Richard had the reins of the carriage skillfully in hand as Archie and Lily sat in the back, Lily wrapped tightly in her cloak against any errant wind gusts. She loved the warm feeling of her hand in Archie’s, but she was glad Richard couldn’t see the wide smile of contentment on her face. She would feel foolish.
“I do hope it isn’t a total loss,” Lily said as they approached. “It would be horrid to have to start again.”
“I don’t think it will be that bad,” Archie said. “In fact I am confident it won’t be.”
“Are you a gardener, now?” she teased.
“I have access to some good ones,” he said. “The Manor’s gardens survived the weather in-tact.”
“They are sturdier than my small plot,” Lily noted. “You’ve seen my garden.”
“I must admit I wasn’t paying attention to the flowers.”
The carriage slowed and Richard set the brake and hopped out to secure the reins to the fence post. “Ready, Lily?”
She nodded and the two men helped her down. She braced herself on her crutches and looked about.
“Oh, it’s—“
The garden was neat and in bloom, the roses beginning to bud, and the flowers glorious. Some of the vegetables were sprouting and everything was tidy—there was no sign of the huge storms that had blown through days ago.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered. Slowly she entered and sat down on the bench, her eyes full of tears. “It’s like I never left.”
Richard whistled. “Someone must love gardening as much as you, Lil, to take care of it this way. Ben says it wasn’t him.”
“It wasn’t Ben,” Archibald said.
Lily’s gaze swerved to him. “How do you know?”
“I know.”
“Then who was it? No one else around here would come in without me, and if it wasn’t Ben—“
“It was me.”
Lily gaped at him. “You? But you were always with me.”
“I came out in the mornings, before you were awake. I brought my gardeners with me. About the only thing I knew to do was prune the roses.” He sat next to her on the bench. “I knew that it was important to you. I didn’t want you to see it in ruins. And it was a bit of a mess, immediately after the storm.”
Tears flooded her eyes. “You did this? For…”
“You. Yes.”
Lily gasped slightly and gave a beautiful smile. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
His hand cupped her cheek and he smiled. “You don’t have to.”
Impulsively she embraced him, throwing her arms around him. Archie stiffened at first, knowing she would feel for the first time the reality of his body, but she didn’t recoil. He allowed himself to relax into her embrace.
“You are wonderful, Archibald Craven,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
Monday, October 29, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
L&A: 13
Lily was relieved when Archibald re-appeared in the room, his face calm but confident. She smiled as he approached her.
“Miss Lily, would you allow me to take you out to your garden? I gather you’re anxious to see it.” The formality of his language was odd to her, but she knew it was the tone he must adopt, in the presence of her brother and family.
“That would be lovely. You are right—I am anxious about it.”
“I’ll send for the carriage,” Richard said, smoothly dismissing himself and giving the pair some time alone.
“I take it the news was good?” Lily said as Archie sat beside her. He grasped her hands and nodded.
“Yes. Your father was agreeable. He seemed a bit surprised, but he is not opposed.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I did not think he would be.”
“I didn’t have your certainty,” he said. His face was solemn. “I was afraid I was too old.”
“You are not,” she said, her eyes alight. “Stop it.”
He smiled. “Your father is a good man. I am glad we have his approval.”
“Richard will have to chaperone us. I hope you don’t mind.”
“He makes a rather unique chaperone, doesn’t he? A boy of fifteen, shadowing his older sister and her lover.”
“Someone has to do it. Better Richard than Rose!”
They laughed, the sound echoing in the large room. “I love hearing you laugh,” Archibald said. “It’s wonderful.”
“I enjoy doing it. I enjoy anything that makes you happy.”
He squeezed her hands tighter and brought them slowly to his lips. His kiss made her shiver. “You make me happy. Just you.”
He stared at her with an unglazed intensity, and she met his look, holding the moment.
“Lily, mother says you’re—“ Archibald dropped Lily’s hands and rapidly stood, shoving his hands in his coat pockets. Rose was standing at the doorway, her face pale and her mouth open. “Mr. Craven. I didn’t know you were with my sister.” Her voice cut the room.
“I—We are waiting for your brother,” Archibald said stiffly. “He is bringing the carriage for us.”
“You are going out?”
Lily nodded. “Archibald has offered to take me to the garden.”
Rose stood erect and glanced at him. “I am sure Mr. Craven has more pressing matters to handle this afternoon.”
