Page 11 of The Viscount and the Wallflower (The Unlikely Betrothal Series #4)

Chapter 11

L ily wasn’t sure how she had appeared presentable to face the day and attend breakfast with the rest of the house party. Every part of her body had been aware when he entered the room, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. If she caught his gaze, he would see it on her face and in her eyes. He would see the love she had for him, and he wouldn’t accept that they didn’t have a future together.

After she had refused Alex the day prior, she cried for so long that Posy had been worried about her and insisted she take a tray in her room for dinner. She didn’t even bother to poke at the food for Posy’s sake, leaving it untouched .

She had been a fool for thinking that experiencing such love and pleasure in his arms would allow her to carry on in a marriage she didn’t want. It might have been more palatable if Alex hadn’t told her he loved her. She might have been able to convince herself that he was another man who wanted to use her body and move on to his next conquest. But he’d told her everything she had dreamt of hearing and what she had longed to say to him in return.

Lily hated that she had allowed him to believe she didn’t feel the same. The hurt that marred his expression had broken her heart into so many pieces, it might never be mended again.

“What is the matter?” Rosina asked.

The pair had gone for a long walk since they had spent little time in each other’s company during the house party thus far. Rosina had been taken with her own pursuits, and Lily was a bit envious of her friend’s far simpler existence.

“It’s nothing.”

Rosina grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop. “What is going on, Lily?” she asked, then assessed her friend with concern. “You are trembling. Did someone do something untoward?” The anger in Rosina’s voice was touching, given that she knew her friend would give anyone in attendance a firm set down on her behalf.

“I must marry Lord Knox,” Lily sobbed, unable to hold back the emotion.

“If he did something to you…”

Lily shook her head. “No, it’s nothing like that. I love Lord Callan. Alex.”

Realization washed over Rosina’s face. “Dearest, have you been”—she paused to scan the area to confirm that no one was in earshot—“intimate with Callan?”

Lily drew a deep breath and nodded.

Rosina clasped her hand and squeezed it. “You do not have to marry Knox if that is not what you wish to do.”

“But my father—”

“To hell with your father,” Rosina said, cutting her off. “Go to Gretna Green if your father doesn’t agree. It matters not what your father and Knox had discussed. Assuming Callan wishes to marry you.” Her face hardened again. “Because if he dallied with you and toyed with your affections, he has another thing coming.”

Lily released a puff of air. “He asked me to marry him, and he says he loves me.”

“And you refused him?”

“Yes. Right after we…”

Rosina drew a deep breath. “His pride may be a bit wounded, which is typical of a man who faces rejection. But if he loves you, he will do what is necessary to have you, even if that means convincing your father to allow him to do so or the scandal of eloping to Scotland. But do not marry a man you don’t love.” Her words were laced with emotion.

Lily squeezed her friend’s hand. “You still miss him. Your husband.”

Rosina gave her a somber nod. “And that is why I know you deserve love, and if Callan loves you, you must fight. Fight whatever stands in your path because love doesn’t come around often.”

She noted Rosina appeared to be struggling with something, and she wasn’t certain it had to do with her husband.

“Do you have feelings for the duke, Rosina?”

Rosina flinched as if Lily had struck her. “What? We’re talking about you,” Rosina said, waving her off. “What are you going to do to make things right with Callan?”

“I suppose I must speak with Knox and then confirm if Alex still wishes to marry me.”

Suddenly, she recalled something he said about doing the same thing again. That realization brought their conversation about broken hearts crashing back into her like a ton of bricks. He’d had his heart broken before, and then Lily had refused him. She had made a mess of everything and needed to set things to their rights. Rosina was right. To hell with her father.

“I must go. I will see you later,” Lily called out to her friend as she hurried away. She didn’t wait for a response and made her way back to the terrace and reentered the salon. Thinking about what she would say to Alex.

A life with him was the only future she wanted and thus the only one she would entertain. If he loved her as he said he did, he would move mountains to be with her, and that just might be what was needed.

