My Fair Lily(46)
She studied Ashton’s lips. They were a little thin. Quite pinched at the moment. Would he kiss her if she asked him? Did he ever think of marrying her? She had an ample trust fund that would be made available to her once she’d married. They could use it to endow his research. She’d never mentioned it to him. Perhaps she ought to mention it to him now.
Ashton shifted uncomfortably. “Whatever you’re thinking, the answer is no.”
“You haven’t heard the question.”
“I don’t need to. There’s a glint in your eye that frightens me.”
“Why are all men so afraid of me?” Ewan wasn’t. But he would return to Scotland in a few months, the promise to his dying father fulfilled, and Lily would never see him again. Why was life always complicated? Studying facts in books came much easier to her. Books didn’t threaten or scowl. Books were what you wanted them to be.
“I’m not answering that.” He dropped his hands from her shoulders. “I must run. The duke is expecting my answer. I can’t be late.”
She nodded.
“You’re a good sport, Lily. In truth, I’m not feeling proud of myself right now. But we’ve made the right decision. Wait a few days, quietly finish the lemur monograph, and find a way to sneak it to me. The duke will never know.” He tucked a finger under her chin and raised her gaze to his. “Everything will work out. You’ll see in time.”
“Don’t keep him waiting.” Ewan’s grandfather was as dangerous as a wounded boar in a frenzied rage. He would attack anything or anyone that got in his way. She didn’t want him to cause Ashton any further difficulty.
She watched him leave, knowing she had made a muddle of things and this was the only way to fix the problem she’d created. Still, her decision made her physically ill. Her stomach roiled and her heart felt as though it were ripping in half. She hadn’t let Ashton know just how badly she hurt, but now that he was gone she wanted to have a good cry and let her tears spill out in buckets. Except she couldn’t find her handkerchief. She glanced around. Had it dropped from the cuff of her sleeve? She’d had it a moment ago.
No sooner had Ashton left than Ewan appeared. “How long have you been standing there?” she asked, wondering why Pruitt had not announced him. Or perhaps he’d tried to, but she and Ashton were so deeply lost in their discussion that neither had noticed.
“Long enough to hear about my grandfather’s latest mischief.” His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his dark eyes burned with an anger that was obviously directed at himself, though it should have been directed at his grandfather, perhaps a little toward Ashton for buckling under without a fight. No, she couldn’t blame Ashton for something that was entirely her fault. Still, he’d been awfully quick to accept her offer to make things right.
“Lily, why didn’t you speak to me before you sent that article to Lady Hardstocking? I would have talked you out of doing something so foolish.”
Her eyes began to tear, and though she tried to blink them away, they simply kept coming. “I wanted to see you, but my parents wouldn’t allow me near you. In truth, they won’t allow me out of the house until the end of the week, perhaps longer. I’m stuck here. Not quite punished, but not trusted to be let out into the world... or to be unleashed against the world. They think I’m a menace to society.”
He shook his head and sighed, and then took her into his arms and swallowed her in his protective warmth. “You are that. But I happen to like blue-eyed menaces. I missed you.”
She melted at the soft, heartfelt tone in his voice. “Did you?”
“Yes, you impulsive little baggage. Although I would have talked you out of what you did, I still think it was brilliant. Meggie and I have been laughing about it for days. Still, your actions did have unintended consequences.”
She nodded against his chest. “Yes. Ashton.”
“I was thinking of you, all your hard work improperly credited. I’ll do what I can to fix the situation. I know how badly you’re aching, lass.”
She cast him a smile, hopeful that he would talk to his grandfather but knowing it would do little good. “Ewan, I was so worried about you. I see now that I needn’t have been. You look wonderful.” She reached up and touched a hand to his bearded cheek. The bristles felt soft against her skin. “Dillie gave me daily reports about you. She insisted you were on the mend. I didn’t know whether or not to believe her. Your hand is no longer swollen. How is your rib?”
“Healing. Still a little sore, but your uncle did a fine job of cleansing the wound.”