The May sunshine lay heavily upon the fields as Archie rode to Spencer House, a slight breeze stirring the warm air. He noticed that Lily’s garden was in riotous bloom, full of color and fragrance. She had begun teaching him some basic tasks in the garden, such as weeding and trimming, but he would never learn her innate skill and garden sense. It was totally mysterious to him.
Richard, home for the summer, opened the door upon Archie’s arrival. “Oh, thank God, someone to distract us,” he moaned. “Mother is in such a state.”
Archie chuckled as he placed his hat on the table and removed his riding gloves. “Anxious for the baby to appear?”
“Worse. She’s been having pains all day.”
Archie frowned. “Should I get Neville?”
Richard shook his head. “No. Mother says she knows when labor’s begun, and this isn’t it. But Lily and Rose are worried.”
“Where are they?”
Richard led Archie into the morning room, where a bed had been placed for Lady Spencer during her lying-in. The day after the ball she had taken to this room, where she would wait for the baby to be born, as was her custom. Lily sat beside her mother, stroking her mother’s hand as she slept.
Archie came up to her and kissed her cheek. “Oh, Archie,” she said quietly. He could see fatigue and worry etched on her face. She looked pale. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She stood and Archie embraced her, rubbing his hands along her back to soothe her.
“You look worried,” he said as they sat on the couch. Richard took the seat next to his mother.
She nodded. “I am. She’s been in such pain. But she won’t let us call Neville—she says it’s not labor and she doesn’t want him to worry for nothing.”
“But all of you—“
“She says we’re worrying for nothing.” Her eyes were clouded. “Father is so nervous. He paces in his study all day, snaps at the servants…and Rose is no help, of course.”
“Maybe I should send for Neville. Even over your mother’s objections.”
“Would you? If he were here, she would have to listen. I know she is not well.” Tears were in her eyes.
“I will send for him. But you must rest until he comes. You are tired.”
She did not deny it. “I am. Richard and I have been taking turns staying with her….Rose tries, but she’s just not good at these things. And father…he’s got business to attend to, and he just makes mother worse.”
Archie nodded. His own father had been the same way when Neville was born. “I will send a servant for him. And you will rest for awhile.”
Archie went into the hallway and commissioned a manservant to ride to the Manor to fetch Neville. When he returned, Richard was rubbing his sister’s hands and talking gently to her.
“Archie, can you take her upstairs?” Richard said. “She needs some rest, and some food. I’ll send Martha up with a plate.”
Archie nodded. “I’ll take care of her.”
“I will call you, when Neville wants you,” Richard promised his sister.
“You must. I have to be here…” her voice trailed off and she rubbed her temples.
“Come, Lily.” Archie took her hand firmly and the two of them headed to her room, where she lay upon her bed. Archie covered her with a summer quilt. “Try to sleep.”
“I can’t,” she moaned. “I wish I could. I’m so worried about her. She wasn’t like this with Richard.”
“It will be well,” he said. He took her hand and stroked it. “It will be all right. Neville knows what he’s about.”
“I wish I could be sure…”
“Nothing is sure. But he will do the best he can.” He ran his hands over her hair in an effort to calm her. He kissed her forehead.
Lily eventually fell into a light sleep and Archie sat watch, as he had a month before when he first met her.
* * *
A knock on the door a half-hour later roused Archie from his chair, and he went to the door.
“It’s time.” Richard stood there, his eyes wide. “Neville needs Lily’s help.”
“Lady Spencer is in labor?” Richard nodded.
“I am ready.” The men were surprised to see Lily up, her hands tidying her hair. She brushed past them and scurried down the stairs.
* * *
“What can I do?” Lily burst into the room as Neville was unpacking and sterilizing his instruments. The household maids had been enlisted to help, bringing towels and hot water in an endless parade.
“Come,” Neville said. Lily tied a muslin apron around her, and moved to his side. “I need you to calm your mother. She’s fighting it and she can’t. She needs her energy for later.”
Lily nodded brusquely and took her place beside her mother. Lady Spencer’s face was red and damp with sweat. “Lily,” she said, grasping her daughter’s hand. “Oh, you’re here.”
“Of course I’m here,” Lily said. “Mother, you must relax.”
Her face screwed up in pain and she let out a small shout. “Oh, Lily…”
“It will be all right.” She spied a cloth and some cool water on the table, and began to bathe her mother’s forehead. “You must rest as much as you can.”
“It is….hard….this time,” she panted. “Where is Rose?”
“She’s with Richard,” Lily said soothingly. “They are readying the nursery for the baby. All is well.”
Neville examined Lady Spencer, his brow creased. “Lady Spencer, it will be time to push soon. But I must change the baby’s position. She is still breach.”
“What will you do?” Lily asked.
“I must turn her.” Neville enlisted two of the maids to hold Lady Spencer’s legs. “This will hurt,” he said and Lady Spencer nodded grimly. She gasped as Neville began to shift the child.
Lily gripped her mother’s hand and watched Dr. Craven’s movements. The room was tense, the silence broken only by Lady Spencer’s soft cries.
“Neville?” Lily asked, her voice low. “Is she—“
“I think I almost have her.” Neville’s face was taut with concentration. Time seemed to stop as they watched Neville for any sign of success. “There.” He said, gasping out the word. “She’s turned.”
Lady Spencer sighed and Lily smiled at her mother. “There, it’s almost time now.”
“It is time,” said Neville. “Lady Spencer, you may push on the next pain.”
Emma nodded and squeezed her eyes shut. Lily began to pray silently. Emma’s body tensed as she gave a long, steady push, and Lily bathed her forehead with a damp cloth when she had finished.
“Good,” Neville said soothingly. “She will be coming soon. A few more.”
The minutes passed in agonizing slowness. Lily wished Archie or Richard was here to help her, but she knew that was impossible. Even Rose would’ve been a help; but she was nowhere to be seen.
The pushing continued, Lady Spencer valiantly attempting to bring her youngest child safely into Neville’s hands. Neville’s face was dark and tight with concentration, and Lily’s hand ached under Emma’s vise-like grip.
Finally, “I see the head,” Neville said. His voice was deliberate. “Lady Spencer, it is almost time…”
Emma let out a short, strangled cry and pushed again.
“I can see her!” Lily cried, looking past her mother to Neville. The baby’s head was in his hands.
“Just the shoulders, now…” Neville said. With one final push the baby slipped free of the birth canal and fully into Neville’s arms. “A girl, Lady Spencer,” he said, smiling. His face was damp with sweat and he handed the baby to Martha to be wiped off. “She’s lovely.”
Martha swaddled the baby quickly as the child began to wail. “Excellent,” Martha said as she handed the baby to Emma. “She’s a beauty.”
The baby’s dark eyes stared up at Emma. “Oh, mother,” Lily said softly. She stroked her sister’s tiny hand and marveled over the delicate shape.
“What will you name her?” Neville asked.
“Mary Elizabeth,” Emma said, her voice thin. “For my mother.”
One of the maids jotted the name on a piece of paper Neville had on the cart. “I will submit the birth certificate immediately,” Neville said.
“Doctor, there is food in the kitchen. I am sure you are hungry,” Martha said. Neville nodded.
“I leave Lady Spencer and Mary in your hands,” Neville said to Lily, winking. “I shall return shortly.”
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
L&A: 19
For a few days after the ball, Neville spoke little to Archie. While this was not, in itself, unusual, since the two had little in common and Neville was often preoccupied with his practice, Archie detected a certain avoidance on his younger brother’s part. Even at meals, he was reticent and spoke only when it was required.
After several days of this, Archie decided he had enough. Neville was unbearable when he was brooding.
“How is Lady Spencer?” Archie asked at lunch that day. Neville had just returned from his daily visit.
Neville shrugged as he took some ham from the platter. “She’s ready to give birth any day. Quite uncomfortable. And I think the baby is still breach.”
