Chapter 10
Lily’s mother and aunt were already seated at the breakfast table by the time Lily went down for breakfast. She had been so exhausted from the previous day’s events that she had decided to sleep in an extra hour.
Her maid had brought word from the stable hand that her horse was doing just fine after the young man had followed Julian’s instructions.
Julian.
A faint smile touched Lily’s lips as she descended the stairs and made her way to the dining room, where breakfast was served. She had been quite shocked to realize that she rather enjoyed Julian’s company when they were left to their own devices.
He was someone that she would have considered a reasonable match if it had not already been for his engagement to Miss Everet.
A pang of jealousy clenched in her chest, but she told herself that it was because Miss Everet was gaining such an agreeable husband. She would have given anything to marry anyone as agreeable as Julian.
“Good morning, dearest. You look lovely. Did you sleep well?” Her mother greeted her with a pleasant smile as Lily took her seat.
“I did, thank you, Mama. I was quite worn out after the incident with Ecclesia.” Lily reached for a cup of tea and added two lumps of sugar, feeling as if she needed a small boost.
“Oh, that reminds me, I am certain that your maid has already told you, but Ecclesia is doing just fine. She went out to graze this morning, and everyone is keeping a close eye on her.” Aunt Margaret said after swallowing a bite of toast that had been slathered with apple jam.
Smiling, Lily relaxed as she sipped her tea. The fragrant floral taste washed down her throat, warming her chest as she eased into the day. Julian had been the hero of the day, and she had to admit that she would not have been able to save her beloved horse if he had not been there.
He is a lover of animals.
A smile graced her lips as she thought of how diligently he had worked to save her horse. Yet another feather in his already full cap.
“I beg your pardon, my lady, but a letter has arrived for Miss Prescott,” the butler announced as he appeared in the doorway.
Aunt Margaret and Lily’s mother exchanged an excited look before turning to Lily with gleaming eyes. “Bring it in at once,” Aunt Margaret instructed.
Placing her cup back in the saucer in front of her, Lily sat up straighter. It could not possibly have been from Julian, not when he was already attached to Eleanor Everet.
Her breath caught in her throat when the butler returned with an arm full of flowers that had been arranged in a large and impressive bouquet.
It cannot be.
Lily breathed slowly, holding every breath as her eyes took them in.
“Well, that is beautiful, I must say!” Her mother cooed almost as breathlessly as Lily felt.
Accepting the colorful bouquet, Lily took a deep breath as her eyes fell on the variety of flowers. American flowers. Long stalks of red cardinals were surrounded by Rocky Mountain columbines of every color imaginable and even a few asters.
He remembered.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she ran the tips of her fingers over the delicate petals.
“Do not keep us in suspense, dearest, read the note!” Her aunt encouraged, nodding vigorously.
Reaching for the note, Lily inhaled sharply as she attempted to compose herself. She was not even certain why she was nervous. If anything, he would have written to thank them all for inviting them to supper. There was even the possibility that he wanted to inquire after her horse.
With trembling fingers, she unfolded the note that had been placed between the flowers and began to read out loud.
Dearest Miss Prescott,
I wanted to thank you for humoring my conversational skills yesterday. I was delighted to spend time in your company and hoped to see you again soon. If it is not too inconvenient, I was hoping to call on you this afternoon, as we did not finish our walk in the gardens.
Please let me know if this suggestion is agreeable to you.
Yours truly,
Julian Sincvlair, Viscount of Barnard.
“Is that not just the loveliest note you have ever heard?” Lily’s mother gasped with a hand raised to her chest. “He wants to see you again.”
“And so thoughtful, I am certain that he has taken an interest in you!” Aunt Margart exclaimed.
Folding the note, Lily placed it back in the folds of the bouquet, and placed it aside.
“I do not believe that is the case. Lord Barnard simply wished to make me feel at home here in England. If it had not been for his prior engagement, we should have been a good match, but these flowers are merely a token of his friendship.” She lifted the cup of tea to her lips again and gingerly took a sip.
