you stay with the dog. It would serve you right to sleep on the floor with a hairy creature who smells terrible.”
“It’s not that far from the truth,” Matthew remarked. “I do spend my nights with a hairy creature, though I cannot say that I sleep very much.”
Lily hid her smile, turning away at his mention of the kitten, Beast. “He can stay if he wants to, James. I see no harm in it.”
“Have you lost your mind, Lily? People will talk. And why on earth would I allow him to stay?”
“Because I am worried about the dog. And because he offered to watch over him for the night.” She made no mention of her own desire for Matthew to stay. “You can lock him in the study if you are worried about my virtue.”
James’s face darkened and his gaze fixed upon Matthew before it turned back to her. “It’s a little late for that, isn’t it, Lily?”
A flush slid over her cheeks, for he already knew of her lost innocence. She had made that mistake years ago, and there was no undoing it.
“I intend to go and see about our mother,” she said, ignoring his remark. To Matthew, she added, “Go or stay. It doesn’t matter to me.”
But as she left them behind, she rather hoped he would remain.