Chapter 4
Chapter Four
The hostess’ daughter, Margaret, had been her friend since she was a child. They pushed the rules but rarely broke them. Tonight, Margaret grabbed her hand and sedately led her into the garden.
“Where are we going?” asked Lilli.
“To Papa’s study.”
“Why?” she asked as she was being firmly pulled along.
Margaret grinned. “Because, I want to taste something that isn’t honey wine or lemonade.”
“We aren’t to drink anything stronger. I’m not sure I want to risk grandmother’s wrath.”
“Just a sip. That is all. Aren’t you even the slightest bit curious what all the fuss is about and why it is a man’s drink? Whoever heard of such a thing? Women don’t eat differently from men.”
“I certainly do. I don’t put some of the vile things in my mouth that men do. Besides, you don’t smoke a pipe, and I don’t see you trying that out.”
“Hm, good point. I may do that next. But Papa is busy tonight, so this is the best opportunity we have. Don’t make me do this alone.” She pulled harder. “Here. This is the study.”
The door opened from the garden and the young women stepped in, closing the beautiful wood and glass door quietly behind them. Margaret went straight to the liquor cabinet and pulled out a decanter of amber liquid.
“How are we to drink it?”
Mary Margaret asked, “Can you not just sip from the decanter? It isn’t large.”
“Mary Margaret, I will not drink from the decanter. This is a crazy idea. Let’s go back.” The urgency in her whispered words spoke of her fear of discovery.
“No.” Margaret stomped her foot. “I am here and we are going to try it.”
“Fine. But we need glasses.”
“Oh,” Margaret said, her expression brightening. “Papa has glasses somewhere.”
“There on the tray,” pointed Lilli. “Just one glass so it will look like your father was the only one in here having a drink. No one will question that.”
“You are so smart. Yes, that will work.”
The liquid was poured, and the girls took a small sip.
“Disgusting,” said Lilli, making a face to match the description.
“My turn.” Margaret took a sip. She tried not to be so appalled, but she was unable to accomplish that. Her face crunched up at the strong flavor.
“I’m not drinking any more of that.” Lilli stepped back.
“We can’t leave it in the glass. Papa finishes his glass. We are going to have to drink it.”
Lilli looked as horrified at that thought as she had after taking that first sip. She sighed heavily. “Very well. I will take a drink and then you finish it and we are done. Promise me.”
“Yes, I promise.” Margaret crossed her heart and Lilli wondered if it was for protection or promises.
“Right. Here goes.”
Lilli pinched her nose and took a swallow that left the final bit for Margaret. Holding her nose didn’t help Lilli and by the coughing and sputtering, Margaret might need a corner of the garden to purge herself. Lilli pounded her back as quietly as she could.
“We should have thrown the offensive liquid in the garden.”
Margaret wheezed a giggle. “It would have killed Mama’s prize roses.”
“No doubt, but we would still be unharmed.”
Mary Margaret froze when there were voices in the hallway close to the library.
“Lord Downing, may I have a word? I was wondering if you could indulge me in a few pointers on how you run your stables.”
Lord Downing chuckled proudly. “Of course, Your Grace.” The voices retreated.
“Hurry, we must leave before Papa returns.”
They put the decanter back, left the glass on the desk right where Margaret said her papa puts his, and they slipped back to the main drawing room sporting a green tint to their skin they didn’t have previously.
Each drank some rosemary and mint water to cleanse their palate and hopefully calm their tummies, then found another friend to take a turn about the room with as though nothing out of the ordinary happened.
Suddenly Lilli was joined by Oliver before Lilli could enlist another lady to walk with her. He spoke quietly. “Have you had a nice stroll in the garden?”
“How did you…” She stopped herself. She was learning his tricks. “Yes, I did. Mary Margaret and I do not usually have as much time to spend together as we did so this was a nice treat.”
“And was the refreshment to your liking?”
“The… as I am sure you know, there are no refreshments in the garden. Is it hot in here?”
Oliver felt the smile begin on his lips and he pressed them together hard to avoid any hint of it breaking through. “Hot? No, my dear but we can stand on the balcony if you prefer.”
