Leaves crunched beneath Lily’s stockinged feet, and when a twig snapped with a loud crack, Rand swept her up into his arms. She linked her hands behind his neck. “I shall come and help you.”
She saw the telltale hesitation, felt the slight tightening of his arms before he decided to come out with it. “Let me talk to my father first. You’ll be but two hours away, and I’ll come for you, I promise, once I ascertain you’ll be accepted.”
His gray eyes pleaded for her to understand, and she did, but it was frustrating to feel so helpless.
“Trust me on this, sweetheart,” he said softly.
“If I think of anything that could help, anything at all, I’ll come to you,” she warned him as they emerged from the woods.
In the soft grass that lined the banks of the river, he set her on her feet and pressed his lips to her forehead. “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he murmured, the words a damp promise against her skin. “We’re in this together. Never doubt that, my love.”
FIFTY-FOUR
DINNER WAS A subdued affair.
Bacon tart was usually one of Lily’s favorites, its flaky crust and sweet almonds contrasting with the salty meat, but today she only picked at it while she listened to Rose grill Rand about the latest developments. For once, Rose didn’t seem jealous about Lily’s betrothal—in fact, Lily would wager her sister was glad she wasn’t the one in this predicament.
Mum looked very sorry that she’d insisted Lily go along to Hawkridge, although as Lily pointed out, her absence wouldn’t have changed anything.
“It would have spared you some discomfort, dear,” Mum said.
But that didn’t matter to Lily. The reward for that discomfort had been more time with Rand—precious time that could turn out to be their last.
Afterward, Lily saw him out to his carriage. “If you think of anything,” she told him, “anything at all—I want to know. And if I think of anything, I’ll send word to you at Oxford.”
“I may not be there long enough for word to reach me. Fewer than six days remain until the wedding. I need to get back to Hawkridge well before that if I’m to find evidence enough to prevent it.”
“Then stop here on the way. Please. It won’t cost you but half an hour, and I may have an idea—”
She broke off when his lips descended on hers.
The kiss was wild, desperate. It made her mouth burn with fire and her senses reel dangerously. She knew, without a doubt, that she would never find this with another man—and the truth cracked her heart.
When he finally broke the kiss, he crushed his forehead against hers, his eyes closed. “God, Lily, this cannot be the end for us. It just cannot.”
“It won’t be.” She kissed him again, softly, before drawing back. “You’ll stop by on your way to Hawkridge?”
He opened his eyes and nodded.
“Then I’ll see you in a few days,” she said, suspecting those days would be the longest of her life.
Rose, however, wasn’t going to let her mope around.
“I think tonight we should have our sleeping party,” she said when Lily reentered the house.
Lily rubbed her face. “Whatever are you talking about?” She wasn’t interested in any sort of party, especially tonight. Tonight she just wanted to crawl into her bed, curl up, and think hard about how Bennett’s innocence could possibly be proved.
If he even was innocent…but she had to believe he was. It was the only chance she and Rand had.
“The sleeping party, remember?” Rose put a hand on Lily’s arm, her eyes dark with concern. “You said Violet should come over to sleep. And I think we should invite Judith, too. She’s your best friend—she’ll want to hear what’s happening. I’m going to write notes to both of them and ask Parkinson to see they’re delivered.”
Before Lily could protest, Rose was off.
For a while Lily stood in a daze, then she went upstairs and changed into a more comfortable gown. She didn’t need to impress anyone here at Trentingham.
By the time she caught up with her sister, messages had been sent to both Violet and Judith, and Rose was in the kitchen talking to Mrs. Crump, their cook. “Fruit, nuts, bread, and cheese. And some nun’s biscuits,” she said, “since those are Lily’s favorites. We need it all ready to take to her room at nine o’clock.” Spotting Lily, she turned and smiled. “We don’t want to starve during our sleeping party.”
Lily hadn’t realized her sister could be so efficient. Or kind—especially considering the broken promise. “Why are you doing all this, Rose?”
A flush touched Rose’s cheeks. “You told Rand that two heads are better than one. Well, four would be even better, don’t you think? Perhaps tonight we can hit upon a solution.”
Lily wasn’t sure she felt up to what Rose had planned, but she sincerely appreciated the sentiment. “Thank you,” she said, “for caring.”
“Don’t be a goose,” Rose said with a wave of a hand. “You’re my sister. Now, we’ll need some nice flower arrangements for the supper table and your chamber. I’d best get busy.”
As Rose hurried away, Lily looked after her in wonder. It seemed her sister was back to normal, but she couldn’t figure out why.
A soft drizzle began to fall outside, turning the world gray and dismal to match Lily’s mood. Violet and Judith both arrived in time for supper, and the whole story was told again. By the time they all made it up to Lily’s room for their sleeping party, laden with a decanter of wine and the refreshments that Mrs. Crump had prepared, Lily was exhausted to the point of numbness.
She collapsed crosswise on top of her white
