Page 59 of Wild Lily
Elanna sniffed, lifted a shoulder, and put an ounce more enthusiasm into her conversation with Carbury.
Lily returned to her chair, sat and put her fork and knife to good use. On Carbury’s orders, Elanna and her mother were served their breakfast by the footman. The ladies remained in their seats, as Carbury rattled on about God knew what.
Lily ate her breakfast with silent dedication. Aware of Julian’s eyes on her, she listened to a polite discussion between Elanna and her suitor. They did not agree on politics or horses, flowers or colors best to complement her complexion. He liked Bach. She preferred Chopin. He likedIvanhoe. She lovedFrankenstein. It was as if they dueled and bloodying the other was the only way to survive the morning meal.
Lily had seen arguments between her parents, but nothing as contrary as this. Elanna meant to wound him. Carbury meant to dominate her.
Julian frowned at the discourse. “I wonder, Elanna, if you’d like to learn how to play poker?”
“Poker?” She looked as startled as if he’d saved her from drowning. “Why?”
He leveled an appraising eye at her. “Miss Hanniford is about to teach me. I thought you’d enjoy it. After you finish your eggs. What do you say?”
“I was hoping,” Lord Carbury said to Julian, “Lady Elanna would consent to talk with me in the salon.”
“Oh, I see. Well, Elanna, your choice.” Julian emphasized that last.
The duchess cleared her throat.
But Elanna snapped her gaze from her mother to her brother. With a flutter of gratitude, she shook her head. “Thank you. Another time, perhaps. I thought I’d go talk with Lord Carbury, you understand.”
“I do,” Julian said with some grace and much disappointment in his voice.
“A fine choice,” said the duchess as she picked at the bits on her plate.
The butler appeared in the doorway. “Pardon me, my lord, but the Duke of Seton has arrived.”
Carbury absolutely beamed, put down his napkin and got to his feet. “Delightful! Please tell him I wish to speak with him. Say, an hour.”
“I will, my lord. Please know too we have another visitor who has arrived in his own carriage. Mister Killian Hanniford.”
“Show him to his room,” said Carbury.
“Yes, sir.” The butler turned to Julian. “Lord Chelton, your father, His Grace, asks to see you in the library.”
Julian frowned. Bad timing and a foretaste of ill omens whenever his father appeared at a country party. “Really? But very well. Excuse me, won’t you? And Miss Hanniford, I’m afraid our card party will have to wait.”
Lily took the news of her father’s arrival with pleasure. But something about the Duke of Seton’s appearance disturbed Julian.
“I’ll take a walk in the garden instead,” she said. “Perhaps this afternoon will be a better time to play.”
Julian gave her a compassionate smile. “It will.”
