Chapter 20
The sun was beginning to set later that day by the time the carriage pulled up to the small cottage that had once been used by the former viscount. It looked to be in a much better condition than the hall, and Lily was grateful that the journey had come to an end.
She had quickly placed the letter in her cloak before leaving the London home and had thought about it for hours on end. She had been glad that Julian had not pressed the matter, but she knew deep down that she would have to explain things to him sooner rather than later.
“I think we should all be glad of a hot bath!” Julian’s mother announced as she climbed from the carriage.
Footmen rushed forward to unload the luggage, and maids came from within the cottage to assist.
“And what do you think?” Julian asked as he came up beside Lily.
Looking at the neat little cottage before them, Lily smiled.
The white-washed walls were covered in ivy, and the neat little garden had been well maintained. There were several windows overlooking the front drive, and Lily could tell by the newly thatched roof that the staff had been active in their absence.
Julian gazed at the cottage that looked as if it would fit them all comfortably, albeit in close quarters.
“It is not much, but it is in better shape than Redding Hall. My solicitor informed me that the former viscount lived here when things started to fall apart at the main house. The staff was all well-kept, and we will be more comfortable with the lack of construction.”
Turning to him, Lily smiled. “It is perfectly splendid, and I am certain that we shall all be quite comfortable. I, however, must echo your mother’s sentiments: a nice hot bath is just what we all need at present.”
Nodding, Julian gestured for her to take the lead as they were shown into the neat cottage and up the stairs where their chambers were adjacent.
Lily breathed a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind her and quickly retrieved the letter. Her fingers trembled as she undid the seal and folded the parchment open.
Dearest Lily,
I am pleased to inform you that I have arrived in London.
I am, however, less pleased to hear the gossip of your supposed marriage.
However, I do not believe this gossip to be true, as you and I are still engaged to be married.
I know you by now, and you would never marry another man while we are still engaged, would you?
I believe the rumors to be false and hope to see you soon so that we might put all of this business behind us.
Yours devotedly,
Oliver King.
Her heart was pounding furiously by the time she finished reading the letter. She knew Oliver well, and his words were a threat. There was nothing he could do regarding her marriage, but he would try everything in his power to ruin it.
“I have to tell Julian soon,” she whispered to the empty room and leaned back against the door, the letter hanging limply in her hand.
She had hoped that by not replying, Oliver would have gotten the message, but it now seemed as if the matter were far from over.
***
Birds began to sing outside her window, and Lily was reminded of the farm back home in America as she opened her eyes. It felt utterly refreshing to her to hear the sounds of nature as she awoke in a comfortable bed.
The moment, however, was short-lived as her smile suddenly faded.
Oliver.
The letter suddenly drifted into her mind. She had not found the correct moment to tell Julian about him, the letters, and the fact that he was in London. They had had such a pleasant evening after their baths that she had hated the thought of ruining matters.
Sitting up in bed, she decided to leave the matter for a while and enjoy her stay at the cottage.
There was so much to see in the country, and Oliver would not know where to find her in any case.
She flung the sheets from her legs and climbed out of bed, deciding to dress herself and explore the gardens before anyone else awoke.
She had just opened her chamber door when Julian suddenly appeared across the hall, fully dressed and ready in his riding breeches and boots.
“Good morning, I hope I did not wake you while I was dressing?” His gaze swept over her, making her blush.
“Good morning, my lord, and not at all. I was already awake and decided to explore the gardens before everyone else rose. I can see now that you may have had the same idea?” She took in his neatly combed hair and fresh shirt that showed the strength in his arms.
“Quite yes,” he chuckled. “I have always been an early riser, and I fancied a morning ride.” He paused and looked at her for a moment.
“In fact, would you care to join me? I have already asked the housekeeper to prepare lunch. I am certain there will be enough for us to share?” His voice was hopeful.
Thinking of the letter in her chambers, Lily considered the invitation for a moment before responding.
“I think a ride would be lovely. It has been a while since I have ridden.” She shut the door behind her, along with the thoughts of Oliver and the truth that needed to be told, before following Julian downstairs.
It did not take the stable hand long to saddle a second horse, and it was only a few moments until both Julian and Lily were riding away from the cottage. The packed lunch given to them by the housekeeper bobbled along behind Julian in the secured basket.
Cool air kissed Lily’s face as she finally began to enjoy herself since coming to London. The open spaces and lush green fields reminded her of the farm in Ohio. They rode for an hour before stopping beside a flowing stream and choosing a spot beneath a weeping willow.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” Julian remarked as he unsaddled his horse and dropped to the ground.
“I have not felt this exhilarated in quite some time.” She watched as he strode toward her and held out his hands, helping her down from the saddle as he took her by the hips before placing her on the ground.
Feeling her heart flutter at his strong grip, she quickly averted her gaze as heat warmed her cheeks.
His body was strong and solid with toned muscles in his arms and chest. She had not noticed it before, but his riding shirt left little to the imagination from up close.
He was at least a head taller than her and fully capable of lifting her with ease.
She looked up, feeling her blush deepen as she met his gaze. “I… I think we should set out the basket…” She said when the moment lingered for a little too long.
Julian cleared his throat and quickly stepped back, letting go of her hips in the process as he looked a little embarrassed.
“Shall we set the blanket near the stream?” Lily asked, attempting to lighten the mood.
Why was it so awkward?
She watched him walk away from her as he began to unfasten the picnic basket and blanket from his saddle. They had been married for a short while, but it still felt as if they had only just met.
I must keep my distance from him, Lily reminded herself. It was easy to forget what could happen when her heart was involved, especially when he looked as handsome as he did in his riding gear.
He turned back to her with the basket in hand, nodding toward the blanket he had flung over his arm. “Would you take the blanket along, and I will follow with the basket?” He seemed to have returned to normal as he gestured toward the stream.
Doing as she was asked, Lily took the blanket from him and headed toward the stream, picking a spot in the shade of the willow where they could look out over the valley. “It is beautiful here,” she said, almost breathlessly, once the blanket had been laid.
Julian came up beside her and placed the basket on the grass. “It is, and it will bring in quite a large sum of money if we decide to sell it.” He began to unpack the contents of the basket.
“Sell?” Lily turned to him with a frown.
Nodding, Julian gestured for her to take a seat once all of the fruits, bread, cheese, and apple cider had been unpacked.
“The money given to us in your dowry was enough to save Redding Hall, and even enough to replenish the staff here at the cottage. But we will need a way of making more money to keep the estate afloat. The former viscount did not do much in the way of working the lands.”
He gestured to the empty pasture where livestock should have been grazing.
Kneeling, Lily fanned out her skirt before making herself comfortable and shifting her position.
“I understand, but surely there is more that could be done. If the former viscount failed to work the lands, then is it not possible for us to hire new tenants?” She reached for a few grapes and placed them in her palm before popping one in her mouth.
Julian’s expression changed to one of surprise as he cocked his head to the side.
“I am surprised, I did not think that you would want to take such an interest in the working of the lands. It would require a great deal of time and effort that would need to be spent here. Not to mention that we will still need to maintain Redding Hall as well.”
“And what of it? The less time we can spend in London, the more I shall enjoy myself here in the country. I shall not mind if we need to take up permanent residence here at the cottage. Perhaps my aunt would even agree to gift me my favorite horse. Ecclesia would love a life here in the open fields.” She held his gaze determinedly.
Julian shook his head as he lowered his gaze and reached for a piece of bread and cheese. “I know we have not known each other for very long, but you continue to surprise me. I would never have thought that a lady would willingly want to spend all her time in the countryside repairing an estate.”