“He has asked me, Rose. And I am going.” Lily met her sister’s eyes calmly. “Richard will be with us.”
Rose nodded stiffly, turned sharply and went out, the door shutting firmly behind her. Lily sighed and turned her face to Archie. “Will you help me up?”
“Miss Lily, would you allow me to take you out to your garden? I gather you’re anxious to see it.” The formality of his language was odd to her, but she knew it was the tone he must adopt, in the presence of her brother and family.
“That would be lovely. You are right—I am anxious about it.”
“I’ll send for the carriage,” Richard said, smoothly dismissing himself and giving the pair some time alone.
“I take it the news was good?” Lily said as Archie sat beside her. He grasped her hands and nodded.
“Yes. Your father was agreeable. He seemed a bit surprised, but he is not opposed.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I did not think he would be.”
“I didn’t have your certainty,” he said. His face was solemn. “I was afraid I was too old.”
“You are not,” she said, her eyes alight. “Stop it.”
He smiled. “Your father is a good man. I am glad we have his approval.”
“Richard will have to chaperone us. I hope you don’t mind.”
“He makes a rather unique chaperone, doesn’t he? A boy of fifteen, shadowing his older sister and her lover.”
“Someone has to do it. Better Richard than Rose!”
They laughed, the sound echoing in the large room. “I love hearing you laugh,” Archibald said. “It’s wonderful.”
“I enjoy doing it. I enjoy anything that makes you happy.”
He squeezed her hands tighter and brought them slowly to his lips. His kiss made her shiver. “You make me happy. Just you.”
He stared at her with an unglazed intensity, and she met his look, holding the moment.
“Lily, mother says you’re—“ Archibald dropped Lily’s hands and rapidly stood, shoving his hands in his coat pockets. Rose was standing at the doorway, her face pale and her mouth open. “Mr. Craven. I didn’t know you were with my sister.” Her voice cut the room.
“I—We are waiting for your brother,” Archibald said stiffly. “He is bringing the carriage for us.”
“You are going out?”
Lily nodded. “Archibald has offered to take me to the garden.”
Rose stood erect and glanced at him. “I am sure Mr. Craven has more pressing matters to handle this afternoon.”
“He has asked me, Rose. And I am going.” Lily met her sister’s eyes calmly. “Richard will be with us.”
Rose nodded stiffly, turned sharply and went out, the door shutting firmly behind her. Lily sighed and turned her face to Archie. “Will you help me up?”
Thursday, October 25, 2007
L&A: 12
The carriage ride home was smooth, and Lily was grateful. Even though her ankle was healing well, it was still sore, and her body was still weak. She hadn’t regained the stamina she’d had before her illness, and she was looking forward to some walks in her garden to restore her.
“I can’t wait to get to the garden,” Lily murmured. “I miss it.”
“Ben went out yesterday. He said it looks like someone’s been taking care of it for you—magic-like, he said,” Richard volunteered.
“Well it wasn’t me,” Rose said in response to Lily’s arch look. “You know I’d never dig around in dirt, not even for you. And it wouldn’t please Father to have two of us ill.”
“I wonder who…that’s odd,” Lily mused. “I can’t think of anyone other than Ben who would care enough to do it.”
“I’ll take you out, if you’d like, later,” Richard said. “I can use the old open-top carriage, you’d be comfortable.”
“Don’t push her, Richard,” Rose said. “I’m sure she’ll want to rest.”
Lily held up her hand to stop the argument. “I do want to the see the garden. I’m sure it will do me good. I won’t stay out too long and there’s no chance of rain today. Look how glorious it is!”
“It’s May, Lil. It’s supposed to be this way,” Richard said wryly. Lily shot him a sharp glance and he laughed. “I’m kidding, Lil, kidding.”
The House soon came into view, and Lily sighed happily. “I’ve missed the house so. How are mother and father?”
“Mother is huge,” Richard said. “This is going to be a big baby.”
“Dr. Craven says she’s going to be fine,” Rose said calmly. “But we did move up the ball, so mother can attend and not have to worry about he baby.”
“She’ll go?” Lily was surprised. Her mother was one for following etiquette precisely, and a woman nine months pregnant did not go out in public, especially to balls.
“It’s my engagement party,” Rose said. “It’s at home. Of course mother will be there.”
Lily acquiesced as the carriage entered the drive. Mother and Father were waiting on the porch, and, after Rose and Richard had alighted, her Father reached in and lifted Lily off the seat, holding her in his arms as he carried her into the house.
