Lady Lillian Read online

  Lady Lillian

  The Dirty Bird Chronicles, Volume 13

  S. Cinders

  Published by S. Cinders, 2019.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  LADY LILLIAN

  First edition. October 18, 2019.

  Copyright © 2019 S. Cinders.

  Written by S. Cinders.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Lillian’s Story | PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  EPILOGUE

  Also By S. Cinders

  About the Author

  Lillian’s Story

  PROLOGUE

  Lillian watched in dismay as her elder sister’s nose was smacked with the bridal bouquet that had just been tossed.

  One would think that flowers wouldn’t be able to do that much damage. The white lilies were soon thrown aside, and blood began to stream from Juliana’s nose.

  The handsome new Duke that just happened to be standing behind her sister, caught her as she stumbled backward clutching her face.

  “My nose,” she cried out tearfully. A crowd was gathering. And soon, their older brother, Phillip, The Marquis of Randall, and his wife Eden were trying to escort the noticeably upset Juliana back into the church. But she was still in the Duke’s arms.

  Their mother, the Dowager Marchioness, fainted at the sight of the blood. Lillian had expected something of the like to happen. Their mother had always been terribly squeamish—and a fantastic swooner.

  The bridal carriage was well on its way, not realizing the commotion it had left behind in its wake.

  The onlookers were busy discussing the calamity wondering if the poor girl would suffer any disfigurement from the accident.

  The Duke had rushed along inside with Juliana. And their older brother Randall had picked up the Dowager Marchioness and removed her as well.

  The remainder of the wedding party started to disperse. It was only Lillian left at this point. And it was she that had noticed the beautiful bouquet still lying in the dirt.

  It seemed not quite right to ignore it. After all, those lilies had caused quite a commotion. Lillian walked over to where they lie there, quietly forgotten.

  A few stems had been broken, and the petals were wilting from lack of fresh water. But it was still a thing of loveliness, despite its apparent flaws.

  Lillian leaned over to pick it up. She carefully dusted off the mud and dirt. “There now,” she smiled, “you aren’t so bad after all. Let’s find you some water, shall we?”

  She tucked the bouquet under her arm and turned to join the others in the cathedral. But she stopped short when she saw a rugged American not fifty feet from her, watching her every move.

  She knew that it was one of the new duke’s brothers, but there were several of them. And the only time she had been introduced was at a ball held at their home.

  Lillian wasn’t terribly good with names.

  And the gleam in his dark eyes was making her awfully nervous.

  “Excuse me,” she muttered and tried to flee, throwing all good breeding out the window.

  “Darlin’, wasn’t that your sister just now?” his low drawl captivating her attention despite her best intentions.

  “Yes, Julianna, I had best go see how she is doing,” again Lillian tried to escape.

  “And yet you stopped to save the flowers,” it was said as a statement, but Lillian couldn’t help but feel it was a question.

  “I care about my sister,” she blurted out, lifting her chin in defense.

  The American’s lips twisted into a smirk, “I would never assume otherwise, Darlin’.”

  “Oh,” Lillian could feel her cheeks heat. She wished more than anything that she had a smart reply ready, but Lillian was never good at witty banter.

  “I just find it interesting that you were the only one to notice that the flowers had been left behind.”

  Lillian shrugged, “I suppose that most would see them as rubbish, broken as they are. But I can’t help but see the beauty they still represent.” She raised her brow as if daring him to refute her, “They are lovely, you know.”

  His hot gaze never left her face, “Extremely so. You had better run along as you said, Darlin’.”

  Lillian flushed, and in an uncharacteristic moment, expressed her ire, “I do have a name!”

  A slow smile graced his handsome face. His white teeth gleaming in the sunshine, “I would be happy to use it. Good day to you, Lovely Lillian.”

  Lillian stood there dumbfounded as the American tipped his hat and then sauntered away.

  Had that honestly just happened? She knew that there were times that her imagination ran away with her. But after giving herself a tight pinch, she realized that she was most certainly awake.

  What was with that bloody American? How dare he use her given name? Had he known who she was the entire time?

  And did he just call her lovely?

  A tingling sensation fluttered in her stomach. Knowing that no good would come from fretting about it, she clutched the lilies to her breast and raced back inside.

  CHAPTER 1

  “Isn’t His Grace, The Duke of Bilkshore, the most handsome Duke of our acquaintance?” Juliana gushed to her mother and younger sister over their afternoon tea.

  The Dowager Marchioness of Randall inclined her head in agreement to her daughter, “Yes, dearest, he is most handsome. Don’t you think so, Lillian?”

  Lillian who had been discreetly peeling the crusts off her cucumber sandwiches looked up in alarm, and for the slightest moment she couldn’t recall what they had been discussing. However, just one glance at Juliana’s lovesick expression brought it all back. “The Duke is tolerable, I suppose—he and his brothers are rather—large.”