Aunt Margaret waved the idea away as she pursed her lips.
“Stuff and nonsense. I have been asking around, and whatever Miss Everet said to you, I am certain that she was mistaken. Now, on to more important matters, you must accept his invitation for a walk this afternoon at once.” She reached for the small golden bell in front of her plate and rang it sharply.
“But Aunt Margaret, I can hardly accept the invitation; it is not proper.” Lily began to protest as she thought of how Eleanor would feel.
She was certain of what the young woman had said and knew that there was more than likely a good reason for the Viscount to keep their arrangement a secret.
In all likelihood, there would be an announcement made at the next ball or gathering.
Her mother spoke up next as she lowered her tone to a more businesslike manner. “Your aunt is right, dearest, you must accept. You do not have the liberty of saying no.”
The butler appeared in the doorway before too long, and anything that Lily had wanted to say was cut off by the excitement of her mother and aunt.
“I shall need to send a note, Carstens, and have some sandwiches and cakes prepared for this afternoon. Lord Barnard will be calling on Miss Prescott.” Aunt Margaret turned back to her with a conspiratorial wink and smiled.
***
“I wanted to thank you for the flowers, my lord. They are truly quite lovely, but it must have been quite difficult for you to find them?” Lily remarked as they strolled alongside the pond at the back of her aunt’s home.
A small family of ducks waddled past them and entered the water, leaving small ripples behind them as they swam.
“I must confess that it was not easy. I had to visit several floral establishments before finally finding a botanist who grew flowers for medicinal purposes. But if they brought you joy, my efforts were not wasted.” Julian responded as he strolled with his hands tucked behind his back.
Lily’s maid followed behind at a respectful distance, allowing them enough privacy to talk, yet not enough for anything improper to occur.
“They made me feel more at home, so your efforts and sentiments were certainly not wasted. Yet I am afraid that I am keeping you from more important matters by taking up more of your time,” she ventured cautiously, wanting to get to the bottom of his visit.
He had seemed quite nervous when he had arrived, yet he had remarked on the weather, flowers, and even the time of year without giving away too much.
Growing quieter for a moment, Julian forced a smile before clearing his throat. “The truth, Miss Prescott, is that I had a motive in coming here today.”
Her heart beat a little faster as she focused on her steps.
“I wanted to know if you would accept my proposal and become my wife?” he blurted the question out.
Stopping in her tracks, Lily faced him with her mouth slightly agape. “But, my lord… what of Miss Everet…” She breathed the words in disbelief.
His brow dipped into a tight frown as he turned to face her as well.
“I have heard the rumors of our supposed attachment, but I can assure you, Miss Prescott, that I am not engaged. Miss Everet has never been anything more than a mere family friend to me. In fact, I never wanted to marry, but my circumstances in life have presented me with the need for a wife.”
Lily’s pulse raced as she raised a hand to her heart. “I must apologize if I misunderstood Miss Everet, but why now, and why me?”
Julian nodded before continuing. “I can appreciate your hesitation, Miss Prescott, and therefore I shall be completely honest with you. I find myself in need of a wife with a dowry to save the estate I inherited. I am not looking for love, nor do I expect you to swoon at my feet, but if I understand your situation correctly, you are in need of a titled husband.”
He looked into her eyes, making her pulse race again as she struggled for words.
Is this really happening?
Julian reached for her free hand and took it in his, gently running his thumb over the top of her glove before meeting her gaze and speaking again.
“I must also confess, Miss Prescott, that my asking for your hand has also been aided by the fact that I find your company more than agreeable. Yesterday, when we spoke, I found your intellect and character quite fascinating. I think the two of us can make each other quite happy if we try. You told me that you longed for freedom to be yourself. I can provide you with both freedom and honesty. There need not be anything hidden between us if you agree.”
Her fingers began to tremble again as she took in his words.
Honesty?
Was that not one of the things she had lacked in her previous engagement, and here the viscount was offering her everything that she needed in a marriage?
