"Oh!" they cried in unison, though it was Prisca who leapt from her spot. "Lily, you're home!"
As the two embraced, Alice slowly rose from her seat. "I trust everything went well, dear?"
Lily nodded. It was a lie, but she didn't know how else to respond. It seemed, however, that Alice had keen senses. Her mother-in-law's eyes narrowed, obviously assessing her. "Come join us for tea," Alice continued.
Lily allowed the dowager to lead her to the settee before assuming the spot beside her. "Your letter mentioned you were to see Richard III."
"Oh!" Prisca exclaimed as she settled on a chair across from them. "I hear Kean is excellent in the role. I do prefer the comedies however. Twelfth Night is my particular favorite."
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Alice asked.
"Yes." Until she learned all of London thought she was of easy virtue, and before she once again laid eyes on Teresa Hamilton. "I met Mr. and Mrs. Alstott."
Alice's grey eyes widened. "Indeed? It's been an age. Did they seem well?"
Lily nodded again and then discussed the play in great detail. After more questions were asked and answered, Prisca announced that it was late and she really should return home. Good-byes and hugs were exchanged, and in no time Lily found herself alone with Alice.
"All right, Lily," her mother-in-law began quietly, "it's just us. I can tell something is bothering you."
It was just them. Lily squared her shoulders. "Does the full moon mean anything to you?" she blurted out.
She expected the dowager to look surprised or taken aback by her question, but Alice smiled instead. "It comes around once a month."
Not a very satisfying answer. Lily scowled. "I know Simon is keeping something from me, and it has to do with the full moon."
Alice heaved a sigh. "Figured all that out by yourself?"
Was it impossible for the woman to give her a helpful response? "Do you know what it is?"
Alice rose from her seat. "Dear Lily, I don't often understand my sons' choices. Take Miss Hawthorne, for example. Why William keeps himself from her I have no idea. They'd both be much happier if he didn't. And with Benjamin, there are so many things I don't understand about him that there's not even a good starting place."
"And Simon?" Lily asked, her patience wearing thin.
"Well, Simon I understand. I just don't happen to agree with him."
"What does that mean?"#p#分页标题#e#
"It means I can't tell you what you want to know, Lily." Her expression was pained.
"Why not?"
"Do you love my son?"
More than life, or she wouldn't care about any of this. Lily nodded, which made Alice smile and clasp her hand.
"My dear, you've figured out so much on your own. You're on the right path. Follow your heart."
"Why can't you tell me what is going on?" Lily begged.
"Because it's not allowed. Only Simon can do so."
Lily thought she might scream. Only Simon could tell her? That was the most unhelpful thing Alice could have said. Simon had no intention of telling her anything.
She was on her own.
***
After dismissing Oliver, Simon returned to his desk to pore over a report from his steward. It wasn't the most interesting reading, but it would serve to keep his mind off Prisca Hawthorne.
Truly he shouldn't be so irritated with the meddlesome chit. If she hadn't interfered in his life, he wouldn't have Lily. He should be thanking the girl. But the manipulative way she went about arranging things to her liking made it hard for him to keep a level head where she was concerned. With that in mind, it was perhaps for the best that Will had decided against throwing his lot in with the chit. He'd rather not have to kill his sister-inlaw. Now if he could keep her from visiting Lily and his mother…
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and Simon pushed his report to the middle of his desk. "Come."
His mother poked her head inside. "Do you have a moment, dear?"
He gestured to one of the chairs before him. "Of course."
She slipped inside and shut the door firmly behind her. She did not sit, however, as she chose to pace before his desk instead. "You need to tell her, Simon."
"Tell her to ban Prisca Hawthorne from my home? I was considering it," he replied hopefully.
She stopped walking, heaved an irritated sigh, and folded her arms across her chest. "Don't be obtuse. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
His shoulders slumped forward. He did know what she meant; he'd just hoped it had to do with his rudeness toward Prisca. "We've already had this discussion. I won't burden Lily with this aspect of my life."