“Sorry. I didn’t.”
He grinned. “I have a few matters that require my attention. I’ll escort you to your uncle. He’s still entertaining Meggie and Evangeline.”
“I think I can keep my head out of the clouds long enough to make my own way into the dining room.” She turned to the crush of guests merrily chatting in the overheated room. “I know a shortcut across the terrace. I’ll avoid the crowd entirely.”
***
Ewan was about to insist on accompanying Lily, but his grandfather was making his way toward him with a scowl as dark as thunderclouds. Callie, also scowling and with claws bared, was approaching from the other direction. “Go straight to your uncle. Promise me, Lily.”
She eyed him curiously. “I will. Are you always this demanding?”
“No. Sorry, lass.” He didn’t know why he had such a bad feeling about letting her out of his sight. The little hairs at the nape of his neck were on end and stiff as iron spikes. No doubt because he was about to face his grandfather—who would be furious that he’d brought Evangeline to the party, and furious that she was having a nice time with the Farthingales. No doubt because he was also about to tell Callie to find someone else to marry (and make miserable)—and she’d be furious and ready to lash out at anyone who got in her way. Couldn’t have Lily standing beside him when that happened. “I’ll meet you in the dining room. I won’t be long.”
He was about to ask Dillie and Edgeware to accompany her, but the pair were now distracted by Rupert Farthingale, one of the many Farthingale uncles, who was decidedly in his cups and mistaking Dillie for her twin, although Dillie had already handed off the spectacles. Edgeware was helping to steady the man, who seemed about to tip over.
Ewan stepped away, knowing Edgeware and Dillie had the matter well in hand. He started toward the terrace, then stopped himself. He was being overly protective. And hadn’t Homer Barrow, the Bow Street runner he’d retained, put a man on to watch Lily?
So why were those little hairs still on end?
Callie reached him first, the old duke having been delayed by Eloise, who’d called him over for more questions about his birthday party. He’d have to thank her afterward, for Eloise had surely done it on purpose, drummed up some excuse to divert the old bastard from spewing his venom at Ewan during her party. Ewan knew him better than that. The appearance of civility and proper English manners was too important to his grandfather. Likely all he would have done this evening was quietly threaten Ewan. He’d proceed to the task of destroying him, Meggie, and Evangeline once the party was over. Lovable old fellow.
Callie clamped a cold, bony hand on his forearm to gain his attention. “Who do you think you are? You can’t make a fool of me. We had an understanding.”
“We’ve been friends a long time, Callie. But you and I know we never had any such arrangement. If there had been one, I would have honored it.” He doubted she would have, though. When looking back, Callie had never been a sappy, moon-eyed girl. She used people, treating most as though they were some small, inconsequential trinket such as a comb or hair ribbon to be used until something newer and shinier came along. Then the old trinket would be tossed into the dustbin and forgotten. She was that way with men as well, tossing over one suitor when bored for the next who happened to catch her fancy.
“We’re alike, Ewan. We suit each other.”
He hoped not. “I’m not that same man I was a year ago. However, I value our friendship and am sorry if I ever gave you hope it might turn into something more.” He met her gaze, looking for a spark of anything other than the anger that now marred her beautiful face. Nothing. No pain of lost love, no gleam of hopefulness, no trace of affection. Had she ever cared for anyone other than herself?
Lily was so different, a delightful mix of logic and warmth. She genuinely cared for others. He’d seen the pain, the ache of love in her eyes, and cursed himself a fool for failing to appreciate how important she’d become to him. She could add meaning and wonder to his life. So why was he desperate to keep her out of his heart? Instead of reciting reasons why he and Lily could never work, he should have been counting his blessings. To be sure, there were problems to overcome, but Lily was worth the effort.
“I know what’s troubling you.” Callie’s voice was now a kittenish purr that he found surprisingly unappealing for its lack of sincerity. “You’re hurt that we never shared that bit of something more. I was willing. You were always such a prude about it, Ewan.”
“It was never my style to seduce virgins.”