My Fair Lily(71)

“I know how important this family reconciliation is to you and Meggie.” She nibbled her lip, giving his request serious consideration. “If it will help Evangeline and Desmond overcome their fear of you, accept you not only as one of the family but as their friend... of course, I’ll do it.”

“Thank you, lass.” Ewan’s tension noticeably eased. “There they are, standing beside your uncle George. Ah, his son is talking to Meggie. The lad seems to be around her quite a bit these days.”

Lily nodded. “You needn’t worry about him. He has a good heart.”

“He had better,” Ewan grumbled.

Lily couldn’t help but grin. “You men are the oddest creatures.”

Ewan arched an eyebrow. “Why do I think you’re about to compare us to your swamp baboons?”

“Perhaps because you’re acting just like them. They’re quite territorial and protective of their females. Male baboons bare their teeth to show their aggression. If that doesn’t deter a young male upstart, the dominant baboon will go after him, threatening to tear him to pieces with his sharp teeth if the upstart doesn’t back away. Just as William is now backing away from Meggie. Oh, and he’s looking straight at you. In fear.” She turned to stare at Ewan. “What did you just do?”

“Nothing,” he replied, but his expression revealed he was anything but innocent. Perhaps it was that Scottish mix of arrogance, pride, and stubborn sense of honor that made him seem so appealingly dangerous.

She shook her head and sighed. “Yes, you did. William is shaking in his boots.”

“Perhaps. Come on, they’ve all seen us now.”

Evangeline turned ashen as she approached. If Lily felt any trepidation, Evangeline obviously felt it tenfold. She saw that Evangeline’s eyes were now glistening. Were those unshed tears? Ewan had warned her of his cousin’s sensitive nature.

Lily sighed. She wanted to despise Ewan’s cousin but simply couldn’t. She’d seen that same look of fright and loneliness in her little cousin Harry’s eyes when Harry’s beloved father had died. “I’m delighted to meet you, Miss Cameron.”

Evangeline responded by launching into a sincere and humble apology, obviously so remorseful that Lily found herself feeling desperately sorry for the girl. Lily had to remind herself that she, and not Evangeline, had been the one struck by Desmond’s cane. However, as Evangeline poured out her regrets, Lily saw the extent of the damage caused by her grandfather. He hadn’t taken a cane to the girl, but he might as well have, for he’d surely struck wounding blows to her confidence with his sly and manipulative words.

“Apology accepted,” Lily said, managing a word in edgewise. The girl seemed truly distressed, and Lily never could stand to see anyone suffering. “Shall we make our way to the dining room? Lady Dayne’s parties are known for their excellent food. I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”

Evangeline’s eyes rounded in obvious surprise. “You’re asking me to join you?”

Lily nodded. “I hope you will.”

George held out his arm to Meggie and Evangeline. “I’ll escort you ladies, if you don’t mind having this old man around.” It was true that her uncle was a little over forty years old, but he’d retained his youthful good looks, and there was no denying that he was a very handsome man. Evangeline appeared delighted, relieved, and ready to cling to his arm the entire evening if he’d let her. Since George had a soft spot in his heart for the downtrodden, Lily knew he wouldn’t mind at all. In any event, Evangeline was a beautiful young woman. Truly, he wouldn’t mind at all.

Meggie also seemed to be fond of Farthingale men. George’s son, William, in particular. At the moment, William was keeping a safe distance, as any young, upstart baboon would when faced with hostility from the older, dominant male. Ewan being the dominant male. Though only a few years older, Ewan was far stronger... tall, broad—chested, muscled thighs... muscled everywhere.

Lily watched in fascination as William circled around them, waiting for Ewan to leave before daring to approach Meggie again. She cast her poor cousin a hopeful smile, knowing he was miserable and pining for Meggie. He could not happily pass the evening until she and Ewan walked away. Well, she needed to retrieve her spectacles from Dillie. That was as good an excuse as any to draw Ewan away.

She made quick apologies and hurried off to find her twin. Reclaiming her spectacles was not the only reason to seek out Dillie. She wanted to confide all that had happened, especially Ewan’s kiss and what he’d said in front of Pruitt, but that would have to wait until she’d lost Ewan in the crowd.