Loving Lily (Fair Cyprians of London 6)

After another silence, he sighed. “I have timed my visit too late,” he said, straightening. “You are tired. My apologies. I shall leave you now, my dearest, and come back tomorrow.”

He moved towards the door and put his hand on the knob. Unable to meet his eye, Lily tried to think of something to say. Had he come back because he loved her? Because he wanted to help her? Such a short time ago he’d seemed her only salvation.

And then Hamish had come back to her. After tonight in his arms, she truly believed nothing could tear them apart. Not when so much of what had kept them from each other had been conquered.

Hamish knew the best of her.

And the worst of her.

Yet still he’d come back.

She didn’t want to hurt Teddy, but he was a painful reminder of the past. She wanted him gone.

When she glanced up, his brow was creased, as if he were trying to make sense of the Lily, Lady Bradden, he’d once known and loved.

“Good night, Lily. It’s good that you seem so much better. I’d hate to think you may ever be tempted back to your old ways.” He cleared his voice, adding, “And please understand that I’m speaking as your doctor with your health as a much major concern. Of everything sold over the counter, laudanum is the most dangerous and overused by society ladies. You’ve done well to wean yourself off it, Lily. You certainly look well on whatever it is that sustains you these days. I’ll let you go back to your slumber, but please see me out.”

As the door closed behind them, leaving them a moment of privacy in the passage, he put a hand upon the small of her back and whispered, “Can you tell me anything to put me out of suspense…or misery, Lily? Will I be welcome if I come back here again?”

She tensed at his touch, but said with more energy than she’d intended, “You’ll always be welcome, Teddy!”

Mostly because she was trying to cover up just how little she wanted to see him again.

He reminded her of days she would rather forget.

Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-six

Despite Teddy’s interruption the previous night, Lily woke feeling refreshed. With no performances that night, the day had been hers. She’d shopped and walked by the river. A weak sun had shone, and she’d felt nourished with hope.

Even the thought of Robert’s imminent return didn’t fill her with the

fear it had, for now she knew she had Hamish to support and protect her.

She didn’t have to perform at another séance for two days, and that would be her last, for soon it would be time for her to leave before Robert arrived in the capital.

All her thoughts centred on Hamish these days, and although she tempered the expectation, it charged her nerve endings as she imagined a future where the two of them faced shared hopes and dreams together.

Mr Montpelier and Mrs Moore thought they could continue to profit from the woman they had kidnapped by sending her to Madame Chambon’s, but Hamish would step in to save Lily from her uncertain future.

Their last loving encounter had reaffirmed his love and loyalty.

A smiling Grace opened the door at the end of Lily’s day in town, and the girl’s cheerful prattle added an extra layer of brightness to Lily’s mood, especially when Grace told her she’d sent her most recent visitor on his way.

“I tol’ Dr Swithins yer would’na be in ’til midnight an’ ’e said ’e ’ad ter go away fer a few days an’ ter pass on ’is respects.”

So, it was with relief that Lily walked into the drawing room, before shock stopped her in her tracks, which obviously caused Grace some alarm, for she darted forwards, picking up a copy of Manners & Morals that lay untidily on the table. She darted a guilty look at Lily. “I’ll get these cleared away right now, ma’am. Dr Swithins left no’ long ago an’ I gave ’im some tea but then the butcher’s boy were visitin’.” She broke off, blushing. “’E didn’t stay long, ma’am. Promise.”

Lily couldn’t care less about the butcher’s boy. She was looking dumbly at the letter on the table. It lay half under a copy of The Times, the name of its intended recipient proclaiming Lily’s lie for all the world to see.

Grace saw the direction of Lily’s look and snatched up the cream envelope.

“I’d ’ave gived that letter right back ter the postman if there’d bin a return address on the back, but…” She gave an eloquent shrug, “There weren’t. An’ I ’ave no idea who Lady Bradden might be. Wot should I do wiv it, ma’am?”

“Give it to me,” Lily said faintly, swallowing with difficulty, and slipping the letter into her pocket. Then, unable to bear the suspense, tearing the seal and scanning the few lines while Grace busied herself with tidying the room.

Dear Lily,