My Fair Lily(93)

He brushed her hair back gently, the gentle caress of his fingers wonderful against her skin. This felt perfect. Almost perfect.

He didn’t love her.

***

Ewan awoke several hours later, for a moment forgetting he was wrapped around Lily’s luscious body. He caught himself in time and carefully slipped his arm out from under her, hoping the movement wouldn’t wake her, but she was exhausted and sleeping so deeply, he doubted anything, not even the blast of a foghorn, would rouse a response from her.

He studied her as she slept, watched the gentle rise and fall of her breasts with each soft breath. Lord, she was beautiful. Sweet and angelic.

He ran his fingers along her skin, relieved to find her warm. Her hair had dried and the dark, silky strands were now splayed across the white pillows and her pink shoulders in glorious disarray. He bent to kiss her cheek, inhaled the sweet scent of lavender that lingered on her body.

I’m a monumental ass.

Lily loved him. She had told him so in every way possible. Her actions, her words. Her honest heart. Why couldn’t he tell her how he felt? Showing her had been easy, but saying the words aloud, revealing how completely she’d conquered his heart, was a frightening proposition for a man so used to being in control.

He rolled from the bed, made sure Lily stayed warm by tucking the covers around her, and crossed to the fireplace. He felt cold air on his skin. The fire was low and about to die out, so he added several more logs and watched as they took flame. He didn’t want Lily to be cold when she rose.

He’d earlier laid out their clothes beside the hearth and now checked to see if they were dry. His shirt and trousers were. Lily’s gown was still damp, but her sister had packed a fresh one for her. He drew it out of his pouch, annoyed with himself for not thinking to take it out earlier. Fortunately, Dillie had packed it carefully and he easily smoothed out the few wrinkles.

He set the gown across the back of a chair and did the same with the other items Dillie had supplied, the simple chore feeling intimate and right. Everything he did with Lily felt perfect. “You’re definitely an ass,” he muttered to himself. Three simple words. I love you. Lily deserved no less from him.

He quickly dressed and donned his boots, and then went downstairs to wait for the chaotic mob that was Lily’s family to arrive. He didn’t have long to wait. He was still nursing his coffee, Jasper still sound asleep and sprawled beside him, when the Farthingale carriage drew up.

Jasper’s ears perked. He scrambled on all fours and let out a cheerful woof. “Right. Fun’s about to start.” The abduction would be quickly forgotten once the Farthingales realized he and Lily had shared that bedchamber.

Lily’s father and sister sprang out of the carriage and hurried in. They weren’t alone. Riding alongside the conveyance were Lily’s three brothers-in-law. “Bollix,” Ewan muttered under his breath, realizing he couldn’t take them all on. They were too big. Too strong. Perhaps not as strong as he was, but too strong to take on all at once. They’d pound the stuffing out of him. They’d do worse once they found out what he’d done to Lily.

“Ewan!” Dillie threw herself into his arms and began to tearfully babble. “I prayed you’d find her. Is she hurt? Where is she? I must see her. What happened? Tell me everything. But take me to Lily first. Father’s been frantic. So have I. So have we all.”

He gave her a quick hug in response. “She’s well. She’s resting. I know you want to see her, but it’s best if she comes down here on her own. One of the maids will wake her.”

He quickly fetched the innkeeper, ordering not only the maid to rouse Lily but also ordering refreshments to be brought into one of the private salons. “We can talk in there,” he said, leading the Farthingales and the brothers-in-law into the salon, praying that none of them had overheard the innkeeper refer to Lily as his wife. Otherwise, he’d be carved into little pieces before he drew his next breath.

John Farthingale approached, his face pale and haggard. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. We’re eternally in your debt.”

“No, sir. Don’t be. All I did was notice she was gone.” Then I found her and ruined her. No thanks necessary.

The private room was cozy, furnished with an oak table finer than those in the common hall, several long benches, and several large chairs. The innkeeper started a fire in the hearth, and then closed the door behind him as he left. Ewan drew out a chair for Dillie and motioned for the others to take a seat. He quickly told them all that had happened, mentioning Lily’s escape and how she’d managed it on her own. He knew that would somehow give her father and sister comfort. This was their beloved Lily. Brave, clever, able to outwit a gang of very nasty men.