Lady Lillian Read online

  Joseph always traveled with the family, albeit in the servant’s carriage. And the girls knew not to bother their mother in her bedchamber—ever.

  “I only meant to ask if Mother was still in her rooms, not that you specifically would know?” Lillian stammered.

  Joseph nodded, “Yes, Lady Lillian, as far as I specifically know, do you wish me to take a message to her?”

  “No!” Lillian fairly shouted, “No message, thank you, Joseph.”

  Lillian closed the door to the drawing room and turned to see her sister Juliana grinning at her.

  “That was without a doubt one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I think Joseph thought you were asking if he just came from mother’s bed.”

  Lillian closed her eyes tightly, “How utterly humiliating! I only wanted to know if we were to have some privacy, and in the process of asking one simple question, I embarrassed that poor man and most likely mother as well.”

  Juliana laughed, “It wasn’t as bad as all that. I wish that we lived in a world where people can love who and where they want to. I hate that mother and Joseph have to hide their relationship.”

  Lillian shrugged her shoulders, “That’s the way of the world, I am afraid. I don’t foresee there ever being a time that a maid and a Duke can be together nor a butler and a Marchioness. It is impossible.”

  Juliana sighed, “Sometimes we need a little impossible in the world.”

  “I agree, Jules, I do. But listen, this is not what I wanted to speak with you about. That man that was here with Phillip.”

  Juliana sat up, “Oh yes, who was that?”

  “His name is Mr. Harris and he and Phillip met while serving in the war,” Lillian stressed the last few words.

  “The war?” Juliana scrunched her nose, and she thought. “Was this just a social visit?”

  “Not in the least,” Lillian confided, “Mr. Harris works for the war office and if I am not mistaken so does Phillip.”

  “How terribly exciting,” Juliana exclaimed. “What did they discuss?”

  “Mr. Harris talked about a code that they had intercepted from the French. It was a nursery rhyme. I want to see the message. He also said that there is a new French family that they are suspicious of, the Comte Corbineau and his Countess.”

  Juliana’s eyes lit up, “I remember them, she is tall with red hair and he has a pointy beard.”

  Lillian nodded, “Juliana, I think that we could help solve this for the war office. They said that they need someone that nobody would suspect. Who on earth would suspect two debutants? Especially one like me who hardly ever speaks and almost never dances?”

  Juliana frowned, “You don’t dance because you are always hiding from suitors. You are perfectly lovely. However, I do think you are correct. No one would ever suspect us.”

  “Mr. Harris had said that it could be anyone, I think that we need to approach him. We just have to figure out a way to do that without Phillip finding out. He was completely against it.”

  Juliana rolled her eyes, “That is not surprising. Phillip sees us as children. And he thinks men are superior in every respect.”

  Lillian bit her lip, “Do you think we should tell the Bluebells?”

  Juliana thought for a moment, “No, I don't believe we should. This is too big and too important. Besides, it would put Eden in a terrible situation. We don’t want her to have to lie to Phillip.”

  Lillian nodded, “I completely agree. So, we are going to do this. We are going to be spies for the war office.”

  Juliana grinned, “Sister spies, what could go wrong? We just need to convince Mr. Harris that we are the ladies for the job. He is terribly handsome. I dare say his fawn-colored breeches fit his muscular thighs perfectly. And those broad shoulders, his tailor must go through yards of fabric.”

  Lillian smiled, “I did notice that he was very handsome. But, Jules, don’t fall too fast with this one.”

  Juliana gave her sister a playful nudge, “I promise, I will not embarrass myself or you over Mr. Harris. Is that what you were looking for?”

  “I am looking for you to be happy!” Lillian laughed, “But, yes, that is good enough. So, we are going to look for Mr. Harris tonight?”

  “It is Meecham’s Ball is it not?” Juliana asked.

  “I do believe that you are correct, and if he is there, I think it will be the perfect time to approach him. I also think that we need to try and get to know the Comte and Countess better as well.”

  “It’s a plan!” Juliana grinned.