“That’s cause for concern, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “It is.”
Silence passed as they ate. Then Archie asked, “And how is the rest of the family?”
Silence.
“Neville?”
“You should know that better than I,” he said sharply. “You’re there as often, if not more, than I am.”
“I have business with Lord Spencer. Of course I should be there.”
“And your business with Lily?”
Archie was surprised. He didn’t think Neville had noticed. “What business?”
“Don’t be coy, Archie. You’re courting her. Openly. Everyone seems to know but me.”
“How do you know? We haven’t made it public.”
“I saw you—and her—at the ball. You kissed her.”
“We didn’t know anyone was there!”
“Why didn’t you tell me, Archie? Did you think you could keep it a secret until your wedding day? ‘Oh, by the way, Neville, old boy, I’m getting married today.’” Neville’s voice was sharp and caustic.
“What is your objection? Why should you concern yourself?”
He couldn’t bring himself to say that he loved her. It would be too humiliating.
“You should have told me,” he said. “I am sure all the Spencers know.”
“Richard is our chaperone. And I had to ask Lord Spencer’s permission. So yes, they know. But no one else.”
Neville swallowed hard, trying to keep his emotions in check. “And you will marry her?”
Archie nodded. “As soon as Lady Spencer is recovered, I plan to propose. We do not want to interfere with Rose and Albert’s wedding, of course. Lily is content to wait.”
Neville stared at his plate. Lily married to his brother! It could hardly be borne.
“And…you will live here?”
“Of course. The Manor needs a mistress.” Archie sipped his coffee. “Oh, Neville, don’t worry. We won’t turn you out, if you wish to stay.”
Neville bristled at this. “It’s your house, Archie. I cannot imagine Lily would want me hanging about.”
“Why not? It’s a big enough house for all of us—and the children, once we have them. She does want children.”
“And you?” Archie had never been comfortable around them.
“I want what she wants,” he said simply. “An heir is, of course, desirable. But I think it might be nice to have some children around the place.”
Neville nodded. “We shall see. As you know, I may go to London.”
“Of course, Neville. You are free to do as you please, you know.”
“I know.” He stood, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Are you for the Spencers’?”
Archie shook his head. “Lily has much to do to prepare for the baby. And I have to make a survey of the grounds.”
Neville nodded curtly. “I shall order dinner, then.” He stood and abruptly left the room, leaving Archie alone.
After several days of this, Archie decided he had enough. Neville was unbearable when he was brooding.
“How is Lady Spencer?” Archie asked at lunch that day. Neville had just returned from his daily visit.
Neville shrugged as he took some ham from the platter. “She’s ready to give birth any day. Quite uncomfortable. And I think the baby is still breach.”
“That’s cause for concern, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “It is.”
Silence passed as they ate. Then Archie asked, “And how is the rest of the family?”
Silence.
“Neville?”
“You should know that better than I,” he said sharply. “You’re there as often, if not more, than I am.”
“I have business with Lord Spencer. Of course I should be there.”
“And your business with Lily?”
Archie was surprised. He didn’t think Neville had noticed. “What business?”
“Don’t be coy, Archie. You’re courting her. Openly. Everyone seems to know but me.”
“How do you know? We haven’t made it public.”
“I saw you—and her—at the ball. You kissed her.”
“We didn’t know anyone was there!”
“Why didn’t you tell me, Archie? Did you think you could keep it a secret until your wedding day? ‘Oh, by the way, Neville, old boy, I’m getting married today.’” Neville’s voice was sharp and caustic.
“What is your objection? Why should you concern yourself?”
He couldn’t bring himself to say that he loved her. It would be too humiliating.
“You should have told me,” he said. “I am sure all the Spencers know.”
“Richard is our chaperone. And I had to ask Lord Spencer’s permission. So yes, they know. But no one else.”
Neville swallowed hard, trying to keep his emotions in check. “And you will marry her?”
Archie nodded. “As soon as Lady Spencer is recovered, I plan to propose. We do not want to interfere with Rose and Albert’s wedding, of course. Lily is content to wait.”
Neville stared at his plate. Lily married to his brother! It could hardly be borne.
“And…you will live here?”
“Of course. The Manor needs a mistress.” Archie sipped his coffee. “Oh, Neville, don’t worry. We won’t turn you out, if you wish to stay.”
Neville bristled at this. “It’s your house, Archie. I cannot imagine Lily would want me hanging about.”
“Why not? It’s a big enough house for all of us—and the children, once we have them. She does want children.”
“And you?” Archie had never been comfortable around them.
“I want what she wants,” he said simply. “An heir is, of course, desirable. But I think it might be nice to have some children around the place.”
Neville nodded. “We shall see. As you know, I may go to London.”
“Of course, Neville. You are free to do as you please, you know.”
“I know.” He stood, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Are you for the Spencers’?”
Archie shook his head. “Lily has much to do to prepare for the baby. And I have to make a survey of the grounds.”
Neville nodded curtly. “I shall order dinner, then.” He stood and abruptly left the room, leaving Archie alone.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
L&A: 18
Neville stepped back into the foyer, trembling. Archie and Lily! My Lily! How long has this been happening? And I thought he was coming to the house on business—ha! The business of courting…
He went into a side parlor and collapsed on the nearest chair. He could not believe it. “Not Archie,” he said, his voice breaking in the silence. “Not him…it’s not possible she could choose him over me.”
Had she not known of Neville’s intentions? Not seen the attentions he’d paid her? Had she missed the way he looked at her? She was either blind, or disinterested. He refused to believe it was the latter.
XII.
The ball went into the early hours of the next morning, with the Cravens being one of the last to leave. Lady Spencer had retired much early, due to the baby, and Richard, Lord Spencer and Lily were left to escort the brothers out.
“Wonderful ball, Lord Spencer,” Neville said as Lily handed him his scarf and hat. “You and your family must come to the Manor for dinner, once Lady Spencer has received from the birth.”
“It would be a pleasure,” Lord Spencer said. He bowed. “If you would excuse us, Richard and I will settle the accounts with the musicians.” They excused themselves, leaving Lily the sole host.
“I will get the carriage,” Neville said stiffly, heading for the porch. Once they were alone, Archie kissed Lily again. She laughed quietly.
“Oh, we should not have started this,” she moaned. “Now I am desperate for your touch.”
“It will be yours, always, soon enough,” he said. “I promise.”
“I will hold you to it.” She embraced him and he kissed the top of her head.
“I will be over tomorrow afternoon…give your family some time to recover from events,” he said.
“I will wait. Perhaps we can go to the garden.”
“You can teach me. I will be your apprentice.”
She laughed. “I think it is the only thing I can teach you.”
He shook his head. “You are wrong.” He took up his hat from the hall table and went to the door. “Until tomorrow.”
She smiled and locked the door behind him. From the windows she saw Neville and Archie board the coach and head home.
Oh, for the day when I will leave this house and go home with him, Lily thought as she headed up the winding staircase. What a day that will be…
He went into a side parlor and collapsed on the nearest chair. He could not believe it. “Not Archie,” he said, his voice breaking in the silence. “Not him…it’s not possible she could choose him over me.”
Had she not known of Neville’s intentions? Not seen the attentions he’d paid her? Had she missed the way he looked at her? She was either blind, or disinterested. He refused to believe it was the latter.
XII.
The ball went into the early hours of the next morning, with the Cravens being one of the last to leave. Lady Spencer had retired much early, due to the baby, and Richard, Lord Spencer and Lily were left to escort the brothers out.
“Wonderful ball, Lord Spencer,” Neville said as Lily handed him his scarf and hat. “You and your family must come to the Manor for dinner, once Lady Spencer has received from the birth.”
