Chapter 9 An Abundance of Yearning
AN ABUNDANCE OF YEARNING
The journey to Edgewater Heights took forever.
At least, that was what it had felt like to Lilly.
She’d tried reading, crocheting, even embroidering (God help her) to help the time pass more quickly, but none of it could keep her attention for longer than a mile.
It seemed molasses moved faster than the horses pulling their carriages.
And must they stop at every inn? Really, hadn’t Mother just relieved herself a few hours back?
Lilly squirmed and shifted the entire two days it took to traverse to Captain Redmond’s home. It was dreadfully hard to act like a genteel lady when one hadn’t seen one’s true love for nearly an entire week!
As they passed the final village before Edgewater Heights, Lilly’s excitement grew to a tangible thing. “Calm down, Lilly,” her aunt had told her. “You’re going to make yourself sick, for heaven’s sake!”
That painted a pretty picture.
Lilly imagined herself, leaping from the carriage into Michael’s loving arms and then promptly retching her luncheon all over the place.
Perhaps she ought to try to settle down.
Everything was so beautiful though!
Tall, lush trees, green grass, and lilac bushes covered the valley where Edgewater Heights nestled. The carriages creaked more than usual as they crossed a delightful cobblestone bridge and then turned down through the wooded drive. And then they rounded a bend, and she saw the house.
It wasn’t a mansion, but it wasn’t a small country house either.
Ropes of ivy profusely climbed the three-story manor nearly to the roof.
Arched windows cradled flower boxes, recently planted, and the scent in the air was that of the sea mingled with fresh lilacs.
Several steps led up to the large wooden door.
And standing in front of the house, Captain Redmond—Michael—awaiting their arrival. She must have attempted to stand, for her aunt’s arm pressed her firmly down into her seat.
“Contain yourself, girl. Show him you have more than a thimbleful of dignity.”
“Of course.” It was as though the world had changed from grays to colors again.
The carriages came to a halt, and Michael stepped up to assist the ladies.
First, her mother. “Welcome to Edgewater Heights, Mrs. Bridge.” Captain Redmond handed her down and then bowed politely.
Next was her aunt. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Eleanor.” He waited patiently as her aunt allowed him to assist her off the coach. He bowed to her politely.
Then finally, finally, Lilly leaned out the door. Michael’s hands went to her waist, and he carefully lowered her to the ground. In his gaze, she saw mirrored the yearning she felt.
Michael wanted to gather her close more than anything, but for propriety’s sake, of course, he did not.
Instead, he bowed over her hand and pressed his lips to her wrist. “Welcome to Edgewater Heights…Lilly.” Emotion nearly choked him.
Mr. Harris, Caroline, Penelope, and one of the lady’s maids had all climbed out of the other carriage and were stretching and making pleasing remarks about the property.
Placing Lilly’s hand on his arm, Michael went about greeting the other guests and inviting them inside to freshen up while the servants took up the luggage.
He introduced the women to his housekeeper, Mrs. Smith, and she asked them to follow her so she could take them to each of their quarters.
Danbury volunteered to show Harris to the wing where his room was located.
In fact, it was a sizeable house. The staff had been madly cleaning windows and floors, airing rugs, washing linens, and sweeping out fireplaces for the last three days.
Having worked alongside many of them, Michael was certain everything was in as good a condition as possible.
Lilly went to follow the housekeeper, but Michael held her back.
“I’d show you to your room, if I may, my lady.”
“Oh Michael, I’m not a lady.” Lilly laughed at that, her eyes sparkling.
“You’re my lady.” He pulled her close, rather abruptly, and buried his face in her neck. “I am so happy to see you.” He spoke the words in a rushed whisper before quickly pulling away. He didn’t wish to harm her reputation. Covering her hand, he led her up the other side of the U-shaped staircase.
Lilly gazed around the foyer curiously. The carpet was worn, but all the wood had been shined and polished. There wasn’t any dust to be seen, and lemon oil scented the air. “It’s beautiful, Michael! It is grand, and yet, it feels like a home.”
Satisfaction settled upon him at her words.
Once they reached the landing, he guided her past several doors.
