Lily, One Lord's Temptation (The Garden Brides #1) Read online

  This was worse than she could ever imagine. Nobody who still had all of their faculties would believe they could inherit her father’s title by marrying.

  “The fact that he has already fathered three sons gives me promise of an heir. Of course, none of his sons will inherit so it is imperative that you provide that heir.” He thumped his hand on the desk, driving home the point of what was expected of her.

  Lily didn’t flinch, being used to his outbursts. Instead, she remained motionless, staring at the rug below her feet. She had never noticed the light blue woven in with the gold and green before. It was really quite lovely.

  “The gentleman will be joining us for dinner. I expect you to behave as I have raised you and give the gentleman no cause to reject you. Of course, he won’t because his family is practically destitute even though they are gentry.”

  It was an interesting pattern and if she concentrated on it very hard, perhaps her father, and what he was saying, would disappear and she would no longer hear him.

  “He wishes to take you on drives in the park and accompany you to various functions over the next few days to make sure you two will suit well. He does have a concern of you being a good stepmother to his children. I assured him that was of no consequence.”

  Children that weren’t her own. So far it was the only thing that held any promise in this horrible situation. Not that she’d ever be their step-mother.

  Lord Artemisia stood. “You will conduct yourself as a gently bred young woman. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will behave as the submissive daughter so the gentleman knows you will be a respectful wife. You will act accordingly for if you ruin this chance then I will return you to Serona Castle. And this time you will not meet your future husband until you walk in the church to exchange vows.”

  Lily could no longer block her father out. This was a threat she had always feared. At one time the thought of being sent to the country for good held appeal. Now however, it didn’t. Max wasn’t in the country.

  “Also, you will have absolutely no contact with Lord Maxwell.”

  Lily lifted her eyes in question. It was the first time she had looked at her father since she entered the room.

  “I heard all about how you carried on with that gentleman while at your aunt’s country home. Your relationship, whatever it was, is over. If I hear that you have even exchanged a hello with the gentleman, you will be locked in your room. Do I make myself clear?”

  Lily steeled her spine to his thunderous tone. “Yes, Father,” Lily answered quietly.

  “Covertly heard the same as I, but luckily the man dismissed it as the exuberance of youth. He is more forgiving then I,” her father stated with disgust.

  “Covertly?” Lily’s stomach sickened with dread.

  “Yes, Lord William Covertly, your betrothed,” her father explained in a condescending tone.

  Lily had no reply. How did one respond when one found out they were betrothed to a man as old as her father? A man who was bald, round and always smelled of whiskey and cigars. A man who had once pinched her behind when he knew no one was looking. Lily swallowed the bile rising in her throat and hoped she didn’t toss up her accounts.

  “You are dismissed.”

  Lily did a quick curtsey and hurried toward the door.

  “Oh, and you will never have contact with that bastard again.”

  Her spine stiffened. The bastard that was also his child—Wesley. As much as she wished to comment, Lily held her tongue and gave a quick nod before she exited into the corridor and ascended the stairs to her chamber with as much ladylike grace as she could muster when all she wanted to do was run from the house and get as far away from her father and London as physically possible.

  Upstairs she paced, wondering how she could get out of this arrangement. She didn’t doubt her father would send her away, if she found a way to make Covertly break the betrothal. She couldn’t leave London now. At least not until she had a chance to talk to Max. Their last conversation had ended so horribly and she hoped he regretted the anger as much as she. But how could she know for sure if she wasn’t allowed to talk to him?

  Maybe all she needed was a few days. If she pretended to go along with her father’s plans, perhaps he would relax his guard enough that Lily could sneak a word to Max. Yes, that is what she would do. Though it would pain her to wait longer, she really had no choice. And besides, what difference would three or four more days make now?

  Chapter 28

  “When will Lily return to London?” Max demanded and pulled Dresden away from the others during the intermission at the Drury Lane Theater. Max had spent more time watching the box owned by Artemisia than he had on the newest play.

  “My uncle isn’t telling us anything except that soon her future will be set.”

  Max left the theater without watching the end of the production. He’d returned to London only to learn that Lily was not here, but that she’d been sent to Serona Castle, the family estate, for the time being. That was a week ago and Dresden still had no answers for him. In the meantime, he watched Artemisia to try and determine what his plans might be for Lily, or who he might next decide upon as her husband. There appeared to be a few candidates, all older and in need of funds. None were titled. Max couldn’t help but wonder what Lily’s response would be when she finally returned to London to meet the next gentleman on her father’s list.

  If he wasn’t afraid of missing her on the road, he’d leave London and travel to Serona Castle himself. However, if it appeared that Artemisia wasn’t going to bring his daughter from the country, Max would go to her.

  The following morning he had his answer. It both made him livid and ill as he read the announcement in the morning paper. How could Lily be betrothed to that lecher? What father could dare marry a young, innocent daughter off to the likes of Covertly? Everyone knew he was a perverted old man. They were rumors, of course, but certainly there was some truth to them. A widower twice over, both wives having fallen to their death. Were they accidental deaths, had they sought an escape or had Covertly had a hand in their deaths? Nobody had questioned the first wife’s death, but when the second died in the exact same manner, there had been quite a bit of speculation. Now, Lily was about to become a third wife.

