Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1)(66)
“Let’s get back on subject, shall we?” Lily snapped. “What are your feelings for Emma?”
“I’m fond of her. She’s attractive and bright, and I enjoy her company. But that’s it. I’m not looking for a wife. Now, tell me what you really want to know, will you?”
Lily sighed, rolling her eyes. “Fine. You really think you can read me like a book, don’t you?”
“Yes. Go on.”
“It’s Lady Amelia Gregory, Thomas. I want you to stay away from her.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I have reason to believe that she wishes to”—Lily lowered her voice—“seduce you.”
Thomas shrugged. “Why would you believe that?”
“She told me so. She wants the duke, actually. She intimated that if she can’t have him, she’s going to take you.”
“So I’m to be yesterday’s leftovers if she can’t have today’s gourmet feast?” Thomas smiled lazily.
“That’s not what I meant. I’m just saying that she may try to lure you into her bed.”
“She already has.”
“Oh, God.” Lily groaned. “We’re too late, Rose.”
“Thomas, really,” Rose said. “I should think you would have more sense.”
“Holy hell,” Thomas said. “Do the two of you really think I’m no more discriminating than a stag in rut?”
“You are a man after all,” Lily said.
“I’m not Lybrook, damn it. I have no interest in the widow Gregory.”
Lily widened her eyes. “You know about their affair?”
“It was never a secret.”
“So you didn’t sleep with her?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I didn’t, although she was quite persuasive.”
“Thank goodness.” Lily sighed, relieved. “She’s bad news, Thomas.”
“Yes,” Thomas agreed. “There were rumors after her husband died. They weren’t even married a year.”
“How did he die?” Rose asked.
“I did some asking at the bachelor house. He fell down a flight of stairs in their London home six or seven years ago.”
“How terrible!” Rose gasped.
“He was only forty-five years old, and Lady Gregory was twenty. She was a commoner, you know. The gossip was that she married Gregory for his fortune and did away with him. But nothing was ever proven.”
“Oh Lord,” Lily said.
“What is it, Lily?” Rose asked.
“It’s just a little disconcerting to know that my intended didn’t have the sense to stay away from such a money-grubbing trollop. What has Papa gotten me into?”
“Lybrook is a good man, Lily,” Thomas said. “I mean that. He’s not the only man on earth to ever get blindsided by a seductress. In fact, he’s in the majority.”
“You men are all pigs,” Lily said dryly.
“Men are simply men,” Thomas replied. “On that note, may we please change the subject? This conversation has gone far beyond the limits of what I’m comfortable with. Why can’t I have sisters who are loathe to mention body parts in the company of men?”
“You’re not a man, Thomas, you’re our brother,” Lily said.
“Yes, but I agree with him,” Rose said. “Let’s change the subject. Discussion of Lady Gregory has become tedious.”
“You don’t have to convince me,” Lily said. “I can’t abide the little hussy.”
* * *
Amelia watched them from a distance—the two little Jameson shrews lunching with their devilishly handsome brother. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to tell them about her failed seduction attempt. It irked her, though, that he hadn’t wanted her. He was as attractive as Daniel, but in a different way—dark and classic as opposed to blond and exotic, the image of his father, the Earl of Ashford.
Hmm. Ashford himself was still an attractive man, and a wealthy one. Of course he was hopelessly devoted to his adoring wife. On the other hand, happily married men took mistresses all the time. He couldn’t offer her a name, but he was likely to be an animal in bed. And wouldn’t that just bunch Lily’s bustle, to find out that Amelia was f*cking her father!
Alas, it likely wouldn’t work. Amelia would only make a fool of herself, as she had with his son. She would refocus her efforts on Daniel. She would find him, seduce him, and show him exactly what he would miss by marrying his precious Lily.
* * *
Lily and Rose never made it to the hot pool that afternoon. Miss Lucinda Landon approached them after Thomas had gone back to the bachelor house.
“My lady,” she said to Lily, “the duchess is feeling poorly this afternoon, and today is our scheduled time to see to the tenants’ needs. I was hoping you might accompany me.”
“Of course, I would be happy to help,” Lily said. “But aren’t there some maids who would be better suited?”
“No, my dear. You’re the future duchess, and this will be your responsibility before long. It’s a good chance for you to see what will be required of you.”