“May… May I have some time to think on the matter?” She finally found the words after a brief pause.
Letting go of her hand, Julian smiled at her.
“Of course, one must always consider all of the options before answering. I shall give you some time to consider,” He looked out over the pond with a warm smile before meeting her gaze once again.
“But I do hope that you will say yes. I mean it when I say that I think the two of us could make each other happy.”
Her heart skipped a beat when he reached up and gently touched her cheek, stroking the back of his knuckles over her skin. Heat crept up the back of her neck and spread to her face, making her breath catch yet again in her throat.
“I… I shall let you know soon, my lord. I must first speak with my mother and aunt.” She managed in a meek voice.
Why am I feeling like this?
She turned back in the direction of the house, needing some kind of distraction from her galloping heart. She had expected the proposal from Oliver, yet even then, she had not reacted in this manner despite having convinced herself that she had been in love with him.
Oliver and Julian were complete opposites of each other, yet she was no longer certain that she had truly loved Oliver at all. She had been infatuated with him, but did that mean love? And what did she feel toward Julian, who had just asked for her hand in marriage?
They walked back to the house in relative silence, with Julian commenting on the gardens and plants while Lily attempted to gather her thoughts. She felt winded and caught entirely off guard, uncertain of how to react.
It did not take them long to reach the front of the house, and when they did, Julian bowed to her with a final smile before heading toward his carriage. “I hope to hear from you soon, Miss Prescott.”
She watched as he left, only turning back to the house when his carriage was halfway down the drive.
Her mother and aunt were waiting for her as soon as she entered the parlor.
“And, did he say that he wanted to court you?” Her aunt asked as Lily slumped onto the edge of the settee in her daze.
“No, he said that he wants to marry me…” The statement still sounded utterly strange to her, even though she was the one uttering the words.
Opening her mouth, Lily’s mother raised a hand to her chest. “Heavens! That is the best news that I have heard all year.” She turned to look at her sister, who seemed just as excited.
“I do not know if I shall accept yet. I asked for some time to consider his proposal.” Lily snapped out of her daze, finally coming to her senses as she sat up straighter.
“Now, dearest…” her aunt began, but her mother quickly cut her short.
“No, Margaret, I think that Lily should know the truth. There is no use in our keeping things from her. She must know now why she must accept Lord Barnard at once.” Her mother’s voice grew more somber.
“What has happened?” Lily instantly felt a cold chill run down her spine.
Taking a deep breath, her mother composed herself.
“I received a letter from one of my friends in London shortly after you left to walk with Lord Barnard. There is a rumor that Oliver King is coming to London to win you back. I do not need to tell you that any dealings with the man will only solidify the gossip regarding your involvement in the alleged treason.”
Lily sat stunned as the chill down her spine travelled to her veins and made her blood run cold. “How could he think that there was ever a chance that I would take him back?” Her voice was barely audible above a whisper as she spoke.
Coming forward, her aunt sat beside her on the settee and took her hand in her own.
“Please listen to me, dearest, it does not matter what this Mr. King says, does, or even feels. It is none of your concern, but I will encourage you to accept Lord Barnard’s proposal as soon as possible.
If this King fellow arrives in London and you are already engaged, Lord Barnard’s title will be able to protect you. ”
Protect me.
Images of Julian on the night of the ball flashed across her mind as she recalled the way he had punched Lord Gall out cold without even knowing who she was. Someone who was willing to do that would certainly protect her against Oliver King.
There had not been anyone else in London who had caught her eye, and had she not been jealous of Eleanor when she had thought that Julian had proposed to her?
Her hand was being forced; there was no denying that. Yet there was a small part of her, deep inside her heart, that did not resent the idea entirely. Every stolen glance, beat of her heart, and silent breath flashed in her mind. It was more than just knowing that Julian would protect her.
I do not dislike him.
The small voice in her heart whispered the truth that she had not wanted to admit. If she had to be forced, then she was glad that it was with Julian.
“I shall write to him at once and accept,” Lily said quietly.