She broke off as two footman appeared, carrying between them an enormous silver tureen. And moving at a snail’s pace. Glancing about, Rose dragged her sister into the drawing room. Too mired in confusion and disbelief to protest, Lily sank onto the nearest couch. She saw Beatrix slip through the door just before it closed, and felt absurdly glad for the presence of a friend.
Rose remained standing, nervously toying with the bows on her sleeves. “Once we arrived at Hawkridge,” she went on, “nothing went as planned. The marquess was even worse than I’d hoped, but somehow you weren’t afraid of him. I saw you stand up to him over the dogs—”
“You were spying?”
“Observing,” Rose said haughtily. “Anyway, you were stronger than I’d expected. I certainly wouldn’t have stuck by Rand. Can you imagine having that beast for a father-in-law?”
Lily just looked at her.
“Oh, right. I suppose you can.” Turning away guiltily, Rose drew another deep breath. “After that, I realized having you at Hawkridge wasn’t working in my favor. What you accused me of…you were right. I was trying to convince you to give up and go home, hoping that without your influence, Rand would succumb to Margery’s charms and his father’s coercion. But Lily,” she rushed to add, “I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true, did I? You really didn’t have a prayer of changing the marquess’s mind, and Rand is too good to abandon Margery, and—”
“That makes it so much better,” Lily said flatly. “My own sister was trying to destroy me and the love of my life, but at least she didn’t tell a fib.”
“Yes, was. I was trying to hurt you. But now I’m not. I’ve changed my mind.”
Lily just shook her head. After an incredibly draining few days, she seemed to have no emotions left, not even anger. “Why should I believe you?” she asked wearily.
“Because I know I was wrong, and I’m so very, very sorry. Last night, when that beastly man came up with his horrid offer, and I saw what it did to you—to all three of you. You were so devastated, I can’t even describe it. Devastation like that is something I’ve never felt. Not even when Grandpapa died, and I loved him more than anyone in the world.” Her dark eyes filled with tears.
Lily bit her lip. “The way I love Rand is different from loving Grandpapa,” she said gently.
“I know. Now I know. Lily, I never wanted to hurt you like that. I never want to see that look on your face again.”
Lily gave a wan smile. “I’m afraid you may have to, unless Rand somehow manages to dig up proof of Lord Armstrong’s innocence.”
If he truly was innocent…but she had to believe he was. It was the only chance she and Rand had.
“If there’s anything I can do to help…”
“Thank you.”
For several minutes, the only sound in the room was Beatrix roaming atop and around various items of furniture, occasionally pausing to lick herself.
Eventually Rose cleared her throat. “So…am I forgiven?”
Lily thought about it. “If I’m forgiven.”
Relief dawning on her face, Rose hurled herself on the couch to wrap Lily in a hard hug. “I don’t deserve you,” she said in a sniffly voice.
Lily hugged her back. “You’ve got that right,” she replied, startling her sister into a laugh.
FIFTY-SEVEN
AFTER A LONG visit with Rowan in his bedroom, where he was more or less confined until he could manage the stairs, Lily changed into a more comfortable gown for supper. She didn’t need to impress anyone here at Trentingham.
At she reached the bottom of the staircase, she saw Violet coming in out of a light drizzle. “I didn’t know you were joining us tonight,” Lily exclaimed happily, running to kiss her on the cheek. It seemed ages since she’d seen her eldest sister. “Where are Ford and the little ones?”
“At home, pouting.” Violet removed her spectacles and wiped the spatters of rain with a lace-edged handkerchief. “But they can survive one night without me. I wouldn’t miss your sleeping party for the world!”
“My what?”
The front door swung wide again, and a cloaked figure entered, drawing back its hood. “Lily,” Judith cried, “what a sensational idea! Thank you so much for the invitation.”
“What invitation?” Lily said as a footman took her friend’s cloak. “I’m sorry, Judith—and it’s lovely to see you—but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Her face fell. “But I received a message this afternoon. Was it a mistake?”
“I got one, too,” Violet put in.
“What message? I didn’t send any messages.”
“Then who did?”
Voices from above drew their notice to Rose descending the staircase, carrying a vibrant flower arrangement in a Delftware vase. “Fruit, nuts, bread, and cheese,” she was saying to her maid. “And see if Mrs. Crump will bake nun’s biscuits, since those are Lily’s favorites. We’ll need it all brought to her room at nine o’clock.”
As her maid hurried off to alert the cook, Rose arrived at the bottom of the stairs, smiling wide behind the blooms. “Violet, Judith! I’m so glad you both could attend.”
“Attend what?” Lily demanded, wondering if she were going mad.
“Your sleeping party, you goose.” Rose braced the vase against one hip so she could wrap her older sister in a one-armed hug.
“My sleeping party?”
“Well, I’ve handled the preparations, but it was your idea, remember?” Rose’s dark eyes filled with concern. “You said Violet should come over to sleep. And I thought you would like to have Judith, too, since she’s your best friend.”
“But—tonight?” Lily didn’t want to be rude, but the last thing she needed just now was a party. Tonight she just wanted to crawl into her bed, curl up, and think hard about how Bennett Armstrong’s innocence could possibly be proven.
A flush touched Rose’s cheeks.