“It would be a pleasure,” Lord Spencer said. He bowed. “If you would excuse us, Richard and I will settle the accounts with the musicians.” They excused themselves, leaving Lily the sole host.
“I will get the carriage,” Neville said stiffly, heading for the porch. Once they were alone, Archie kissed Lily again. She laughed quietly.
“Oh, we should not have started this,” she moaned. “Now I am desperate for your touch.”
“It will be yours, always, soon enough,” he said. “I promise.”
“I will hold you to it.” She embraced him and he kissed the top of her head.
“I will be over tomorrow afternoon…give your family some time to recover from events,” he said.
“I will wait. Perhaps we can go to the garden.”
“You can teach me. I will be your apprentice.”
She laughed. “I think it is the only thing I can teach you.”
He shook his head. “You are wrong.” He took up his hat from the hall table and went to the door. “Until tomorrow.”
She smiled and locked the door behind him. From the windows she saw Neville and Archie board the coach and head home.
Oh, for the day when I will leave this house and go home with him, Lily thought as she headed up the winding staircase. What a day that will be…
L&A: 17
The ball began promptly, as Rose had decreed, and the guests arrived in a steady stream of carriages. Rose and Albert were upstairs, since they would be announced once all the guests were assembled, but Lily, Richard and their parents were greeting the company in the foyer.
Lily was polite as she greeted the guests, but her eyes were constantly searching the doorway for Archibald’s arrival. The first dance was to begin soon and, although Richard was leading her out, she wanted to know Archie was there before the festivities began.
“He’ll come,” Richard said quietly to her as he greeted Lady Walsh. “Don’t worry.”
“I am worried,” Lily said through her smile.
“He won’t abandon you.” The crush of people was becoming a bit much, and Lily wished she could hurry out onto the porch, breath the cooler air and look over the horizon for the Cravens’ carriage.
Finally she spotted Neville’s lanky silhouette in the doorway. “Miss Lily,” he said, as he kissed her hand. “You look radiant.”
She blushed. “Thank you.”
“I hope your dances are not all spoken for.”
She shook her head. “Not all.”
“But you will have to move quickly, sir,” Richard interjected. “My sister’s card will not stay empty long.”
“Then I will have to make a claim,” Neville said, his gaze intense upon Lily. She smiled tightly and Neville moved on to greet her parents.
“Miss Lily.” Archie stood before her, resplendent in his white tie and tailcoat, looking like he had just left an audience with the queen.
“Mr. Craven.” She curtsied and gave a dazzling smile. The chemistry between them was tangible. Archie’s eyes were drawn to her lithe figure and the gown’s low-cut, lace-edged neckline. Her hair fell into shimmering ringlets and diamonds dropped from her ears.
“You are a vision,” he said, voice low. “You must save me several dances.”
She lifted her wrist and showed him her dance card. “You will see I have done so.” His initials were marked beside a good number of dances. “Of course I must not show a preference.”
“Of course.” His eyes bore into hers for a moment, then he moved down the line.
“It looks like we’re ready,” Richard said as Charles shut the main doors.
“I have to get Rose,” she said, and headed up the staircase to her sister’s sitting room. She knocked and entered, finding Rose sitting on her parlor chair, composed and cool with her golden skirt spread about her. Albert was adjusting the collar of his military jacket.
“Are you ready?” Lily asked.
Rose’s head jerked up and she nodded. “Albert?”
“I am if you are.” He grinned at Lily and took Rose’s arm. “Shall we?”
Lily headed down the stairs, followed by the couple, who then preceded Lord and Lady Spencer and Lily and Richard into the Hall’s ballroom. The room was alight with candles and lamps, and the women’s jewels shimmered. The applause was warm and loud as Rose and Albert entered, and Lily knew her sister was basking in the moment of her glory.
She and Albert went to the middle of the room to form the first set, Lily and Richard falling into place next to them. Lily noticed Archie was partnered with Lady Walsh’s youngest daughter, Amelia, who was out at the tender age of fifteen and appeared terrified at the prospect of dancing with Archie. Lily tried to suppress a laugh.
Richard was a fine partner, and, as they had danced together since childhood, she found their dancing easy and enjoyable. “You still dance well, Richard,” Lily noted. “I’m sure one of these ladies noticed.”
He rolled his eyes. “I hope not. I have no desire to join the marriage whirl our family seems to be caught in. At least not yet. I have to go to Oxford.”
“Oh, beware, little brother,” Lily cautioned. “Love will come when you least expect it.”
Richard chuckled and swung Lily into the formation as the dance reached its climax. The onlookers applauded the dancers’ skill as Lily curtsied to her brother and the first set ended.
“Miss Lily?” She heard Archie’s voice behind he and she turned, giving him a radiant smile.
“Yes, Mr. Craven?”
“I would like to claim the next two dances, if you are available.”
She made a display of checking her card. “You are in luck. I seem to have an ‘AC’ marked for the next two.”
“My initials are fortuitous.” He winked at her and she laughed.
“How was Miss Walsh?” Lily asked as they waited for the next dance to begin.
Archie stiffened. “Interesting. She doesn’t have much skill.”
“You probably scared her to death,” Lily scolded. “You looked so stern.”
“I do have a reputation to keep up.”
“Men!” Couples began to crowd the floor for the next dance, a waltz. “Where is Neville?”
Archie shrugged. “Probably dancing with Miss Walsh. I think she has every eligible bachelor on her card. Amelia would be good for him. Quiet, young…everything he needs.”
The waltz struck up, (Lily saw Amelia and Neville acknowledge each other) and Archie hesitantly began. His hand was firmly around Lily’s tiny waist and he grasped her hand tightly.
“You are a good dancer,” she said after a few moments. “You should do it more often.”
“With you as my partner, I shall.” The waltz, a Brahams’s, was Lily’s favorite. She was content in Archie’s arms, following his lead and admiring his appearance as they whirled about the room. She could not remember being so happy. Feeling him so close to her was what she wanted, and she wished the dance to go on forever.
“You are a fine dancer,” she said when the waltz ended. Her eyes were bright with excitement and her smile was wide. “You had deceived me into thinking otherwise.”
“I said I was out of practice,” he corrected her. “A different thing.”
“You are full of surprises.”
“Shall I get us drinks?” Archie asked as Lily took a seat near one of the windows.
She nodded. “I think I need a rest before I dance anymore.” She gingerly rubbed her ankle. “Neville wouldn’t be happy if I hurt myself again.”
“Nor would I.” She smiled and he headed off into the crowd.
Lily fanned herself, wishing Rose hadn’t invited quite so many of Albert’s London friends—the ballroom was crowded with couples, local families and mothers with their newly-out daughters. She spotted Amelia Walsh coming towards her with Julia Yates.
“Good heavens, Lily, your sister invited far too many people,” Julia said as she collapsed on the chair next to her. “What a commotion!”
“It is surely not worse than London,” Lily said dryly. The Yates’ spent every season in their London house and had Almacks’ vouchers. Julia could not complain of the crowd here if she had endured that.
“In London you have the best people about,” Julia said, surveying the room. “One can hardly say the same for Yorkshire.”
Amelia giggled. “You are right about that. We certainly have an assortment here tonight.”
“Did you see the Cravens? Well of course you did, Lily, you were dancing with the heir. That was…charitable,” Julia said.
“It wasn’t charitable at all. Mr. Craven is a gifted dancer and quite the gentleman,” Lily replied stiffly.
“We all know you’re a sweet girl, Lily, but that’s taking it too far,” Amelia said. “For all his money, no woman will have him.”
“I heard there was a woman in London who almost married him.” Julia lowered her voice to a confidential tone. “But once she saw his back— well that was enough for her.”
“Poor girl. Must’ve been a fright. How did he disguise it?” Amelia asked, enraptured.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. One can hardly conceal it.”
“There are more important things than appearance, you know,” Lily interrupted. “Perhaps that London woman was only interested in his money and not in him.”
