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.

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.

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.

L&A: 14

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.”

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?”

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.

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.”