“Father, really, I can walk with the crutches,” she pleaded.
“Not worth taking any chances,” he said as he settled her down on the parlor’s settee. “Just relax there.”
Neville and Archibald stood behind the Spencers’, Archie looking nervous at the prospect of talking to Lily’s father.
“How are you feeling, Lady Spencer?” Neville asked.
Emma patted her broad stomach. She had grown much stouter since Lily had left. “Oh, I’m fine. Still have an active one here. She can’t wait to get out.”
“Would you permit a quick examination?” Emma acquiesced and she and Rose followed Neville into the morning room adjacent to the formal parlor.
“Lord Spencer, there are some matters of business I would like to discuss with you,” Archie said rather formally. “Is this a convenient time?”
Lily’s father nodded. “Certainly, Mr. Craven. Richard can stay with Lily. Come to my study, we can talk there.” He winked at his children and took Archie to his private rooms.
Richard looked at his sister, who was pale and fidgeting with the fringe of her cloak. “Is he going to ask for you?”
“What?”
“Is Mr. Craven going to ask for you,” Richard repeated.
Lily looked at her younger brother, wide-eyed. “What gave you that idea?”
“He’s obviously attracted to you. And you are to him. It seems natural. Rose is engaged. You are eligible.”
“How did you learn all this?”
“I may be younger than you, but I am aware of how the marriage market works,” Richard said wryly. “I am not so stupid.”
“I didn’t say you were, but—“ she broke off, flustered. “No. He is not going to ask for my hand. He is going to ask Father is he can court me.”
Richard nodded. “So I shall play chaperone when I am home, and you will be engaged by Michaelmas.”
Lily blushed. “I hope so, Richard.”
“He seems to be a good man, Lily. Not overly social, but a good man. You’re not worried about his back?”
“What is it with you and Rose and his back? It is of no concern to me. I hardly notice.”
“Lily. I know you are a compassionate sort, but don’t say you ‘hardly notice.’ That’s impossible.”
“I don’t, Richard. I know that he is good to me. That’s all I see. And he is handsome.”
“Except for the back,” he muttered. “Peace, Lily. I’m just saying. It doesn’t diminish my liking of him. Just curious. You could marry anyone—and yet you choose one of the most reclusive, solitary men in the country.”
“If you knew him—“ she stopped, not wanting to betray his confidence. She was silent for a moment. “We spent much time together at the Manor while I recovered. He is a good man. I like him very much. I want to marry him.”
“Rose will have a fit.”
“Rose will be all right once she knows how much I love him,” Lily said blithely. “Besides, she will be in India. She can completely ignore my wedding if she chooses.”
“Rose will never ignore something as ostentatious as a wedding,” Richard said. The siblings laughed.
“But you like him, Richard?”
“Father and Mother do. I like what I’ve seen of him. You know him better than I do, and I’ve always trusted you. Not like Rose who falls for anyone with a large income and a nice waistcoat. I am looking forward to being your chaperone.” He executed a small bow with mock formality and Lily laughed.
“I hope Father gives his permission. Without that…” But Lily could not imagine her father denying her this. He had never denied her anything she really wanted. And she wanted to be Mrs. Archibald Craven more than anything.
“I can’t wait to get to the garden,” Lily murmured. “I miss it.”
“Ben went out yesterday. He said it looks like someone’s been taking care of it for you—magic-like, he said,” Richard volunteered.
“Well it wasn’t me,” Rose said in response to Lily’s arch look. “You know I’d never dig around in dirt, not even for you. And it wouldn’t please Father to have two of us ill.”
“I wonder who…that’s odd,” Lily mused. “I can’t think of anyone other than Ben who would care enough to do it.”
“I’ll take you out, if you’d like, later,” Richard said. “I can use the old open-top carriage, you’d be comfortable.”
“Don’t push her, Richard,” Rose said. “I’m sure she’ll want to rest.”
Lily held up her hand to stop the argument. “I do want to the see the garden. I’m sure it will do me good. I won’t stay out too long and there’s no chance of rain today. Look how glorious it is!”
“It’s May, Lil. It’s supposed to be this way,” Richard said wryly. Lily shot him a sharp glance and he laughed. “I’m kidding, Lil, kidding.”
The House soon came into view, and Lily sighed happily. “I’ve missed the house so. How are mother and father?”
“Mother is huge,” Richard said. “This is going to be a big baby.”