“Any woman would be who married him,” Julia said. “There’s no other redeeming quality.”
“His brother is somewhat handsome,” Amelia noted, pointing. Neville was talking to Rose and Albert across the room, the light catching in his wavy hair. “Mother said if he was the heir she’d have set all of us at him.”
“That’s vulgar,” Lily said, but she was drowned out by Julia’s harsh laugh. She tossed her copper-colored curls and smiled sardonically.
“Rotten luck, Neville being younger,” Julia said. “Well no one will have Archibald. He’s too old, and I can’t imagine he knows anything about women. No sisters, and his mother dead so long—“
“Excuse me,” Lily said. She rose abruptly and made her way across the room, meeting Archie, who held two champagne glasses. She accepted her glass and took a long drink.
“I didn’t know you enjoyed champagne that much, ” he said mildly as she swallowed. He looked at her closely. “What’s wrong?”
“Too much gossip,” she said, taking another sip. “I don’t have the stomach for it.”
“I thought that’s what women primarily did at a ball, other than flirting ridiculously.” He was trying to tease her, but her eyes stayed hard. “It must have been personal to upset you this much.”
She shook her head. “It wasn’t. It was just malicious. Julia Yates has the sharpest tongue in the country.”
He looked past Lily and saw Julia and Amelia staring at them, talking rapidly. “We seem to have incurred some interest,” he said. “They can’t stop looking at us.”
Lily let out a huff and finished her glass. “I could use some air. Will you—“
“Lily? I believe we have the next dance.” Neville appeared next to them, his hand extended. Lily pasted a smile on her face and took his hand, handing her empty glass to Archie.
“I’m glad that you’ve taken so kindly to my brother,” Neville said. Talking while dancing was a general rule, but Lily was preoccupied and unable to keep up her end.
“He’s a good man,” she said, scanning the room for Archie. She was relieved he was talking to her father, and that Julia was dancing with Richard, therefore unable to gape at Archie or eavesdrop on her conversation with Neville.
Neville nodded. “I had hoped you would get along.”
“Really?”
“He needs some company. He is too often alone. I was hoping you could help me induce him to get out into society more, and you’ve already done that. You are quite a woman.”
She nodded, distracted. “Thank you.” Would the dance never end? She desperately wanted air.
“You should come to the Manor. We would love to have you and your siblings for tea, or dinner,” he offered. “And your parents, too, once your mother is recovered. I’m sure Archie and your father could conduct their business much better over one of Lucy’s fine dinners.”
Lily’s mind snapped to the conversation as she realized Neville didn’t know Archie was courting her. He thinks Archie is coming to discuss business with my father. Why hasn’t Archie told him?
“I’m sure my family would appreciate it,” Lily said mechanically. “Thank you for the invitation.”
The music, thankfully, ended, and Lily gave a quick curtsy. “All you all right?” Neville asked.
Lily nodded. “I just need some air.”
“Let me accompany you—“
“No, no,” Lily interjected hastily. “I’m fine. I’ll only be a moment.” She smiled tightly and headed for the entranceway, making her escape onto the front porch. The spring night was cool and Lily was relieved to be free of the oppression of the ballroom.
“Lily?” Archie’s voice came from behind her and she felt his hands on her shoulders. “I brought your shawl.” He draped it around her and held her close. “It is cold. You shouldn’t be out here alone.”
“I couldn’t stay in there another minute. It was too hot.”
“What did Julia say to you? You were fine until she spoke to you.”
Tears lapped at her eyelids and she turned to him. “She—she was speaking unkindly. I wasn’t in the mood to listen to it.”
“It was about me, wasn’t it.”
Her silence was his confirmation. “That is common for me, you know. People don’t know how to address me.”
“It’s awful of them. I can’t believe how shallow these people are.”
“It’s why I prefer my own company.” He took a deep breath and looked at her. Lily’s eyes shone with her tears. “Lily, it will always be like this. I have had a lifetime to inure myself to it. You have not. I will not force this life on you. You are too vivacious to be shut away.”
She shook her head violently. “We will not be shut away. These people are shallow. We will not have to associate with them once we are married.”
“Most people are like Julia. You are the only woman I have ever met who doesn’t seem to fear me on sight.” His voice was dark. “And I know you are kind, Lily. But I don’t want you to feel indebted to me. You are free to be with someone else.”
She grabbed his hands and held them tightly. “No. I don’t want to be with anyone else. I’ve chosen you, and it’s not out of any sense of misplaced gratitude or a sense of debt. I love you, Archie. That will not change. Ever.”
“You will always have people like Julia Yates. They will not spare your feelings.”
“I will not associate with them.” Her voice was fierce.
“You will have no choice. I won’t lock you away from society, from your family, from what you know and love. You’re too young and you’re too social. It would hurt you so.”
“Why don’t you believe that I love you?” She dropped his hands and stared at him.
“Because you’re….you’re…you,” he blurted. “You’re too much. I can’t believe that a woman like you, with the entire county full of men at your feet, would choose to be with me. I simply cannot understand it.”
“Maybe you’re not supposed to. Maybe it doesn’t seem logical to you. But you are a good, kind, wonderful man, Archibald. And I love you for all those things. I want you.” She began to cry quietly.
He lifted a finger and brushed away some of her tears. “Don’t cry.” It was a command and she tried to stop. “I’m sorry, Lily. I don’t want to upset you.”
“Then believe me. Trust me. Please.”
He was quiet for a few moments. “That is hard for me.”
“I know.” She looked at him straight on, her eyes clear. “But you have to trust me. I can live without superficial company and fair-weather society. But I need you to trust me and believe that I love you. Just you. I can’t live without that. I cannot be with you without that.”
He moved towards her and held her, kissing the top of her head. “I will try, Lily. It won’t be easy.”
She nodded. “I know. But I do love you. And I will show you every day that we’re together. It will take time for you to believe it. But you will.”
He turned her around and gently tipped her face towards his to kiss her. The kiss was long and ardent, and, for Archie, explosive. He had never kissed a woman like this before.
They broke the kiss, and Lily stared up at him, enraptured. “And you think that I am with you out of duty?”
Archibald laughed, the sound reverberating in the still night air. “Good God, Lily! You are too much for one man.”
“I only want one man.” They kissed again, longer this time, enjoying the cascade of emotions that fell over them.
“Lily? Are you out here?” Neville came through the doors and saw his brother, silhouetted in the moonlight, kissing Lily Spencer.
Lily was polite as she greeted the guests, but her eyes were constantly searching the doorway for Archibald’s arrival. The first dance was to begin soon and, although Richard was leading her out, she wanted to know Archie was there before the festivities began.
“He’ll come,” Richard said quietly to her as he greeted Lady Walsh. “Don’t worry.”
“I am worried,” Lily said through her smile.
“He won’t abandon you.” The crush of people was becoming a bit much, and Lily wished she could hurry out onto the porch, breath the cooler air and look over the horizon for the Cravens’ carriage.
Finally she spotted Neville’s lanky silhouette in the doorway. “Miss Lily,” he said, as he kissed her hand. “You look radiant.”
She blushed. “Thank you.”
“I hope your dances are not all spoken for.”
She shook her head. “Not all.”
“But you will have to move quickly, sir,” Richard interjected. “My sister’s card will not stay empty long.”
“Then I will have to make a claim,” Neville said, his gaze intense upon Lily. She smiled tightly and Neville moved on to greet her parents.
“Miss Lily.” Archie stood before her, resplendent in his white tie and tailcoat, looking like he had just left an audience with the queen.
“Mr. Craven.” She curtsied and gave a dazzling smile. The chemistry between them was tangible. Archie’s eyes were drawn to her lithe figure and the gown’s low-cut, lace-edged neckline. Her hair fell into shimmering ringlets and diamonds dropped from her ears.
