20. Chapter 20 #2
Everett clenched his fists and moved toward Collins—but before I had a chance to call for him to stop, he bypassed the couple and stormed out. Several people glanced in his direction, but it was Martha who watched the empty doorway the longest.
Why had she agreed to marry Collins? Hadn’t she told me she was falling in love with Everett the night I’d found them in my study and walked her back to her room? What had changed?
At least there had not been a fight between the brothers—not yet, anyway.
“Congratulations, Collins,” I said as I approached him. I smiled at Martha, though I didn’t think it was convincing. I laid my hand on her arm. “I hope you’ll be happy.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Ruth’s eyes were red from unshed tears as she quietly slipped out of the drawing room. Her mother, Mrs. Harrington, was not so subtle. She stood for a moment, her chin lifted as she stared down her nose at Collins, and then she spun on her heel and left the room.
Collins shared a look with Ames, but Ames shook his head, as if not to worry about Mrs. Harrington.
“Well,” Aunt Eliza said, surveying the whole scene. “We will have two engagements to celebrate tonight. Everyone will be very eager to see these beautiful American women who’ve captured the Welby brothers’ hearts.”
With Everett, Ruth, and Mrs. Harrington gone, the tension in the room eased as people began to circle around the newly engaged couple to pepper them with questions.
“Where is Brant?” Ames asked me discreetly.
“I don’t know.”
“He has been absent more often of late.”
“He’s unhappy.”
Ames gave me a look, though I could not interpret it. His facade was back in place, and it was more impenetrable than ever.
From across the room, I caught Aunt Eliza’s eye.
She did not look pleased. With any of it.
Though the sky was gray, the storm held off as Molly helped me make last-minute preparations for my evening ensemble.
I stood in front of the mirror in my bedchamber, about an hour before guests would start to arrive, in the most stunning gown I owned.
It was made by Worth and ordered by my mother while we were in Paris, before traveling to England.
I’d worn it twice during my London season, and it had made a stunning impression both times.
The underskirt of my gown was made of gold silk, with dark red glass beadwork in the shapes of flowers climbing from the hem to the waist. The overskirt and bodice were made of gold and dark red silk, with a magnificent bustle and train of the same material.
It was short-sleeved and had gold tulle around the neckline.
My hair was styled in a beautiful updo that only Molly could create, making me even more grateful for her and Aunt Eliza’s presence at Pickering Castle.
I hoped I would represent Ames and his family well, wearing this gown and hosting the first ball at Pickering Castle in two decades. The house party had done wonders to improve the image and reputation of the Welby family and tonight’s ball would put all the rumors to rest, once and for all.
At least, I hoped it would.
The last touch in my ensemble was a gold and diamond tiara, which had been a gift from my mother during my first season in New York.
It had felt ostentatious to wear in America, but here, as the Duchess of Severton, it felt almost too simple.
There were matching earrings and a gold and diamond necklace around my neck.
“There now,” Molly said, her eyes aglow. “Don’t you look like the prettiest duchess that ever lived.”
I smiled at her. “All because of you.”
“I can take no credit for your beauty,” she said. “My job is only to enhance it.”
“Thank you, Molly.” I put my hand on my stomach, feeling a little queasy again. I hoped I wouldn’t get sick during the dance.
Molly helped me pull on long silk gloves that matched the gold underskirt and rested at my elbows. When she was done, she said, “I’ll run down to the kitchen and get you another pot of ginger tea.”
“I would be most grateful.”
If Molly suspected I was pregnant, she didn’t mention it. Instead, she left the room quietly through the dressing room door.
I took a few deep breaths to try to calm my stomach as Ames opened the connecting door between his room and mine.
Surprised, I turned, my pulse rising as butterflies filled my stomach.
It was the first time he’d been in my room since the night the smugglers had been shipwrecked on our beach. And even then, I’d only been vaguely aware of him.
His gaze traveled the length of my gown and rested on my face. For a moment, his facade was lowered, and everything he was thinking was on full display.
He liked what he saw.
“You look beautiful, Lily.”
My cheeks warmed as I played with the seam of my glove. “Thank you.”
He was in his full evening dress with a black tailcoat, black trousers, and a white vest and tie.
