them gone. It was too crowded in the small music room and Lilly decided to lie herself. Was it a sin to lie to a liar?
“Alright I’ll be there, but go home, both of you.”
Before they could say another thing, Lilly turned, went into the kitchen, and up the back stairs.
“If she’s not there to morrow, I’m going to break both your arms!” Reece snarled and left banging the front door.
Robert could not believe several things. First, Lilly was so beautiful and didn’t know it. Second, his careless remark might have ruined the wedding. Third, his notorious brother seemed mad over Lilly. And fourth, a part of Robert hoped she would not marry Reece, for he wanted her himself.
The brothers rode home in silence. Brooding and mystified at what just happened to both of their lives since they’d seen Lilly Castleford.
……….
“Aunts, please guide me. I believe Major Sheridan meant to propose, but for father accepting the transfer of funds from Lord Randall. Then I agreed to marry the earl, as I saw no other choice, now his brother Robert let slip that his lordship still thinks of me as a plain mouse. What should I do?” Lilly asked.
Aunt Mary hugged her and patted her arm.
“What do you want dear, who, any of them?”
“I don’t think the major and I would be happy, he still loves his past wife. I can tolerate the earl a few days a year, but that is a terrible life, isn’t it? I thought Robert very handsome, but of course he’s not asked me.”
“He might if there was an opportunity,” Aunt Ellen offered. “He has a much better reputation and character than his brother. He’s n ot an earl but would be if Lord Randall has no sons.”
“I don’t care about titles aunt, what else do you know about Robert?” Lilly asked.
“He has income from his brother, but also lands a nd a manor of his own. He maintains a respectable townhouse off the square.”
“Not his possessions, has he been engaged before , a mistress? Married?”
“No, not that I recall. But you’re getting married to his brother tomorrow, if you are serious you must work fast,” Aunt Ellen said, rubbing her hands together and grinning.
“Oh, it’s too short of time, I can’t know a man that fast. To think, a few weeks ago I had no one interested, now there might be two or more. I must thank you dear aunts for dressing me up enough to be desired,” Lilly smiled, uncertainty running inside her mind and heart.
“Darling, w e might have added the bows and ribbons, but you are the beauty. Those town men might not see it, but everyone else does and your kindness within shines in your face for everyone to love,” gushed Aunt Mary.
“I’ll go riding, it will help me think and perhaps I might meet someone,” Lilly said, smiling. “A duke in the hedgerows or a prince behind the beech groves.”
“Splendid, don’t lose your humo r, you’ll need it married to either of the Randall men. Lilly, don’t believe you can run away. There is no place for a viscount’s daughter to run to, but ruin,” Aunt Ellen warned. “Also, take a groom, you should not be seen riding alone.”
“I’ ve always ridden this area unaccompanied,” Lilly lamented, knowing her father or Aunt Mary never cared to apply society rules over her.
“You were a young girl then Lilly, now you’re a grown lady. Rules must be enforced,” Aunt Ellen stated.
Lilly and Aunt Mary exchanged frowns, then smirks remembering all the times Lilly had traveled, ridden, and gone to the village by herself.
……….
Lilly didn’t know what led her there, but she ended up sitting under the same tree she retreated to, after her first conversation with Lord Randall. She remembered his hints to her of a liaison, before his unpleasant marriage and knew her future with him would be one misfortune after another. Would he forever be arranging affairs behind her back?
Lilly felt guilty dragging a
“Alright I’ll be there, but go home, both of you.”
Before they could say another thing, Lilly turned, went into the kitchen, and up the back stairs.
“If she’s not there to morrow, I’m going to break both your arms!” Reece snarled and left banging the front door.
Robert could not believe several things. First, Lilly was so beautiful and didn’t know it. Second, his careless remark might have ruined the wedding. Third, his notorious brother seemed mad over Lilly. And fourth, a part of Robert hoped she would not marry Reece, for he wanted her himself.
The brothers rode home in silence. Brooding and mystified at what just happened to both of their lives since they’d seen Lilly Castleford.
……….
“Aunts, please guide me. I believe Major Sheridan meant to propose, but for father accepting the transfer of funds from Lord Randall. Then I agreed to marry the earl, as I saw no other choice, now his brother Robert let slip that his lordship still thinks of me as a plain mouse. What should I do?” Lilly asked.
Aunt Mary hugged her and patted her arm.
“What do you want dear, who, any of them?”
“I don’t think the major and I would be happy, he still loves his past wife. I can tolerate the earl a few days a year, but that is a terrible life, isn’t it? I thought Robert very handsome, but of course he’s not asked me.”
“He might if there was an opportunity,” Aunt Ellen offered. “He has a much better reputation and character than his brother. He’s n ot an earl but would be if Lord Randall has no sons.”
“I don’t care about titles aunt, what else do you know about Robert?” Lilly asked.
“He has income from his brother, but also lands a nd a manor of his own. He maintains a respectable townhouse off the square.”
“Not his possessions, has he been engaged before , a mistress? Married?”
“No, not that I recall. But you’re getting married to his brother tomorrow, if you are serious you must work fast,” Aunt Ellen said, rubbing her hands together and grinning.
“Oh, it’s too short of time, I can’t know a man that fast. To think, a few weeks ago I had no one interested, now there might be two or more. I must thank you dear aunts for dressing me up enough to be desired,” Lilly smiled, uncertainty running inside her mind and heart.
“Darling, w e might have added the bows and ribbons, but you are the beauty. Those town men might not see it, but everyone else does and your kindness within shines in your face for everyone to love,” gushed Aunt Mary.
“I’ll go riding, it will help me think and perhaps I might meet someone,” Lilly said, smiling. “A duke in the hedgerows or a prince behind the beech groves.”
“Splendid, don’t lose your humo r, you’ll need it married to either of the Randall men. Lilly, don’t believe you can run away. There is no place for a viscount’s daughter to run to, but ruin,” Aunt Ellen warned. “Also, take a groom, you should not be seen riding alone.”
“I’ ve always ridden this area unaccompanied,” Lilly lamented, knowing her father or Aunt Mary never cared to apply society rules over her.
“You were a young girl then Lilly, now you’re a grown lady. Rules must be enforced,” Aunt Ellen stated.
Lilly and Aunt Mary exchanged frowns, then smirks remembering all the times Lilly had traveled, ridden, and gone to the village by herself.
……….
Lilly didn’t know what led her there, but she ended up sitting under the same tree she retreated to, after her first conversation with Lord Randall. She remembered his hints to her of a liaison, before his unpleasant marriage and knew her future with him would be one misfortune after another. Would he forever be arranging affairs behind her back?
Lilly felt guilty dragging a
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