“Dr. Craven says she’s going to be fine,” Rose said calmly. “But we did move up the ball, so mother can attend and not have to worry about he baby.”
“She’ll go?” Lily was surprised. Her mother was one for following etiquette precisely, and a woman nine months pregnant did not go out in public, especially to balls.
“It’s my engagement party,” Rose said. “It’s at home. Of course mother will be there.”
Lily acquiesced as the carriage entered the drive. Mother and Father were waiting on the porch, and, after Rose and Richard had alighted, her Father reached in and lifted Lily off the seat, holding her in his arms as he carried her into the house.
“Father, really, I can walk with the crutches,” she pleaded.
“Not worth taking any chances,” he said as he settled her down on the parlor’s settee. “Just relax there.”
Neville and Archibald stood behind the Spencers’, Archie looking nervous at the prospect of talking to Lily’s father.
“How are you feeling, Lady Spencer?” Neville asked.
Emma patted her broad stomach. She had grown much stouter since Lily had left. “Oh, I’m fine. Still have an active one here. She can’t wait to get out.”
“Would you permit a quick examination?” Emma acquiesced and she and Rose followed Neville into the morning room adjacent to the formal parlor.
“Lord Spencer, there are some matters of business I would like to discuss with you,” Archie said rather formally. “Is this a convenient time?”
Lily’s father nodded. “Certainly, Mr. Craven. Richard can stay with Lily. Come to my study, we can talk there.” He winked at his children and took Archie to his private rooms.
Richard looked at his sister, who was pale and fidgeting with the fringe of her cloak. “Is he going to ask for you?”
“What?”
“Is Mr. Craven going to ask for you,” Richard repeated.
Lily looked at her younger brother, wide-eyed. “What gave you that idea?”
“He’s obviously attracted to you. And you are to him. It seems natural. Rose is engaged. You are eligible.”
“How did you learn all this?”
“I may be younger than you, but I am aware of how the marriage market works,” Richard said wryly. “I am not so stupid.”
“I didn’t say you were, but—“ she broke off, flustered. “No. He is not going to ask for my hand. He is going to ask Father is he can court me.”
Richard nodded. “So I shall play chaperone when I am home, and you will be engaged by Michaelmas.”
Lily blushed. “I hope so, Richard.”
“He seems to be a good man, Lily. Not overly social, but a good man. You’re not worried about his back?”
“What is it with you and Rose and his back? It is of no concern to me. I hardly notice.”
“Lily. I know you are a compassionate sort, but don’t say you ‘hardly notice.’ That’s impossible.”
“I don’t, Richard. I know that he is good to me. That’s all I see. And he is handsome.”
“Except for the back,” he muttered. “Peace, Lily. I’m just saying. It doesn’t diminish my liking of him. Just curious. You could marry anyone—and yet you choose one of the most reclusive, solitary men in the country.”
“If you knew him—“ she stopped, not wanting to betray his confidence. She was silent for a moment. “We spent much time together at the Manor while I recovered. He is a good man. I like him very much. I want to marry him.”
“Rose will have a fit.”
“Rose will be all right once she knows how much I love him,” Lily said blithely. “Besides, she will be in India. She can completely ignore my wedding if she chooses.”
“Rose will never ignore something as ostentatious as a wedding,” Richard said. The siblings laughed.
“But you like him, Richard?”
“Father and Mother do. I like what I’ve seen of him. You know him better than I do, and I’ve always trusted you. Not like Rose who falls for anyone with a large income and a nice waistcoat. I am looking forward to being your chaperone.” He executed a small bow with mock formality and Lily laughed.
“I hope Father gives his permission. Without that…” But Lily could not imagine her father denying her this. He had never denied her anything she really wanted. And she wanted to be Mrs. Archibald Craven more than anything.
L&A: 11
The next day, a carriage from the Spencers’, carrying Rose and Richard, arrived to convey Lily home—she had finally recovered enough for Neville to set her free from the confines of the manor.
Archie met them at the door. “Good morning, Miss Spencer, Sir Richard.” Calling a barely fifteen year-old boy “Sir” seemed pretentious, but he knew that it was well-within the boy’s rights as his father’s heir.
Richard puffed up a bit at being called “sir”—something that didn’t happen often— and shook Archie’s hand exuberantly. “Thank you for taking care of our sister, Mr. Craven.”
“No trouble at all. Come in, please. The maids have laid tea in the parlor for us.” Richard smiled broadly, but Rose’s expression was tight as she closed her lace parasol and stepped over the threshold.