  “She is not in,” the butler informed him.

  “Perhaps I could leave my card,” Max suggested and he reached into his pocket.

  “That will not be necessary.”

  “You will tell her I called?” Max asked, bewildered at the behavior of the servant.

  “If it is in my power to do so, sir.” The butler began to step away, his hand lifted to shut the door.

  Max put his foot forward. “When will I be able to catch Lady Lilian in?”

  The servant leveled him a cold stare. “Never.”

  “Never?” Max knew she had not left town.

  The man’s demeanor softened, as well as his voice. “It is best for Lady Lilian if you do not call here again.”

  Max stepped back, the door shut on his face. It would be best for Lady Lilian. The man never said she did not wish to see him, only that it would be best if she didn’t.

  He took the warning seriously knowing it would be Lily who paid if he ignored the order. Instead, he would wait for her to contact him. Surely she’d see that he was a far better choice in husband than Covertly. Anyone was a better choice than that gentleman.

  If Lily thought the three and a half weeks in the country were long, these four days under constant supervision by her father, and being courted by Covertly, were worse. She never had a chance to be alone. If she happened to go shopping, two new servants were close by. They’d been hired while she was away, and though they wore the livery of the other servants in the household, they were her guards and reported everything back to her father. Nearly half of the household staff had been replaced in her absence. At least a few remained that she trusted. Further, she was not allowed any contact with her cousins, Daniella and Simon, or ev
en her aunt due to their lack of supervision and judgement during the house party.

  There was absolutely no one she could talk to and as each day passed, her panic rose. She needed to speak with Max. Needed to explain. If he was truly done, then she needed to escape. It was her only recourse because the last person on earth that she would marry and then allow to touch her was Covertly. She cringed when he was near and could barely contain her repulsion when his hot, rancid breath heated her neck and cheek when he leaned in far too close for propriety when speaking to her.

  No wonder his wives threw themselves down the stairs. Until she’d met the man, she considered the possibility that they were accidents. If she became his bride, Lily might consider doing the same. It was far more preferable than sharing a bed with him.

  Her stomach tightened and once again she swallowed against the bile that rose in her throat.

  She spied Max across the dance floor at three separate balls but had been unable to speak with him because of her father’s diligence in keeping her out of trouble. Max hadn’t even tried to approach her. She had to find a way to get word to him because she was running out of time. Her wedding day loomed, getting closer by the moment.

  Between concern for her wedding and Max, Lily found herself pacing her room late one night. Max seemed not to notice her any longer. It was as if she hadn’t ever existed for him. Was he still angry? Did his supposed love die so quickly?

  Lily didn’t want to believe that was true, but feared it proved the one thing that she’d always believed—that love was an untrusty emotion that did not last. If she only had a chance to talk to him, Lily was sure she could make him understand. She had to find a way out of this predicament, soon, and she needed Max’s help. Penning a note, Lily asked Max to meet her secretly, and trusted her maid to see that it was delivered.

  Chapter 29

  After the week they had spent together at her aunt’s house Max would have never believed Lily would treat him this way. Not once had she tried to contact him since her return. He had even gone so far as to have his sister-in-law invite her to tea but Lily had turned down the invitation. Numerous times he made himself available at the various functions they both attended, yet she made no effort to sneak away from her betrothed or father to speak with him. The idea that she could so easily dismiss him angered him in ways he’d never experienced.

  “She is honestly going to go through with the marriage?” Max asked Dresden.

  “You assume she has a choice,” Dresden reminded him.

  Of course, he knew Dresden was correct. “Have you still not spoken with her?”

  “Neither my mother, sister, nor I are allowed near Lily for fear we might be a bad influence.”

  Max blew out a breath. Dresden had told him that Artemisia had learned what occurred at the house party, who the guests were and how Lily behaved. She was now cut off from her family.

  “She is also constantly watched, if you haven’t noticed,” Dresden added. “Artemisia hired new servants who are to keep an eye on Lily when he cannot, to ensure that she behaves.”

  Maybe hoping she’d sneak away from her betrothed or father was more than he could hope for, but how else could he speak with her?

  “May I ask, what are your intentions toward Lady Collette?”

  Max frowned. He’d known Lady Collette a good portion of his life. This was her first Season and it had not gone well for her. At the request of his and her mother, they’d taken a few drives in the park and he danced with her at balls. He’d joined her, along with her mother and his own, to various functions. “Her family is close to mine. Why?”

  “You are not courting her?” Dresden raised a questioning eyebrow.

  “Of course not.” Why the blazes would anyone think he was courting Lady Collette? “She’s like a younger sister to me.”

  Dresden snorted. “The ton seems to think differently.”

  “The ton needs to mind their own business and quit speculating.”

  “Perhaps you should also pay a little more attention to the gossip so you know what is being said.”

