Page 57 of Long Live the Baron
“How long have you worked at Ridley House, Wesley?”
The footman lowered his glass and cleared his throat. “A few years, milady.”
“So you never met the baron before the coronation, I suppose.”
“No, milady. But I did not meet his lordship even then. I was away for several days because my brother got married in Yorkshire. Mr. Michaels generously allowed me the time off, and I returned the morning the baron was found.”
Lily vaguely recollected that Brendan had mentioned this when he had informed her of the situation on the afternoon of their wedding. “I never met the late baron either. His death certainly has created a pickle for those of us left behind.”
Wesley appeared unsure of what to say. “Yes, milady.” He raised his glass to sip on his tea again, and Lily suspected it was to avoid further conversation.
She sipped on her own tea, flinching slightly and spilling some drops when a distinctive knock sounded on the door she had locked.
“Lily, we must speak.”
Sighing, Lily put her cup down while shooting Wesley a glance of apology. The footman seemed relieved to rise. Bowing, he walked away, tumbler in hand, to exit through the concealed door, which he quietly pulled shut behind him.
She crossed the room. Drawing in a deep breath, she turned the key and stepped aside.
Brendan must have heard the click of the lock because the handle turned, and her rogue of a husband entered.
* * *
Brendan was ratherproud of how he had handled Harriet, but he had no inkling how to explain what had happened to Lily who was sitting on the settee with her arms folded and her expression mutinous in the last rays of the day.
He could hardly blame her after what she thought she had witnessed in the library.
“I did not invite Lady Slight into our home.”
“That did not seem to be a problem.”
He shook his head. “It was definitely a problem. I had no desire to see her, and I was attempting to make her leave when she threw herself into my arms moments before you happened upon us. The door was open, and I knew you were returning for dinner, so it would be incomprehensible to believe I thought I could hide her presence.”
Lily’s face gradually eased as she considered his defense. She lowered her arms, her hands gripping the edge of the settee. Turning to stare out the window, she finally responded. “Be that as it may, it does not explain the gossip in the news sheets.”
Brendan frowned, trying to follow the sudden shift in conversation. “What gossip?”
“You and Lady Slight were mentioned. How you were seen conversing intimately on the street!”
He rubbed a hand against the side of his cheek, growling in irritation. “That is what started this. Harri—Lady Slight approached me in the street yesterday before I met with Halmesbury, Richard, and Briggs. She intimated she would be willing to continue our arrangement. My reply was an emphatic no, which she apparently took exception to because she had evidently been drinking and stewing on why I would prefer to spend time with my wife rather than her.”
Lily jumped to her feet. “There is no need to coddle me, Brendan Ridley! I am not a child. I am a grown woman and I can handle the truth!”
Brendan threw up his hands in confusion, shaking his head while he tried to make sense of what he was being accused of. “What truth?”
“That you were forced to marry me! That if the baron had not been killed, you would even now be inHarriet’sbed! That you never chose me! So do not pretend that you would rather spend time with me than that … that … that trollop!”
Brendan dropped into a chair and stared sightlessly at the ceiling. Apparently Lily believed him about what happened, a trait he appreciated in her as part of her general impulse to be honest and sincere. But how to respond to her envy of his previous attentions, he was uncertain. His feelings were developing for Lily, and his fondness for her was growing in leaps and bounds. But he was not ready for a discussion regarding how their relationship had come to be. They needed to spend time together and foster the affinity that was growing between them. To allow their connection to develop naturally. Discussing it now, so early in their marriage and with so many challenges facing them, was premature.
Shaking his head, he rose and came around to take hold of Lily’s hands in his own. “I am here with you now. The past is inconsequential to our present. I have spent every waking moment since you agreed to marry me, ensuring your safety. Taking steps to end this danger and take care of you.”
“So you do not deny you would be with Harriet tonight if I was not here?”
Brendan wished to curse. Lily was a wonderful, generous person, but the widow had made her jealous and now they were arguing when he had been looking forward to having dinner with his new wife before taking her to bed. “I cannot say where I would be. I can only state that I am here with you now, and that I have arranged that the viscountess will never return to Ridley House again.”
“And how many times has she been here?” demanded Lily, her face stiff with angry outrage. He hated seeing her this way. His Lily was soft and sweet. She chattered about life and her thoughts, and he liked her. He did not like this hard woman staring at him with rage in her eyes.
“Never! I have never invited her to my home. You are the only woman I have ever brought into my home, or allowed entrance to my bedroom!”
