Then came you, by lisa kleypas.txt Read online

  helplessly for him to release her. Finally he gave her waist a squeeze and let go.

  Lady Lyon spoke, her voice less sharp than before. "Leave us alone for a moment, Alexander."

  He frowned. "Aunt, I'm afraid we don't have time for any more talk."

  "Don't worry," Lady Lyon said dryly. "This old dragon will not chew your pretty young bride to bits. I merely want to give

  her some advice. Come here, child." She patted the space beside her. Without looking at her husband, Lily seated herself

  on the sofa.

  Giving his aunt a warning glance, Alex left the room.

  Lady Lyon seemed to have been amused by her nephew's glowering frown. "It's clear he can't abide any criticism of you,"

  she remarked with a throaty chuckle.

  "Unless it's given by himself." Lily was surprised by the way the grande dame's entire manner had softened.

  That caused Lady Lyon to laugh again. "My favorite nephew, you know. The most exemplary man the family has ever produced. Far more praiseworthy than my own charming, spoiled, good-for-nothing son Ross. You'll never fully appreciate your own good fortune in landing Alexander. How you did is a mystery to me."

  "To me also," Lily said feelingly.

  "No matter. You've wrought quite a change in him." Lady Lyon paused reflectively. "I don't think I've seen him so lighthearted since he was a boy, before his parents passed away."

  Unaccountably pleased, Lily lowered her gaze to hide the effects of the elderly woman's words. "But surely when he and

  Caroline Whitmore were affianced—"

  "Let me tell you something about that American woman," the elderly woman interrupted impatiently. "She was a beautiful, carefree creature, prone to romantics and follies. Certainly she would have made Alexander an adequate wife. But Miss Whitmore didn't understand the depth to him, nor did she care to." Her blue eyes turned soft and thoughtful, almost sad.

  "She never would have appreciated the kind of love he is capable of giving. The Raiford men were unique in that regard."

  She paused and added, "They allow their women such terrible power over them. Their love tends toward obsession. My

  brother Charles—Alexander's father—willed himself to death after his wife passed away. The thought of living without her

  was intolerable to him. Did you know about that?"

  "No, ma'am," Lily said, startled.

  "Alexander is no different. Losing the woman he loves, through death or betrayal, would have the same effect on him."

  Lily's eyes widened. "Lady Lyon, I think you are exaggerating the case. His feelings for me do not tend to that extreme.

  That is, he doesn't—"

  "You are not as sharp-witted as I thought, child, if you haven't realized that he loves you."

  Caught in the grip of dismay and some deeper, perplexing emotion, Lily stared at her in silent astonishment.

  "Young people are far more thickheaded now than in my day," Lady Lyon observed tartly. "Close your mouth, child, you'll

  catch flies."

  The acerbic tone in Lady Lyon's voice reminded Lily of Aunt Sally, although Sally had certainly been far more outlandish

  than this elegant matron. "Ma'am, you said you have advice for me?"

  "Oh, yes." Lady Lyon pinned Lily in a meaningful stare. "I've heard all about you and your wild ways. In truth, you remind me

  of myself when I was young. I was a comely, high-spirited girl with quite a good figure. Before my marriage I left a string of broken hearts in my wake, long enough to make my mother exceedingly proud. I felt no pressing urge to accept some man as

  my lord and master. Not when I had all of London at my feet. Flowers, poetry, stolen kisses ..." She smiled reminiscently. "It

  was delightful. Naturally I regarded it as a dreary prospect to sacrifice all of that for the sake of matrimony. But I'll tell you something I discovered when I married Lord Lyon—the love of a good man is worth a few sacrifices."

  Lily hadn't talked so frankly with a woman since Sally had died. She dared to unburden herself a little, leaning forward as she spoke earnestly. "Lady Lyon, I had no desire to marry anyone. I've been independent for too long. Alex and I will be at each other's throats constantly. We're both too strong-willed. It's a classic mesalliance."

  Lady Lyon seemed to understand her fear. "Consider this . . . Alexander wants you enough that he is willing to expose himself

  to the possible censure and ridicule of his peers. For a man who values his pride so highly, that is a great concession. You could

  do worse than marry a man willing to make a fool of himself over you."

  Lily frowned in concern. "He won't be made to appear foolish," she said emphatically. "I would never do anything to embarrass him." Just then the recollection of the spectacle in Covent Garden concerning an old circus bear flashed before her, and she colored. She hadn't waited even one day after their wedding before behaving scandalously. "Damn," she whispered, before

  she could catch herself.

  Surprisingly, the elderly woman smiled. "It won't be easy for you, naturally. You do have a struggle, a worthwhile struggle,

  ahead of you. I believe I speak for a great many people in saying it will be quite interesting to watch."

  * * *

  Lady Lyon arranged for the two of them to attend a series of private soirees, at which their marriage was announced in a quiet and seemly manner. There was no way to avoid the appearance of scandal, not when the details of their "courtship" were being bandied about London. But at least Lady Lyon had managed to water down the disgrace somewhat. At her insistence, Lily wore modestly becoming gowns to these affairs, and took care to associate mostly with dowagers and respectable married women.

