Page 18 of Loving an Earl (Widows of Mayfair #1)

O n the carriage ride home, all was quiet until Emmeline queried, “Tell me about Redford and where you two disappeared to.”

Heat suffused her cheeks, and she looked at Aunt Vivian, who was thankfully sleeping. “We went out on the veranda for fresh air.”

“And? Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“He kissed me. It was pleasant. Lips only.”

Emmeline sighed. “Don’t gentlemen know how to kiss?”

“Well, after he broke the kiss, I practically grabbed him and kissed him properly.”

Emmeline gasped and covered up a giggle with her gloved hand. “No.”

“Yes. I need to know If I have feelings for him. If I desire him. The kiss was nice until his hands drifted a bit low and I jumped away. For now, I’m going to continue enjoying his company, and hopefully, I’ll develop feelings for him before he asks for my hand—if that is what he plans to do. Perhaps he is looking for a dalliance with a widow and nothing more. If that’s the case, he will be sorely disappointed as I have no intention to dally with anyone.”

Before the conversation could continue, they arrived home. Lilly hurried up the stairs and made her way to Langford’s room to check on him before she went to bed. His door was ajar, and a candle flickered on the nightstand. Entering the room, she nodded to Mrs. Lewis who was doing some mending as she sat watch in a chair across the room, and she quietly tiptoed toward the bed, not knowing whether Edmund was asleep. If he was, she didn’t want to disturb him. Standing at his bedside, she startled when she saw his eyes were wide open and watching her intently.

“Oh.” She put her hand to her chest. “I thought you’d be sleeping.”

“I’m not tired after sleeping almost all day. And I’m bored. Tell me about Mr. and Mrs. Hadley’s dinner party.”

She was surprised he’d want to hear about it and that he was actually being cordial. “Truly? You want to hear about a dinner?”

“Yes. Anything is better than spending more time alone in this room and counting the pink roses in the wall covering.”

“I see. Mrs. Lewis,” she said, turning to the older woman, “I will sit with Langford for a spell if you would like some fresh air.”

“Thank you, my lady, but it’s not necessary. I only arrived a few minutes ago and relieved Mr. Mullens.”

Lilly nodded and sank into the comfortable chair beside his bed and adjusted her skirts. “Well, there were twenty for dinner. Do you want to know everyone who was in attendance?”

“Good lord, no.”

“Well, Blackstone was there in any case and sat beside Emmeline for dinner, and they played chess afterward.”

“How nice. Did he finally profess his undying love for her?”

“Not that I saw. Perhaps soon.” She clasped her hands together on her lap, suddenly nervous. “I sat beside Redford for dinner, and we went out on the veranda for fresh air.”

“Was it cold out?”

“Yes, there was a chill to the air, but the bright moon and the cloud formations were beautiful.”

“Did he finally kiss you?” His voice had dropped several octaves and seemed gruff.

So he wasn’t as unaffected about her and Redford as he made it seem. “He did.”

His head turned and he pierced her with his eyes. Eyes that looked angry, sad, and curious at the same time. “How was it?”

She humphed loudly, coughed, and shook her head. “I’m not telling you.”

“Why not?” His lips curved up into a grin, and his eyes shone with mischief.

“You don’t really want to know, do you?” Surely he was jesting.

Now he coughed. “No.”

“Good. Because I’m not telling you.” She rose. “Goodnight, Langford.”

As she shuffled her tired feet toward the door, she heard his deep voice say, “Goodnight, Lilly.” Her breath caught in her throat at hearing him use her given name.

*

When Daisy knocked and entered her room the following day, Lilly buried her head beneath the covers. “Surely it cannot be morning already.”

“Yes, my lady. It is half nine,” she replied as she swung open the curtains, letting in light. “What dress would you like to wear today?”

Lilly knew the viscount would be calling on her, so she should put on her most flattering day dress. “The mint green one, as it will complement my eyes nicely.”

After she was dressed and Daisy had confined her hair to a neat coil, she made her way to the morning room and found Emmeline and Aunt Vivian breaking their fast.

“Good morning,” Lilly said as she took a plate and studied the offerings on the sideboard.