They led to the master’s suites. He would have loved to ensconce her in the suite adjoining his but knew that was out of the question—for now.
So instead he took her to his next favorite room.
He opened the door and gestured for her to enter.
The carpet, the drapes, the linen, and the counterpane had all been replaced especially for her visit.
The room was clean and modern and comfortable.
The window boasted the best view in the house, south over the gardens.
Beyond the gardens, one could see the forest and far off in the distance, on a clear day, the sea.
A footman stepped in behind them and placed Lilly’s trunk at the end of the bed. Michael addressed her. “I have designated one of the servants to act as lady’s maid for you. I wasn’t sure if you would bring Betty along or not.”
“How kind of you, Captain Redmond. We did not, in fact, bring Betty along.”
“I shall send her up shortly, then, if you wish to freshen up?” Michael sounded very formal. She waited for the footman to leave and then after he had partially closed the door behind him, Lilly threw herself into Michael’s arms. In her enthusiasm, both of them tumbled onto the large bed.
“Oh, Michael, I have missed you so!”
This was one of the aspects he loved most about her. Her exuberance for life—her utter lack of forced ennui. She did not play games with him, and yet her innocent sensuality wreaked havoc on his libido.
Michael wrapped his arms around her and couldn’t help smiling. Holding her close, inhaling her scent, and kissing her skin felt like the most natural thing in the world.
“You cannot imagine all the work that needed to be done here.” This was so very inappropriate, he knew. Lying on her bed with the door halfway closed. If anybody were to discover them, she would be thoroughly compromised.
And then he would have to marry her.
Which he intended to do anyway.
“So you were too overwhelmed with the estate to miss me?” she teased.
His answer was to roll her onto her back and kiss her thoroughly.
Being away from her had been torture. He’d never imagined he would feel such need for another person.
Lilly Bridge in his home, in his arms, provided him with a feeling of completeness.
As though he had been starving and then served the perfect meal.
She filled that hollowness he’d carried around since he couldn’t remember when.
“It was either that or turn around and return to London, Lil,” he admitted, reluctantly pulling away from her mouth. “I want everything to be perfect for you. I didn’t want you to come here and be disappointed.” He held her face tenderly and touched his lips softly to hers. Once, twice, again…
“Someone’s coming,” Lilly whispered. Growling in frustration, he pushed himself off the bed and pulled her up to stand.
Turning to the vanity mirror, Lilly smoothed out her dress and then tucked a few wayward strands behind her ears. Michael ran his own hands down the front of his jacket but realized they’d likely not fool anyone.
A few of her hairpins remained on the center of the bed, which was now rumpled as well.
“Knock, knock.” Her mother’s voice sang through the open door as she pushed it open wide. Aunt Eleanor, Miss Crone, and Miss Harris were right behind her. “Lord Danbury gave us instructions to Lilly’s room. We thought we would locate her before finding our way downstairs for tea.”
Both Mrs. Bridge and Lady Eleanor glanced knowingly at the rumpled counterpane, and then Lady Eleanor raised her brows questioningly.
Lilly, who appeared somewhat rumpled as well, flushed under her mother’s scrutiny.
Michael walked across the room and indicated the view outside the window.
“This room has one of the best views on the estate.” He’d had to turn away quickly in an attempt to subdue his own arousal.
Stealing his thoughts, he imagined himself swimming in very cold water.
“If you look beyond the forest, you might get a glimpse of the sea.”
“Captain Redmond, your estate is absolutely divine!” Miss Crone sang.
“After being in the carriage for two days, I cannot wait to walk around and explore,” Miss Harris chimed in as they reached around each other to take in the view.
Michael glanced over his shoulder and saw Mrs. Bridge was sending him a definitively icy stare. “Captain Redmond”—she spoke in a clipped voice—“would you step into the corridor so I might have a word with you?”
It wasn’t a question. It was more of a command.
Even though Michael intended to ask for Lilly’s hand when her father arrived, he realized that now, more than ever, he must defer to her family’s sensibilities. He did not wish to sully their relationship in any way. He also wanted to have a good rapport with his future in-laws.
“Of course, madam.” He followed her out of the room.
Once they had exited into the sparsely decorated hallway, she closed the door and faced him.