“You are a vision,” he said, voice low. “You must save me several dances.”
She lifted her wrist and showed him her dance card. “You will see I have done so.” His initials were marked beside a good number of dances. “Of course I must not show a preference.”
“Of course.” His eyes bore into hers for a moment, then he moved down the line.
“It looks like we’re ready,” Richard said as Charles shut the main doors.
“I have to get Rose,” she said, and headed up the staircase to her sister’s sitting room. She knocked and entered, finding Rose sitting on her parlor chair, composed and cool with her golden skirt spread about her. Albert was adjusting the collar of his military jacket.
“Are you ready?” Lily asked.
Rose’s head jerked up and she nodded. “Albert?”
“I am if you are.” He grinned at Lily and took Rose’s arm. “Shall we?”
Lily headed down the stairs, followed by the couple, who then preceded Lord and Lady Spencer and Lily and Richard into the Hall’s ballroom. The room was alight with candles and lamps, and the women’s jewels shimmered. The applause was warm and loud as Rose and Albert entered, and Lily knew her sister was basking in the moment of her glory.
She and Albert went to the middle of the room to form the first set, Lily and Richard falling into place next to them. Lily noticed Archie was partnered with Lady Walsh’s youngest daughter, Amelia, who was out at the tender age of fifteen and appeared terrified at the prospect of dancing with Archie. Lily tried to suppress a laugh.
Richard was a fine partner, and, as they had danced together since childhood, she found their dancing easy and enjoyable. “You still dance well, Richard,” Lily noted. “I’m sure one of these ladies noticed.”
He rolled his eyes. “I hope not. I have no desire to join the marriage whirl our family seems to be caught in. At least not yet. I have to go to Oxford.”
“Oh, beware, little brother,” Lily cautioned. “Love will come when you least expect it.”
Richard chuckled and swung Lily into the formation as the dance reached its climax. The onlookers applauded the dancers’ skill as Lily curtsied to her brother and the first set ended.
“Miss Lily?” She heard Archie’s voice behind he and she turned, giving him a radiant smile.
“Yes, Mr. Craven?”
“I would like to claim the next two dances, if you are available.”
She made a display of checking her card. “You are in luck. I seem to have an ‘AC’ marked for the next two.”
“My initials are fortuitous.” He winked at her and she laughed.
“How was Miss Walsh?” Lily asked as they waited for the next dance to begin.
Archie stiffened. “Interesting. She doesn’t have much skill.”
“You probably scared her to death,” Lily scolded. “You looked so stern.”
“I do have a reputation to keep up.”
“Men!” Couples began to crowd the floor for the next dance, a waltz. “Where is Neville?”
Archie shrugged. “Probably dancing with Miss Walsh. I think she has every eligible bachelor on her card. Amelia would be good for him. Quiet, young…everything he needs.”
The waltz struck up, (Lily saw Amelia and Neville acknowledge each other) and Archie hesitantly began. His hand was firmly around Lily’s tiny waist and he grasped her hand tightly.
“You are a good dancer,” she said after a few moments. “You should do it more often.”
“With you as my partner, I shall.” The waltz, a Brahams’s, was Lily’s favorite. She was content in Archie’s arms, following his lead and admiring his appearance as they whirled about the room. She could not remember being so happy. Feeling him so close to her was what she wanted, and she wished the dance to go on forever.
“You are a fine dancer,” she said when the waltz ended. Her eyes were bright with excitement and her smile was wide. “You had deceived me into thinking otherwise.”
“I said I was out of practice,” he corrected her. “A different thing.”
“You are full of surprises.”
“Shall I get us drinks?” Archie asked as Lily took a seat near one of the windows.
She nodded. “I think I need a rest before I dance anymore.” She gingerly rubbed her ankle. “Neville wouldn’t be happy if I hurt myself again.”
“Nor would I.” She smiled and he headed off into the crowd.
Lily fanned herself, wishing Rose hadn’t invited quite so many of Albert’s London friends—the ballroom was crowded with couples, local families and mothers with their newly-out daughters. She spotted Amelia Walsh coming towards her with Julia Yates.
“Good heavens, Lily, your sister invited far too many people,” Julia said as she collapsed on the chair next to her. “What a commotion!”
“It is surely not worse than London,” Lily said dryly. The Yates’ spent every season in their London house and had Almacks’ vouchers. Julia could not complain of the crowd here if she had endured that.
“In London you have the best people about,” Julia said, surveying the room. “One can hardly say the same for Yorkshire.”
Amelia giggled. “You are right about that. We certainly have an assortment here tonight.”
“Did you see the Cravens? Well of course you did, Lily, you were dancing with the heir. That was…charitable,” Julia said.
“It wasn’t charitable at all. Mr. Craven is a gifted dancer and quite the gentleman,” Lily replied stiffly.
“We all know you’re a sweet girl, Lily, but that’s taking it too far,” Amelia said. “For all his money, no woman will have him.”
“I heard there was a woman in London who almost married him.” Julia lowered her voice to a confidential tone. “But once she saw his back— well that was enough for her.”
“Poor girl. Must’ve been a fright. How did he disguise it?” Amelia asked, enraptured.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. One can hardly conceal it.”
“There are more important things than appearance, you know,” Lily interrupted. “Perhaps that London woman was only interested in his money and not in him.”
“Any woman would be who married him,” Julia said. “There’s no other redeeming quality.”
“His brother is somewhat handsome,” Amelia noted, pointing. Neville was talking to Rose and Albert across the room, the light catching in his wavy hair. “Mother said if he was the heir she’d have set all of us at him.”
“That’s vulgar,” Lily said, but she was drowned out by Julia’s harsh laugh. She tossed her copper-colored curls and smiled sardonically.
“Rotten luck, Neville being younger,” Julia said. “Well no one will have Archibald. He’s too old, and I can’t imagine he knows anything about women. No sisters, and his mother dead so long—“
“Excuse me,” Lily said. She rose abruptly and made her way across the room, meeting Archie, who held two champagne glasses. She accepted her glass and took a long drink.
“I didn’t know you enjoyed champagne that much, ” he said mildly as she swallowed. He looked at her closely. “What’s wrong?”
“Too much gossip,” she said, taking another sip. “I don’t have the stomach for it.”
“I thought that’s what women primarily did at a ball, other than flirting ridiculously.” He was trying to tease her, but her eyes stayed hard. “It must have been personal to upset you this much.”
She shook her head. “It wasn’t. It was just malicious. Julia Yates has the sharpest tongue in the country.”
He looked past Lily and saw Julia and Amelia staring at them, talking rapidly. “We seem to have incurred some interest,” he said. “They can’t stop looking at us.”
Lily let out a huff and finished her glass. “I could use some air. Will you—“
“Lily? I believe we have the next dance.” Neville appeared next to them, his hand extended. Lily pasted a smile on her face and took his hand, handing her empty glass to Archie.
“I’m glad that you’ve taken so kindly to my brother,” Neville said. Talking while dancing was a general rule, but Lily was preoccupied and unable to keep up her end.
“He’s a good man,” she said, scanning the room for Archie. She was relieved he was talking to her father, and that Julia was dancing with Richard, therefore unable to gape at Archie or eavesdrop on her conversation with Neville.
Neville nodded. “I had hoped you would get along.”
“Really?”
“He needs some company. He is too often alone. I was hoping you could help me induce him to get out into society more, and you’ve already done that. You are quite a woman.”
She nodded, distracted. “Thank you.” Would the dance never end? She desperately wanted air.
“You should come to the Manor. We would love to have you and your siblings for tea, or dinner,” he offered. “And your parents, too, once your mother is recovered. I’m sure Archie and your father could conduct their business much better over one of Lucy’s fine dinners.”
