Page 90 of Not Quite a Lady
‘She can have no idea… Please, do not make anything of it,’ Lily forced herself to a semblance of composure. ‘I do not regard it, I promise you.’
‘Do you truly think I would make a good father?’
Lily risked a sideways glance and found Jack was frowning over the question.
‘I beg your pardon, it was perhaps an impertinent observation. I merely thought that the way you are with Penelope shows a charming affection.’
‘Lily, are you all right? You sound so unlike yourself.’ She sounded strange to herself. Cousin Frederica appeared to be taking over.
‘I am fine.’ Lily forced a smile, ‘I am trying, for once, to heed my chaperone’s strictures and to sound more ladylike.’
‘Well, please do not. You do not sound like my Lily at all.’
His Lily?Lily turned abruptly, but Grimswade had just announced dinner and Jack was already getting to his feet.
Lily, with who he had shared some highly improper adventures that had created a bond, that is all he means by it. It is all he can mean.
‘Peter Coachman tells me it will be a fine day tomorrow,’ Lady Allerton remarked. ‘He is considered quite a weather prophet,’ she added for Lily’s benefit.
‘How useful. Presumably you consult him before undertaking all kinds of agricultural procedures, such as ploughing?’ Lily asked with an innocent smile at Caroline and Jack.
Caroline, already caught out in her deceit, merely smiled back, but Jack’s cheekbones were just touched with betraying colour.
So, he did know that Caroline was fibbing and yet he said nothing and so I stayed here. Why?
‘Shall we go riding tomorrow?’ Susan suggested, happily oblivious to undercurrents. ‘Do you have a riding habit, Lily? Iexpect Caro can lend you one.’
‘I would enjoy that, thank you. And I have packed a habit.’
‘The sea-green one?’ Jack enquired. He had regained his composure and was watching her with an air of innocence she deeply mistrusted.
‘No,’ Lily replied repressively. ‘A black one.’
‘No frogging?’
‘None. And a very sensible hat,’ she added for good measure.
‘Miss France might care to borrow Chaffinch,’ Lady Allerton offered graciously. ‘My own mare, Miss France: I think you will be pleased with her.’
Lily thanked her hostess and the remainder of the meal was taken up in a prolonged, and apparently familiar, argument amongst the Lovell siblings about their destination and route.
‘Along the Aller Valley,’ Jack said firmly as the dessert plates were removed. ‘Lily will not want to look at miles of moorland, however starkly romantic you find it Susan.’
Penelope tried to interject and he added, ‘And definitely not to the pit head, Penny. That is no place for ladies.’
‘Don’t worry, I will take you,’ Caroline whispered as the ladies rose to leave Jack to his solitary consideration of the decanter. ‘Jack is being very stuffy this evening – look how unreasonable he was about finding a wife. I mean, I am his sister and you are a good friend – why should he object to our efforts?’
‘Perhaps he feels pressured? Or embarrassed?’ Lily hazarded. ‘I do not think we should tease him about it anymore, do you?’
‘Mmm.’ There was a steely glint in Caroline’s eyes which Lily recognised with a sinking feeling. ‘I think he needs throwing together with some young ladies. I shall organise a dance.’
‘How nice.’And I will be long gone, thank goodness.
‘By next week will be time enough to get our new dresses finished,’ Caroline said confidently. ‘Mama, shall we hold an informal dance for Lily? We all do that around here,’ sheexplained cheerfully. ‘It is a small society and we know each other far too well to stand on ceremony. Everyone is always ready for a party. And there’s a full moon, so people will not mind the travelling.’
‘What a lovely idea, Caroline,’ her mother agreed. ‘And how pleased everyone will be to meet a new acquaintance. Tuesday, I think. I will write invitations tomorrow while you are out riding.’
Lily could only smile and agree with every appearance of delight while her heart sank into her satin slippers.