  Max snorted. “As none of it is true, I fail to see the point. Further, if they are as inaccurate about me and my intentions toward Lady Collette, then I can’t believe anything I hear.” A footman passed and Max lifted a glass of wine. It was his sixth, or maybe seventh. He usually didn’t imbibe so heavily and couldn’t remember the last time he was actually drunk, but watching Lily, night after night, as she stood between her father and Covertly was more than he could take.

  Why couldn’t she at least explain? These circumstances could not make her happy. In fact, he knew they didn’t.

  She looked tired, if not exhausted. And he would wager she had lost at least half a stone.

  If she was so miserable why didn’t she come to him for help? Her father didn’t have so much control that she couldn’t get away, yet Max began to fear perhaps Artemisia did.

  It was impossible to banish Lily from his thoughts. Perhaps it was her presence, or her sad demeanor, or the amount of alcohol he had imbibed, or all three that had Max leaving the ball by the terrace. He couldn’t be here any longer. He couldn’t be anywhere Lily was. He would leave London altogether if he thought it would help, but he wasn’t going anywhere until he knew that she was lost to him for good.

  Tears clogged her throat but Lily would not cry. The final blow had come and as much as she’d like to reason away his behavior, Lily no longer could. It was the final hammer that completely shattered her heart. Max didn’t care, nor had he probably ever cared.

  Further, humiliation engulfed her. After her first note asking that Max meet with her, she had taken her time with the modiste as her gown she was to be wed in and her trousseau were fitted. She had even arrived early on the chance that Max would be waiting. He never showed but she reasoned it away that he had not been given enough notice or perhaps he didn’t wish to visit a modiste.

  Her second note asked that he meet her in Hyde Park during the morning hours. She knew it was a risk as she could be seen by anyone, including Lord Covertly, but it was the only option open to her and a chance meeting could be explained away. Max never showed for that meeting either.

  In all, six separate notes had been sent. All of them asked for his help. None of them were answered, nor did he meet her. Now she knew why. Did he see her as simply sad, or had he laughed at her attempts to see him again while he set his eyes on Lady Collette?

  Lily had even foolishly held out hope the last two days and had anxiously waited and hoped Max would make an appearance on Bond Street, while she dragged out her shopping expedition as long as possible. Though servants trailed her everywhere, they couldn’t very well stop someone of privilege from speaking with her. Even if it was reported back to her father, Lily no longer cared and would suffer the punishment Artemisia pronounced.

  Whatever she and Max had shared was over.

  Had it all been a lie? He told her wealth was not necessary, yet Lady Collette’s dowry was nearly as large as hers. Further, Lady Collette was petite, blonde and blue-eyed, and their mothers were friends.

  To think she’d actually started to believe that lasting love existed. That someone could actually love her. Nearly six weeks ago Max had professed his love to her and asked her to marry him. Now he was courting Lady Collette.

  Perhaps it was because she’d refused him one too many times, but if he had loved Lily, he’d be too heartbroken to seek another so soon. As heartbroken as she.

  Even if he’d been hurt by her rejection, it was no cause to ignore her letters. At the very least, he could have returned a response, but he ignored her as if she never existed or that she was now a stranger to him.

  Could she really blame him, though? He had offered marriage, numerous times, and she had rejected him. Why should he believe she would want anything substantial from him now? He did have his honor and pride, but she had not wanted to give up until it was too late. And as much as it pained her to hear the words spoken
by Lady Collette, at least twice already tonight, Lily had to accept that Max would never be hers and she had no intention of remaining to witness his betrothal or marriage.

  “Lord Max mentioned he wished to speak with my father as soon as he returns,” Lady Collette told a female companion in an excited tone.

  Lily nearly groaned. How many peopled did Lady Collette feel the need to tell. Why didn’t she just take out an advertisement?

  Oh, Lily wished she could move away from the conversation taking place behind her! But her father ordered her to remain here, next to her future husband, and as much as Lily didn’t wish to hear the conversation taking place, she must appease her father. It was imperative that he find no fault in her tonight.

  “That can only mean he plans to ask for your hand,” Lady Collette’s friend exclaimed with excitement.

  “It was always destined to be, according to my mother. Lord Maxwell has known me my entire life and mother assured me that when the time was right, which it is now, he would do what was right for himself and the family.”

  “An agreement?”

  “Our mothers have been friends for years. It is Her Grace’s wish that we marry as much as it is my mother’s.”

  Lily’s throat tightened as her eyes moistened. She would not cry. Not here. Max had been wrong. Lady Wayland was only being kind to her. She never intended for Max to take her to Scotland.

  Lily could no longer stand to be at the ball, surrounded by happy people. She couldn’t bear to watch Max waltz with Lady Collette again, nor could she stand to hear the comments about the strikingly beautiful couple or listen to speculation of when an announcement would be made. It was too much.

  As soon as her father made his way back to her side to relieve Covertly of having to keep watch, Lily begged her father to allow her to return home. “Please, Father,” she begged. “My schedule has been rigorous and there are still more plans for the wedding. I only need to rest.”