Lily’s mind snapped to the conversation as she realized Neville didn’t know Archie was courting her. He thinks Archie is coming to discuss business with my father. Why hasn’t Archie told him?
“I’m sure my family would appreciate it,” Lily said mechanically. “Thank you for the invitation.”
The music, thankfully, ended, and Lily gave a quick curtsy. “All you all right?” Neville asked.
Lily nodded. “I just need some air.”
“Let me accompany you—“
“No, no,” Lily interjected hastily. “I’m fine. I’ll only be a moment.” She smiled tightly and headed for the entranceway, making her escape onto the front porch. The spring night was cool and Lily was relieved to be free of the oppression of the ballroom.
“Lily?” Archie’s voice came from behind her and she felt his hands on her shoulders. “I brought your shawl.” He draped it around her and held her close. “It is cold. You shouldn’t be out here alone.”
“I couldn’t stay in there another minute. It was too hot.”
“What did Julia say to you? You were fine until she spoke to you.”
Tears lapped at her eyelids and she turned to him. “She—she was speaking unkindly. I wasn’t in the mood to listen to it.”
“It was about me, wasn’t it.”
Her silence was his confirmation. “That is common for me, you know. People don’t know how to address me.”
“It’s awful of them. I can’t believe how shallow these people are.”
“It’s why I prefer my own company.” He took a deep breath and looked at her. Lily’s eyes shone with her tears. “Lily, it will always be like this. I have had a lifetime to inure myself to it. You have not. I will not force this life on you. You are too vivacious to be shut away.”
She shook her head violently. “We will not be shut away. These people are shallow. We will not have to associate with them once we are married.”
“Most people are like Julia. You are the only woman I have ever met who doesn’t seem to fear me on sight.” His voice was dark. “And I know you are kind, Lily. But I don’t want you to feel indebted to me. You are free to be with someone else.”
She grabbed his hands and held them tightly. “No. I don’t want to be with anyone else. I’ve chosen you, and it’s not out of any sense of misplaced gratitude or a sense of debt. I love you, Archie. That will not change. Ever.”
“You will always have people like Julia Yates. They will not spare your feelings.”
“I will not associate with them.” Her voice was fierce.
“You will have no choice. I won’t lock you away from society, from your family, from what you know and love. You’re too young and you’re too social. It would hurt you so.”
“Why don’t you believe that I love you?” She dropped his hands and stared at him.
“Because you’re….you’re…you,” he blurted. “You’re too much. I can’t believe that a woman like you, with the entire county full of men at your feet, would choose to be with me. I simply cannot understand it.”
“Maybe you’re not supposed to. Maybe it doesn’t seem logical to you. But you are a good, kind, wonderful man, Archibald. And I love you for all those things. I want you.” She began to cry quietly.
He lifted a finger and brushed away some of her tears. “Don’t cry.” It was a command and she tried to stop. “I’m sorry, Lily. I don’t want to upset you.”
“Then believe me. Trust me. Please.”
He was quiet for a few moments. “That is hard for me.”
“I know.” She looked at him straight on, her eyes clear. “But you have to trust me. I can live without superficial company and fair-weather society. But I need you to trust me and believe that I love you. Just you. I can’t live without that. I cannot be with you without that.”
He moved towards her and held her, kissing the top of her head. “I will try, Lily. It won’t be easy.”
She nodded. “I know. But I do love you. And I will show you every day that we’re together. It will take time for you to believe it. But you will.”
He turned her around and gently tipped her face towards his to kiss her. The kiss was long and ardent, and, for Archie, explosive. He had never kissed a woman like this before.
They broke the kiss, and Lily stared up at him, enraptured. “And you think that I am with you out of duty?”
Archibald laughed, the sound reverberating in the still night air. “Good God, Lily! You are too much for one man.”
“I only want one man.” They kissed again, longer this time, enjoying the cascade of emotions that fell over them.
“Lily? Are you out here?” Neville came through the doors and saw his brother, silhouetted in the moonlight, kissing Lily Spencer.
L&A: 16
The day of Rose and Albert’s engagement party could not come fast enough for Lily; she couldn’t wait to be with Archibald in public and to dance with him. She knew his trepidations and felt sure she was prepared to meet them. He would have nothing to fear—these were her parents, her parents’ friends, and local society. He had twice as much money as the richest of them, so even if they didn’t desire his company generally, they would show him nothing but respect. And while fear or respect for wealth was not what Lily wanted for him—or them—she knew that it was at least a start.
“This dress is lovely, Mary,” she said to the family seamstress that morning as she and Rose attended their final dress fittings. “You’ve really outdone yourself with this.”
Emma ran her hand approvingly over the sapphire silk. “It goes so well with your complexion. I’m sure Mr. Craven will like it.”
“Beauty wasted,” Rose grumbled from the corner, where Carrie was adjusting her bustle. “No one will notice Lily, they’ll be too busy staring at him.”
“Rose.” Emma’s voice was a warning. “Leave your sister alone.”
“He’ll be the talk of the evening, coming into society after all these years at my party,” Rose prattled. “He’ll probably not even have proper clothes.”
“He’s not a heathen,” Emma said. “I’m sure he’ll look fine. They did spend several seasons in London, you know.”
“Turn a bit, Miss Lily,” Mary instructed, her mouth full of pins. “A few more places…”
Lily turned, holding her arms chest-level before her so Mary could pin the waist. “I’m sure we won’t do anything to embarrass you, Rose.”
Rose turned and glared at Lily. “Just his presence is enough—“
“Mary? Carrie? May we have a moment?” Lady Spencer asked. The women nodded and left the sisters and Lady Spencer.
Emma seized Rose’s upper arm tightly and Rose flinched. “Listen to me, Rose. This berating of your sister’s choice has gone on long enough. Mr. Craven is a good man, a fine man, who loves your sister and whom your sister loves in return. There is nothing the matter with him or his manners and Lily has made a fine choice. I will not hear another word against him. Is that understood?” Rose nodded mutely. “Now you will be civil to her. And you will apologize.”
Rose muttered something. “I’m sure Lily didn’t hear that,” Emma said. “Do it properly.”
Rose’s eyes met Lily’s square on, and her intense dislike was evident in her blue eyes. “I’m sorry, Lily, for second guessing your romantic choice,” she spat.
Emma closed her eyes and sighed. “That’s enough of that. I’m going to call the girls back in, and lay down. I can’t handle this baby’s gymnastics and your constant bickering.” Lady Spencer left the room and the sisters were silent for the rest of their fittings.
As soon as Carrie unpinned Rose, she flounced down off the dais and slammed the door behind her. Lily flinched, but, to their credit, Mary and Carrie pretended not to notice Rose’s ill humor.
* * *
“You would think she would be happy since this is all about her,” Lily ranted to Richard as they walked about the grounds. After the fitting, Lily needed to get out of the house and clear her head.
“I told you she wouldn’t willingly accept your choice of Archie. She thinks he’s beneath you. The fact that he is going to be at her party sends her into paroxysms,” Richard said. “There’s nothing to be done.”
“She needs to grow up,” Lily growled. “Days like this, I cannot wait for her to be in India. I wish I could be with Archie right now, married and at Misslethwaite. Alone.”
“It will come soon enough,” Richard said. “Peace, Lily. You know it will.”
“I know that I will miss Rose. But today--I cannot help but wish she was far away with Albert already.”
“Rose has never learned to keep her tongue.”
“She needs to learn. Or at least…” she turned to her brother, fiddling with her bonnet strings. “I would never insult a suitor of hers. And she’s been with some pretty stupid ones, if I may say. But I would never do that to her. She’s my sister.”
“She thinks that as your older sister she has a responsibility to you. That includes screening your suitors.”
“Screening!” She gave a derisive laugh. “You mean trying to scare away the ones that don’t meet her standards.”
“Well, yes. Good thing Archie is older than her and not afraid.”