  “Oh, Lilly!” Juliana rolled her eyes at her younger sister, “He isn’t a giant. And I dare say His Grace is a far cry from tolerable. I felt like a princess when he carried me into the cathedral at St. George. He was so kind and gentlemanly. I am terribly lucky that those flowers happened to hit my nose just right!”

  “How fortunate you were, my dear,” the Dowager nodded wisely. “And that he chose to call on you the next day.”

  Juliana sighed happily, “It was simply meant to be! And someday we shall tell our grandchildren about it.”

  Lillian knew that it was asinine to try and insert common sense when her sister was like this. However, she just couldn’t help herself. There were times when Lillian felt like she was living in an alternate universe.

  This was certainly one of those times.

  “Are you saying that fate knew you bleed easily from your nasal cavity? And that’s why you happen to be struck by the flowers in that exact spot. How very convenient.”

  “Lillian!” Juliana protested.

  “What?” Lillian blurted out the truth, “You sound ridiculous. Going on and on about His Grace as if you were getting married. Jules, he called on you once, it was well over a week ago. And that was because you were bleeding out of your nose like a stuck pig. Any decent human being would have done the same thing. I think you have suffici
ently scared him off though.”

  “Momma, Lilly is being most unkind!” Juliana protested.

  The Dowager turned to Lillian, “Don’t distress your sister, Lillian.”

  “Mother, why are you encouraging her?” Lillian protested, “Juliana, there is nothing between you and the Duke. He didn’t even ask her to dance at the ball last night. I saw him take another path three different times when you were near.”

  Juliana lifted her chin, “Perhaps he couldn’t see me?”

  Lillian shook her head, “You stood at the corner of the dance floor waving your handkerchief. I don’t see how he could have missed you, Jules. I think he actually was hiding from you at one point. This is getting embarrassing. I love you, Jules, you are my sister. However, you have to stop chasing His Grace. People are going to talk.”

  What Lillian didn’t add was that his brother was watching her with those wicked eyes, laughing the entire time. It was utterly humiliating.

  “Surely it wasn’t as bad as all that,” the Dowager set her teacup down finally paying attention to the conversation.

  Juliana flushed.

  Lillian looked at her sister, to tell the truth, Juliana was often flighty and spirited, but she wasn’t a liar.

  “Yes, Momma,” Juliana finally admitted, “It was as Lillian described it. I just honestly care for the Duke.”

  “Good Lord! Juliana, you cannot behave so wantonly. You will be labeled as fast, my dear. That is the last thing we want for your reputation.” The Dowager noted her daughters fallen shoulders. “Oh, Juliana!”

  Lillian hated to see her sister saddened, “Jules, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just hate to see you making a spectacle of yourself.”

  Juliana winced, “I didn’t realize that was what I was doing.”

  “We don’t need the Stanford bachelors to make us happy,” Lillian wrapped an arm around her sister. “There are plenty of eligible young men out there.”

  Juliana nodded slightly, “You are right, Lilly. There are plenty of others.”

  The Dowager added, “I am certainly grateful we cleared that up. It would be unfortunate if rumors were spread about that you were chasing a reluctant Duke, Juliana.”

  Juliana shivered, “Indeed.”

  Without Juliana’s infatuation to witness, Lillian hoped that one particular Stanford brother would stop bothering her. He hadn’t come close enough to speak with her since the wedding, but he was always close enough to send a wink or mocking grin. It was unnerving, and Lillian was quite certain she didn’t want to see him ever again.

  CHAPTER 2

  “Mr. Harris, welcome to London! We are delighted to have you here. I will take it from here Joseph.”

  After a brief nod toward the Butler, the Marquis of Randall extended a firm hand toward the younger gentleman. He was dressed to the nines in fawn-colored breeches and a fine Weston coat.

  “Lord Randall, I am delighted to be here. May I ask about your family?”

  Phillip smiled, “Indeed you may, the Marchioness is doing very well, she will be happy to see you. And little Auggie is getting bigger every day. He no longer screams the house down, thank the good Lord. And he is walking now!”

  Mr. Harris smiled indulgently, “I am happy to hear it, milord, that is excellent news.”

  “Come, Mr. Harris, let’s get us something refreshing to drink, and we can discuss our business.”

  “I’d be delighted,” Mr. Harris followed the Marquis down the hallway of his grand London townhouse.

  They walked over a red and gold carpet that was inlaid over a parquetry border. Everything was opulent and beautiful in the Marquis home.

  They went up one flight of stairs and entered the Duke’s study.

  “Please, have a seat,” Phillip handed Mr. Harris a tumbler with amber liquid and motioned for him to sit in one of the Rococo armchairs near the fire.

  Seated in the other chair, Phillip leaned in, “I have been most anxious for your report, Mr. Harris.”

  Mr. Harris straightened in his seat, “Yes, Milord, I have come from Wellington, and the information that was passed to us through the French aristo we were unable to decode.”

  “Unable to decode? We have never had problems decoding before?” Phillip frowned, “What was Wellington’s opinion on it?”

  “Here, you take a look at it,” Mr. Harris handed a folded piece of paper to Phillip.

