My Fair Lily(21)

“May I present my companion, Miss Lily Farthingale,” Eloise said.

The duke regarded her with the same, dark emerald eyes as his grandson’s. “I know you. You’re that baboon girl, the Farthingale chit everyone at the Royal Society is in a fuss about. You don’t look like much.”

A soft growl emanated from the back of Ewan’s throat, and his hands curled into fists. “Insult her again and I’ll—”

Lily put a hand on his fist. “I am the very one, Your Grace. I’m glad to hear I’ve made you all take notice. Rest assured, you haven’t heard the last of me.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Against your male bastion?” She nodded. “And a promise. I’ll have your ancient walls crumbling before the year is out.”

“Gel, you’re fortunate you came here with my dear friend. Otherwise, I’d have tossed you out on your impertinent ear.”

“Lotheil! Really!”

“I beg your pardon, Eloise. Your young friend here ought to be taken to the woodshed and soundly thrashed.”

Ewan’s sister burst into tears.

Ewan groaned. “Och, Meggie. Will ye no’ stop crying?”

So much for introductions. Lily put an arm about Meggie’s shoulders. “Don’t you fret. You and I shall be great friends. Your grandfather and I are just amiably sparring. It’s all the rage in London to... er... engage in witty repartee. Do you like to ride?”

She sniffled. “I’m no’ very good at it. My brother is, though.”

Lily nodded. “So I’ve heard. Do you enjoy lectures? There’s a fascinating one tomorrow on Charlemagne.”

“Who?”

Lily exchanged perplexed glances with Ewan. “Never mind.”

The duke led them into his conservatory, where a table overlooking his impressive garden was set for five. Ferns in decorative pots stood at measured intervals around the room, except in one spot where there seemed to be a pot missing.

“Jasper broke it this morning,” Ewan whispered. “The big looby slid on his belly across the polished floor and next thing ye know, there’s a great crash followed by a whimper.”

She let out a laughing groan. “Poor Jasper.” The adorable beast did not walk or trot. He bounded, sprang, leapt. “Where is he now?”

“My chamber. Safest to keep him up there for now. There’s so much shine and polish in this house, poor creature’s been sliding into walls all day.” He held out a chair for Lily, then turned to his sister and held one out for her. “Meggie, you and I can take him for a walk later.”

The poor girl looked as though she were going to burst into tears again. She cast Ewan a look that clearly revealed her desire to return to Scotland now and never come back.

Ewan had the same expression on his face.

If they hated being here, then why had they come? Lily glanced at Eloise, who was engaged in conversation with the duke. She recalled the little bits of information Eloise had revealed in the carriage on their way over, something about a family bitterness that had lasted thirty years. She’d have to pry more details out of her companion as soon as they were on their way back to Chipping Way. She couldn’t understand such feuds. Her family always talked through their differences, compromised, put love above all else. That’s what the duke and his grandchildren ought to have done years ago.

For the remainder of the afternoon, the duke spoke mostly to Eloise about plans for his birthday party.

He ignored Lily.

Endured Meggie.

Surprisingly, Lily caught him glancing at Ewan in admiration. Not once, but twice, and only when Ewan had turned away.

Near the end of the afternoon, the duke surprised Lily by offering her a tour of the house. “Might as well show it to you and my granddaughter, since she hasn’t let go of your arm since you arrived.”

Eloise remained behind in the conservatory, shooing Ewan away when he offered to remain with her. “Nonsense, join the ladies,” she insisted. “You’ll be grinding your teeth and fretting until they return. Quite an annoying habit. Can’t abide it.”

The duke led them through his summer salon and winter salon, the summer dining room and winter dining room, the ballroom, music room, a smaller conservatory, portrait gallery, and finally his library.

Lily gasped as she entered. “I’ve never seen anything so fine!” She walked from bookshelf to bookshelf, trailing her hand along the spines of the assorted volumes. There were so many! “I could spend years in here,” she said, more to herself.

“Spend as long as you wish,” the duke replied. “Come over whenever you wish.”