Chapter 4 #3
The long weekend was at a close. As Lilli prepared to leave, Oliver cornered her in the dimly lit cloakroom, his tall frame blocking the narrow doorway. The scent of his sandalwood cologne mingled with the musty odor of damp wool coats, igniting her senses again.
“Do you have more than the driver to escort you home, Lady Lilliana?” His voice was low, almost a whisper against the rustling of her silk skirts.
“Of course. I never go without two coachmen since...” Her voice faltered, her gloved fingers nervously twisting the pearl buttons of her pelisse as she busied herself in identifying her outer garments. “Since I began traveling alone. My maid is with me as well.”
Oliver’s amber eyes grew warm like honey in summer’s sunlight. He nodded, the crisp white of his cravat stark against his tanned skin. “Good. Shall I follow you home?”
“I do not need you dogging my steps even as I go home, Your Grace. I can live my life quite well without you interfering.” Her chin lifted defiantly, the pale column of her throat visible above her high coat collar. “Good day to you, Sir.”
He captured her arm, his large hand encircling her sleeve firmly but not harshly.
The fine wool of his tailored coat stretched across broad shoulders as he leaned closer.
His tone was stern but there was that distinct twinkle of gaiety in his eye, like a mischievous schoolboy hiding behind a duke’s authority.
“Such a sassy mouth, my dear. You are not mine to correct yet, but I assure you, when that does occur, for it shall, you shall discover what I will and will not tolerate. Enjoy your freedom well, my little darling, for when you become my duchess, then you will dance to the tune I play and no others.”
“You shall be waiting an eternity, I fear,” she replied, her cheeks flushed pink with indignation, the rapid rise and fall of her chest betraying her agitation and heightened emotion.
“For I will not give up my autonomy to another. Especially one who intends to curtail my freedoms. Better you redirect your efforts now and waste no more of your time on me.”
“Not your freedoms, my dear, merely your risky frivolity and defiance. And tame that insolent mouth of yours.” His thumb traced a small circle on her sleeve, sending an unwelcome shiver up her spine.
“Mark my words. Soon, you will be happy to submit to me when I demand it and will offer yourself to me freely.”
She forced a laugh that echoed hollowly in the small space.
Lilliana needed to leave before she said or did something like yell or kick his perfectly polished Hessian boots.
She longed to kick his shins, but it would cause a scene, and she still wasn’t sure the duke would not upend her and thrash her for such an act, his powerful frame easily capable of subduing her.
She decided to flounce out of the room with a strong, “Oh!” her skirts swishing dramatically against the doorframe, the echoing tap of her traveling boots punctuating her exit.
Tears filled her eyes but thankfully didn’t fall until the coach was taking her away from the most irascible and enticing man in her world.
The Duke chuckled, the sound rich and deep like aged brandy, if descriptions of brandy were to be believed. She would never taste it. Oliver was uncouth. A blackguard. A rogue with eyes that followed her retreat like a predator tracking its prey. She squirmed like a trapped rabbit.
The carriage wheels rattled beneath her, each turn carrying Lilli further from the weekend’s gathering and deeper into her thoughts. Another invitation card sat unopened in her reticule. Amelia’s wedding. The third wedding this season.
Her fingers traced the embroidery on her gloves; the ones Oliver had complimented with such precise observation. “The violet thread matches your eyes exactly when you laugh,” he’d said, noticing what no one else ever had.
But then there was his frown when she’d refused to eat the sauerkraut at dinner.
She had chosen only a few things to eat, regardless of the items he put on her plate.
She had generously helped herself to the dessert tray.
It was more enticing than the dinner, even though Oliver had frowned and whispered she had better eat well at breakfast. And then was sitting in wait for her at breakfast to monitor her food choices.
Then there was the way he’d guided her away from Lord Edmund’s political circle with a firm hand at her back.
“A duke’s wife must be above reproach,” he’d whispered, his breath warm against her ear, sending unwelcome shivers down her spine.
He was close enough to kiss her. “You must always be cognizant of your reputation.”
Wife? The word both thrilled and terrified her. She pictured herself in his grand home, respected and adored—then saw herself silenced at his table to remain above reproach.
“Then I suppose you had better find your wife and tell her of your restrictive rules for I shall not be that woman.”