“There are things he’s afraid of, but Rose isn’t one of them,” she murmured.
Richard looked at her, puzzled. “I can’t imagine him being afraid of anything.”
Lily didn’t answer Richard. Instead, she put her hand on his arm. “We should head back. I’m sure Rose will want us dressed and ready so we can help her greet the guests.”
Richard didn’t comment on her brisk change of subject, and the two walked back toward the house.
“This dress is lovely, Mary,” she said to the family seamstress that morning as she and Rose attended their final dress fittings. “You’ve really outdone yourself with this.”
Emma ran her hand approvingly over the sapphire silk. “It goes so well with your complexion. I’m sure Mr. Craven will like it.”
“Beauty wasted,” Rose grumbled from the corner, where Carrie was adjusting her bustle. “No one will notice Lily, they’ll be too busy staring at him.”
“Rose.” Emma’s voice was a warning. “Leave your sister alone.”
“He’ll be the talk of the evening, coming into society after all these years at my party,” Rose prattled. “He’ll probably not even have proper clothes.”
“He’s not a heathen,” Emma said. “I’m sure he’ll look fine. They did spend several seasons in London, you know.”
“Turn a bit, Miss Lily,” Mary instructed, her mouth full of pins. “A few more places…”
Lily turned, holding her arms chest-level before her so Mary could pin the waist. “I’m sure we won’t do anything to embarrass you, Rose.”
Rose turned and glared at Lily. “Just his presence is enough—“
“Mary? Carrie? May we have a moment?” Lady Spencer asked. The women nodded and left the sisters and Lady Spencer.
Emma seized Rose’s upper arm tightly and Rose flinched. “Listen to me, Rose. This berating of your sister’s choice has gone on long enough. Mr. Craven is a good man, a fine man, who loves your sister and whom your sister loves in return. There is nothing the matter with him or his manners and Lily has made a fine choice. I will not hear another word against him. Is that understood?” Rose nodded mutely. “Now you will be civil to her. And you will apologize.”
Rose muttered something. “I’m sure Lily didn’t hear that,” Emma said. “Do it properly.”
Rose’s eyes met Lily’s square on, and her intense dislike was evident in her blue eyes. “I’m sorry, Lily, for second guessing your romantic choice,” she spat.
Emma closed her eyes and sighed. “That’s enough of that. I’m going to call the girls back in, and lay down. I can’t handle this baby’s gymnastics and your constant bickering.” Lady Spencer left the room and the sisters were silent for the rest of their fittings.
As soon as Carrie unpinned Rose, she flounced down off the dais and slammed the door behind her. Lily flinched, but, to their credit, Mary and Carrie pretended not to notice Rose’s ill humor.
* * *
“You would think she would be happy since this is all about her,” Lily ranted to Richard as they walked about the grounds. After the fitting, Lily needed to get out of the house and clear her head.
“I told you she wouldn’t willingly accept your choice of Archie. She thinks he’s beneath you. The fact that he is going to be at her party sends her into paroxysms,” Richard said. “There’s nothing to be done.”
“She needs to grow up,” Lily growled. “Days like this, I cannot wait for her to be in India. I wish I could be with Archie right now, married and at Misslethwaite. Alone.”
“It will come soon enough,” Richard said. “Peace, Lily. You know it will.”
“I know that I will miss Rose. But today--I cannot help but wish she was far away with Albert already.”
“Rose has never learned to keep her tongue.”
“She needs to learn. Or at least…” she turned to her brother, fiddling with her bonnet strings. “I would never insult a suitor of hers. And she’s been with some pretty stupid ones, if I may say. But I would never do that to her. She’s my sister.”
“She thinks that as your older sister she has a responsibility to you. That includes screening your suitors.”
“Screening!” She gave a derisive laugh. “You mean trying to scare away the ones that don’t meet her standards.”
“Well, yes. Good thing Archie is older than her and not afraid.”
“There are things he’s afraid of, but Rose isn’t one of them,” she murmured.
Richard looked at her, puzzled. “I can’t imagine him being afraid of anything.”
Lily didn’t answer Richard. Instead, she put her hand on his arm. “We should head back. I’m sure Rose will want us dressed and ready so we can help her greet the guests.”
Richard didn’t comment on her brisk change of subject, and the two walked back toward the house.
L&A: 15
Archie soon became a fixture at the Spencer household, coming over every afternoon to take Lily to her garden and then to sit with her in the parlor, while Martha served them tea. Richard, of course, shadowed them, and occasionally Lord and Lady Spencer would join them. The tea table was always set with the gorgeous bouquets Archie brought Lily every day.
“Lily, have you played for Mr. Craven yet?” Emma asked one afternoon, a few days before Rose’s engagement party. “I’m sure he’d love to hear you.”
“Oh, do, Lil, I haven’t heard you play since I’ve been home,” Richard entreated from the couch.
“I won’t really be able to play properly; I can’t work the pedals yet.” Neville had announced the cast could come off tomorrow. “What about tomorrow, once the cast is off?”
“You’re stalling,” Richard said. “Come on. You know you’ve got about twelve pieces ready to play.”
Lily gave her mother a pleading look, but she found no sympathy. “Very well.” She made her way to the small piano that graced the parlor—not like the Broadwood grand in the Music Room—and shuffled through the music she kept there. “Beethoven,” she said decisively.
She had chosen the “Moonlight” Sonata, which was, unbeknownst to her, one of Archibald’s favorites. His mother had often played it for them when they were children, to get them ready for bed. It was one of the few pieces Archibald had learned during his brief attempt at music lessons as a boy. Lily played the piece exactly as it should be played, with a haunting, romantic overtone that demonstrated familiarity with the instrument and maturity in practice. Her brother was right; she was talented.
As Lily played, Archibald noticed Rose standing at the threshold. Rose made it a point not to spend much time with Archie when he visited, although she usually appeared at least once for the sake of politeness. But Archibald could see Rose had almost forgotten he was there; she was entranced by her sister’s music.
Lily stopped at the end of the first movement, the bass chords echoing in the room as she held the moment. Her hands fell softly to the keys and Richard applauded.
“Excellent, as always,” he said, going to kiss his sister. Lily blushed.
“It was a bit rusty.”
“Nonsense. It was perfect,” Emma said, with motherly affection.
“Rose!” Richard noticed his sister. “Didn’t see you come in. Have some tea, will you?”
“Is Albert doing well?” Lily asked. Rose had spent the afternoon with the Lennox family; Albert was temporarily in town.
“Yes.” Rose entered hesitantly and untied her hat, the satin ties dangling beneath her chin. “His family is very well.”
“I asked about him,” Lily said as Richard helped her back to Archie’s side.
Emma poured Rose a cup of tea, and she sipped it gingerly. “Albert is fine. A bit tired from the passage, which is to be expected.”
“Do they still go the oversea route, around Africa?” Archibald asked.
Rose looked surprised at the inquiry. “There is a train for some of it. But not yet all. It is quite arduous.”
“I am glad he will be here for the ball,” Lily said. “I look forward to dancing with him again.”
“As long as you are not otherwise engaged,” Rose said coldly.
“I can dance a set with my future brother-in-law.”
“As long as I get to dance with both you, I don’t much care,” Richard said brightly. “I am so fortunate to be have two talented sisters.”
“You will have quite an evening ahead of you, Mr. Craven,” Emma said. “Lily is quite accomplished on the dance floor.”
“She once danced with the Duke of Sussex,” Richard boasted, “and he said he’d never had a better partner—not even the Princess of Wales.”
“That is a high compliment.” Archibald’s face was solemn and Lily hoped the talk of dancing hadn’t upset him too much. She thought fleetingly of London, Almack’s and Amy Moore.
“Will you stay for dinner, Mr. Craven?” Emma asked.
