Page 58 of Wild Lily
Julian sat quietly, his notice drawn by their interplay. “I agree. So then. Croquet, perhaps, on the lawn?”
“No cards?” Lily teased.
One of his dark brows dipped low. “So early in the day, Miss Hanniford?”
“No gambling before noon?” She was into the joke now and tsked. “In Texas, any time of day is good.”
Carbury scowled. “You can’t be serious.”
Marianne put down her cup, quirking a brow at their host. “Survival demands you amuse yourself through an Indian raid or a tornado.”
Lily nodded her head at Julian as if to say,So there.
Julian looked incredulous. “Tell me you haven’t done that.”
“Played poker during a tornado? Yes, I have. You’ve never shaken so hard in your boots until you’ve heard a whirlwind rip through your town and lift up barns and cattle and throw them down hundreds of feet away.”
Julian stared at her. “I say, you’ve been through the worst circumstances.”
Carbury shook his head as if he didn’t believe her. “Incredible.”
“And Indian raids?” Julian asked her.
“Most of our Indians—Apaches they were—fled west before the war, so playing poker during a raid is a tall tale old cowboys tell. And Marianne, too.” She winked at her cousin.
Marianne chuckled and paid attention to her coffee.
“But both of us play to win.” Lily twitched a brow at him. “Still want to give us a turn?”
He laughed heartily. “I look forward to learning new tricks.”
“After breakfast, then?”
“It’ll be my pleasure,” he said.
“Say that after you’ve lost to Lily, my lord,” said Marianne. “I think I’ll examine the side board. You?” she asked Lily with a bat of her lashes.
“You make me sound like a cardshark.”
Rising to her feet, Marianne nodded to Julian as if they were conspirators. “She is. Never doubt. And you, dear sir, are in for it. Do not take your purse.”
“She’s that good?”
Marianne closed one eye. “Better.”
He chuckled. “I love a challenge!”
“Oh, good morning!” Carbury shot to his feet, wiping his mouth, perky as an eager swain as Julian’s mother and sister walked in. “Your Grace. Lady Elanna. Delighted to have you. Delighted.”
Julian followed with greetings to his mother and sister. The two were seated at the table, with Elanna invited to sit to one side of Lord Carbury.
As Lily followed Marianne to the breakfast service on the sideboard, she could not mistake Elanna’s thin smile to the older man. Their banter was hollow. Elanna’s responses lacked emotion.
If theirs was to be a marriage, Elanna would be less than half a partner. Carbury might even think he had desire enough for both of them, but Lily doubted that was a proper match. Did Julian see it? She looked around and her gaze met his. He had seen, he did note and he did not like it.
Good. Still, Julian could not save Elanna from Carbury’s quest. Not for long.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Seton stared at her daughter, willing her with glittering eyes to mend her ways.