  Lillian laughed and shook her head. She wasn’t sure if they were getting in over their heads. In point of fact she was positive they were getting in over their heads. But for the first time in quite a while, she felt like she had a purpose. And that felt rather good.

  CHAPTER 4

  Lady Meecham was garbed in deep sapphire blue with a matching turban. The ostrich feather that adorned her turban reached a good foot and half into the air.

  Needless to say, Lady Meecham was resplendent in her evening attire, quite outshining Lord Meecham who was something of a lush at any rate.

  Lillian tried to adjust her tiny cap sleeves. The hand sewn baby pink silk was beyond lovely. With tiny pearls inset in the pleats, it was a work of art.

  “Stop fidgeting, Lilly,” Julianna admonished. “Keep watching the door. We need to see when Mr. Harris arrives.”

  “What do you suppose the odds are that Lady Meecham’s feather stays all evening aloft?” Lilly wondered.

  Juliana snorted softly, “Only you, Lilly. I suppose you are worried about the feather.”

  Lilly looked guilty, “It never asked to be thrust up there. And I wonder where the ostrich is that is walking around half naked. Goodness, she is like a peacock flaunting her plumes.”

  Juliana giggled, “Your imagination knows no bounds. Oh! Lilly! I see him. There is Mr. Harris now!”

  “How are we going to get him alone? Mother watches us like a hawk?” Lilly glanced back to where their mother was speaking with the other matrons.

  “Lady Genevieve is covering for us,” Juliana explained.

  Lilly turned to Juliana in horror, “You told Lady Genevieve about the war office and becoming a spy. What is the matter with you?”

  “Lady Gen is trustworthy, I promise you. We had to bring someone else in, Lilly, or this would never work.”

  Lilly sighed, “All right then, but no one else, Juliana.”

  “No one else, I promise,” Juliana smiled innocently.

  “Is Lady Genevieve here yet?” Lilly looked around her.

  “Yes, over there by Hetty and Miles,” Juliana replied.

  “Let’s go tell mother we want to visit with Hetty. She won’t question that,” Lilly turned and walked over to where her mother was talking.

  The Dowager waved the girls off happily, and Juliana and Lilly went to the ballroom to where Miles and Hetty were sitting with Lady Genevieve.

  “Lilly and Jules! How beautiful you both look this evening!” Hetty gushed as she stood to embrace her friends.

  Hetty was wearing a sophisticated cream satin gown. Married life seemed to agree with her. She was beaming from ear to ear.

  “Hetty, how very lovely you look!” Juliana replied. “We are so happy to see you.”

  “Hetty, you do look stunning in that gown,” Lilly added.

  “Lady Genevieve, I was thrilled to hear that you have decided to extend your stay in London.”

  Lady Genevieve twinkled at Juliana, “Let’s just say I had some interesting incentive to stay.”

  Miles frowned, “Whatever could that have been, Godmomma?”

  “Oh, nothing,” Lady Genevieve’s blue eyes crinkled as she smiled. “I suppose I just wanted to spend more time with you all.”

  Hetty, who was Lady Genevieve’s great niece saw nothing amiss with her staying longer. After all, Lady Genevieve traveled all the way from Wales with her at the beginning of the season. It was more than likely that Aunt Gen didn’t
want to make the long trip home, alone. This was Hetty’s guess, at least.

  “Hetty, this is our waltz, please do excuse us, ladies,” Miles tenderly took his new bride's hand and guided her onto the dance floor.

  Juliana watched with bated breath, “Was that not the most romantic thing?”

  Lillian wasn’t sure. She knew that Hetty loved Miles and that they were genuinely happy together. But something about marriage scared her a little.

  Instead of answering she just nodded, but she noticed that Lady Gen had witnessed her hesitation.

  “Well girls, you have a few moments now, where is this gentleman? I want to be there for the conversation. I will not let either of you be compromised. Not on my watch.”

  “His name is Mr. Harris,” Lilly explained, “He is that gentleman over by the large fern speaking with the new Duke of Bilkshore.”

  “Do you suppose that Mr. Harris will try and enlist His Grace?” Juliana wondered.

