But he couldn't be sure of that, and he brushed past her on his way to the library. His mother had accepted his father, and Mary Alstott accepted Charles, but there were even more examples where that didn't turn out. Daniel and Emma were only one. And he kept coming back to the fact that Lily was Emma's sister. There was no reason to believe she would feel differently than Emma.
Giving only part of himself to Lily was better than not having her at all. It was a risk he couldn't take.
She couldn't find out. He couldn't lose her.
He watched her across the room, turning the pages of an old book. Her nose crinkled up just a bit when she concentrated, and he loved the look on her.
His attention was diverted from his wife when Billings cleared his throat in the library doorway. "Your Grace, a letter has arrived for you."
Simon dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "Put it with the others, Billings."
"This one is from Major Forster. He had it hand delivered with the instructions that you were to open it right away."
Forster? Simon rose from his seat and started toward his butler, a smile on his face. The old major knew him well. The letter would most assuredly become lost amongst the others if he didn't go to such lengths.
Simon retrieved the letter from the silver salver Billings held and broke the seal.
Dear Blackmoor,
I hope you are well. As per our conversation last week, I have compiled a list of other boys enrolled at Harrow. The list is rather short, however. Only Leopold Schofield from Surrey is both registered with The Society and on the school rolls. The other boys have recently graduated and are already at Cambridge.
I do not know if you are acquainted with the Schofields, but I can attest to the bravery of the boy's father who fought under my command.
I have sent a letter to Lieutenant Schofield, on your behalf, explaining the Earl of Maberley's situation. The lieutenant should be contacting you directly. It would be best, dear boy, if you actually paid close attention to your correspondence over the next fortnight. Not everyone knows how to get your attention as well as I. Please send my love to your mother. I do hope to see you at Canis House soon.
Sincerely, Maj. Desmond Forster
"Is everything all right?" Lily asked, rising from her seat.
Simon carefully folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He was surprised to see Lily's gaze concentrated on him when he glanced in her direction. Her brows were drawn together, her hazel eyes troubled.
"News, Simon?" she asked.
"Nothing of importance, love," he replied, trying to make his tone sound light. "Just a note from an old friend of my father."
"Which old friend?"
Why all the questions? "Major Forster." If he was fortunate, she would leave it at that.
"And what did he want?"
Simon closed his eyes and sighed. Please don't force me to lie to you more than is necessary. "He knows of a boy who will be attending Harrow along with Oliver. He suggests that the boys meet before the session begins so they can become acquainted."
Lily crossed the floor, confusion reflected in her eyes. "I'm certain there will be a number of boys at Harrow for the Michaelmas term."#p#分页标题#e#
None like Leopold Schofield. "Yes, but I was looking for a mentor for Oliver. Someone to take him under his wing, so to speak. Major Forster thinks one of his lieutenant's sons would be a good fit."
Lily reached out her hand to Simon, and, when he pulled her toward him, she kissed his cheek. "That was a very sweet thing to do."
Simon nuzzled against her neck, inhaling the soft lilac scent that he had come to identify with Lily. So light and feminine, so different from him. "I'm never sweet," he said gruffly.
She giggled at that, wrapping her arms around his middle. "I beg to differ."
"Not sweet," he repeated, nipping at the base of her neck. "I had ulterior motives."
Lily's lithe body molded against his. "I can't imagine what you mean, Your Grace."
He blew his breath low across her bodice and cupped her bottom, pressing his arousal firmly against her softness. "I think it should be obvious."
"My beastly husband," she began with a teasing lilt to her voice. "If you ruin my new gown, I'll thrash you."
New gown? Simon ran his fingers along her silkcovered back. How had he not noticed she wore something new? "Is this one of Madam Pelletier's?"
Lily nodded. "An entire trunk arrived this morning.
I can't even imagine what you spent to have such an extensive order finished and delivered so quickly."