Chapter 12 Recovering the Goods #2
Arriving at the achingly familiar townhouse, Lilly and Glenda were greeted with enthusiastic affection by Lilly’s aunt, Lady Eleanor Sheffield.
Lilly hadn’t seen her since her mother’s funeral and was saddened to see how much the lady had aged.
Her eyes still sparkled with mischief, however, as she exclaimed over Glenda that she would be the talk of the ton this season.
Aunt Eleanor pulled them into her cozy drawing room and sent Mary and her own servants to assist in bringing in the luggage and unpacking it in the girls’ rooms.
The weather had cooled that evening, and the fire roaring in the overlarge hearth was welcome indeed. Tea and sandwiches were brought in as the three settled in to catch up with one another.
Lilly hadn’t prepared herself for the memories that assaulted her the moment she entered her aunt’s home.
Nine years ago, Michael had called upon her often.
He’d come during receiving hours and taken tea with Lilly, her mother, and her aunt.
He had also dined with them on several occasions with everyone expecting his presence among the family to one day become permanent.
There had been a few moments when they had been left alone in this very room and managed to engage in various… other…activities.
A lump lodged itself in Lilly’s throat. She was glad for Glenda to fill her aunt in on the events of their journey.
Glenda told her Aunt Eleanor about the duke who had been robbed by highwaymen on his way to town.
She told her all about how he had been handsome and very charming and had known Lilly before becoming a duke.
She told her he had ridden in their coach with them for a day and a morning and had been very pleasant indeed.
Aunt Eleanor was not so old she did not remember who this duke was.
She watched Lilly in concern and then tentatively said, “Captain Redmond, now the Duke of Cortland, is to marry the daughter of a dear friend of mine in May. As I am the bride’s godmother, all of us, of course, shall be invited to the festivities. ”
Lilly schooled her features to hide her inner turmoil. She did not want her aunt to suffer guilt for celebrating with her friend. But, oh God, life could be cruel indeed. Lilly had not bargained for such a complication as this!
“It is Lady Ravensdale, then, who is your friend?” Lilly maintained a peaceful demeanor.
“It is, dear. I’ve known Josephine for years.
Along with their daughter, the youngest, there are four sinfully handsome sons.
” Pausing in her enthusiasm, she peered closely at Lilly.
“This connection, does it cause you distress, my dear? If so, then we must avoid the family. I was hoping enough time had passed, but if not, be truthful. I’ll not cause you torment over it.
” The older woman’s eyes regarded her in concern.
Lilly refused to deprive her aunt of her dear friend, Josephine Spencer—who just happened to be Lady Ravensdale—who just happened to be Michael’s betrothed’s mother.
“I shall be fine, Aunt. I am, however, weary from the long drive today. Would you be disappointed if I excused myself early? I can hardly keep my eyes open.”
“Oh, but of course, you must go right up to bed! You remember the room you took before? I have put you in the same. And I still have Betty with me, and she is so pleased to act as your maid again!” Aunt Eleanor rose to her feet and placed her hands on both sides of Lilly’s face before Lilly could exit the room.
“I am so very, very happy you have come to stay with me. We are going to have the most delightful of seasons!” She looked Lilly straight in the eyes, searching for any misgivings or second thoughts.
“Everything is going to turn out fine. It always does. Get a good night’s sleep, and then we will discuss our plans tomorrow!
” She kissed Lilly on the cheek and then shooed her off to bed.
Lady Sheffield, never considered a beauty, even in her prime, was nonetheless attractive in that she was confident in both manner and bearing.
Despite having lived alone since her husband’s death, decades ago, she was never seen in any manner of dishabille.
With her gray-steaked reddish hair upswept in a regal style, Aunt Eleanor hadn’t really changed at all.
A little grayer, perhaps, a few more wrinkles…
But she was the same woman who’d brought her Miss Fussy.
A heartening warmth welled up in Lilly’s chest upon this realization.
Betty awaited Lilly in the familiar chamber, having already turned down the bed and unpacked her nightgown. Lilly was grateful to see her, but in truth, she wanted to be alone. One of her blasted headaches was threatening.
She needed to recover from seeing Michael again.
Even so, she gave Betty a hug and accepted her assistance in preparing for bed.
The maid confided to her that her ladyship had been thrilled to learn of their upcoming visit.
The winter had been drab and dreary. After brushing out Lilly’s long silver-blond hair and plaiting it in one long braid, Betty went about the room, organizing items on the dressing table and collecting the clothing Lilly had worn that day.
When she finally departed, closing the door behind her, Lilly sighed in relief.
It had been too much. Too many memories. Too many reminders of what could have been. The headaches had set in shortly after marrying the baron and still came upon her when she was overwrought. Life was cruel and unfair, and the baron had been a monster, but she had survived.
Learning the truth, learning Michael had come back for her after all, shook her to the core. Because she’d learned it was she who was to blame for their separation. She could not blame her father, nor her mother, nor Michael himself.
It had been her own fault.
In this room, she’d experienced both euphoria and devastation.
Euphoria early in their romance and devastation when Michael had failed to return—failed to come and speak with her father.
They had waited two weeks in London before her father insisted upon returning to Plymouth.
Once she was home, there had been another week before her wedding.
And when he’d still not contacted her in that time, she gave up hope completely and married a man she did not love.