  Lilly shook her head, “No, he’s American, why would he put his life on the line for the English cause? It’s not like it’s in his blood. Besides he is the Duke.”

  “I can see who inherited the intelligence in the family,” Lady Gen looked at Juliana with a sharp eye.

  “Hey,” Juliana cried out, “I am intelligent! I just tend to speak before I think. I would have put that together on my own.”

  “I meant no harm,” Lady Gen soothed, “But you are going to need to curb that impetuous nature of yours, Juliana, or you may come to real harm. This isn’t a childhood game.”

  Suitably chastened Juliana nodded, “You are right, of course. I am very spontaneous.”

  “That is a lovely part of who you are,” Lilly added. “We just need to be careful.”

  Lady Gen nodded, “Indeed, very careful. Let’s get this party started, shall we?”

  The girls were not sure what Lady Gen had in mind but followed the older woman as she arose from her chair.

  Right before they reached Mr. Harris and the Duke, Lady Gen dropped her cane.

  “Oh, I do beg your pardon, young man. Would you please fetch my cane? I am so clumsy.”

  Lilly and Juliana were there in an instant.

  “Are you alright, Lady Gen?” Juliana asked.

  “How fortunate we are that you were here to help Mr. Harris,” Lilly added as he bent to pick up the older woman’s cane.

  “I feel a trifle bit faint.”

  The Duke instantly began to escort Lady Gen out of the ballroom to an antechamber.

  Lilly and Juliana followed along behind, ignoring Mr. Harris who was holding the cane. And in consequence, forcing him to come along.

  Once the Duke had Lady Gen settled, she opened her blue eyes and asked, “Your Grace, I know that this is impertinent, but if you would please humor an old woman. Might I trouble you for a cup of punch?”

  “Of course, milady. I will be back in a moment.”

  As soon as he left the room, Juliana locked the door behind him.

  Mr. Harris let out a sigh, “That was expertly done, I must say. Now that you have me alone, might I know what you plan to do with me?”

  CHAPTER 6

  Juliana snorted with laughter and Lillian tried to shush her, “I am so sorry, Mr. Harris, I know that this may seem terribly unorthodox.”

  Mr. Harris quirked a brow, “A bit.”

  “Erm, yes, well, you see,” Lillian motioned to the set of chairs by Lady Gen, “Would you please have a seat, we have a proposition for you?”

  Mr. Harris looked hesitant, “I am not in a position to take a wife, Lady Lillian. If that is what you ladies are trying to accomplish. It is not that you and your sister are not very lovely. It is only I am not...”

  “And he is one of the higher ranked officials?” Lady Gen interrupted.

  Juliana burst into giggles again.

  “Oh, for the love of—I overheard you speaking with Phillip today, and we want to help.” Lillian was at the end of her rope.

  “Lady Genevieve?” Mr. Harris asked incredulously.

  “I am their chaperon,” Lady Gen added starchily.

  Mr. Harris closed his eyes as if he were praying for patience, “Ladies, I do so appreciate your willingness to serve your country, but I do not think your brother would be happy with the arrangement.”

  “Whatever does Phillip have to do with it,” Juliana asked.

  “He’s our guardian,” Lillian replied. “It isn’t as if we are asking to do anything dangerous, Mr. Harris. Just to be your eyes and ears in society, that is all. Surely you could use that?”

  Mr. Harris wrinkled his brow, “How much did you hear?”

  Lillian perked up, “That you had that missive from France brought over by the Comte Corbineau and Countess. It was a nursery rhyme, and you could not crack the code.”

  “You heard much more than I would have liked,” Mr. Harris blew out a breath, “This is dangerous. Ladies if you want to help, the best thing that you can do it forget you heard anything at all.”

  Lillian frowned, “You are only saying that because Phillip was against a woman helping.”

  Juliana raised a brow, “Women often hear things when men are speaking. They forget we are even in the room. We are not asking you to relay any secrets, Mr. Harris. We only wish to help.”

  “Give the girls a chance,” Lady Genevieve spoke up, “I will vouch for them, and take any responsibility if things go awry.”

