Chapter Two
Two years earlier
“You will be pleased to know that I have found a husband for you,” her father said. “Lord Davonshire has made an offer for your hand, and I have accepted on your behalf.”
Lily was aghast at his statement. From the pleased look upon George’s face, he believed she should be delighted by his arrangement. “You did what?”
“I spoke with Lord Chesham, and you will marry his son, John.” Her father had become close friends with Davonshire’s father, the Marquess of Chesham, over the past year. She could only imagine that the pair of them had cooked up this scheme as a means of joining their families in marriage.
But she would have none of it.
“No, Father, I will not marry him.” She had met the gentleman only twice, and Davonshire was practically a stranger. Not only that, but she had been in love with Matthew Larkspur, the Earl of Arnsbury, since she was sixteen. Her father knew this, and so did James.
She believed with her whole heart that one day, she would marry Lord Arnsbury. He was older than she was, but that didn’t matter. He had danced with her at every ball and had even kissed her twice. The memory of those kisses sobered her, for the heated pressure of his mouth upon hers had hinted of far deeper pleasures. She had felt the intensity flowing through her blood, tempting her toward surrender.
“Lily,” her father interrupted. “Are you paying attention to a word I’ve said?”
She shook the idle thoughts away. “I’m sorry.”
Her father straightened and narrowed his gaze at her. “Lord Davonshire is the heir to a marquessate. He’s decent looking, the same age as you are, and quite wealthy.”
With that, George eased himself into a wingback chair, propping his leg upon a footstool. Though he tried to remain cheerful, she didn’t miss the shadow of pain in his eyes. Her father had fallen ill over the past few months and though he had seen countless doctors, he refused to admit that anything was wrong.
He leaned back and added, “The wedding will take place before Christmas.” He rubbed at his leg and sighed.
Lily bit her lower lip, trying to hide her exasperation. Her father believed that marriage was meant for increasing the family’s wealth. Were it up to him, he would simply choose the richest suitor and marry her off. He truly couldn’t understand why she wanted to follow her heart instead of her head.
She tried another tactic, though it was slightly unfair. “Why not ask Rose? She’s older and ought to marry first.”
“Davonshire doesn’t want to marry a woman older than himself. And he specifically asked for you.” Her father’s chest puffed out. “Lily, be reasonable. You won’t get a better offer.”
“I already have,” she blurted out, though it wasn’t true. But it was the only way she could think of to distract him. “Lord Arnsbury has asked to marry me.” Desperation edged her lie for she didn’t know what else to say.
Her father made a face and sighed. “Why would you settle for an earl when you could have a marquess?”
“Because I love him. And he loves me.”
Or at least, she wanted him to. Lily knew that Lord Arnsbury cared about her a great deal, and perhaps he would love her after they were married. It was quite possible.
“I cannot marry Lord Davonshire,” she insisted. “Tell him I am flattered by his offer, but no.”
Her father rubbed at his leg again, wincing when he touched a tender spot. His expression grew serious and hardened. “I will not turn down this offer, Lily. Though I realize you are infatuated by Arnsbury, he’s too old for you. And you hardly know him.”
“I’ve known him for two years, and he’s James’s best friend. I don’t know Lord Davonshire at all.” It was time to stand up for herself and put her foot down. “I am sorry, Father, but I will not stand back and let you manipulate my life.”
The iron cast to her father’s face revealed that he intended to go through with this match and would not be swayed. “I am your father, and I am responsible for your future, Lily. I will ensure that you have someone to take care of you. And Rose, too, once I can find a suitable husband for her.”
“There is time, Father,” she stalled. “Just let it be.” She was only eighteen years old, hardly a spinster on the shelf. “We will speak of this later.”
He muttered something beneath his breath, about the lack of time. She stared at him with a sudden realization. “What did the doctors say about your leg, Father?”
He grimaced. “They said I’ve been eating foods that are too rich. Nothing to worry your pretty head about.” He braved a smile, but she wasn’t so certain. She was about to ask again, when James entered the drawing room. Something about his demeanor made Lily uneasy, though she could not say why.
He glanced at their father and said, “I came to tell you that I am leaving in a few days.”
George straightened in his chair and shook his head. “You cannot leave, James. There is too much to be done here.”
“I intend to sail to India,” her brother replied. “I expect to be gone for the next year, at the very least. Perhaps longer.”
The air seemed to leave her lungs, and Lily gaped at him. “But why?” India was half a world away.
Her father struggled to rise from the chair, his face purple with anger. “Absolutely not.”
And in answer, she saw the trace of rebellion in her brother’s face. He met George’s fury with indifference. “We have business dealings there. I believe now would be a good time to expand our interests.”
“You have responsibilities here,” George insisted. “You are my heir, and you cannot go traipsing off on a fool’s errand in India. I forbid it.”
James gave a faint smile. “Of course you do.” But he didn’t appear at all concerned. “But I intend to go, nonetheless. And you cannot stop me.”
Her father’s face turned thunderous. “If you try, I will cut off your funds.”
“I have my own wealth, Father. And I am quite certain that you can continue ruling Penford in my absence, just as you’ve done for the past twenty-five years.”
He had planned this for some time, Lily realized. After he’d returned from school, her brother had been forced to obey their father’s commands, learning to become the next earl. But she knew he had despised every moment of it.
“James, please,” Lily reasoned. “India is so far away. I don’t want to imagine you alone for an entire year. It may not be safe.”
