Chapter 5 The Courtship
THE COURTSHIP
True to his word, Captain Redmond arrived at the stately townhouse on Curzon Street the next afternoon. He carried with him three separate bouquets of flowers.
Lilly knew the moment he entered the room, for her heart seemed to skip a beat.
The very atmosphere changed with his presence.
He appeared confident and unconcerned by the other suitors surrounding Lilly. No military uniform today. Instead he wore tan breeches, a brown waistcoat, and a black jacket. His neck cloth was tied in a simple knot, and his jacket hung loosely upon him.
His boots were, however, buffed to a high shine.
As unobtrusively as possible, she watched beyond the gentleman currently speaking to her, so she might observe Captain Redmond greeting her aunt.
Bending over Lady Eleanor’s hand, the captain presented her aunt with one of the bouquets he carried. He then handed an identical one to her mother. The bouquets were original, mostly greenery, ferns with a smattering of geraniums. Lilly was curious as to the last collection of flowers he held.
Other suitors had shown no originality at all. They had all, of course, come bearing bouquets of lilies. The unique arrangements brought by Captain Redmond struck her in that it seemed, she thought, he was using his bouquets in a completely different way. He must know the language of flowers.
The geraniums, Lilly knew, meant esteem, and she was also quite certain ferns meant sincerity.
The third bouquet he brought was made up of a profusion of colorful blooms, some names of which escaped her.
There was one lily, several different-colored roses, forget-me-nots, and baby’s breath.
She knew a lily meant beauty and elegance, the roses represented different aspects of love, and the baby’s breath was innocence.
The other flower might be a peach blossom, but she wasn’t sure. She would have to look it up.
Probably, she read too much into them.
Meanwhile, Lord Harris continued to describe, at length, the distinctive poets he was interested in, reciting lines from a few of their poems. Lilly nodded but continued observing Captain Redmond.
He’d known she was watching him; she was certain of this by the look in his eyes when he finally approached her.
She interrupted Lord Harris’s recitation. “Excuse me but a moment. I must greet a new arrival.” Captain Redmond’s eyes stayed locked upon her until they met halfway across the room.
Lilly curtsied, and he bowed over her hand. This time he did place a soft kiss upon her wrist. Shivers ran through her at his touch.
And this time, neither wore gloves.
She couldn’t help noticing how elegant and strong his hands were.
They appeared to have been darkened by the sun, but his nails were neatly trimmed.
Despite wearing civilian attire, he looked just as imposing as he had last night.
As he bent over her hand, she breathed in his scent—musky sandalwood and leather. She inhaled deeply. He intoxicated her!
He continued holding her hand even though he had completed his bow. “Miss Bridge, I trust you are well rested, having survived your first London ball?” The low, gravelly tones of his voice sent shivers down her spine.
Lilly had hardly slept a wink. She had been far too excited to sleep. Each time she had closed her eyes the image of Captain Redmond had enticed her into romantic, hopeful fantasies.
“I am, sir.” She looked up at him flirtatiously. “And you have survived it as well.”
The captain released her hand and presented the bouquet to her. “Just barely,” he teased. His eyes were laughing.
“They are beautiful.” She buried her face in the fragrant flowers. Then, touching a few of the petals, she indicated one she wasn’t sure of. “What is the name of this one?” she asked.
He leaned in to get a better look at it and then held her eyes steadily. “It is a peach blossom,” he said. He was telling her more, she knew.
“Flowers have meanings. Do you know what the peach blossom means?” she asked.
He answered her cryptically. “I do.”
“But you will not tell me?”
“I will not.”
“Oh…”
Just then Lilly’s mother came forward, gushing about the so very original bouquets the captain had brought.
He was the only suitor who had thought to gift her aunt and mother as well as the popular debutante.
“So unique, and how thoughtful of Captain Redmond, don’t you think, Lilly?
” Mrs. Bridge went to take the large bouquet from Lilly.
“Let’s have Jarvis take care of these. He can put them in the morning room.
They will be so lovely in there, with all of the sunshine. ”
But Lilly didn’t want them stashed away with all of the other flowers. “No, Mother, have him put them in my be—in my chamber.”
Lilly’s mother paused for a moment, looked like she might object, raised her eyebrows, and then said, “Very well,” before taking the flowers and disappearing into the foyer.
