Then Came You (The Gamblers #1)(100)

The slight chill between them persisted the next day. Lily took her morning ride in Hyde Park without him, accompanied by a groom. Later she busied herself with correspondence, a chore she detested. There were piles of calling cards, announcing at-home times at which she would be welcome to call, and lightly penciled requests for when she planned to receive visitors. There was a stack of invitations to balls, dinners, and musical evenings. They had been asked to join the Clevelands in Shropshire for autumn grouse shooting, to stay at the Pakingtons’ shooting lodge on the moors, and to visit friends in Bath. Lily was at a loss to know how to respond to the requests. How could she accept invitations for a future she wouldn’t be part of? It was tempting to let herself pretend she would always be with Alex, but glumly she reminded herself that it would all end someday.

Putting the invitations aside, Lily shuffled through a sheaf of paper on Alex’s desk. He had penned a few notes that morning, before leaving at midday to attend some meeting concerning parliamentary reform. She smiled as her eyes moved across his decisive handwriting—strong, bold marks made with a forward slant. Idly she read a letter he had addressed to one of his estate agents, declaring his wish that the tenants be allowed multiyear leases that would be more beneficial to them instead of the more expensive yearly tenancies. Alex had also instructed the agent to install new ditching and fencing on the land at his own expense. Thoughtfully Lily set the letter down and smoothed the corner with her fingertip. From what she knew of most wealthy landlords’ selfish greed, she was aware that Alex’s sense of honor and fairness were rare. Another letter caught her eye, and she skimmed over it quickly.

…regarding your new tenant, I will assume responsibility for all of Pokey’s monthly expenses for the duration of the animal’s lifetime. If any particular item for his diet is required, please inform me and I will do what is necessary to ensure a steady supply. With all assurance and respect for your excellent care of him, occasionally I would like to visit and ascertain the bear’s condition myself…

Lily smiled thoughtfully, recalling the scene a few days ago when they had gone to Raiford Park to send Pokey to his new home. Henry had sat in front of the cage in the garden all morning, looking as dejected as the servants were relieved.

“Must we give him away?” Henry had asked when Lily came out to join him. “Pokey’s no trouble at all—”

“He’ll be so much happier at his new home,” Lily replied. “No more chains. Lord Kingsley described the pen they’ve constructed for him, cool and shady, with a little stream running through it.”

“I guess he’ll like that better than a cage,” Henry conceded, rubbing and scratching the bear’s head. Sighing peacefully, Pokey closed his eyes.

Suddenly they were interrupted by Alex’s quiet voice. “Henry. Get away from that cage—slowly. And if I catch you with him again, I’ll thrash you until your experiences at Westfield are a pleasant memory by comparison.”

Henry stifled a grin and obeyed at once. Lily also repressed the urge to smile. As far as she could tell, Henry had been threatened with dire beatings for years, and so far his older brother hadn’t once laid a finger on him.

“He’s not dangerous at all,” Henry mumbled. “He’s a nice bear, Alex.”

“That ‘nice bear’ could take your arm off with one snap of his jaws.”

“He’s tame and too old to be a threat.”

“He’s an animal,” Alex replied flatly. “One that’s been subject to mistreatment from humans. And it doesn’t matter that he’s old. As you’ll eventually learn, boy, age does little to soften anyone’s temperament. Think of your Aunt Mildred, for example.”

“But Lily pets the bear,” Henry protested. “I saw her do it this morning.”

“Turncoat,” Lily muttered, giving him a damning glare. “I’ll remember this, Henry!” She faced Alex with apologetic smile, but it was too late.

“You’ve been petting that damn animal?” he asked, advancing on her. “After I made it clear that you were not to go near him?”

Pokey lifted his head with a grumbling whine as he watched them.

“But Alex,” she said contritely, “I was feeling sorry for him.”

“In a minute you’re going to be feeling sorrier for yourself.”

Lily grinned into his stern face and made a sudden dodge to the left. Catching her easily, he swung her in the air, and she shrieked with laughter. Alex lowered her to the ground, clasping her snugly against his body. His gray eyes flickered with amusement as he stared at his rebellious wife. “I’ll teach you what it means to disobey me,” he growled, and kissed her in front of Henry.

Remembering it now, Lily finally understood the feeling that had rushed over her that day, the feeling that had taken root with startling insistence and permanence since the first moment she had met him. “God help me,” she whispered. “I do love you, Alex.”

Lily dressed with care for the ball they were attending that night, a celebration of Lady Lyon’s sixty-fifth birthday. There would be six hundred guests, many of them coming from their summer estates in the country for the occasion. Knowing that speculative gazes might turn her way, Lily decided to wear a new gown from Monique’s, modest but delicately beautiful. The garment, with all its intricate stitchery, had taken days of ceaseless labor by two of Monique’s talented assistants. It was made a filmy material of the palest pink, thickly embroidered with gold. The layered skirts of the gown, cut long enough to form a slight train, seemed to float behind her as she walked.