My Fair Lily(99)

He, arrogant Scot that he was, had ruined Lily.

William leaned over to grin at him. “To think, a cat gave up its guts for those harp strings.”

Meggie giggled. “That’s an awful thing to say about your cousin.”

William shrugged. “Lily knows I’m only teasing. She’s perfect in every other way.”

Ewan had been warned, but he wasn’t prepared for how truly awful her playing was. Dillie deserved a medal for her patience. In truth, Dillie seemed not in the least perturbed by her sister’s missteps. She smiled at every missed note. Ewan never realized there were so many notes to miss.

He didn’t care. Lily was alive. Lily was back to her cringe worthy, imperfect harp-playing form. All was right with the world... he hoped. She hadn’t agreed yet to marry him. He’d work on that problem tonight.

When she’d finished and taken a bow to polite applause, Ewan drew her aside. She smiled at him, that warm, open-hearted smile he didn’t deserve. “I was horrid, wasn’t I? Are your ears bleeding?”

“Numb and bleeding,” he replied with a feigned shudder. “I’m not complaining. Your sister’s quite accomplished.”

“I know, but she hates to perform on her own. She’s a coward at heart.”

So was he, but not anymore. He led her past the crowd and was about to draw her into Lady Finchley’s library when the Duke of Edgeware intercepted them. He looked worried. “Those crates of gunpowder are missing,” he said, following them into the library where they could all speak without being overheard.

Ewan would have sorely liked to have had this time alone with Lily, but knew Edgeware’s news was important. “The ones numbered one, two, and three?”

Edgeware nodded. “They were stolen with the others. I stopped by Lord Mortimer’s house to question him further, and—”

Ewan’s arm tightened around Lily’s waist, not liking that pause one bit. “And?”

“Ashton’s father is also missing.”

Lily gasped, took a step back to burrow against Ewan’s chest. “Has he been abducted? Your Grace, what’s happened to him?”

“I think he ran off on his own. His staff appears to be genuinely concerned about his disappearance, but they don’t suspect foul play. They say he was distraught and raging about Lily and the Royal Society. How was he when you and George spoke to him yesterday?”

Ewan shook his head. “Odd. He acted as if he thought Lily had eloped with Ashton, but he was eager to end our discussion and go back to bed. I haven’t spoken to him since. No one has. George and the Bow Street runners only made it back to London a short while ago. They’re making arrangements to hand Ashton and his villains over to the authorities as we speak.”

“Somehow, the old man got wind of what was happening. The truth about what his son has done must have set him off.” Edgeware ran a hand through his hair. “Or perhaps he isn’t as innocent as we first believed.”

Lily glanced at Ewan. “He’s a frail, old man. What harm can he do?”

Ewan could think of a dozen dangerous possibilities, but didn’t wish to alarm Lily any more than she was already. Every way he figured it, Lily ended up the one in danger. “I don’t know, but I’m not leaving your side until he’s found.”

“I’ll watch Dillie,” Edgeware said. “She’s your identical twin, easily mistaken for you. In truth, I think Ashton must have been shadowing her the other night. She was wearing your spectacles, pretending to be you. When I approached, she seemed relieved.” He winced. “She’s never happy to see me. She thinks I’m an idiot. However, she asked me to stay close because she had an uneasy feeling that someone was watching her. It went away once you appeared and made the spectacles switch.”

Lily put a hand to her throat. “I put Dillie at risk.”

Ewan let out a soft growl. “You didn’t. Ashton’s to blame. He’s deranged, and so it seems, is his father. I mean it, Lily. I’m not letting you out of my sight. Not ever.”

“Is that your arrogant way of asking me to marry you?”

She was frowning again. At him. “I’ve already asked you. I’ve been waiting for your answer.”

“You never asked. You simply assumed.”

Edgeware’s eyes widened. He began to back out of the room. “I’ve heard more of this conversation than I ought to have. In any event, your family must be warned of the continuing danger. I’ll take care of it.” He left the library, closing the door behind him.

“Damn it, Lily.” Ewan raked a hand through his hair.