He shook his head. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I must meet with Seward and go over the Manor’s books. The quarterly reports are due soon.”
“Until tomorrow then.” Emma rose and Archibald bowed as she left the room. Rose and Richard followed their mother’s cue.
“You’re not upset, are you?” Lily asked once they were alone.
“Why?”
“All the talk of dancing. Really, we don’t have to dance. I’ll be fine. I won’t have the stamina to be at it all evening like those two.”
“It…will take some getting used to. I haven’t danced in—“
She took his hand. “I know. But I’m not her.”
“Not just that. The entire idea of society; I’m not used to it.”
She squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry about that. This is Rose and Albert’s night. We will be secondary figures. And I’ll be with you.”
“That is my only comfort,” he said.
“And Neville will be there.”
“He’ll want a dance from you.”
“I think I can oblige your brother,” she said lightly. “Hasn’t he set his cap for someone yet?”
“I think he’s considering moving back to London. We’ve only discussed it briefly, but he does crave good society.”
“Then the ball will be what he needs. We’ve been deprived of a good party for quite some time. Maybe he can find a lady there.”
“You don’t want him to go to London?”
She shrugged. “He’s your brother. It would be nice if he remained here. I like it when families are close together.”
“You will miss Rose, when she goes.”
She nodded. “We have never been apart. We have always done everything together. It will be strange to have her gone, to miss seeing her every day, to miss the birth of her children.”
“Are you sure she’ll have them? I’m sure she bemoans what they’ll do to her figure.” Archibald laughed.
“Mother says she’ll ‘do her duty,’” Lily intoned. “But Rose doesn’t really like children. Albert does, though. How they’ll work that out is somewhat beyond me.”
“I’m sure Rose will be a better mother than you think.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
The small table clock chimed five, and Archie stood. “I should get back. Neville will probably be waiting for me for dinner.”
“You will come tomorrow?” Archie loved her childlike impatience.
“I will. As always. Neville will be here to remove the cast, you know. You’ll be free of it.”
“Perhaps we can really walk to the garden then. It’s looking so wonderful. I want to pick Rose some flowers for her hair for the ball.”
“That’s a lovely idea. If Neville gives his imprimatur, we’ll go,” he promised. He gently kissed her hand. “Tomorrow then.”
She nodded and he took his leave. Sighing, she leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes, savoring his touch.
“Lily, have you played for Mr. Craven yet?” Emma asked one afternoon, a few days before Rose’s engagement party. “I’m sure he’d love to hear you.”
“Oh, do, Lil, I haven’t heard you play since I’ve been home,” Richard entreated from the couch.
“I won’t really be able to play properly; I can’t work the pedals yet.” Neville had announced the cast could come off tomorrow. “What about tomorrow, once the cast is off?”
“You’re stalling,” Richard said. “Come on. You know you’ve got about twelve pieces ready to play.”
Lily gave her mother a pleading look, but she found no sympathy. “Very well.” She made her way to the small piano that graced the parlor—not like the Broadwood grand in the Music Room—and shuffled through the music she kept there. “Beethoven,” she said decisively.
She had chosen the “Moonlight” Sonata, which was, unbeknownst to her, one of Archibald’s favorites. His mother had often played it for them when they were children, to get them ready for bed. It was one of the few pieces Archibald had learned during his brief attempt at music lessons as a boy. Lily played the piece exactly as it should be played, with a haunting, romantic overtone that demonstrated familiarity with the instrument and maturity in practice. Her brother was right; she was talented.
As Lily played, Archibald noticed Rose standing at the threshold. Rose made it a point not to spend much time with Archie when he visited, although she usually appeared at least once for the sake of politeness. But Archibald could see Rose had almost forgotten he was there; she was entranced by her sister’s music.
Lily stopped at the end of the first movement, the bass chords echoing in the room as she held the moment. Her hands fell softly to the keys and Richard applauded.
“Excellent, as always,” he said, going to kiss his sister. Lily blushed.
“It was a bit rusty.”
“Nonsense. It was perfect,” Emma said, with motherly affection.
“Rose!” Richard noticed his sister. “Didn’t see you come in. Have some tea, will you?”
“Is Albert doing well?” Lily asked. Rose had spent the afternoon with the Lennox family; Albert was temporarily in town.
“Yes.” Rose entered hesitantly and untied her hat, the satin ties dangling beneath her chin. “His family is very well.”
“I asked about him,” Lily said as Richard helped her back to Archie’s side.
Emma poured Rose a cup of tea, and she sipped it gingerly. “Albert is fine. A bit tired from the passage, which is to be expected.”
“Do they still go the oversea route, around Africa?” Archibald asked.
Rose looked surprised at the inquiry. “There is a train for some of it. But not yet all. It is quite arduous.”
“I am glad he will be here for the ball,” Lily said. “I look forward to dancing with him again.”
“As long as you are not otherwise engaged,” Rose said coldly.
“I can dance a set with my future brother-in-law.”
“As long as I get to dance with both you, I don’t much care,” Richard said brightly. “I am so fortunate to be have two talented sisters.”
“You will have quite an evening ahead of you, Mr. Craven,” Emma said. “Lily is quite accomplished on the dance floor.”
“She once danced with the Duke of Sussex,” Richard boasted, “and he said he’d never had a better partner—not even the Princess of Wales.”
“That is a high compliment.” Archibald’s face was solemn and Lily hoped the talk of dancing hadn’t upset him too much. She thought fleetingly of London, Almack’s and Amy Moore.
“Will you stay for dinner, Mr. Craven?” Emma asked.
He shook his head. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I must meet with Seward and go over the Manor’s books. The quarterly reports are due soon.”
“Until tomorrow then.” Emma rose and Archibald bowed as she left the room. Rose and Richard followed their mother’s cue.
“You’re not upset, are you?” Lily asked once they were alone.
“Why?”
“All the talk of dancing. Really, we don’t have to dance. I’ll be fine. I won’t have the stamina to be at it all evening like those two.”
“It…will take some getting used to. I haven’t danced in—“
She took his hand. “I know. But I’m not her.”
“Not just that. The entire idea of society; I’m not used to it.”
She squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry about that. This is Rose and Albert’s night. We will be secondary figures. And I’ll be with you.”
“That is my only comfort,” he said.
“And Neville will be there.”
“He’ll want a dance from you.”
“I think I can oblige your brother,” she said lightly. “Hasn’t he set his cap for someone yet?”
“I think he’s considering moving back to London. We’ve only discussed it briefly, but he does crave good society.”
“Then the ball will be what he needs. We’ve been deprived of a good party for quite some time. Maybe he can find a lady there.”
“You don’t want him to go to London?”
She shrugged. “He’s your brother. It would be nice if he remained here. I like it when families are close together.”
“You will miss Rose, when she goes.”
She nodded. “We have never been apart. We have always done everything together. It will be strange to have her gone, to miss seeing her every day, to miss the birth of her children.”
“Are you sure she’ll have them? I’m sure she bemoans what they’ll do to her figure.” Archibald laughed.
“Mother says she’ll ‘do her duty,’” Lily intoned. “But Rose doesn’t really like children. Albert does, though. How they’ll work that out is somewhat beyond me.”
“I’m sure Rose will be a better mother than you think.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
The small table clock chimed five, and Archie stood. “I should get back. Neville will probably be waiting for me for dinner.”
“You will come tomorrow?” Archie loved her childlike impatience.
“I will. As always. Neville will be here to remove the cast, you know. You’ll be free of it.”
“Perhaps we can really walk to the garden then. It’s looking so wonderful. I want to pick Rose some flowers for her hair for the ball.”
“That’s a lovely idea. If Neville gives his imprimatur, we’ll go,” he promised. He gently kissed her hand. “Tomorrow then.”
She nodded and he took his leave. Sighing, she leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes, savoring his touch.
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