  To Lily's surprise, the men she had gambled with, traded friendly insults with, drank and joked with at Craven's treated her with unexpected deference at these gatherings. Occasionally one of the elderly gentlemen would give her a surreptitious wink, as if they were engaging in a pleasant conspiracy. Their wives, on the other hand, were only marginally friendly. But no one dared to cut her openly, since Lady Lyon and her revered cronies were always at her side. It also helped that Lily possessed an

  impressive title and the backing of an even more impressive fortune.

  With each gathering she navigated through successfully, Lily became more "established." She couldn't help noticing the change

  in the way others regarded her, the courtesies and attentions they paid her. In fact, some of the aristocrats who had been only coolly polite to her for years were now complimentary, even affectionate, as if she had always been a great favorite. Privately

  she denounced this entire procedure of becoming respectable as a great indignity, which amused Alex greatly.

  "I'm being trotted forth for their inspection," Lily told him while they pored over a list of invitations in one of the upstairs sitting rooms. "Like some pony with ribbons braided through her tail. 'Look, everyone, she isn't quite as heathenish and vulgar as we feared.' ... I sincerely hope this is all worth the effort, my lord!"

  "Is it really such a trial?" he asked sympathetically, his gray eyes gleaming with laughter.

  "No," she admitted. "I want to succeed. I'm terrified of what your Aunt Mildred will do to me if I don't."

  "She likes you," he assured her.

  "Oh, really? Is that why she's always making remarks about my behavior and my eyes and my gowns. Why, the other day she complained that I was flaunting my bosom—Good God, I hardly have one to speak of!"

  His brows drew together. "You have a beautiful bosom."

  Wryly she glanced down at her small, pert breasts. "When I was a girl, Mother always made me splash cold water on my chest

  to make them grow. They never did. Penelope's bosom is much better than mine."

  "I never noticed hers," he said, shoving the pile of invitations to the floor and reaching for her.

  She evaded him with a quick laug
h. "Alex! Lord Faxon will be here momentarily to discuss the bill he wants to propose."

  "Then he'll have to wait." Catching her around the waist, he pulled her beneath him on the sofa.

  Lily laughed and wriggled in protest. "What if Burton shows him upstairs and he discovers us like this?"

  "Burton's too well trained for that."

  "Really, my lord, the pride you take in him makes me wonder." She shoved at his shoulders and twisted under him. "I've never seen a man so attached to his butler."

  "Best damn butler in England," he said, and pinned her down, enjoying her energetic grappling. For a woman of her diminutive

  size, she was remarkably strong. She giggled uncontrollably as she tried to fend him off. He let her nearly succeed in pushing

  him away, but then he collected her wrists in one hand and stretched them over her head. His other hand roamed boldly over

  her slender form.

  "Alex, let me up," she said breathlessly.

  He pulled her sleeves down and tugged at her bodice. "Not until I convince you how beautiful you are."

  "I'm convinced. I'm beautiful. Ravishing. Now stop this at once." She gasped as she heard the sound of delicate fabric ripping

  and stitches popping.

  Staring into her eyes, Alex continued to pull away the dress until her breasts were exposed. His fingers brushed against her bare skin, sending tingles of delight through her. Gently he traced around the delicate peaks with a fingertip, his gaze smoldering as it fell on the slight curves of her breasts. Her playfulness vanished, and she began to breathe deeply. "My lord, we can wait until later. It's important that ..." Her mind swam with sensations, and she almost lost her train of thought. "Important to see Faxton when he arrives."

  "Nothing's more important than you."

  "Be sensible-"

  "I am being sensible." His mouth opened over her nipple, drawing the taut bud tightly inside.

  Lily trembled as he held her down and kissed her breasts with leisurely sensuality. Her head turned listlessly to one side, then

  the other, her wrists flexing within his firm grip. Alex pulled her skirts up, the warmth of his hand seeping through her fine silk stockings as he caressed her legs. "I've never wanted any woman as much as I want you," he murmured. His mouth played over the side of her neck, and he licked the inside of her ear. "I could devour you. I love your breasts, your mouth, everything about you. Do you believe me?" When she refused to answer, he rubbed his lips over hers, coaxing a reply. "Do you believe me?"

  Through the tumult of her passion, she heard a knock upon the closed door of the sitting room. Her pleasure-drugged mind

  refused to accept the sound, but Alex paused, lifting his head and controlling his breathing. "Yes?" he demanded, his voice amazingly steady.

  Burton's sedate voice came through the closed door. "My lord, a number of visitors have just arrived, all at once."

  Alex frowned. "How many? Who is it?"

  "Lord and Lady Lawson, Viscount and Lady Stamford, Master Henry, and a gentlemen he identified as his tutor."

  "My entire family?" Lily squeaked.

  Alex sighed tautly. "Henry wasn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow . . . was he?"

  She shook her head dumbly.

