Page 29 of Long Live the Baron
* * *
Brendan steppedout into the bright sunlit street at the same time as another man departed Lord Moreland’s home. Stopping to stare at each other, Brendan realized this must be Moreland’s heir. The young man was the image of his father. Tall. Broad shoulders. Square, handsome face. However, the gentleman had the coloring of Miss Abbott. Chocolate brown hair and eyes which were currently glaring at him.
Before Brendan could move away from the widow’s door, Abbott came striding across the street to confront him.
“What are you doing at this … this … this harlot’s home? Why has Lily turned you down?” Reaching out, the outraged brother grabbed him by the lapels.
Blazes! I need to visit Gentleman Jackson’s! This is the second time I have been manhandled.
He blamed his lack of sleep. His reaction time was too slow, and the pounding in his head a distraction he could not set aside. “I was here for ten minutes! Nothing happened.”
Abbott stopped. Slowly, he released Brendan, who tugged at his waistcoat and jacket to set them to rights.
“My sister is ruined, and it is my fault for leaving her alone that night. You have to fix this, Ridley!”
The torment in the brother’s face was apparent to Brendan, even in his compromised state, and he was once again stabbed with shame. If it were his sister …
“Miss Abbott refused my offer.”
“Why? What did you do? She hoped you would take care of her after what she did for you!”
Brendan broke eye contact, staring over Abbott’s shoulder. He was hardly going to admit his cruel accusation or fumbled proposal. “It is not what she wants. And what about you? Would you marry a child?”
Abbott’s face hardened. “She is no child, you scoundrel! What Lily lacks in stature, she makes up for in heart! She is kindness and joy. And, fortunately for you, she is the epitome of honor, or even now you would be imprisoned. This woman”—Abbott gestured at Harriet’s home—“is a vicious viper. Yet you visit her while my sister has retreated, facing certain ruin. I am to take her to the Continent to outrun this scandal. Lily is a young woman with her entire life ahead of her. What is she to do if you will not assist her?”
Brendan winced. The more he learned of the girl, the more ashamed he felt about how he had treated her earlier. He must aid the young woman who had discarded a promising future to help him, but how he was to do that was unclear. She had practically thrown him out.
“I will work something out.”
Abbott narrowed his eyes, looking Brendan over carefully. He stepped back, giving Brendan room to breathe. “I spoke with some of the chaps this morning, and they tell me you are a good sort, Ridley. You must wed my sister to save her from this shame. Lily does not deserve this. Everyone she knows will give her the cut direct. It is inconceivable that this happen to her.” Abbott hung his head, overcome by emotion. “She is the very best of sisters, and if I could restore her reputation, I would. You must help her.”
Brendan raised a shaky hand to rake it through his hair. He had no inkling of how to repair this, and he was so damned tired he felt he might collapse like a dog in the street. “I will try to make it right, Abbott.”
It was not much to offer as consolation, but it was all Brendan could think to say.
* * *
When Sophia left,Lily followed her downstairs. After bidding her cousin goodbye, she entered the fateful drawing room, where she had not only witnessed Mr. Ridley enter and then depart Lady Slight’s home, but had also anticipated his proposal, then rejected him. Mama was sitting in Lily’s favorite spot by the window and watching the street intently, flinching in surprise when Lily’s footfalls disturbed her.
“Lily!” Mama jumped to her feet, crossing the room to pull her daughter into an embrace. Lily froze, her face squished into her mother’s shoulder while her arms hung uselessly at her sides and she tried to make sense of what was happening. “We shall find a way through this. I cannot believe what Mr. Ridley said to you! I was so relieved when Sophia arrived … I would have come upstairs, but I was not sure what to say and I thought she might address it better than I.”
Lily lifted her arms and embraced her mother back, hiding her face as tears once again threatened to flow. Mama’s unexpected shift to one of support was welcome. Lily had been feeling terrible about how she had affected her mother with her news. “Sophia and I had a good talk. Thank you for … Thank you.”
They broke apart awkwardly, neither making eye contact. “Mama, I would prefer not to attend the Townsend dinner this evening. Perhaps you can inform them I have a headache?”
Something flashed over her mother’s face, too fleeting for Lily to comprehend it. “Our invitation was … rescinded.”
Remorse twisted in Lily’s belly. Word of her scandal must be spreading rapidly, as Sophia had warned her earlier. “I am sorry.”
Mama shook her head. “I never liked Lady Townsend that much anyway.”
Lily smiled wanly, not wanting to refute her mother’s declaration. Mama and Lady Townsend had been friends for as long as Lily could recall, but pointing it out would not help anything. “Sophia informs me that I was mentioned in the gossip rags.”
Mama blew out her cheeks, shaking her head again. “Sophia was minimizing the truth. There was a drawing of you in … an inappropriate state … with Mr. Ridley.”
Lily swallowed hard, mortified and unsure how to respond. “I am so sorry, Mama.”
“We will prevail. Perhaps Sophia will talk some sense into Mr. Ridley.”