“What a lovely home, Mr. Craven,” Rose said.
“Thank you. Our father takes a great store in its upkeep,” Archie said as he led them into the parlor. Mrs. Medlock had laid the tea things out on the mahogany table, and Archie stepped forward to pull back Rose’s chair.
The party sat and Rose began to pour, as was her place. “I am glad that Lily will be coming home,” Richard said. “It hasn’t been the same without her.”
“We will be sorry to lose her,” Archie added. “She is quite a lovely young woman.”
Richard beamed. “I know. She is really quite fun, isn’t she? Always up to something.”
“I’m sure Lily hasn’t been up to anything while she’s been here, Richard,” Rose said sharply. “She’s been ill.” She began to nibble on a piece of shortbread.
“How is Eton?” Archie asked Richard. “I attended there myself.”
“Really?” Richard’s eyes lit up. “It’s smashing. I love it. Although I do miss everyone when I’m away. Especially my hunter. You must come round and hunt with me sometime, when the season is here.”
“I will, if you’ll have me.”
“ ‘Course I will. And Mother and Father are planning a ball in two weeks—you and your brother must come,” Richard said exuberantly. He reached into his coat and removed a thick cream envelope. “Here’s the proper invitation; mother insisted you have one. She wants to announce Rose’s engagement before she has the baby.”
“You are engaged, Miss Spencer?”
Rose blushed slightly. “Yes, Mr. Craven. To Captain Alfred Lennox. He’s a member of the Army.”
“He’s stationed in India,” Richard said, awe in his voice. “I can’t wait to go and visit you there, Rose.”
“When do you set out?”
“Not for a few months after the wedding. We are planning to wed in December.”
“Congratulations.” Rose nodded and smiled. When she’s in an agreeable mood, she’s actually quite pleasant to be around, Archie thought. I wonder how often that happens.
There was a rap at the door and the party stood. Neville was escorting Lily, who had mastered the crutches, into the parlor. A huge smile took over her face as she saw her family and Richard ran to her.
“Don’t knock her down!” Rose scolded as she went to her siblings. “Lily.” She kissed her sister’s cheeks demurely, but Archie could see how attached she was to her. “I’ve missed you.”
“And I you—both of you,” Lily said. “It will be nice to be home.”
“You cannot allow your sister to do too much,” Neville cautioned as he guided her to the table, where she gingerly sat upon a chair. Archie fetched a small stool for her ankle and Lily smiled shyly as he adjusted it. No one knew of their intended courtship, not even Neville.
“I will watch her very closely,” Rose said, giving Lily a stern glance. Lily rolled her eeys playfully. “We don’t need you injured again, not so close to Mother’s time.”
“And you must dance at Rose’s ball, Lily,” Richard said. “No one dances like you do—sorry, Rose, but it’s true—and I must lead you out.”
Lily smiled at her brother’s impetuousness. “I am sure Miss Lily will be ready to dance with you by the ball,” Neville said. “As long as she is careful in the meantime.”
“Oh, I will be.”
“Shall we escort you home?” Neville asked. “I have sent for our horses, Archie. I thought you would wish to accompany us.”
He nodded. “I would. I must speak to Lord Spencer about some business matters.” The Craven brothers stood. “Seward will see you to the coach,” Archie said, gesturing for the butler to come forward as the brothers departed for the porch.
“It is a shame to lose her,” Neville said as they mounted their horses. Lily was carefully handed in to the carriage by Rose, and Richard grasped her arms firmly as he lifted her in. Her blue cape flapped about her in the breeze and made her look small.
“She’s a neighbor. We will see each other often. We have been invited to Rose’s engagement ball,” Archie said.
“Are you going?”
“You are surprised?”
“As I should be. You haven’t been to a ball since London.”
“Times change, Neville. Didn’t you say I should be more social?”
He nodded. “But I didn’t think it would happen so quickly.”
“It has. I find the Spencers to be a very agreeable family. And as we must have good business relations, it wouldn’t hurt to have good personal relations as well.”
Neville nodded slowly, thinking of Lily and the personal relations he had in mind for her. “Absolutely, Archie. Absolutely.”
Archie met them at the door. “Good morning, Miss Spencer, Sir Richard.” Calling a barely fifteen year-old boy “Sir” seemed pretentious, but he knew that it was well-within the boy’s rights as his father’s heir.