  Cadet Rousselle a trois habits,

  Cadet Rousselle a trois habits,

  Deux jaunes, l'autre en papier gris,

  Deux jaunes, l'autre en papier gris,

  Il met celui-là quand il gèle,

  Ou quand il pleut, ou quand il grêle.

  Ah! Ah! Ah! oui vraiment,

  Cadet Rousselle est bon enfant.

  “This is just a nursery rhyme?” Phillip frowned, “What are we to learn from this?”

  “That is the question,” Mr. Harris replied,” why this verse, and why is three underlined twice. Translated we have:”

  Cadet Rousselle has three suits,

  Cadet Rousselle has three suits,

  Two of them yellow, the other made out of gray paper,

  Two of them yellow, the other made out of gray paper,

  He wears the latter when it's freezing,

  Or when it's raining or when it's hailing.

  Oh! Oh! Oh! Yes indeed,

  Cadet Rousselle is a good kid.

  “Is he mocking the English soldier? I cannot tell?” Phillip mused, “And I don’t see how three plays into anything. Does Wellington see this as a good sign?”

  “He feels we are very close to catching Napoleon, but we need someone on the inside that they wouldn’t suspect. There is a new French family in town, the Corbineau’s, we think they are in league with Bonaparte.”

  “So, you need someone that can freely move about in society that no one will suspect, that we trust implicitly, to possibly take down the most dangerous enemy of the crown.”

  Mr. Harris gave Phillip a wry smile, “In a nutshell, yes, that is precisely what I need.”

  “I am going to need some time,” Phillip sighed, “I know plenty of good men, but they are all gentlemen that have been in society for years. And most of them are married. I can’t see any of them wanting to get involved in this business.”

  “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a man,” Mr. Harris added.

  “A woman?” Phillip was shocked. “I couldn’t put a lady in danger!”

  “Lord Randall, these are troubling times. We are at war, and every man, woman, and child are at risk while that madman is loose.”

  Phillip stared at Mr. Harris, “You are right, of course, you are right. I will keep that in consideration. Give me a few days to ponder this, will you?”

  “Certainly!” Mr. Harris agreed, “We appreciate your willingness to assist the war office, Lord Randall, as always.”

  LILLIAN HELD HER BREATH as she listened to the conversation going on in her older brother’s study. She had no idea who Mr. Harris was. But she had recently been introduced to the Comte Corbineau and his Countess.

  Lillian hadn’t been aware that her older brother worked with the war office, but after today it was apparent that he was very much involved. Lillian wanted to do her part for her country, and a small part of her thrilled in knowing that she could do something that nobody else would know about.

  She wanted to get her hands on that transcript. Not that Lillian was good at translations, but she wanted to give it a shot. And if anyone would be inconspicuous in society it would be her. Nobody noticed her . . . ever.

  However, if it was just a common nursery rhyme, she could figure it out from there. Phillip had said that three was underlined twice. She wondered if any of the other letters had been written differently creating any other patterns.

  She just needed to get to Mr. Harris and convince him to give her a chance without her brother finding out. That couldn’t be too hard . . . Could it?

  It would be helpful i
f she had any idea what Mr. Harris looked like. Lillian jumped up from her hiding spot and raced into the hallway just as Phillip and Mr. Harris were exiting the room.

  “Oh, pardon the intrusion,” Lillian tried to stifle her smile.

  Her older brother smiled kindly at her, “Think nothing of it, Lilly. Mr. Harris, I would like to introduce you to my youngest sister, Lady Lillian Randall. Lilly, I would like you to meet an old friend of mine, Mr. James Harris.”

  Lillian offered Mr. Harris her hand while giving him a small curtsey. She was surprised at how young and dashing Mr. Harris appeared to be. She felt her cheeks heat when he kissed the air just above her glove.

  “I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Lady Lillian. I know that Lord Randall holds his family in the highest regard.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Harris. Where did you and Phillip meet?” Lillian hoped that her comment seemed common enough.

  Mr. Harris gave Phillip a glance, “We met while your brother was serving in the war, milady.”

  Lillian couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped. So, had her brother been spying for the war office since he was discharged?

  Phillip quickly intervened, “But we are safe from all of that here, dearest. I had best see Mr. Harris on his way.”

  “Yes, of course,” Lillian smiled at the two of them, “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Harris. I hope that you enjoy your stay here in London.”

  “It was wonderful to meet you as well, Lady Lillian, hopefully our paths will cross again.”

  Lillian nodded kindly, but in her heart, she knew that she would make sure of it.

  CHAPTER 3

  “Lilly, who was that man with Phillip?” Juliana stopped Lillian as she walked past the front parlor.

  Lillian looked around them and spotted their butler in the hallway, “Is Mother still napping, Joseph?”

  She hadn’t meant to embarrass the man. It was a devilish awkward situation that they lived in. Everyone knew that the Dowager Marchioness and Joseph had a love affair going on, but no one ever spoke about it.