Page 52 of Long Live the Baron
Brendan cocked his head, a little confused by what she had been about to say. “Yes, of course. What did you think?”
Lily twisted her lips, shrugging slightly. “Nothing … I was not sure what to think.”
* * *
Lily did not agreeto depart Ridley House, but she agreed to think about it and to allow the Johns to guard her. She could not argue that a woman of her petite size would be unable to fend off a panicked attack from the unknown servant who had searched his room. Considering a man had been killed, they could hardly ignore the possibility of such an event. The discussion had caused disquiet for Lily, who assured herself that her athletic, healthy husband would be capable of fighting off a hypothetical attack if it were aimed at him. At least, she hoped that was the case. He certainly was on edge enough to stay alert.
Despite her reservations about parting so early in their marriage, when her plan to turn this into a love match was her most pressing goal, Brendan had made a good point. If she stayed at her parents’ home while he sought a resolution to the investigation, she could move freely without the suspense of two Johns dogging her every step.
Leaving the breakfast room, with first John falling into step behind her, she noted the rain had stopped completely. The sudden silence in Ridley House was almost unearthly after the barrage of drumming rain.
Turning a corner, she encountered Michaels in the poorly lit hall, startling in surprise. Usually, one could hear the butler coming because he had a pronounced step that thudded on the wooden floors. She had not heard him approaching. Had he been hovering in the shadows?
Lily realized she was on edge, mistrustful of the servant after the news Brendan had imparted. Blazes! Perhaps she should go home so she would not jump like a scared little ninny every time she encountered one of the servants in her own home.
“Is the carriage ready?”
Michaels pursed his lips, appearing mildly offended by the question. “Of course, milady. You requested it for ten o’clock so?—”
In the entry hall, the casement clock began to toll the hour, cutting off the rest of his declaration, and Michaels arched an eyebrow as if to accentuate the chimes.
“May I have my pelisse and bonnet?”
Michaels gave a curt bow and disappeared down the murky hall to collect her things, leaving Lily to mull over her conversation with Brendan. Discovering that her husband had been running about Town in the interests of protecting her had taken the wind out of her sails. It was rather sweet that he cared so much. She had wanted to ask him about what she had read about him and Lady Slight, but it had not seemed like the right moment to broach the subject.
Or you are afraid of the answer.
She would address the matter when she saw him at dinner, she resolved. Visiting Sophia at her home would be a welcome respite. She had clarified with Brendan, and he had advised that first John must accompany her because the footman and coachman might pose a risk, but roaming Sophia’s home without John shadowing her footsteps was not a risk. They concurred John could stay with the servants in the mews behind the Saunton townhouse until she was ready to return.
Brendan was to spend his day seeking more lords who might have conversed with the late baron, and Lily had made arrangements with Sophia, so it was with some relief that she left Ridley House to visit her cousin.
When she arrived at Balfour Terrace, the earl’s London townhouse, Lily was overjoyed to find Miles in the drawing room with his mother. She barely stopped to greet Sophia, quickly scooping up her baby cousin from his mother’s arms to coo into his cherubic little face. Miles gurgled, smiling widely as he raised a tiny hand to grab hold of a lock of her hair.
“Oh, Sophia! I want a little angel of my own!”
Sophia laughed. “Give it a moment. Perhaps let the menfolk solve this murder before introducing a child.”
Lily sighed. Sitting down, she settled Miles on her knees to face her. Pulling faces, she was delighted as her little cousin’s eyes sparkled and he chuckled out loud. “Brendan has informed me I am in danger.”
“I know. Richard informed me he had arranged for the Johns to stand guard. Where is … one of them?” Sophia finished awkwardly.
“He is in the mews. We agreed that I only need protection while I am around our own servants. We discussed pensioning off Michaels and letting the footmen go, but it seemed unfair to punish so many for the acts of only one. And there is no point pensioning Michaels off if we do not get rid of all of them, because we do not know which one is the danger.”
“So what happens now?”
“Brendan advised me to return home.” Lily’s shoulders sagged. “I wish to remain with him. Matters were progressing so nicely. I was certain we could fall in love, but now the focus has shifted to this. And I do not wish to contend with Mama. She will be a nuisance if she learns I am in danger. I will never hear the end of it!”
Sophia pulled a face in sympathy. “We are leaving for Saunton Park in a few days. If matters are not resolved by then, you could come with us. Perhaps come stay at Balfour Terrace until we leave.”
Lily tickled little Miles, who squirmed in her lap, wiggling with glee. “It is not ideal, but perhaps I will do that. I would prefer spending the summer with you and Richard than having Mama criticizing my marriage.”
“I think you are fortunate to have a mother, especially one like Aunty who cares so much, but I understand the need to lead your own life now that you are wed. The invitation remains open.”
Lily spent the day with Sophia and Miles, happy to have a respite from her problems at Ridley House. It was only after she left much later that evening that she remembered she had not spoken with her cousin about theon-ditin the news sheets. However, what could Sophia recommend other than to ask her husband about it?
Lily’s stomach tightened as she tried to plan how to broach the matter with Brendan. She supposed it might be because she did not want to hear an answer that would end her hopes for the future.
* * *