He was stunning, his handsome face freshly shaved and his hair combed back.
I rarely noticed the scar on his face any longer, though when I did, it reminded me of all that the Welby family had sacrificed over the years for their dukedom and Pickering Castle. “You look very handsome tonight, Ames.”
He nodded his acknowledgment and asked, “May I come in?”
“Of course.”
He entered my room and closed the connecting door behind him.
I stood without moving, wondering what he had come to say.
“I—” He paused and stopped in front of me. “I came to apologize, Lily.”
I blinked in surprise.
“Aunt Eliza found me in the library this afternoon, and she told me, in no uncertain terms, what a wastrel I’ve been.”
“Aunt Eliza?” I frowned.
“She has a sixth sense about these sorts of things.” He shifted uncomfortably.
“She knows what an unmitigated fool I can be, and she suspected there was something wrong between us. When she pressed for answers, I was reluctant to give them, and when I analyzed why, I realized it was because I was in the wrong.”
“You weren’t wrong, Ames.” Warmth filled my chest as I added, “At least, not about everything.”
He smiled and took a tentative step closer to me. “Please forgive me, Lily. I blamed you for things that were not your fault.”
“I understand why you were frustrated with me, Ames. I’m sorry. I thought I was doing what was best. But now I realize—”
The dressing room door opened again. “I forgot—” Molly paused and took a step back. “I beg your pardon.”
Ames stiffened.
I stared between them, hoping that Ames did not think I had brought Molly back to the castle without his knowledge.
“Aunt Eliza brought Molly to help with the ball,” I said quickly.
His facade slipped into place, and his emotions became unreadable again.
“You may go, Molly,” I said.
She quickly retreated into the dressing room and closed the door.
I took a step toward Ames and put a hand on his forearm. “She’s just here to help. Aunt Eliza—”
“Why didn’t you tell me she was here?”
“I didn’t think it mattered.”
He frowned at me. “You really didn’t think I’d mind? I told you I didn’t want her in the castle.”
“I know—I didn’t invite her. Aunt Eliza—”
“If she came with Aunt Eliza, why is she here? In your bedchamber? Could she not be of use somewhere else in the castle? Perhaps with Aunt Eliza?”
“If Molly is here, then at least I know she is not with Brant.”
He studied me for a moment. “Are her and Brant still seeing each other?”
I licked my lips and felt my stomach roll.
“Lily?”
“Maybe?”
The look of incredulity on his face might have been laughable if this wasn’t so serious.
“How often?” he demanded.
“I don’t know. Brant said he tried writing to her, but she refused to write back.
I think he went to see her on the night—” I hesitated, knowing I’d have to admit the truth, and it would make me look bad, but I didn’t want to keep anything from him again.
“The night of the shipwreck. He was not in his room when I went to find him. I had to send a footman to summon Dr. Aiken.”
He took another step back from me, shaking his head as disappointment replaced the incredulity.
“I am only guessing that he went to her,” I said. “I have not asked him or her.”
“Was this not the very reason we’ve quarreled? Because you keep things from me and it makes it hard to trust you?”
His words stung, but I would stand by my actions. “Brant is a grown man. He should have the right to make decisions for himself. I am not a spy that I should report his every action to you.”
Ames stared at me.
I softened my voice. “Please, Ames. I have not kept these things from you to hurt you, or to undermine your authority. I am the first and only sister Brant has ever had, and perhaps he confides in me for that reason. I do not want to disrespect him, either, by sharing his secrets with you.”
“I am your husband.”
“You haven’t acted like it these past two weeks.”
He stiffened and I knew my words had hit their mark.
“If you want to know what Brant is planning,” I tried again, “then you must ask him.”
Ames narrowed his gaze. “What is he planning?”
I briefly closed my eyes.
“Lily?”
“Ames.” I straightened my shoulders as best as I could. “If you want to speak to Brant about his life, then go speak to Brant. I do not want to be responsible for your displeasure any longer.”
He studied me for a moment, but then his jaw tightened and he gave me a curt nod. “I will do just that.” Before he left, he said, “I will see you in the Great Hall soon.”
I stood in the center of my bedchamber, relieved that I was no longer standing between Ames and Brant.
I just hoped I hadn’t removed myself from Ames completely.