Chapter 18

Eighteen

" D early beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this Congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church…" a distant voice was saying .

Where was she? There was a congregation, and a minister, and a church, and…Lily was hidden behind a veil, unable to see clearly, even as the words echoed around her.

"I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it…" the distant voice said again, and in a sudden moment of realization, Lily knew where she was.

"In the church…no…but…" she stammered, as a hand slipped into hers.

"Just listen to the words, my dear. It'll soon be time to answer," a voice whispered to her, and Lily turned to find a shadowy figure standing next to her.

She tried to raise her veil, but her hands would not move, and as she tried to move her feet, they felt like lead weights.

"Lily wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?" the first voice asked, and Lily tried to shake her head, unable to move, even as she cried out.

"But I can't. I don't know who he is," she exclaimed.

"Oh, my dear, I'm so sorry, the veil, we must raise the veil," the voice to her side said.

There was a rustle of material, the veil was lifted, and Lily found herself at the front of a church, with a surpliced clergyman standing before her, she tried to turn, even as a face came into view, and she let out a cry of astonishment.

"Maximilian!" she exclaimed, and he smiled.

"Who else would it be, my dear?" he replied.

Lily awoke with a start, sitting up in bed, breathless, as she realized she had been dreaming. It had been the most curious thing, and she rubbed her eyes, peering through the early morning gloom, as she realized there was no marriage, no veil, and no Maximilian.

" Goodness me, how awful ," she said to herself, even as she knew very well why she had dreamed what she had dreamed.

The previous night, at the Miller Howe ball, Lily and Maximilian had come to an arrangement. They were to make a pretense at courtship and betrothal, to appear, for all intents and purposes, as though they were a couple like any other. It had been a spur of the moment decision, a risk, taken without her usual calculations. Lily was usually far more cautious, but having heard Maximilian speak so forcefully against her father, her anger had been kindled.

"But I'm glad it's only a dream," Lily thought to herself, as she readied herself that morning.

She had not told Alicia about the plan, though her friend had been eager to hear all about Lily's encounter with the duke's heir. But she knew the secret could not be kept forever, as she entered the dining room for breakfast, she was greeted with a pointed look from Alicia.

"You rushed off to bed very quickly last night. You hardly told me anything. I know Mother and Father were there, but still…" Alicia said.

Mr. and Mrs. Saunders had already gone out, and Lily sat down at the table, knowing Alicia would react in horror as to her revelation. But for the deception to work, it had to be believed by everyone, and even Alicia could not be privy to the truth.

"I didn't want to say it in front of them," Lily said, even as she knew Alicia would tell her parents immediately.

"Say what? You were ever so coy about Maximilian. Did he do something to you? The swine, we should write our own scandal sheet about it. Or perhaps the author was there. Perhaps we'll read about the wicked things he did to you," Alicia exclaimed, but Lily shook her head.

"We're…courting," she replied, and Alicia dropped the marmalade spoon she was holding, clattering it on the table.

"You're what?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Lily had expected as much. What other reaction could Alicia give but this? Any woman with an inkling of Maximilian's true colors would say the same – she was a fool to even contemplate such a courtship, and her words were tantamount to a betrayal of the fairer sex.

"We're courting. Last night…at the ball…I saw a different side to him. He's not what you think," she said, hating herself for lying, even as she had seen another side to him, a side she had not expected.

Lily had believed her task would be a simple one – a dance, a retreat into a darkened corner, and the exposure of a scandal the following day. But Maximilian had behaved entirely differently to the way she had expected. It was as though he had genuinely sought to change – or had given a performance worthy of a Shakespearean actor.

"Not what I think? I don't have to think, Lily. I know it. I've read the scandal sheets. I know just what he's like," she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Well, it's not like he's had much chance to reply, is it? Someone wrote something terrible about him, and there's no recourse to his own version of events," she said, repeating Maximilian's words, and again, feeling guilty for having done so.

But Lily now reminded herself what was at stake. Alicia would discover the truth in due course – as would the rest of society. But for now, Lily would have to endure the incredulous looks of her friend, and the angry clattering of cutlery as she finished her breakfast.