He reached out and ruffled her hair. “Oh, I’m not going alone. Arnsbury is accompanying me. It will be an adventure, and we will seek our fortunes before the chains of marriage are clapped upon us.”
The very floor seemed to sway beneath her feet. “Lord Arnsbury is going with you?” It felt as if she were caught in a tunnel, and a roaring noise filled her ears.
She saw the look in her father’s eyes, and the smug satisfaction. If Matthew went to India, there was nothing to stop George from forcing this marriage. Even James would be gone and could not support her cause.
“Yes, Matthew is going to keep me out of trouble.” James winked at her. “He can try, anyway.”
Lily took a chair and sat down before her knees buckled beneath her. She needed to see Lord Arnsbury, to learn for herself if this was true. Her mind spun with all the consequences of James’s journey. Her brother was arguing with their father, though she paid little attention to their words. This was a battle for control, and James had no intention of remaining their father’s puppet. He would forge his own path, regardless of the consequences.
And it seemed she would have to do the same.
In the course of two days, Matthew Larkspur felt as if his life had been uprooted. His best friend had decided to leave for India, and he’d received a desperate message from Lily Thornton, begging to see him.
James was seeking adventure, but from his friend’s reckless nature, Matthew suspected that he would wander straight into danger. And he couldn’t stand by and let it happen. James was the younger brother he’d never had, and he had a premonition that if he let the young man go, he would never return. Call it a ridiculous superstition, but he saw no choice but to accompany him.
And then there was Lily.
He didn’t want to leave her behind, either. Despite their age difference, he could not deny the fierce attraction that drew him to her. Her brown hair framed an innocent face with hazel eyes and a smile that knocked all reason from his brain.
But God above, her kiss brought him to his knees. He had stolen only two, but from the moment he’d taken her into his arms, he had desired her.
His footman had alerted him that she had come to call, and though he knew she would be angry with him for leaving, he needed to protect her brother. But he would not leave for India without saying goodbye.
He entered the drawing room and the moment he set foot inside, she flew into his arms. She gripped him tightly, and Matthew drew back to look at her face. “You act as if I’m never coming back, Lady Lily.”
Her hazel eyes held worry, and she admitted, “I need your help. My father is planning something terrible.”
He tucked her gloved hand in the crook of his arm and led her to sit down. “What is it?”
“He is arranging a marriage between myself and Lord Davonshire.” Her expression grew stricken. “I cannot marry him, Matthew. I hardly know him. And if you leave…”
“He will force you into it,” he finished. She nodded, and gripped her hands together as if trying to gather her courage.
He sat beside her, uncertain of what was right. Lord Penford was looking after Lily’s welfare, trying to ensure that she would have everything she ever wanted—and Matthew could understand his reasoning.
But Lily held no power of her own and he didn’t doubt her father could demand the marriage. With her brother gone, she could do nothing to stop it. And neither could he.
“What do you want to do?” he asked quietly.
She pressed her lips together and thought a moment. “If we married in secret—even if you’re gone—he could not force me to wed.”
Matthew gave no answer at first, for he knew that she was seeing him with stars in her eyes. And while he wanted to believe that he could be the right husband for her, he was hesitant to trap her into a marriage when she was so young.
Her eyes widened at his silence, and she blurted out, “Do you…not want me?”
He reached out to caress her cheek and gave her the truth, “I want you far more than I should, Lily.” If James knew the thoughts that were coursing through his brain, he would be loading a pistol.
But his reassurance eased her panic, and she wound her arms around his neck. “You’re the only man I’ve ever loved, Matthew. I cannot imagine wedding anyone else. Or worse, what comes after.” Her cheeks flamed at the subtle mention of the marriage bed. “Please help me.”
A flare of unexpected jealousy caught him, for he could never allow another man to touch Lily. When she lifted her face to his, he claimed her lips. Sweet and innocent, she offered everything of herself, and he could not deny that he desired her. Lily had a way of entwining herself within his mind until there was nothing else. He cared about this beautiful young woman and did not want her to be hurt or threatened while he was gone.
Matthew removed the gold ring from his little finger and passed it to her. It had belonged to his grandfather, and when he offered it, Lily’s face brightened with joy.
“I will be so proud to wear this,” she said, slipping it onto her finger. “Perhaps upon a chain around my throat until you return.”
He kissed her again. “I will come back to you, Lily. I promise you that.” An engagement might be enough to dissuade Lord Penford from demanding that his daughter marry another man.
She traced the edge of the ring and said, “I will arrange for a minister to hear our vows tomorrow night. But it cannot be here in London. Perhaps we could meet at an inn.”
Her impetuous offer made him realize how serious she was. He caught her hands and was truthful. “Lily, we cannot marry this soon. You do not have your father’s permission, and we don’t have a license. It would not be legal.” He didn’t want her raising hopes that would only be dashed.
“I know it,” she whispered. “But if my father believes we have consummated the union, he would not dare arrange a marriage between myself and Lord Davonshire. The scandal would be terrible.” She closed her eyes for a moment, and her mood shifted. “Matthew, if you are gone for a year, let me imagine that it’s real. Let me believe that I am your wife and that you love me.” She rested her hands upon his heart. “It will be enough.” Her hazel eyes filled up with trust, making him feel as if he did not deserve her.
“I will return to you,” he promised. And if the illicit vows would protect her until he returned, keeping her from an unwanted marriage, so be it.
And when she kissed him again, he hoped he was making the right decision.