Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid - Julie Johnstone Page 0,72
jumped at the sound of her mother’s voice behind her and whirled around to find Mama standing there holding a bunch of papers. “I was just coming to find you.”
Lilias’s stomach knotted, and her mouth went dry. “I thought you were in your bedchamber.”
“Why didn’t you knock?” Mama asked.
“I—Well, I, feared I might wake you,” Lilias fibbed, her cheeks instantly burning with the lie. When her mother chuckled, Lilias’s jaw slipped open. “Mama, you laughed!”
Mama linked her arm with Lilias’s, opened her bedchamber door, and led them both inside. She closed the door behind her and motioned to the sitting area. “Your cheeks pink when you fib. They always have.” She said it in a gentle tone, then motioned toward the window. “Take a seat, Daughter. I have news!”
Lilias was glad for the delay in telling her mother her own news so she immediately did as requested and sat in the burgundy chair near the window. Her mother sat on the chaise that faced the chair and set the papers she’d been holding in her lap. And then that scrutinizing look of moments before swept over her face again. Lilias assumed she’d decided to ask her why she’d been at her door again, but instead, Mama surprised her by saying, “I saw your uncle today.”
“Uncle Simon was here?”
Mama nodded.
“I did not even realize…” Lilias’s words drifted off at the undeniable realization of how self-absorbed she’d been.
“No,” her mother said softly, leaning toward Lilias and taking her hand, “you would not have. You’ve been quite sad. Don’t think I am totally oblivious, darling.”
“Mama, I’m so sorry!”
“Don’t be.” Her mother patted her hand. “I suspect it has something to do with your impending marriage.”
Lilias swallowed convulsively. Now was her chance. Her mother had given her the perfect opportunity to tell her, but Lilias’s mouth would not form the words. She was frozen by guilt.
Mama squeezed her hand. “You do not wish to wed Blackwood.” It was a statement, softly spoken. Lilias’s heart pounded, and she wasn’t even sure if she nodded. Her mother continued. “But you would for me and Nora.”
Her mother nodded. “Life always is, dearest. Does your hesitation have to do with the Duke of Greybourne, perchance?”
“Yes.” She groaned. “But we can never be together. That is not the only reason I do not wish to wed Blackwood, though.”
“Why could you not be together? Does he think himself too good for you?”
Lilias smiled at her mother’s protective tone. She had not heard it in so many years.
“No, it’s not that.” She took a deep breath and told her mother what she knew of Nash and how he blamed himself for both his brother’s death and Owen’s accident, and that he would never allow himself a future with her because of Owen. Then she explained how Owen had lied and told Nash she had kissed him.
“Oh, dear, that is an unfortunate turn of events. And what of you? If you didn’t have to wed Blackwood, would you fight for a future with the Duke of Greybourne, even though he might reject you?”
“Yes,” she whispered without hesitation. “I would fight for him until I had no fight left.”
Mama grinned. “Then it’s a very good thing you don’t have to wed Blackwood.”
Confusion and hope filled Lilias. “How can you say that?”
Her mother held up the papers. “Your uncle came here to tell me he’s seen the error of his ways.”
“Uncle Simon?” Lilias could hardly imagine.
“I was surprised, as well, but he has given me Charingworth Manor, and he has paid all your father’s debts. You are free!” Her mother frowned. “Well, the ton will consider you ruined, but I don’t care and neither should you. I’m tired of caring what people of the ton think. It has nearly killed me. Don’t let the man you love simply walk away from you. Though, I daresay you have some explaining to do as to how you came to love a man I do not even know.” Her mother eyed her sternly.
Lilias took a deep breath once again and shared her adventures years before in the Cotswolds with her mother. Once she was done talking, silence fell.
Her mother looked contemplative for a moment. “I fear I did you an injustice not to stand firmer with your father on the companion and not keeping my own eye upon you.” Worry and guilt etched her mother’s face.
Lilias took her hand and squeezed it. “No, Mama. I had a wonderful childhood.