The Scandalous Lady Sandford (Lost Ladies of London 3)

“It’s not that,” he snapped.

The band played their last note, and the crowd applauded with mild enthusiasm. At the sound of the supper whistle, the excitement in the Grove reached fever pitch as people scrambled to find their assigned table.

“Come.” Vane led her away from the bandstand to the open supper boxes located along the colonnade, and she knew that was the end of their conversation. “We’re in box nine. Let’s try to enjoy the evening.”

While no one gave Lillian a passing glance, Vane never failed to attract attention. Ladies brushed past him on purpose and gripped his arm to steady their balance. They batted their lashes, drooled and sighed, slipped notes into his coat pocket. And yet he ignored every comment, ignored every written request to sneak away to a secluded part of the garden and partake in a little wild sport.

A weary sigh left Vane’s lips as they settled into their seats. Lord Martin had stolen more than Lillian’s virtue. He’d stolen her brother’s happiness, too.

“Why not escort me home and then return to Vauxhall? Did I not see Lord Ashbourne near the rotunda?” Lillian examined the platter of cold meat and salad placed before her. “You were friends once I seem to recall.”

Vane swallowed a mouthful of wine. “We were inseparable.” He meant in his carefree days before the scandal. “Now we move in different circles.”

Guilt flared. She was to blame for their estrangement. Naivety was a trait of the damned it seemed.

“Besides,” Vane continued, “I know you’re excited about seeing Mr Green’s coal gas balloon.”

Lillian smiled. “They say his balloon takes passengers.” She often envisioned climbing into the basket and drifting off to a faraway land where no one judged her — where she would be free to do as she pleased.

“Only a fool would risk his neck in such a flimsy contraption.”

“I wonder what it’s like drifting so close to the stars?”

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nbsp; Vane glanced to the heavens. “Cold, damp and frightfully boring.”

“You used to be game for anything.” Lillian sipped her fruit punch though it tasted tart rather than sweet.

“When a gentleman has responsibilities, he cannot afford to gamble with his life.”

Lillian’s heart sank. Through her own stupidity, she’d become an iron chain around her brother’s neck. “With any luck, a gentleman will come along to relieve you of your burden.”

“You’re not a burden, Lillian. And perhaps you’re right. One day you may find someone who makes you happy.” Vane smiled, though something in his tone suggested she would be a fool to hope.

Was this to be her life now? Hiding in the shadows, never knowing friendship or true love.

They fell into a companionable silence while they finished their supper although her brother studied every person who happened to walk by.

Vane emptied the contents of the carafe into his glass and drank it down. “We need to make our way along the central avenue if we want to watch the balloon. I suggest we leave now before there’s a stampede.”

They had no fear of being crushed. Everyone gave them a wide berth. No one dared to smack shoulders with a man like Vane.

As Lillian edged out from the table, she lost her footing and almost stumbled. Vane caught her by the elbow. “Are you all right?”

A chuckle escaped her lips. “It’s the fruit punch. I don’t know what they’ve put in it, but the concoction is rather potent.”

Vane turned back to the table and examined the empty glass. “And yet you drank every drop.”

Lillian shrugged. “Ignore me. No doubt I stood too quickly.” She placed her hand in the crook of Vane’s arm. Her head felt light and woozy, but she did not want to worry him. “Come, a stroll will soon set me right.”

“A stroll? We may have to sprint if we want to beat the crowd.”

Vane led her out through the Grove and along the gravel walkway. Everyone else seemed just as eager to reach the large crimson balloon swaying gently in the distance. Groups of people poured out through the gaps between the trees, most of them loud and boisterous after downing copious amounts of wine at supper.

“Mr Green takes questions and explains the science behind ballooning,” Vane said. “It has something to do with gas being lighter than atmospheric air.”

Vane told her about numerous disasters, of people falling to their death, of lightning strikes and sparks from fireworks sending one balloon up in flames. Suddenly, the thought of flying to destinations new seemed unappealing.