"Your offer to provide me with a dowry, that is. So that I can find a husband." Her voice grew louder and louder. "You will honor the offer you made to me of a dowry." She shook her finger at him. "You will honor that offer, and I will accept. Because I will not be any man's mistress, not even yours."
She stomped past him, her green dress lifting in her wake. He chased after her, but she slammed the door in his face. By the time he caught her, she was ten steps from the parlor. She stepped around Will, who had finally arrived, without sparing Simon more than a glance.
He watched as she approached the Hawthorne men and said, "Gentlemen, I believe we have a ball to attend." Her smile was radiant. She was completely composed. Then she added, "Because I need to find a husband." She laughed, a beautiful sound that was the most painful noise he'd ever heard.
Will bumped his shoulder with his own. "Told you it was a really bad idea."
Simon wanted to roar. He wanted to shout.
Will continued softly, "One of these days, you will learn that younger brothers do know a thing or two about some subjects."
"I still have yet to ask your advice," Simon rumbled as he watched Lily take Emory's arm and head for a Hawthorne coach.
"Perfect," Will added, as two of their childhood friends ambled their way. "We get Darius and Pierce. It's been an age."
"So nice of you to escort us," Darius teased as he reached the ducal coach.
"Flattered," Pierce agreed.
***
Lily tried her best to keep from crying. Prisca's tight grip on her hand and stoic expression did help. She hoped that neither Sir Herbert nor his sons asked anything of her, as she paid no attention at all to the conversation in the Hawthorne coach.
By the time they arrived at the local assembly room, the sun had begun to set, as did Lily's hope for the future. Mistress. How could he think she would agree to such a thing? Her cheeks warmed. She had acted like a wanton with him, though that was no excuse.#p#分页标题#e#
The coach rambled to a stop. If she never laid eyes on Simon Westfield again—
The coach door opened, and Simon stuck his head inside. "Lily."
She gritted her teeth. There was no way to graciously refuse his hand.
Prisca put her hand in Simon's. "Oh, Your Grace, thank you. That was such a trying ride. I do need a breath of fresh air."
Simon glared at Prisca but helped her from the coach, leaving Lily to accept Will's outstretched arm. She'd never been so grateful to see someone… Well, there were other times she'd been more grateful, but she pushed those from her mind.
Will led her inside a large Georgian building nearly overflowing with men of all shapes and sizes. "Don't be too hard on him," Will said softly.
Lily's eyes flashed to his. "You have no idea what he asked of me."
"I have a fairly good guess. I know how his mind works."
Lily ignored that last bit and looked around her. The assembly room wasn't terribly large, and there was very little room to move about. "I never attend balls," she admitted. "But I'd always heard there were very few gentlemen to go around." That was certainly not the case here. At least two men for every female in attendance.
Will heaved a sigh. "I'd imagine your new dearest friend had a hand in it."
Lily glanced in front of them to see Prisca admiring the turnout with a glow in her eyes. How had she managed this? Lily was in awe. "Well, she did say she intended to hunt for her own husband here."
Will stopped in his tracks, an instant grimace appeared on his face. "She said what?"
Lily looked up at Will. Something did seem to be going on between the two of them. "What is the history between the two of you?" she asked.
He simply shrugged. "She wants more than I could
ever give her." He looked away nervously, as though she might uncover some deep, dark secret if he actually met her eyes.
"That seems to be a theme amongst the Westfield men."
"You don't understand—" Will started.
But she cut him off with a cutting glance. "It seems as though I've heard that once tonight already, doesn't it? Pardon me, but I didn't believe it then, and I don't believe it now."
Seventeen
Prisca took it upon herself to act as Lily's matchmaker for the night, arranging introductions, filling her dance card, and keeping Blackmoor at bay. She made certain Lily never missed a dance, even if she had to prod her brothers to fill the space. Prisca was delighted to see Lily embrace all the attention lavished upon her and accept all the invitations. By all appearances, Lily was having a grand time, though Prisca knew that the poor dear's heart was breaking.