Page 46 of Wild Lily
And there it was, another reason to be in Lord Chelton‘s company. An offer that sent a ripple of glee through Lily. She was becoming quite a goose about how well she liked the man.
She caught his eye. “How is it you have an understanding of Chinese fabric?”
“For more than three decades, our family traded in Shanghai. Our principle export was silk fabric and silk worms to England and France until recent peasant revolts near the ports cut off our supply and our factories were burned.”
From the corner of her eye, Lily saw Lord Carbury lean toward Elanna. “My dear, would you care for more wine? The footman stands ready to—”
Elanna grew flustered by Carbury’s intrusion into the conversation. She stared at him, then at his footman and found her voice. “No. Thank you. I wish no more.”
The butler appeared at the doorway and announced the service.
“We should go in,” Carbury said to her in a low voice that brooked no argument. “Would you lead the way?”
“My lord,” Lily heard Elanna whisper to him, “it is not my place.”
His lips thinned. Anger glistened in his eyes. “It could be.”
“As the ranking woman here, my mother should have your arm, sir,” she responded.
He glared at her.
A tingle of foreboding electrified Lily. What was the man about? The glint in his eye—of possession—was fiery. One that set Elanna back on her heels. One that had Lily fretting.
Carbury excused himself and went for the duchess. Throughout dinner, the man said barely a word. If others noticed, no one seemed to let the conversation lag.
At last, the six courses were ended and the women departed to the drawing room for tea, while the men remained for their brandy and cigars. That too, was short as the duchess and Elanna made their excuses to retire early.
Eager to escape upstairs and change her clothes, Lily grinned at Marianne as they hooked arms and made their way up the staircase.
“You’re chipper,” Marianne said. “Had a good time gazing down the table at a certain gentleman, did you?”
“Shhh.” Lily made big eyes at her.
“No one hears,” whispered Marianne, “except the footmen who are supposed to be deaf. Blind, too, I hear. So tell me. What’s going on between our host and lovely Lady E, hmmm?”
“Unrequited feelings?”
“I’ll say.”
“I didn’t detect a mean streak in him when we met him,” Marianne said.
“No. Still.” Lily worried. “He does intend to ask for her.”
“Fool’s errand that will be. She won’t be accepting him,” Marianne whispered.
“Or maybe she will.” Lily had to tell Julian. He’d want to know that Carbury might not be the perfect gentleman.
As they reached Lily’s door, Marianne stopped. “Tired? Come to my room?”
“No. I can’t.”
Marianne tipped her head in question.
Lily hoped no sign of her coming escapade played in her expression. “I’m done in.”
“All right,” she said with some misgiving in her voice. “Good night, then.”
“Sleep well.”