Richard puffed up a bit at being called “sir”—something that didn’t happen often— and shook Archie’s hand exuberantly. “Thank you for taking care of our sister, Mr. Craven.”
“No trouble at all. Come in, please. The maids have laid tea in the parlor for us.” Richard smiled broadly, but Rose’s expression was tight as she closed her lace parasol and stepped over the threshold.
“What a lovely home, Mr. Craven,” Rose said.
“Thank you. Our father takes a great store in its upkeep,” Archie said as he led them into the parlor. Mrs. Medlock had laid the tea things out on the mahogany table, and Archie stepped forward to pull back Rose’s chair.
The party sat and Rose began to pour, as was her place. “I am glad that Lily will be coming home,” Richard said. “It hasn’t been the same without her.”
“We will be sorry to lose her,” Archie added. “She is quite a lovely young woman.”
Richard beamed. “I know. She is really quite fun, isn’t she? Always up to something.”
“I’m sure Lily hasn’t been up to anything while she’s been here, Richard,” Rose said sharply. “She’s been ill.” She began to nibble on a piece of shortbread.
“How is Eton?” Archie asked Richard. “I attended there myself.”
“Really?” Richard’s eyes lit up. “It’s smashing. I love it. Although I do miss everyone when I’m away. Especially my hunter. You must come round and hunt with me sometime, when the season is here.”
“I will, if you’ll have me.”
“ ‘Course I will. And Mother and Father are planning a ball in two weeks—you and your brother must come,” Richard said exuberantly. He reached into his coat and removed a thick cream envelope. “Here’s the proper invitation; mother insisted you have one. She wants to announce Rose’s engagement before she has the baby.”
“You are engaged, Miss Spencer?”
Rose blushed slightly. “Yes, Mr. Craven. To Captain Alfred Lennox. He’s a member of the Army.”
“He’s stationed in India,” Richard said, awe in his voice. “I can’t wait to go and visit you there, Rose.”
“When do you set out?”
“Not for a few months after the wedding. We are planning to wed in December.”
“Congratulations.” Rose nodded and smiled. When she’s in an agreeable mood, she’s actually quite pleasant to be around, Archie thought. I wonder how often that happens.
There was a rap at the door and the party stood. Neville was escorting Lily, who had mastered the crutches, into the parlor. A huge smile took over her face as she saw her family and Richard ran to her.
“Don’t knock her down!” Rose scolded as she went to her siblings. “Lily.” She kissed her sister’s cheeks demurely, but Archie could see how attached she was to her. “I’ve missed you.”
“And I you—both of you,” Lily said. “It will be nice to be home.”
“You cannot allow your sister to do too much,” Neville cautioned as he guided her to the table, where she gingerly sat upon a chair. Archie fetched a small stool for her ankle and Lily smiled shyly as he adjusted it. No one knew of their intended courtship, not even Neville.
“I will watch her very closely,” Rose said, giving Lily a stern glance. Lily rolled her eeys playfully. “We don’t need you injured again, not so close to Mother’s time.”
“And you must dance at Rose’s ball, Lily,” Richard said. “No one dances like you do—sorry, Rose, but it’s true—and I must lead you out.”
Lily smiled at her brother’s impetuousness. “I am sure Miss Lily will be ready to dance with you by the ball,” Neville said. “As long as she is careful in the meantime.”
“Oh, I will be.”
“Shall we escort you home?” Neville asked. “I have sent for our horses, Archie. I thought you would wish to accompany us.”
He nodded. “I would. I must speak to Lord Spencer about some business matters.” The Craven brothers stood. “Seward will see you to the coach,” Archie said, gesturing for the butler to come forward as the brothers departed for the porch.
“It is a shame to lose her,” Neville said as they mounted their horses. Lily was carefully handed in to the carriage by Rose, and Richard grasped her arms firmly as he lifted her in. Her blue cape flapped about her in the breeze and made her look small.
“She’s a neighbor. We will see each other often. We have been invited to Rose’s engagement ball,” Archie said.
“Are you going?”
“You are surprised?”
“As I should be. You haven’t been to a ball since London.”
“Times change, Neville. Didn’t you say I should be more social?”
He nodded. “But I didn’t think it would happen so quickly.”
“It has. I find the Spencers to be a very agreeable family. And as we must have good business relations, it wouldn’t hurt to have good personal relations as well.”
Neville nodded slowly, thinking of Lily and the personal relations he had in mind for her. “Absolutely, Archie. Absolutely.”
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