Chapter 6 #2
“Well, I have not known him these last nine years. He was an honorable man when I knew him but that was nearly half of my life ago. And fear not, milady. I will not stay. If you would direct me to where you believe my father is and any final bits of information that may help me, I would appreciate that. I don’t believe I shall be this way again, but feel free to have a visit with me in the future. ”
The relief in the room was palatable. It had become more than obvious that she was in a home that lived under strained circumstance. Lilli took her leave the next day.
After day twelve, she would have wished the duke to find her whatever the cost. Her mind wandered during the time in the coach.
She wanted to hear his deep voice, and to cuddle her soft pillows on her bed.
She wanted a well-made cup of tea and even a scorching scolding from the Duke would have been acceptable.
This day, they set off with two women and two gentlemen and a young lad.
Her destination was the next village over where her father was said to frequent.
The sudden attack of bandits startled her, but instinct took over.
She swore that she would never again be helpless in an attack.
Living on the estate and learning things from their grounds and gamekeeper Ewan taught her how to aim quickly and fire accurately.
However, this creature coming in her direction was a man, not a deer for the vegetables or fox after the chickens.
Her chest was tight. Her breathing increased and with several deliberately slow breaths she was focused. Now a much steadier hand controlled her firearm. She aimed her pistol and fired. The discharge was deafening in the chaos. She watched one of the men fall off his horse and hit the ground.
The man beside him turned to fire in her direction.
Amidst the screaming of the other woman and the yelling of one male passenger for the woman to sit down and be quiet, her armed neighbor shot and another man fell from his horse beside the bandit she had shot.
Lilli was shaking and nearly dropped her gun.
The coachmen shot their own weapons while the coach lurched forward and the attack was over almost before it began.
As the threat was left far behind them, adrenaline coursed through her veins, leaving her heart racing and her hands trembling without the absolute ability to calm them.
In the aftermath, she found herself yearning for the comforting presence of the Duke of Weston more than ever.
One thing had been pounded into her on this journey—she was alone. Truly alone.
She was not entirely certain why his appearance and presence came to her mind; except he was the only man who had come to her rescue in recent times.
The only one who seemed to care about her welfare past her mother and grandmothers, who were no longer with her.
Tears she desperately tried to hold back sent a hard frisson of tingles through her body ending in her nose.
He was the only man she could remember defending her, chastising her, or taking his time to know who she was as a woman and a person. She supposed he was simply being a gentleman, but deep down, she suspected—no hoped, it was more than that.
Several hours later, still shaken by the encounter, the coach stopped for the night, and she sought refuge at a nearby inn.
The public house where the coach had stopped was overrun with travelers and she simply couldn’t imagine the crush of people tonight.
All she wanted was to curl up and find some comfort.
She desperately tried to compose herself and push back the rising tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
The memories of the horrid afternoon that she lost her mother came flooding back, suffocating her senses.
She was so alone here, and in this world.
The innkeeper showed her where her room would be and asked if she would like a nice hot cup of tea and some cake to help her deal with the aftermath.
“Thank you, that would be lovely. And I may need more than one cup.” She tried to give him a smile, but it was too difficult.
“Aye, lass, I imagine you will. Is there someone local we could send for?”
“No, but thank you. I simply need a time to compose my thoughts. But the tea would be lovely. Thank you.”
“I’ll send over the tea and a bit of cake for the extra sugar. My wife swears by it after a fright. If you need anything else, I am at your service.” The kind innkeeper left her sitting in a corner of the room.
Just as she struggled to hold back tears of fear and frustration, another person entered the establishment. She wasn’t sure why she looked up, but when she did, she couldn’t believe her eyes. It was him. As though she had conjured him up, he was here.
The Duke of Weston looked around and spied her.
In a few steps he stood before her, his expression a mix of concern and determination and possibly relief.
Without a word, he took charge of the situation, his calm demeanor wrapping around her like a protective shield.