  Mr. Harris still seemed hesitant.

  “Come now. Mr. Harris, the most that could come of this is that the girls dance with multiple dance partners. Their mother will be thrilled. Lillian tends to turn more than half of her suitors away. Just give them something to listen for. If they do not hear it, then no harm is done.”

  Lilly and Juliana turned to Mr. Harris with expectant eyes, surely, he wouldn’t turn them away now.

  “You are not to speak with anyone about this,” he warned.

  Juliana squealed with excitement.

  Mr. Harris frowned, and Lilly quickly pinched her sister.

  Chastened, Juliana sat with Lilly on the edge of her seat.

  “We have a fortnight before the next run. The word is that they are trying to find a new route. We think that’s why the threes were underlined in the nursery rhyme, and we just don’t know why, or more importantly, where. Do not engage the Comte or Countess. They are working for the crown. However, many a soldier has double crossed us in the past. This is a war; people kill first and don’t bother with asking questions. I only want you to listen. Do not speak to anyone about anything you have heard. Am I perfectly clear?”

  Lillian nodded slowly.

  “Yes,” Juliana replied.

  “It will be as you say,” replied Lady Gen.

  “When would you like to meet again?” Lilly asked.

  “We will speak again next week at Seabolt’s Ball. I will find a way. Until then, keep your ears open and your mouths closed.”

  There was a lot of commotion on the other side of the locked door.

  “Do you suppose you should unlock the door now?” Mr. Harris asked dryly.

  Lady Gen had a wry smile, “I must admit, the Duke is very persistent.”

  Lilly unlocked the door and then intentionally slammed it against the wall all the while falling backward.

  “Goodness!” she exclaimed, “The door was stuck! We have been pulling on it for some time!”

  The Duke of Bilkshore was standing in the hallway with an empty cup. Around his feet, the floor was rather damp. Apparently while trying to get into the room, he spilled Lady Gen’s refreshment, and once he realized this his cheeks flushed with color.

  “I do apologize., I couldn’t get the door to open,” the Duke shook his head confusedly.

  “Don’t you worry about it, Your Grace. I am feeling quite the thing, now. Perhaps you could escort me back into the ballroom?”

  The handsome Duke smiled, “I would be happy to.”

  And he was.

  Lillian
turned to Juliana and Mr. Harris, “I suppose that we too should be returning before Mother notices we are no longer with Lady Gen.”

  “You are right about that,” Juliana grinned.

  Mr. Harris nodded, “I am going to go down this hallway and return in a few moments. It would be best if we stagger our entrances.”

  Lillian smiled, “You are pretty good at this cloak and dagger type of thing, Mr. Harris.”

  Mr. Harris laughed, “I certainly should be after all of these years.”

  Mr. Harris strode off, and Juliana looked at Lilly, “I just need a moment in the ladies retiring room. Will you wait for me?”

  “Of course,” Lilly answered and leaned up against the soft brocade wall.

  She had just closed her eyes when she felt his masculine presence near her. How she knew that it was him boggled the mind. Lilly had just spent the better part of fifteen minutes with Mr. Harris, and she didn’t feel his body heat like a brand.

  “Hello, Darlin’.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Lilly felt her heart gallop in her chest. Why, oh why, would it have to be Mr. Stanford now? What was it about him? He didn’t dress in the highest fashions, nor did he have the most formal address—obviously.

  Was that it? His ability to slip in under her cool layer of self-control. Lilly had always felt that she was the one of the two sisters that truly had the intelligence, where Juliana clearly held the creative imagination.

  But when Mr. Stanford came around, Lilly felt as if every brain molecule went on holiday and she were completely abandoned. If she didn’t have her wits—what did she have?

  Lilly opened her eyes, “Mr. Stanford, what an erm, pleasant surprise.”

  He laughed.

  The sound, so deep and melodious, brought a reluctant smile to her lips.

  “Darlin’ you are something else.”

  Lilly wasn’t quite sure what she thought about this. How was one to be something else? Was that something else a good thing, or something else a bad thing? This is why she tried to avoid gentlemen usually. They confused and irritated her.