Page 47 of Long Live the Baron
Standing in his bedroom, he could vaguely make out that the door to the hall was standing open. Light suddenly flared in the room. His valet stood near the bed, having lit the oil lamp. They both winced and blinked rapidly, turning to inspect the water and shards, lying near the washstand, of what had once been a jug. Nearby, a chest of drawers hung open, its contents in disarray.
Brendan drew Lily’s door shut behind him and spoke in a low voice. “Someone took advantage of my wedding night to search my room.”
Peterson, a fastidious man in his fifties, frowned and rubbed his neck in disbelief. “It would appear so, milord.”
Brendan heaved a sigh, gently kneading his temples in response to his headache springing back to life. “I must have forgotten to lock my door when I came up.”
“I apologize, sir. I should have checked after you …” Peterson bobbed his head in the direction of Lily’s door.
“We shall need to take more care, Peterson.”
His valet nodded grimly.
Briggs’s suspicions, that either a murderer or a traitor was in Brendan’s home, had been confirmed. Danger lurked, and Brendan admitted his worst fear. Lily had quickly enchanted him, lightening the somber mood of Ridley House with fresh energy. Somehow, she was turning out to be the embodiment of the perfect woman for him, and if she were harmed because he failed to protect her, he would never forgive himself. Not after everything she had done for him.
It was time to take action. Immediate and decisive action to defend himself and his unexpected bride, who was quickly charming her way into his heart.
* * *
Lily gradually awakened,stretching her limbs and grinning. Her plans to distract Brendan from Lady Slight had gone better than expected. She was certain they were well on their way to falling in love and making this marriage a genuine match.
She turned to embrace Brendan, surprised when she found she was in the bed alone.
He had left?
A slight spark of anxiety came to life in her belly as she sat up. It was still early morning, if the sunlight was anything to go by. Perhaps he had merely gone to his room to prepare for the day?
Slipping out of bed and landing on the floor with a soft thud, Lily donned her discarded night rail and hurried across the room. Knocking on the connecting door, she did not wait for an answer before flinging it open to find Brendan’s dim room empty and tidy. Lily bit her lip. It was the first morning of their marriage together. After the success of their first evening together, she had expected a languid morning with him.
Perhaps he is eating breakfast?
Sighing, Lily returned to her room and rang for the maid. Hurrying her ablutions, she was soon dressed and her hair loosely styled. She was ready to descend and find her husband.
Flinging the door open, she stepped into the hall, almost running into a figure shrouded in shadows. Yelping in shock, she sprang back through her doorway.
“Do not be concerned, milady. I am here to protect you.”
Lily’s eyes adjusted to the gloom of the hall, and she could make out a burly man wearing a battered overcoat. He had a decidedly disheveled appearance, reminiscent of a grotesque leering from the desolate darkness to ward off evil spirits.
“Who are you?”
The man cleared his throat, hesitating a moment before responding. “You may call me John.”
She narrowed her eyes. “John?”
“That is correct, milady.”
Lily cocked her head as a memory was dusted off in the recesses of her mind. “One of the Johns who protected Lady Saunton last year?”
“Uh … yes.”
“You are not pretending to be a footman this time?”
“No, milady.”
Lily clasped her hands, tapping her fingers on her hand as she tried to think. “Lord Filminster hired you to protect me?”
“Yes, ’e had Lord Saunton send for us this morning with the instruction to see to your safety.”
