Read Online Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas - Free Book Online Page A

The two women embraced and talked at the same time.
    “Mama, you haven’t changed at all…and how splendidly you’ve done with Penny…she’s the toast of the season…”
    “Dear, we’ve heard such dreadful tales of your carryings-on…I always worry, you know…merciful heavens, what have you done to your hair?”
    Self-consciously Lily raised a hand to her short, curly locks and grinned. “Is it too dreadful, Mama?”
    “It suits you.” Totty admitted. “Rather becoming, actually.”
    Lily saw her father and hurried to him. “Papa!”
    Awkwardly George patted her slender back, and pushed her away gently. “There, there, no need to carry on. Gad, such scenes you cause, Lily. And in front of Lord Raiford. Are you in some sort of trouble? Why have you come here of all places? And now of all times?”
    “I’m in no trouble at all,” Lily said, smiling at her father. They were of similarly small stature, standing nearly face-to-face. “I would have come sooner, but I was uncertain of my reception. I want to share in the joy of Penny’s wedding. Naturally if my presence displeases the earl, I will leave immediately. I’ve no wish to cause trouble for anyone. I just thought that I might be allowed to stay for a week or so.” She glanced at Alex and added cautiously, “I would be on my best behavior. I would be a veritable saint.”
    Alex’s gaze bore through her like an icicle. He was tempted to shove her back into the ornate carriage and tell the driver to head straight for London. Or a far hotter place.
    Confronted with his silence, Lily appeared to be perturbed. “But perhaps there isn’t enough room for me here?” She craned her neck up to stare at the towering mansion, letting her gaze travel across the endless rows of windows and balconies.
    Alex gritted his teeth together. It would have been the greatest pleasure of his life to throttle her. He understood what she was doing. To refuse her now would paint him as an inhospitable blackguard in her family’s eyes. Penelope was already regarding him with anxious dismay.
    “Alex,” Penelope beseeched, coming up to him and placing a hand on his arm. It was the first time she had ever voluntarily touched him. “Alex, there is enough room here for my sister, isn’t there? If she says she will conduct herself well, I am certain that she will.”
    Lily clucked affectionately. “Now, Penny, let us not embarrass his lordship. I will find some other occasion to see you, I promise.”
    “No, I wish you to stay,” Penelope cried, her fingers tightening on Alex’s arm. “Please, my lord, please allow her to remain here!”
    “There’s no need to beg,” Alex muttered. How could he refuse his fiancee when she was pleading with him in front of her family, the butler, and every servant within earshot? He glared at Lily, expecting to see a gleam of triumph in her eyes, a smug tilt to her lips. But she wore a forbearing expression that would have become Joan of Arc. Damn her! “Do whatever you want,” he said to Penelope. “Just keep her out of my sight.”
    “Oh, thank you!” Penelope whirled in delight, hugged Lily and then Totty. “Mama, isn’t it wonderful?”
    In the midst of Penelope’s torrent of gratitude, Lily approached Alex calmly. “Raiford, I’m afraid you and I have got off to a bad start,” she said. “It was entirely my fault. Can’t we forget the bloody hunt and begin again?”
    She was so sincere, so frank and appealing. Alex didn’t believe any of it. “Miss Lawson,” he said with deliberate slowness, “if you do anything to undermine my interests…”
    “You’ll what?” Lily smiled at him provocatively. There was nothing he could do to hurt her.
    The worst had been done to her long ago. She wasn’t afraid of him.
    “I’ll make you regret it for the rest of your life,” he said softly.
    Lily’s smile faded as he strode away. Suddenly Derek’s warning came to her ears…Listen to me, gypsy. Let it be…Stay clear