Then Came You (The Gamblers #1)(30)

Finding Henry out in the hall, he took the boy by the arm and began walking rapidly. “Why didn’t you come to me about this?” he demanded.

Henry struggled to match his long strides. “I don’t know.”

Suddenly the memory of Lily’s accusations about his being unapproachable and unfeeling rang in Alex’s ears. Was it possible there had been some truth in her words? He scowled darkly. “Did you think I wouldn’t be sympathetic? That I wouldn’t understand? You should have told me about this long ago!”

“Hang it,” Henry mumbled. “I thought it might get better here…or that I could take care of it myself…”

“By setting off explosives?”

The boy was silent. Alex sighed grimly. “Henry, I don’t want you to ‘take care of things’ yourself. You haven’t come of age yet and you’re my responsibility.”

“I know that,” Henry said in an offended tone. “But I knew you were occupied with other things, like the wedding—”

“Damn the wedding! Don’t use it as an excuse.”

“What do you want from me?” the boy asked hotly.

Gritting his teeth, Alex forced himself to stay calm. “I want you to understand that you’re to come to me when you’re having trouble. Any kind of trouble. I’m never too busy to help you.”

Henry nodded shortly. “What are we going to do now?”

“We’re going home to Raiford Park.”

“Really?” The thought nearly brought a smile to the boy’s face. “My things are still at the boarding house—”

“Anything important?”

“Not really—”

“Good. We’re leaving everything here.”

“Will I have to come back?” Henry asked with dread.

“No,” Alex said emphatically. “I’ll employ a tutor. You can study with the local boys.”

Giving a whoop of joy, Henry tossed his school cap in the air. It fell on the floor behind them and lay there unretrieved as they walked out of the school together.

“Shhh. I think he’s coming.” Having observed Raiford’s carriage moving up the drive, Lily had yanked Zachary away from the music room. He, Totty, and Penelope had been happily involved in singing hymns and playing the piano.

“Lily, tell me what you are planning.”

“My guess is that Raiford will come to the library for a drink after traveling all day. And I want him to see us together.” Energetically Lily pulled Zachary to a heavy leather chair. She threw herself into his lap and clapped her hand over his mouth as he protested. “Quiet, Zach—I can’t hear a thing.” Tilting her head, Lily listened intently to the sound of approaching footsteps. A heavy, measured tread…it had to be Raiford. She took her hand from Zachary’s mouth and wound her arms around his neck. “Kiss me. And make it look convincing.”

“But Lily, must we do this? My feelings for Penny—”

“It doesn’t mean a thing,” she said impatiently.

“But is it necess—”

“Do it, dammit!”

Meekly Zachary complied.

The kiss was like any other Lily had ever experienced, which was to say unremarkable. Heaven knew why the poets conspired to describe something vaguely distasteful as such a rapturous experience. She tended to agree with the writer Swift, who had wondered “what fool it was that first invented kissing.” But couples in love seemed fond of the custom, and Raiford must be made to think she and Zachary were enamored of each other.

The library door opened. There was a scorching silence. Lily touched Zachary’s fine brown hair, trying to look involved in the passionate kiss. Then she raised her head slowly, as if becoming aware of the interruption. Raiford was there, looking rumpled and dusty from his travels. A scowl was gathering on his bronzed face. Lily grinned impudently. “If is isn’t Lord Raiford, with his usual cheerful countenance. As you can see, my lord, you’ve intruded on a private moment between—” Abruptly she stopped as she noticed the boy standing next to Raiford. A short, blond boy with inquiring blue eyes and the beginnings of a smile. Well. She hadn’t counted on anyone besides Raiford witnessing her embrace with Zachary. Lily felt herself blush.

“Miss Lawson,” Alex said, his expression thunderous, “this is my younger brother Henry.”

“Hello,” Lily managed to say.

Meeting her wan smile with an interested gaze, the boy wasted no time with small talk. “Why were you kissing Viscount Stamford if you’re going to marry Alex?”

“Oh, I’m not that Miss Lawson,” Lily replied hastily. “You’re referring to my poor…that is, to my younger sister.” Realizing she was still on Zachary’s lap, she leapt away and nearly fell on the floor. “Penny and Mother are in the music room,” she said to Alex. “Singing hymns.”

Alex gave a curt nod. “Come, Henry,” he said flatly. “I’ll introduce you to Penelope.”

Appearing not to hear him, Henry wandered over to Lily, who was straightening her gown. “Why is your hair chopped like that?” he asked.

Lily laughed at the description of her fashionable style. “It got in the way, hanging in my eyes when I went hunting and shooting.”