She felt a wave of relief wash over her as he assumed control with practiced ease, his presence anchoring her.
She had been gone for several weeks, and this was the first time she had welcomed the attentions of a man who was not an innkeeper. She had been able to extricate herself from the previous ones, but this man, the duke, was not one she could likely shake loose. Nor did she want to.
Being accosted by road bandits was one distressing event she couldn’t forget. And she shot a man. She didn’t think he was dead, for he could move still as they drove away, but the reality was the same to her. The panic returned. Her breath came harder, her chest tightened.
“Come on, my dear. We have all had a fright today and you have had the worst of it. I told the innkeeper I was your husband and had just heard the news. I will take care of you. He seemed relieved that you didn’t have to stay alone. I am too.”
She nodded, still struggling to breathe easily but finding his presence comforting. Once he had them in a tiny private room off in the corner of the establishment, she inched down onto the seating as food was carried in for them.
“I have brought out food for your men, as well, and found places for them to sleep the night, Your Grace. If you require anything else, let me know. I will return shortly.” The innkeeper stopped and turned around to say, “Your duchess, Your Grace, saved the occupants in the coach by taking the first shot quickly. She hit true. The rest responded after that, but she is a good shot. She was well taught.”
Oliver gave her a look of appreciation and something else. “She was indeed.” The stew and bread, along with a new pot of tea, were welcome. “Have you eaten today, my dear?”
“At breakfast. We were going to stop to eat our lunch but things happened.”
“The robbery.”
“Yes. I guess you have already heard all the news. Well obviously, since the innkeeper must have already spoken to you to know the story to comment on it.” Lilli was feeling testy.
“Yes. And I want to hear about it from you but not until you have eaten your fill and had some tea. You must still be in shock. Shall I get you some brandy? I want you to feel better about things.”
“Things?” She shook her head and took a bite.
It was savory and warm. Just what she needed. Oliver took her cue and ate his dinner.
“Why are you here?” she asked him after having eaten her fill. “You are supposed to be at home taking care of Heatherfield. That is quite irresponsible.”
“Irresponsible?” He sounded a very undignified snort. “Who left without permission or an escort? Who has been traipsing about the countryside without anyone knowing her whereabouts? No, Heatherfield is where you are supposed to be, waiting for me to return.”
“Am I to wait for you now? I have things that must be done.” A beat of time passed. “Return? From where?”
“Don’t tell me you did not know that I was out of the country? You took the opportunity to slip away. You had everyone worried.”
“I thought you were at home. How was I to know you were galivanting about the world?” Lilli shook her head and leaned back in her chair.
“It doesn’t matter. I was mourning my grandmother.
How would I have time to worry about where you were?
Rather arrogant, wouldn’t you say? And I am always responsible.
Besides, I have things to take care of. I informed you.
Who did you leave to watch my place? My people are good but they like to talk about the direction of the estate. ”
“I thought you needed a Daddy and I needed my little one. You do and I do, but for right now, you need a spanking more.”
“I need a… No, just no. How dare you insult me and in public.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “We are in a private room, my dear,” he said dryly. “The better question is where are you going? What has kept you gone for weeks?” His voice betrayed his weariness and confusion.
“Nowhere that you need concern yourself. Besides, I already told you. To find my father. And I know you read my message or else you would not have been here.”
His voice lowered and deepened. “Lilliana, I will not play games. I am too tired and irritated. You will answer me truthfully and completely, or I will…”
“What? Beat me?” She realized, too late, that she had pushed too far, but dammit, she was done in.
“Have you gotten a room here yet?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I will share with you.”
“You will not. It is not done and well you know it,” she hissed.
But he was done. “I am supposed to be your husband. Which room?”
She said nothing.
“Up or I will make a scene and tell them you are my naughty wife that I have just found.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Would you like to test me?”
“Your reputation would be tarnished.”
“Tarnished? Maybe, for a little time to retell the tale, but yours would be destroyed. I wouldn’t advise it, but as you wish.”