  Alex raised his voice so that Burton could hear him clearly. "Show them all to the downstairs parlor, Burton, and tell them

  we'll join them right away."

  "Yes, my lord."

  Lily clutched at Alex's shoulders, her body aching with unfulfilled desire. "No," she moaned.

  "We'll continue this later," he said, stroking her flushed cheek with his fingertip. Frustrated beyond her ability to bear, she

  caught at his hand and urged it to her breast. With a laugh, he pulled her body close and nuzzled against her hair. "They'll

  want to stay for dinner."

  She gave a protesting groan. "Send them away," she said, although she knew it wasn't possible. "I want to be alone with you."

  Alex smiled crookedly and rubbed her back. "There'll be thousands of nights for us. I promise."

  Lily nodded silently, although inside she was filled with despair. He couldn't make such a promise when he didn't know what

  she had kept hidden from him, the secret that would separate them forever.

  Idly Alex investigated the torn edges of her bodice, dropping his head to kiss the shallow vale between her breasts. "You'd

  better change your gown," he murmured, his breath collecting in the damp hollow and causing her to shiver. "Although I find

  you utterly charming like this, I'm not certain your mother would approve."

  * * *

  Lily entered the parlor dressed in her favorite gown, a close-fitted garment made of dark red silk and trimmed with filmy embroidered net. The gauzy sleeves revealed flashes of her slender arms, while the slightly flared skirt moved gently around

  her legs as she walked. It was the gown of a temptress, hardly a style that Aunt Mildred would have approved of. But it

  showed her to her best advantage, and Lily had decided to keep it as an at-home gown. Alex, who couldn't take his eyes

  from her, most definitely approved.

  "Lily!" Lady Totty cried eagerly. "My favorite, darling daughter, my lovely child, I had to see you at once. You've made

  your dear mother so happy, so pleased and proud that I'm moved to tears of joy every time I think of you—"

  "Hello, Mother," Lily said wryly, hugging Totty and making a face at Penelope and Zachary. She was felled with satisfaction as she saw the two of them standing together. Penelope's face was radiant with love as she stood nestled against Zachary's side.

  Zachary looked similarly happy, though he regarded Lily with a patent question in his eyes. "We could hardly believe the news,"

  he commented meaningfully, moving forward to embrace Lily.

  "We had to come, to see if you were all right."

  "Of course I'm all right." Lily said, blushing self-consciously as she met her old friend's gaze. "It happened rather quickly.

  Lord Raiford has an overwhelming style of courtship, to say the least."

  "It must agree with you," Zachary replied slowly, contemplating her rosy face. "I've never seen you look more beautiful."

  "Lord Lawson," Alex said, moving forward to clasp his father-in-law's hand. "You can be assured I'll take care of your

  daughter and provide for her every need. I'm sorry there was no time for me to ask your permission. I hope you'll overlook

  our unseemly haste, and give your blessing to the union."

  George Lawson regarded him with a wry twist to his mouth. Both of them were aware that Alex didn't give a damn if he approved or not. Perhaps George was compelled by Alex's hard gray eyes to observe the formalities with grace. Whatever

  the reason, he replied in an unusually warm fashion. "You have my blessings, Lord Raiford, and my sincere wish that you and

  my daughter will have a life of contentment together."

  "Thank you." Alex reached for Lily and drew her close, forcing father and daughter to confront each other.

  Lily eyed her father warily. "Thank you, Papa," she said in a subdued manner. She was surprised when her father reached

  out and took her hands, one of the few spontaneous gestures of affection he had ever shown her.

  "I do wish you well, daughter, no matter what you may think to the contrary."

  Lily smiled and returned the pressure of his grip, her eyes becoming suspiciously moist. "I believe you, Papa."

  "My turn," a boyish voice interrupted. Lily laughed with glee as Henry launched himself at her. "You're my sister now!" he exclaimed, crushing her with a hearty hug. "I couldn't wait another day to see you. I knew Alex would marry you. I had a

  feeling about it! And now I'm going to live with you, and you'll take me to Craven's again, and we'll go riding and shooting

  together, and you'll teach me how to cheat at cards, and-"

  "Sh
hh." Lily put her hand over his mouth and glanced at Alex, her eyes gleaming wickedly. "Not another word, Henry, or

  your brother will begin proceedings to divorce me."

  Heedless of the shocked gazes of her family, Alex tangled his fingers in her curls and kissed her cheek, drawing his head

  back to smile down at her. "Never," he said firmly, and for one heart-stopping moment Lily allowed herself to believe it.

  "Lord Raiford," Burton interrupted sedately, presenting a white card. "Lord Faxton has arrived."

  "Show him in," Lily said with a laugh. "Perhaps he would like to stay for dinner."

  * * *

  They all partook of a long and enjoyable dinner, with conversation that ranged from the merits of Lord Faxton's proposed bill

  to the accomplishments of Henry's tutor Mr. Radburne, a sober but amiable man with an affinity for history and language.

  Lily was the perfect hostess, giving the conversation gentle nudges when it dawdled, effortlessly drawing a spell around the