Page 60 of Wild Lily
Chapter 9
“You arrive and immediately demand to see me?” Julian confronted his father as he crossed the threshold of Carbury’s library. “Rude, to say the least. What is the matter?”
The Duke of Seton was a man who loved his precedence in society, his noble name too. Once he had loved his wealth, but that was gone and so the other powers were ones he used often. Even at a gathering like this one which he had always detested for the forced intimacy of strangers. “I’ve had a meeting of some importance to our future.”
Julian stepped forward into the musty library. He disliked this room, dark and dusty, needing a good swipe with vinegar and soap. The rest of the house seemed bright and spanking clean, so this dingy room was out of character. He often wondered why. “Tell me what it is.”
“Hanniford has made a better offer for the shipping company.”
“How wonderful. Did you take it?”
“No.”
“I see.” Julian swung himself down into a high-backed Chippendale chair and examined his nails. “Well then. Since you have taken over the negotiations, why tell me?”
“I need your help.”
Julian glanced up. “How so?”
“I want you to argue him higher.”
“I withdrew my presence from this discussion. It is yours now.”
Seton flared his nostrils. “Absurd!”
“No.” In the past few years, Julian often had refused his father’s demands. It had come more easily each time. As their fortunes declined, he’d done what he could to soften the financial blows. He’d curtailed his own spending, even cut back on gambling playing only against those from whom he knew he could win. Too bad his winnings from those friends were meager. To boot, he’d ended his relationship with his mistress. He’d cut staff to four at his own residence here in Kent. He’d also advised his father on how to trim staff at Broadmore, but of course, the old man had rejected his advice. Julian had learned to keep his own council and do for himself.
Now he had reason to do more.Since last night, Julian had pondered what his future might hold. His fascination with Lily was a living breathing being, far more vital than any dalliance he’d ever fancied with another woman. Their midnight ride and their enchanting entanglement had aroused more in him than he ever anticipated. He wished to protect her. From himself. But he also wished to possess her. For himself alone. That meant more kisses and more caresses. Her compliance, her need of him too, meant he could not walk away from her.
Furthermore, he would not hurt her feelings or her reputation. Nor would he collude with his father to persuade hers to do anything even remotely concerning their business dealings. He wanted Lily Hanniford. Efficiently. Totally unconnected to her father, his own and any business dealings they might or might not conclude.
He meant to pursue her, too. Learn if her lust for him—for that was what last night was—might be the kernel of a more tender emotion. Learn if his own was irrational longing, some idealized imagining of her as charming and daring, wild and carefree.
He’d not meddle in his father’s affairs.
He had too much interest in settling his own.
“I say, boy, you refuse me this?”
Julian stood. “Yes, sir. I do.”
“Even at the cost of Elanna’s future—”
How dare you.“You gave her until June.” His father was a right bastard. Especially since the estate began to lose thousands of pounds at the turn of the decade. “I expect you to honor that.”
“Or what?”
“I’ll help Elanna run away.”
“Don’t be foolish, boy.”
“Don’t be unprincipled, father.”
Seton flared his nostrils. “We are at an impasse.”
Julian nodded and headed for the door. “Right you are.”
Worried about Elanna, he headed straight for the main salon. But the doors were open and no one was inside. Whatever the conversation was that Carbury had intended with her, they had finished.