“Good morning, my dear,” Aunt Vivian replied as she rose from her chair at the table. “I’m off to visit the Marchioness of Rutherford this morning. I received word that the marquess died early this morning after a fall down the stairs. The young dear must be beside herself with grief.”

“Please give her my condolences,” Lilly said, her heart hurting for the marchioness. Letitia was in her mid-twenties. She was the daughter of one of Aunt Vivian’s dearest friends, Mrs. Cambridge. Letitia had married the marquess, who was thirty years her senior, during her second Season. Lilly wondered if their match had been at all like hers and Henry’s, though it couldn’t be entirely similar. Letitia had birthed a baby boy not six months ago.

“Yes,” Emmeline added, “please give her my condolences as well. Lilly and I will pay our respects tomorrow.”

Lilly sat at the table, draped the cloth napkin on her lap and took a bite of her toast with jam. “Poor Letitia. To be widowed so young and with a baby.”

“Yes. Well,” Emmeline said with sadness in her eyes, “we both know what that is like. Except neither of us has a baby to care for and love.”

“Perhaps when she is up to it, we can introduce her to the Ladies’ Society of Mayfair.”

“That is an excellent idea,” Emmeline said.

After breakfast, Lilly thought to check on Langford and tell him of the marquess, but when she approached his door, she heard masculine voices coming from within, voices she recognized as Blackstone and Caldwell. Instead of interrupting, she backed away. She would visit Langford later in the day.

*

Lilly’s mind wandered to Letitia several times during the day, and it brought back her own pain and anguish from Henry’s death. She sat now in the drawing room beside Emmeline on the settee, awaiting Redford’s visit. A tea tray sat on the coffee table, waiting to be served. “Did you know Blackstone and Caldwell visited Langford right after we had breakfast?”

“No, I didn’t. It is amazing what goes on in my own home that I’m unaware of.”

“I’m sorry. Do you think he’ll come back to call on you?”

Emmeline’s answer was a long time coming. “I don’t know. He said nothing about it last evening. Besides, if he wanted my company, he could’ve sought me out when he was here earlier. I’m tired of saying this, but I think I may need to look elsewhere for a husband and soon.”

Lilly placed her hand on Emmeline’s, which was on her lap. “I hope not. Perhaps I could speak to him—”

“No,” Emmeline said quickly. “No. If it is meant to be, it will be.”

Harrison entered the room. “Viscount Redford.”

Redford swept into the room, clutching his hat and bowing. “Ladies.”

“Please have a seat,” Lilly said, indicating the chair facing her.

After sitting down, he said, “Clouds are coming in. I think it’s going to rain soon.”

Lilly’s lips curved up into a smile. Perhaps someday soon, another drawing room topic would replace the weather. It was so silly and tedious it actually amused her. “May I pour you tea? Or would you prefer brandy?”

He met her with a wide smile. “You know me so well already, Lady Langford. Brandy, please, if it’s no bother.”

“No bother at all.” She made her way to the sideboard and splashed the amber liquid from the decanter into a cut crystal glass, filling it one-third of the way. She made her way to him and held out the glass.

“Thank you. You are most kind.”

Lilly perched herself on the edge of the settee and poured tea for both her and Emmeline, who looked sad and lost in thought. Pretending to sip her tea, Lilly studied Redford over the rim of her teacup. He was handsome, well-dressed, and had impeccable manners. He had a pleasant personality and always treated her with kindness. His strange eyes were something she would have to get used to, though. They were such an unusual light shade of blue, which made it hard for her to get a sense of what he was feeling. She shook herself mentally. She was being silly picking on his eyes when the rest of him appeared nearly perfect.

After half an hour of light conversation, Redford stood to take his leave. “I’m traveling to my country estate tomorrow. I could be gone several weeks. When I return, I hope we can pick up where we are today.”

“Yes. Of course,” Lilly said.

“I will send word when am back in town. Good day, ladies.” He bowed and exited the room.

Lilly found herself sinking into the settee once he’d exited the room and sighing loudly. “What will I do while he is gone? It’s not going to solve how I feel about him if I can’t see him.”

“You can take all the time you need to develop feelings for Redford. You are in control this time. You choose who and when you marry. You are so lucky in that respect, as am I.”

“You are correct. Perhaps my heart will grow fonder for Redford during his absence.”