Wild Lily (Those Notorious Americans Book 1)(64)

“As you wish.” Julian raised his glass to sip, his deep brown gaze delving into hers with what was appreciation. “I’ll see to it in the morning.”

“I’d like to find the local chemist’s shop, too, to order a balsam compound of aromatics for the kettles.”

“You and I will do that, too,” Julian said with a smile spreading on his lips. “They will be most grateful.”

She nodded, thrilled and a bit embarrassed by Julian’s seeming wonder at her suggestions. She wished to change the topic. “So. Tell us, Mister Leland, do you return to London tomorrow?”

“I am called to Ashford, my lady. Your husband and I have a mutual cousin who gives an annual ball. He insists I join him. In fact, it might be useful if I approached him about your Irish project, Chelton.” Leland looked at Julian with intent. “What do you think?”

“A fine idea. He might be interested. He just might.” Julian nodded. “Ask him.”

“What is your Irish project?” she turned to Julian.

“I wish to persuade my father to sell an estate near Tipperary.”

“I thought none of you could sell your land.” Entailed property was bound by inheritance laws.

“This land can be sold,” Julian said. “It’s free of the entail. Good fertile acreage, too. Someone will like it.”

“Wouldn’t it be best to keep it?” she asked.

“I would if we could afford to, my dear. But my father has not and cannot supervise it as he should and another owner would do very well for the tenants. And I know my father would welcome the cash.”

“I see,” she said. “Of course. And you think your cousin might buy it?”

Julian nodded. “He has the money. And he has a penchant for Irish race horses. This would be good investment for him.”

“Have I met this cousin?” she asked Julian. “At our wedding, perhaps? Forgive me, I may have forgotten him in the rush.” She feared she may have committed a faux pas to ask this, considering that Leland had not attended their wedding either.

“No, he was unable to attend,” Julian told her. “Lord Burnett journeys every year to France on the anniversary of his sister’s death to plant flowers at her gravesite.”

“Dedicated to her, he was,” Leland offered. “I would think you both would have been sent an invitation to Burnett’s ball.”

“We have been,” said Julian.

“Have you accepted for us?” she asked, hopeful of meeting such a thoughtful man.

“If you wish to go, we can,” Julian told her with a sparkle in his eye. “I at first declined, thinking you might not wish to attend a public function so soon after our wedding. Then, too, it is five days before we leave for Elanna’s wedding.”

“Oh, but I do love to dance,” she said, wistful. “Might we still attend? Or is it impolitic to invite ourselves so late?”





“I like Mister Leland very much.” Lily entered Julian’s master chamber. Her cerulean-blue silk and white lace peignoir swirled around her like a cloud. Her black hair was down, brushed to a high shine, her long waves curling over the full rise of her breasts. She was a sensuous angel, supple beneath the flowing fabric dotted with the innocence of the French lace. As so often these past weeks, to look at her was a feast.

He opened his arms to her. She dazzled him. “I’m pleased you like him. He is a family treasure.” He explained the distant relationship to her.

“Why then was he not at our wedding?”

“Ah.” He stroked her hair, her silken strands twining through his fingers like an angel’s breaths. His body hardened with need of her, a desire that grew more fierce each hour he spent with her. “Too far down the order, you see, for my parents. My father demands those in his service receive only their wages, not much else from him. But even invited, Leland would not accept.”

“Why not? He is your cousin.” Her blue eyes were upon him as if he were her only treasure.

“Twice removed, but there is more. He has a certain affection for Elanna. He stays away.” He can never hope to have her. Not as I have you.

“That’s very sad.”

“We won’t be sad tonight.” He raised one of her hands and kissed the palm.

“No.” She shook off her frown. “You’ll tell me about the masked ball we’re going to and your cousin.”

“Valentine is charming.” He cocked a wicked brow. “He’ll fascinate you.”

She lifted a shoulder, then ran her fingertip along the outline of his mouth. “Not as much as you do.”

He nipped her finger. “Do I?”

She shivered. “Mmm. Especially since you don’t object to me nursing.”

He crushed her close, serious at once. “If you become ill, you’ll stop. Promise me.”

“I do.” She ran a hand up over his cheek. “As long as you promise me one thing.”

He inhaled and gazed with consideration at the ceiling. If she wanted money or jewels, a carriage… He had no means for any of those. “Tell me.”

“At Valentine’s? His party?”

Was that all? “What would you like, my darling?”

At his endearment, she giggled and reached up on her toes to peck him on the cheek. “You’ll waltz with me. We haven’t, you realize. We’ve done ever so much else. Ridden at midnight. Made love in your carriage.”