Then Came You (The Gamblers #1)(24)

Lily cleared her throat delicately. “Mother, it’s possible that Cook wants to discuss the changes I suggested to the wedding menu.”

“Oh, dear. Wilhemina, what have you done?” Totty stood up and rushed from the room, her curls bouncing agitatedly.

Lily smiled at Zachary and Penelope. “Well, why don’t the two of you pass the time together while I try to undo some of the havoc I’ve caused?” Ignoring Penelope’s weak protests, she slipped out of the parlor and closed the door. She rubbed her hands together and grinned. “Well done,” she said to herself, restraining the urge to whistle as she strode through the back gallery. Opening the French doors, she went out to the garden.

Wandering around hedges and well-tended trees, Lily enjoyed the clear day and the feel of the breeze in her curls. She took care to keep out of sight, especially when she heard the sound of voices. The ominous rumble of Raiford’s tone resembled thunder. She had to hear what was going on. It was too great a temptation to resist. Lily sneaked closer, drawing behind a concealing yew hedge.

“…but my lord,” Chumley was protesting. Lily could picture his round face turning pink around his whiskers, the sunlight shining off his balding forehead. “My lord, she did make the suggestion, but I would never undertake such a significant project without consulting you.”

“I don’t care what she suggests, significant or trivial, don’t do it,” Raiford commanded. “Don’t so much as clip a twig or pull a weed at her request! Don’t move a pebble!”

“Yes, my lord, I certainly agree.”

“We don’t need any more damned ponds in this garden!”

“No, my lord, we do not.”

“Inform me if she tries to instruct you in your duties again, Chumley. And notify the rest of the staff that they’re not to make any changes in their usual activities. I’m afraid of setting foot off my own estate—next she’ll have the entire mansion painted pink and purple.”

“Yes, my lord.”

It seemed that Raiford’s ranting had come to an end, the conversation concluded. Hearing the sound of footsteps, Lily shrank further into the protection of the yew. It would not do to be discovered. Unfortunately, a sixth sense must have alerted Raiford to her presence. Lily made no movement or sound, but still he looked around the hedge and found her. One moment she was smiling and silently congratulating herself, and the next she was staring into his scowling face.

“Miss Lawson!” he snapped.

Lily used her hand to shade her eyes. “Yes, my lord?”

“Did you overhear enough, or should I repeat myself?”

“Everyone within a mile could not help overhearing you. And if it reassures you, I would never dream of painting the mansion purple. Although—”

“What are you doing out here?” he interrupted.

Lily thought rapidly. “Well, Zachary and I had a…a slight altercation. I came out here to take the air, and let my temper cool, and then—”

“Is your mother with Stamford and Penelope?”

“Well, I suppose she must be,” she replied innocently.

Raiford stared into Lily’s eyes as if he could see past her carefully blank expression and read every thought. “What are you up to?” he asked in a murderous tone. Abruptly he turned and walked away from her, following the path to the house.

Oh, no. Lily went cold, thinking that he might possibly catch Zachary and Penelope in some compromising situation. Everything would be ruined. She had to find some way to stop him. “Wait,” she cried, hurrying after him. “Wait! W—”

All at once her foot was caught in something, and she went flying to the ground with a shriek. With an oath, she twisted to see what had stopped her. A twisted tree root, arcing out of the ground. She tried to get to her feet, but a stab of pain went through her ankle, and she collapsed to the grass. “Oh, bloody hell—”

Raiford’s voice cut through her extravagant cursing. “What is it?” he demanded, having come back a few steps along the path.

“I turned my ankle!” she said in furious surprise.

Alex gave her a speaking glance and turned away.

“Damn you, I did!” she shouted. “Come and help me up. Surely even you must be enough of a gentleman to do that—surely you have the teaspoonful of breeding required for that.”

Alex approached her, making no effort to reach down for her. “Which leg is it?”

“Is it necessary for you to know?”

Sinking to his haunches, Alex flipped the hem of her skirts up to her stockinged ankles. “Which one? This?”

“No, the—ow!” Lily yelped in pain. “What are you trying to—ow! That hurts like the devil! Take your blasted hand away, you big, hatchet-faced sadist—”

“Well, it seems you’re not shamming.” Alex seized her elbows, lifting her to her feet.

“Of course I’m not! Why hasn’t that deuced root been cut out of the ground? It’s positively hazardous!”

He responded with a scorching glare. “Are there any other changes to my garden you’d like to suggest?” His tone was humming with suppressed violence.

Prudently Lily shook her head and kept her mouth closed.

“Good,” he muttered, and they started back to the house.