“Come and sit down, Captain Redmond.” Lilly remembered her manners. “Are you acquainted with our other guests?”
Captain Redmond glanced around at the faces in the drawing room and nodded. Approaching a seating area which held a small group of young men and women, Lilly delighted in his amicability. “Danbury, Harris…Miss Crone.” He bowed. “Miss Harris.”
Lilly found an open settee nearby and, as her hand was tucked into the captain’s arm, pulled him down to sit beside her. They sat very close. They were, in fact, touching.
Lilly was to learn that Miss Harris was Miles Harris’s younger sister.
The captain had apparently attended Eton with both Viscount Danbury and Mr. Harris.
In addition to that, Penelope Crone was friendly with Caroline Harris.
They all had a prior acquaintance and were a pleasant group. Conversation flowed easily.
Lilly turned to Captain Redmond. “Miss Harris and Miss Crone have offered to take me to some of their favorite shops tomorrow afternoon. I am so happy to make friends here. I love keeping company with my aunt and my mother, but it’s not the same as spending time with friends of like age, wouldn’t you agree? ” Oh, Lord, she was babbling already.
“If I remember correctly, they will likely drag you into every shop in London.” The captain teased the young ladies. “Harris has complained long and hard after accompanying these misses on a few of their more extravagant shopping expeditions.”
He kept his hands firmly in his lap. Lilly’s hand remained tucked into his arm.
The group discussed various upcoming balls and parties, a possible excursion to Vauxhall, and of course the weather, before Captain Redmond turned toward Lilly.
“I must retrieve the curricle for our drive this afternoon. Will you be ready in one hour?” He had taken hold of her hand when he’d turned. Both of their hands were lost in the folds of her skirts. He squeezed gently and massaged her palm slowly with his thumb.
Lilly was so conscious of his touch, she forgot what he’d asked her. What had he said? Something about leaving?
“Pardon?”
“I need to collect the curricle for our drive. Is an hour enough time for you to get ready, Miss Bridge?”
He knew.
He knew how his touch had affected her. She trapped his thumb in her hand and smiled daringly back. “An hour will be fine. I’m looking forward to it.”
Lilly spent a quarter of an hour longer with the remaining guests before they finally stood to leave.
She was excited for the plans they’d made to meet the next day but even more excited for her scheduled outing with Captain Redmond.
She waved them a very cheerful goodbye and then dashed up to her room to freshen up for his return.
When she entered her chamber, she was instantly caught up again by the beauty of his bouquet.
Burying her face in the blossoms, she inhaled deeply before remembering that she did not know the meaning of the peach blossom.
As a flower enthusiast from childhood, she had a book conveniently tucked away in her escritoire.
Not bothering to sit, she skimmed through it until she came across the section on the language of flowers.
“Oleander…orchid…palm leaves…aha!” Lilly read aloud.
“The peach blossom…I am your captive…” Pressing the book into her chest, she closed her eyes.
He was too good to be true. Could this be happening to her?
He is my captive? Oh, no, she thought. I am his.
She twirled around slowly and then tossed herself onto the yellow counterpane that covered her bed.
Then, unable to contain herself, she kicked her feet in excitement and covered her hand with her mouth, lest her squeal of delight alert the entire household of her joy.
Rolling over to her stomach she reopened the book to verify the meaning of the peach blossom once again, as though she couldn’t quite believe it.
I am your captive…I am your captive…
A knock on the door had Lilly slamming the book closed and leaping to her feet. Her mother opened the door slowly.
“Be sure to take a pelisse with you this afternoon. The sun is shining, but the wind is brisk today.” Her mother smiled as she entered the room.
Her gaze, as Lilly’s had been, was immediately drawn to the colorful, passionate flower arrangement. She then looked at her daughter suspiciously. Mrs. Bridge knew her daughter well. She also knew the meaning of such sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks.
“You seem to have found a beau rather quickly, Lilly.” Her mother had told her that she believed in love. She’d also advised Lilly to be wary of it.
Lilly would be no such thing. “He is the one, Mother. I know it. He is so utterly handsome, and kind, and sweet…and handsome! What should I wear for our drive? Should I change my dress? Should I allow him to see me in the same outfit I have on now? Oh, Mama, I am so nervous! I am also so very happy!” Lilly flitted around pulling out various dresses for perusal.