“My lady,” a familiar voice called to her when she returned to the salon.

“Lord Knox,” she said, giving him a polite nod. She was relieved to see him so she could inform him that she would not marry him.

“We never got to speak yesterday after all the unfortunate events. Might I be able to speak with you now?”

She inhaled a fortifying breath and nodded. “I would like to speak with you as well.”

He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm, then led her back to the terrace. “I think it best if we have a bit of privacy.”

She steadied herself. He was going to propose, and she’d have to decline another man in less than a day. He might get angry at her and write to her father. She and Alex may have to leave the house party immediately if she could convince him to do so. Lily shook off her thoughts and tried to force herself to listen to what Knox had to say.

Once they were on the far corner of the terrace, he gave a tender smile and finally spoke. “Are you in love with Lord Callan?”

Had she heard him correctly? Why would he ask her that? There was warmth in his voice, a genuine sympathy that replaced any hint of anger or hurt she might have expected from him.

“Yes,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded as if she had confirmed what he already knew. “And you wish to marry him?”

“More than anything,” she said, allowing her heart to hope that it would be the case for them.

Lord Knox grinned at her. “Then marry him.”

“But—”

“I don’t intend to offer marriage after all, my lady. You are intelligent, charming, and beautiful, and you will make a wonderful wife for Callan, not me.”

She swallowed hard, unsure she believed what she heard. “But you arranged things with my father.”

“We signed no contracts. I will write to him right away, and I will encourage him to support the match with Callan.”

Unable to stop herself, she threw her arms around Lord Knox’s neck. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” The action was far too forward and not typically done, but he didn’t push her away. He gave her back a soft pat and then she released him. “How did you know about my affection for Lord Callan?”

“Your gentleman spoke with me. He seems quite determined. I believe you have yourself a good man, there.”

“You are also a good man, Lord Knox. I hope you find someone as well,” she said, her eyes turning glassy.

“Call me George, please,” he said. “And don’t you worry about me. Just make things right with Callan. Perhaps I’ll even get an invitation to the wedding.” He flashed her a grin riddled with mirth.

“Of course, George. Well, if he will have me. I already rejected his proposal.”

His expression turned to a knowing stare. “I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

“If you will excuse me,” Lily said. “I must find him right away.”

He extended his arm to her. “I’ll do better than that. I know where he is, and I’ll take you to him.”

She took his arm and allowed him to lead her through the house. They ascended the grand staircase, and she suspected Alex must be in his chamber. They navigated to one of the other wings of rooms opposite from where her chamber was. Once they reached a large white door, George nodded towards it .

“Good luck, Lily,” he said, grinning at her.

“Thank you, George.” Lily squeezed George’s hand and then released his arm as he backed away.

She closed her eyes and drew a long breath before trying the handle and quietly entering Alex’s chamber. She closed the door behind her without making a sound. Scanning the room, she found him hunched over his writing desk, lost in thought as his quill glided across the parchment.

Lily took a few steps closer to him and stopped again to watch him work. Some of his hair had fallen across his forehead and he rubbed the back of his neck as if he were working out a bit of tension but didn’t stop writing. She could have watched him do so all day and been more than content.

Unable to help herself, she noted he had dispensed with his coats and cravat, and her knowledge of what he looked like beneath his shirt caused her entire body to heat. She sighed, and his head jerked towards her.

“Lily,” he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “What are you doing here?”

Lily clasped her hands in front of her and raised her chin. “I came to ask you to marry me.”

“What?”

She stepped closer to him so there was only about a foot of space between their bodies. “I wish to marry you.”

He stared at her with a range of emotions reflected in his eyes. Hurt, disbelief, pride, love. “Lily…”

“I love you, Alex. I had resigned myself to being a spinster and believed the closest I would get to love was watching it on the theatre stage. My father commanded me to leave this house party betrothed to Lord Knox. But I will only marry you. I’m sorry that I didn’t jump into your arms and speak the words when you asked. I only hope you can forgive me because I shall love you every day for the rest of my life.”