Unease fluttered in Liliana’s middle. What had prompted Geoffrey to cancel out on the party after being such a good sport this past week?
“My maid overheard that the countess and Stratford had a great row about it,” Lady Ann Manchester piped up from behind them, her eyes shining brightly. Several heads turned, and as if by unspoken agreement, the women came to a halt to hear the latest bit of news. “The countess apparently had quite a tizzy when Stratford told her he’d be otherwise engaged for the day. She was heard shouting that there wasn’t anything more important than securing a proper wife.”
Liliana’s eyes were drawn to Lady Jane Northumb, standing two people to her right, listening avidly. Blond, fresh faced and from a prominent family, Lady Jane would be the kind of wife the countess would expect for her son.
Wouldn’t Lady Stratford be appalled to know Geoffrey had spent his morning with another, wholly unsuitable woman? Liliana had been reckless, staying out so long with him. They’d returned long after sunrise and had had to sneak in through a little-used servants’ entrance behind the back gardens. But, oh my, had it been exhilarating. Even though Geoffrey had frustrated her efforts to glean information, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d passed a more pleasant morning. She generally spent her early hours alone, working, so perhaps it was just the novelty of being with another person. But the moment the thought entered her mind, it rang false. She’d enjoyed herself so much because she’d been with Geoffrey.
And he’d asked her to ride with him again on the morrow.
A giddy anxiety swept over her, and she shoved it aside, frowning.
“I’m beginning to suspect Stratford was not in on the planning of this party at all,” said Lady Emily Morton. “He certainly hasn’t singled one of us out to court, as expected.” Her tone clearly implied she’d fully expected that one to be her. She waved an arm to indicate the town around them, her lips dropping in a frown of distaste. She sniffed. “Had I known that wasn’t his intention, I’d never have agreed to journey to this dreary place.”
“Me, either,” chimed in a girl whose name Liliana didn’t know. “It’s so deadly dull. I’d much rather be in London, but when the chance to align with the Stratford family presented itself, Papa all but booted me out the door.”
Liliana shook her head. Somerton Park and its surrounds were anything but dull. If situations were different, she could envision herself riding the countryside every sunrise, exploring her way through the vast marshlands collecting samples and specimens, perhaps even turning that abandoned folly she’d spied at the far side of the lake into her own laboratory. And the library…she could spend years in there. Why—
“I suppose you disagree, Miss Claremont?” Lady Emily asked.
Liliana blinked and stared back at all of the inquiring faces turned toward her. Newton’s apple. What had she done to give away her thoughts? She cleared her throat. “I find Somerton Park quite lovely.”
Lady Emily gave her a speculative look. Then her face cleared. “You would. You never were much of a success in London.”
Titters of laughter sounded as the women turned back around and resumed their stroll up the street.
Liliana bit her tongue. It wouldn’t serve her purposes to blister Lady Emily’s ears. In fact, she’d use this opportunity to hang back, let everyone think she was upset by Emily’s callous comment, then slip away to the valet’s.
Penelope turned around, her eyes asking if Liliana was all right. Liliana winked and gave her a slight shooing motion. Pen nodded and turned back with the group.
Liliana let the girls walk on, stepping backward slowly until they had disappeared into the dry-goods shop. Now she just had to retreat three blocks, turn west, then follow that lane to the valet’s home.
She turned on her heel and ran straight into Lady Jane Northumb.
“Oh!” the girl exclaimed.
Liliana stepped back, her heart beating wildly from the startle. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were behind me.”
Lady Jane placed a delicate hand on her chest. “It’s quite all right. I should have made myself known.”
The two women faced each other. Lady Jane seemed to Liliana as so many other debutantes fresh out of the schoolroom, somewhat shallow but with a sense of security Liliana had to acknowledge made her a little envious.
At barely nineteen, Lady Jane knew her place, accepted it and didn’t think beyond that. She wasn’t constantly fighting against society’s expectations of her. She didn’t have to make the choice between having a family of her own and doing what she was born to do, because no man would have a wife who bucked custom and was determined to excel in a traditionally male discipline.
Liliana pushed that depressing thought from her mind. She’d long ago made peace with her choices. What now had her thinking such nonsense?
“You shouldn’t let what Emily said bother you, you know,” Lady Jane said with a gentle smile. “She just has a bee in her bonnet because Stratford hasn’t fallen at her feet.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Liliana answered, trying to think how she would rid herself of Lady Jane and still be able to sneak off. “You mustn’t worry about me. I’m made of sterner stuff than that.”
Lady Jane ducked her chin. “Yes, you are. In fact, I’ve been meaning to ask you…”
Liliana tapped her foot, waiting for the girl to continue.
Lady Jane looked up and took a deep breath. “How did you ever find the nerve to challenge Stratford on the field? I could never be that brave.”
Liliana blinked, surprised. Despite their differences, she had never disliked the fresh-faced young miss who was the gossiped forerunner in the hunt for Stratford’s affections. Lady Jane had never before actually sought out or spoken to her, but neither had she been unkind.
“I’m not certain,” Liliana answered, “though I can tell you bravery it was not. Pride, I suppose.”
Lady Jane tittered, eyes wide. “My father would have starved me for a week had I done something so foolish. He’s ever so hopeful of an alliance between Stratford and myself.”
Something in her tone struck Liliana as off, and for the first time Liliana considered that perhaps other women felt as hemmed in as she. Not in the same way, certainly, but confined all the same. “But you are not?”
The younger girl bit her lip. “I’m not opposed, I guess. It’s just that he’s so…”
Striking? Intense? Yet good-humored and dashing?
“Old.” Lady Jane made a moue. “And dark. Not like Lord Holbrooke.”
Liliana held in a scoff. Old? Dark? How could Jane not find Geoffrey the most attractive specimen she’d ever laid eyes on? And to prefer Holbrooke? Why, the younger man, all slight and blond, literally paled in comparison. Geoffrey would—
Jane let out a sigh that sent the ribbon from her bonnet fluttering through the air. “Still, I shall marry Stratford should he ask. It’s what Papa wishes.”
Liliana strove for a bland smile. Where was her head? First, she had no reason to be thinking of Geoffrey in such a light. Second, an alliance with someone like Lady Jane would be precisely what Geoffrey would want. The Earl of Northumb was purportedly a lion in the House of Lords—a family connection that would open many a political door for Geoffrey. A tight ball that smacked of jealousy lodged in her throat, nonetheless. She couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Has Stratford given you any reason to hope?”