Then his low, earth shattering response. “You are the only woman I would take to wife. And as I must take a wife, I have chosen you.”
“Well, I have not chosen you,” she had said. Entitled aristocrat. And yet…
“It will happen, my darling. It will happen.” He had kissed her cheek and sauntered off. He hadn’t even asked for a dance. Not that she had any left, but he should have asked.
The carriage slowed. Home already? Lilli’s hand hesitated on the door handle. Tomorrow would Oliver call again? Tomorrow would she need to decide her course?
“Milady?” The footman extended his hand, waiting.
She was exhausted from mentally running away from Oliver, then running to him. It was more than she wanted to continue. He is too strict and has too many expectations. Curtailing her freedoms and independence would be something he could do without effort if she gave over to him.
To date, he had not shown he could be more than indulgent at times within his boundaries, not hers.
Would he allow her the freedom she craves?
Allow her independence of thought? Would he respect her opinion and act on it?
She sighed inwardly. He was a duke and was likely used to always getting his way.
He would expect it. No, it would never work.
She was home, and the time to dwell on her duke was coming to an end.
He would find a woman that didn’t challenge him, gave him all the children he desired, looked elegant on his arm, and didn’t break any rules.
That was not her. So, no matter what he said, the future would not include the two of them.
Resigned to the inevitable, Lilli accepted the proffered hand to alight the carriage. With a deep breath that settled nothing, Lilli stepped down and walked into her grandmother’s house, her mind still fully occupied.
“Grandmother, I cannot abide Oliver Weston. He is not to be born. You must do something to stop him from interfering in my life. Do you know he threatened to… well, it is of little consequence. I will not tolerate such high-handedness. Do you realize that he takes great pride in behaving as though he is my protector? No, keeper. My lord. And he says I will be his. When I tell him it is ludicrous, he stares calmly as though I am but a child. He does not heed my words, Gran. He appears to listen at times, but it is inconsequential, for he continues as he began. It is intolerable. He will not do.”
Lady St. Matthews offered a bland and slightly sympathetic face to her granddaughter. “My dear, I don’t know what you mean. What enjoyment? If it is beyond the pale, then I shall send him a message to cease at once. Stop fretting and let’s have our tea.”
Lilli poured her grandmother’s tea and then her own.
“It isn’t the specifics that I am infuriated about, although several times he has demanded I change my activity because he demands it.
No, it is the mere fact that he interjects himself into whatever I am doing.
I do not have that bother when he is not present. ”
“Well, I suppose it would make sense as when he is there, he is and when he isn’t he cannot do or say anything to you.
” Lady Elizabeth shook her head slowly. “I can inquire as to the invitees and if he is on the list, you can decline to go but I fear it will make for a very light engagement calendar. He is an unattached duke and as such, surely to make everyone’s list of guests.
He is a rare breed, especially in the country. ”
Lilli sighed. “I’m sure that is true. And if I decline an invitation, the hostesses will likely take it as a slight. We don’t want that.”
“Indeed, we do not.” Her gran patted her hand lying in her lap.
“So, what am I to do, then?”
“Do? Would the adage ‘kill them with kindness’ work?” asked her grandmother.
Lilli reached for a cake. “That would mean to engage him in my life. I don’t believe he would be happy if he weren’t chastising me in some manner.”
“Chastising?”
“Grandmother, are you not listening? He inserts himself into everything I do while attending these parties.”
“Yes, I heard you, but chastising? That isn’t very specific dear. You will need to be more precise.”
Lilli sighed. “Never mind. It is what it is. I shall just have to find a way to ignore him.”
Lady St. Matthews smiled behind her teacup. “Yes, dear. I believe that is an excellent plan.”
Lilli knew her grandmother was indulging her because she secretly liked the duke.
Well, old ladies had their heads turned even at eighty.
Lilli was not going to be influenced by wealth and power when all she wanted was a quiet existence.
Being with the duke would mean she wouldn’t find a bit of peace where she could wander and set her responsibilities aside for a few moments.
She would be expected to perform in some capacity at all times.
Grandmother thought he was a good man but how would she know?
Because his father was an upright man doesn’t mean his son is.
Granted, he seemed to be someone with a good head on his shoulders, but he hadn’t been put to the test. Yet.
Maybe she could do that and see what type of man he really was.
And end this tiny notion that he was right, and they would do well together.