“That might be nice. I am feeling a bit overheated.” He led her to the stone walking area out the back door of the drawing room.
“Your face is flushed, my dear. And you are unsteady. Almost as if you were drinking from the wrong punch bowl or the wrong decanter.”
“What? No. I can promise you I did not drink from the wrong punch bowl, but I do feel a bit dizzy.”
“Maybe it is the dancing. You may need to go home.”
“No, I am staying. But maybe I will go lay down in my room.”
“That is a good idea. Young ladies that slip into liquor cupboards and help themselves often feel out of sorts soon afterward.”
“You are talking gliber-gibler-nonsense. I simply am overheated and need to lie down.” She belched quietly but her cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
“As you wish, my dear. But take heed. That was a naughty thing to do and there will be more consequences than feeling hot and ill.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about, but rest assur-assured that you will never do that conse-kest thing. You have no right.”
“Oh, my dear.” He spoke low. “If you choose to sneak into a liquor cabinet again, I may not be available to divert you being discovered. However, you may count on me baring your backside and spanking you with meaning.”
“You… what? It was you with Lord Downing?”
“It was. But you won’t distract me. I promise to smack your bottom next time. Hard.”
She twirled around to leave, then grabbed his arm quickly. “Oh, I don’t feel well.”
“I don’t suppose you do, little one. Small movements. Let me walk you to your room.”
“No.”
“You’re right, it wouldn’t be proper at this juncture. There will come a day but never mind at present. I’ll grab a maid to come with us.”
Lilli looked as though she would like to say something but decided not to. She looked as though she needed a thorough emptying of her belly. Instead of taking her upstairs, he took her further into the garden, in a secluded spot.
“Empty your stomach, darling.”
“I beg your pardon. What did you say?” Lilli asked in a feeble voice.
“Cough or do whatever you require to empty the contents of your stomach. It will make you feel better.”
She shook her head. In a voice much younger than her normal tone, she said, “I don’t want to. Why are you being mean?” She ended her question with a moan.
The smile on his face and the joy in his heart to hear what he hoped was confirmation of Lilli being his Little darling he firmed his voice. “Induce purging, little girl. It is important that you get the contents of your insides, outside. Do as Daddy says.”
Lilli’s face was flushed, and her eyes were red and watery from crying.
She looked disheveled and unwell as she swayed and clutched her stomach in pain.
The secluded spot in the garden was surrounded by tall bushes and trees, providing privacy for the two of them.
If anyone were to hear the sound of her retching, they would assume it is a young man.
They were notorious for vomiting in the bushes at parties. Young women never did.
Lilli hesitated as if unsure, then began coughing for a few seconds, and soon she was ejecting the offending fluid. She cried as she vomited the vile liquor. When she had finished, he pulled out his handkerchief, wiping her tears, then her mouth.
“I know you are angry with me, but this was the quickest way to eliminate the foulness in you. Now, go to your room, clean up, drink some rainwater, and take a sleeping drought. Then sleep. You will be better in the morning. I shall fetch you tomorrow promptly at three.”
Without another word, she accepted the maid’s hand.
Oliver watched her retreating figure, his chest tightening with both satisfaction and unease.
Was he overstepping? Perhaps. Yet the thought of her vulnerable state left unattended twisted his stomach.
He reiterated his instructions to the maid, ensuring they would make it to bed through a side door where no prying eyes could witness their encounter. Just as he’d hoped.
He suppressed both his smile and his frown as Lilli stumbled slightly on the path.
The maid moved forward, steadying her with practiced efficiency.
Oliver’s hand twitched at his side, torn between rushing to her aid and maintaining proper distance.
She righted herself quickly, and they continued through the door, leaving him standing alone with his warring thoughts.
Her breath had smelled of whiskey—Lord Downing’s whiskey—and her complexion had shifted from flushed to pallid.
The foolish, reckless, endearing girl. How could he admire her spirit and fear for her safety, while fighting an ache to thrash that delectable arse in the same thundering heartbeat?
Because she is who you have been looking for.