How would she live without Heath? How could she bear it?
Fear tightened in her chest until her heart hurt.
“Do you know the most painful irony?” she whispered to herself. “When at last I understand my heart’s desire, it is too late.”
She had been so determined never to trust him, never to open her heart to him, that she had lost him. Dear heaven…
A sense of desperation washing over her, Lily shook her head in denial. She couldn’t lose him! She wouldn’t let Heath go without a fight.
Lily rose abruptly to her feet, clutching the newspaper to her bosom.
“Where are you going?” Chantel exclaimed to her retreating back.
“To find Lord Claybourne,” Lily said fiercely. “He will not marry Lady Eleanor! He will only wed me!”
Chapter Twenty
He is my heart’s desire. I know that now at long last.
– Lily to Fanny
Desperation beset Lily all the way to Heath’s house in Bedford Square and only escalated when she arrived. A jaunty lady’s phaeton stood out in front, the dashing pair of grays held by a liveried groom.
Wondering if the phaeton belonged to Heath’s new betrothed, Lady Eleanor, Lily descended from the hack and forced herself to approach the front door, where she applied the knocker.
At least the Claybourne butler recognized her and admitted her without question. Yet the hollow ache in her stomach intensified when she was shown into a different room than before-a large masculine chamber that was obviously the master’s study.
Lady Eleanor was there, lounging on a plush leather sofa while reading, her legs curled comfortably beneath her as if she belonged there as mistress of the house.
Utterly dismayed, Lily halted on the threshold, wondering if she should turn and flee before she was noticed. But then the butler announced her, and she had no choice but to step into the room.
Heath was seated at a massive desk, writing with a quill pen. Upon Lily’s entrance, he raised his head and studied her for a long moment. She couldn’t read his expression at all; his face was completely enigmatic, just as it had been yesterday.
Lily’s heart sank even lower, if that were possible.
She barely heard Lady Eleanor say in a pleasant tone, “Miss Loring, how good it is to see you again.”
Striving futilely for composure, Lily murmured a polite reply as she curtsied. But she immediately turned her attention back to Heath. “Might I have a word with you in private, my lord?”
Still watching her, he shrugged his powerful shoulders. “Why in private? I doubt you have anything to say to me that Eleanor cannot hear.”
Lily regarded him with mingled anguish and frustration. “I saw the announcement of your betrothal,” she finally said.
To her surprise and vexation, Lady Eleanor replied for him. “I gather you have some objection to our betrothal, Miss Loring?”
“Yes…I do.” As
she faced the raven-haired beauty, Lily clenched her fists, girding her loins, so to speak. “You cannot have him, Lady Eleanor. He is already spoken for.”
Eleanor’s eyebrows shot up. “You are laying claim to my dear Heath?”
“I am,” Lily said fiercely.
The soft smile of satisfaction that touched Eleanor’s lips was utterly puzzling. “I told you so,” she said cryptically, glancing over at Heath. “You owe me that magnificent chestnut stallion of yours.”
He nodded briefly. “Whatever you wish, minx,” he replied, never taking his eyes off Lily. “Now, if you don’t mind…”
Eleanor laughed at his thinly veiled prodding. “Very well, I know when I am unwanted. I will leave you two to sort out your affairs.”