My Fair Lily(29)
Lily cast her a warm smile. “I’m hardly that. As for my family, I think you’ll like them all, though the Farthingale clan can be quite overwhelming at times. They’re best taken in small doses, so I’ll have you meet my twin, Dillie, first. She’ll join us tomorrow when we return here to choose fabrics for your riding habit and morning gowns. After that, we’ll stop by my sister Daisy’s house. I’m hoping Rose and Laurel will be there, so you can meet all my sisters at once. They’re simply wonderful.”
“I can’t wait to meet them. You’re so fortunate to have such a loving family. We were that way once, but now both my parents are gone and my brother is doing his best to fulfill his promise to our father. Do you know about the promise?”
“Not really. I’ve only heard bits and pieces.”
“Ewan knows more about the family animosities than I do, but the situation is bad. Really bad, Lily. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that my father’s family wishes Ewan dead.”
Lily didn’t wish Meggie to upset herself, so she quickly returned the topic to her own family. “We have a large family, lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and many of them are in London for the season. At times, the house feels more like an army barracks. They’re meddlesome and boisterous, but they’re all well-meaning, so Dillie and I endure them. Usually we love them, even when we’re ready to pull out our hair in frustration. Dillie’s much better at handling the family than I am.”
“They sound delightful. Do they need handling?”
“Every family does to some extent. Dillie is my savior. She keeps them distracted so that I can tend to my studies. I could never have finished a single research paper had she not... well, no point in discussing how she managed it. Though I’d never admit it to her, I think she ended up with the best qualities of us all—she’s smart, funny, caring. But don’t you dare tell her I said so! I’ll deny it.”
Meggie shook her head and laughed. “I promise you, I won’t. I feel much the same way about Ewan. He’s smart, loyal, and protective, and when he loosens up, he has a brilliant sense of humor.” She laughed again. “Don’t you dare tell him I said that. I’ll deny it, too.”
Madame de Bressard bustled in and gave her nod of approval over the green silk now beautifully draped over Meggie’s body. As the shop girls helped Meggie to remove the gown, taking extra care so as not to stick her with the pins, Lily made arrangements with Madame for tomorrow’s appointment. Everyone seemed pleased with the progress made.
Madame de Bressard left to mark down the appointment in her calendar. The shop girls slipped out of the fitting room to set aside the gowns for the seamstresses to finish. “Are you and Dillie really identical twins?” Meggie asked in the quiet of the moment. “Can anyone tell you apart?”
“Your brother can.” He’d proved it when they’d met the other day in the park, though he’d claimed Jasper had given her away. Lily knew his eyes had been trained on her before Jasper had loped to her side. She didn’t wish to think that a stranger could know her so well in so short a time. Especially not Ewan. The mere memory of his dark, emerald gaze raking over her body shot heat into her cheeks.
Meggie eyed her curiously. “You’re blushing.”
“It’s a little warm in here.” Blazing hot fires of hell warm.
“Ewan has that devastating impact on all the ladies,” she said with a knowing grin. “Very little gets past him. He’s the smartest man I know. He claims that you’re smarter. I think he likes you, even though you’re a Sassenach. I’m glad.”
“I’m sure you’re mistaken on all counts.” She didn’t like Ewan in that way. He didn’t like her in that way either. He couldn’t possibly. Men always ran from her and her overactive brain. Ran away screaming.
“I hope not. I like you, Lily. You’ve been wonderful to me from the first moment we met. And you’ve been beyond patient with today’s fittings. I’m glad we’re almost done here. I’ve had a grand time, but I’m getting a bit tired of all the poking and pinning.”
Lily waited in the salon while Meggie returned to the dressing room to don her clothes. Feeling quite pleased, Lily was about to compliment herself for a job well done when the little bell over the doorway rang to signal more customers entering the shop.
Lily turned toward the door. An exquisitely dressed young woman strolled in followed by an equally striking young man. Both were tall and golden-haired. “Good day,” she said, casting the attractive couple a smile.