A Certain Wolfish Charm(82)

Same information, however. Simon kept that bit of fact to himself. As long as Oliver wanted to study up on their heritage and lore, he would support him. Keeping the boy occupied would also leave Simon and Lily to their own devices. He looked forward to offering London on a platter to her. Starting tonight with his box at Drury Lane.



***





When the ducal coach rambled to a stop in front of St. Mary's Church, Lily finished her walk through the churchyard. The sunlight reflected off the Blackmoor crest, and the sight made her shiver. The door opened, and Oliver scrambled out, a boyish grin on his face. Lily's heart warmed. It had been so long since he'd looked carefree.

"Aunt Lily!" he cried, running toward her.



She laughed as she embraced him. "Well, you obviously enjoyed yourself."



Oliver pulled back from her and nodded. "I do wish you could have seen it."



So did Lily, but seeing Oliver so happy, she felt her annoyance melting away. "Do tell me about it," she said as they walked toward the coach.



Simon stepped from the conveyance at that moment, his eyes light with merriment. "Isn't St. Mary's lovely?" he asked.



Lily nodded as he took her hand. "I can see why Byron enjoyed his time here."



Simon chuckled, helping her into the coach. "You'll have to ask Will about him some day."



"Oh?" Lily asked as she settled herself against the squabs. "Did he know him?" She couldn't keep the scandalized tone from her voice. As lovely as Lord Byron's poetry was, he'd very recently been exiled; the offenses were too shocking to speak of in polite society.



Simon took the spot next to her, just as he had the entire journey, and draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. He smelled of sandalwood and the outdoors. "They were in the same year."



Oliver climbed inside the coach, sat across from them, and rolled his eyes. "Must you go about touching her all the time?"



With a warm laugh, Simon squeezed her arm. "As she's my wife, I don't see where you have anything to say about it, Maberley."



Oliver groaned, closed his eyes, and rested his head against the wall of the coach. "It's enough to turn a fellow's stomach."



"Well, we'll give you a reprieve tonight then, my boy."#p#分页标题#e#



"Oh?" Oliver asked, sitting forward in his seat.



"I believe I will take Her Grace to the theatre tonight. I can trust you to stay out of trouble for one evening, can't I?"



Lily looked up at Simon. "The theatre?"



"We have a box at Drury Lane. I believe Richard III is on stage. At least it was when I left Town a few weeks ago."



Shakespeare? Drury Lane? Giddiness spread through Lily.



***





Simon loved seeing Lily's expression of awe when they entered his home on Curzon Street. Having grown up with all the grandeur of one ducal home or another, Simon enjoyed seeing his world through her eyes.



The Rutledge family was landed gentry, but foolish investments had left them penniless. He'd been surprised when Daniel had insisted all those years ago on marrying Emma. They were both so young at the time. She hadn't had fortune or connections to lend him, only herself. She was a quiet girl with simple tastes. But she spoke to a part of Daniel that Simon



was just now beginning to understand.



He wanted to give Lily everything. Jewels, gowns, new experiences, anything to make her smile and see her pretty eyes grow wide with surprise. To that end, he went to the safe in his study, certain he had more of his grandmother's moonstone jewelry there.



Pulling back a portrait of his grandfather, he worked the combination until a cough from the doorway halted him. Simon stepped away from the hinged portrait to find his butler, Anderson, standing just inside the study.



"Yes, Anderson?"



The middle-aged man appeared uncomfortable and shifted in his spot, which was not like him at all. Simon had never known the butler to hedge.



"Well, Your Grace, it is Friday."



Simon raked his gaze across the man. What was this about? "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"



The man barely met his gaze. "The, um, well, the society pages came out today."



Something Simon never cared about. "And?"



The butler gestured to his desk, where a small stack of papers sat, awaiting his perusal. "Well, Your Grace, I'd rather not have to speak the words aloud. Perhaps you could read them for yourself."



"Why don't you just tell me what's going on?" Simon barked. He really didn't want to waste his time like this.



The butler shook his head. "Speaking frankly, I've seen you in a bit of a temper in the past, and I'd prefer not to be the messenger. Though," he pointed again at the stack of papers, "I thought you should be aware