"I just can't believe it. Why would you do such a thing? He's nothing but a rake. You've been taken in by him, Lily – riches, title, prestige, and position. That's what you're courting – the rest doesn't matter to you. Well, I'd far rather marry a good pauper than a dastardly duke," she said, rising to her feet and tossing her napkin aside.

"I don't see why it concerns you so, Alicia. Can't a man change?" she asked, but Alicia shook her head.

"Not according to the scandal sheets, he can't. Not this one, at least. You're entering the lion's den, Lily. I hope you can run quickly," she said.

She was about to leave the room, but the butler now entered, bowing to them both, and announcing a visitor.

"Lord Maximilian Oakley, miss," he said, and Alicia gasped.

"He's here? Oh, what are we to do?" she cried, staring at Lily, who could not help but feel unsettled by this unexpected arrival.

She had not believed Maximilian would take the arrangement seriously. It had seemed an excellent way of getting close to him – and to the duke and duchess. She had hoped to discover more about the mystery surrounding her father's past dealings with them, but the arrival of Maximilian suggested he was taking the matter seriously – if only in appearance.

"Will you show him in?" Lily said, and Alicia made a face.

"You can't – you can't be alone with him," she hissed, as the butler stepped out of the room.

"You can be our chaperone. We'll walk in the garden," Lily said, thinking hastily as to what the best course of action would be.

Alicia had no time to answer, as Maximilian himself now entered the room. He looked almost nervous, and carried in his hand a single rose, with the most beautiful peach colored flower Lily had ever seen.

"For the lady," he said, handing it over with a flourish.

Lily blushed. He was certainly keeping up appearances, and she took the flower, holding it to her nose and savoring its sweet, sickly scent.

"Lord Maximilian, what a pleasure to see you again so soon," Lily said, glancing at Alicia, who was seething quietly in the corner of the room.

"I thought I should come in the light of day to…talk things over," he said.

"I'd be delighted to. Shall we walk in the garden?" she asked, and Maximilian nodded.

"As you wish," he replied, glancing at Alicia, who now followed them out into the hallway and through a door into the garden.

It was a pleasant morning, clear and fresh, and the birds were singing in the trees. They walked across the lawn together, admiring the flowers, until they came in sight of the view across to Burnley Abbey and the estate of the Duke of Lancaster. Alicia was standing at a distance, and Lily lowered her voice, leaning forward, as though exchanging an intimacy she did not want to be overheard.

"You still agree to the plan, then?" she asked, and he nodded.

"I do, but I wonder…why are you so eager to appear betrothed? Are your parents putting pressure on you to make a match?" he asked.

Lily nodded. She knew she could not reveal too much about her parents, even as a lie could easily unravel.

"Well, as I said, they've sent me north to make the pool less deep," she said, laughing as Maximilian smiled.

"But you're very pretty. I don't see why any man wouldn't show an interest in you," he replied.

Lily blushed. She could not tell if this was part of his act, or a genuine attempt to charm her. The arrangement was a practical one, but if Maximilian was to develop feelings for her, things might become more complicated…

"It's very kind of you to say so, but many young ladies are pretty, and of far higher class and rank than I," she replied.

"Then what of your father? Is he a merchant like Mr. Saunders…oh, no, forgive me, you told me he was a land agent. Is it a great estate he manages?" he asked.

This was the point where Lily would have to lie, and remember the details of her lie, too. She thought for a moment, hoping to sound vague in her response.

"Oh…I always forget the name. Is it Lord Derby? Or is it the Baron of Repton? My father never remains long in one position," she said, and Maximilian smiled.

"My co…the Baron of Mowbray acts as the agent for Burnley Abbey. He's my father's godson. We work closely together," Maximilian said, turning his head away and clearing his throat.

Lily was curious. He had been about to say something else, but had checked himself, even as Lily felt certain he had almost said the word "cousin." But the Baron of Mowbray could not be Maximilian's cousin. It simply wasn't possible, and she pushed the thought aside, hoping he would not mention her father again, for fear of her anger rising against him.

"And he'll continue when you inherit the title?" she asked.

Maximilian shrugged.

"I don't know. I don't think much about it. My father's in rude health. I doubt I'll inherit for many years yet. Not that he wants me to, of course. They'll be surprised when they discover I'm betrothed. Pleasantly, I hope. I just need to convince them I can be a different man to the one they've read about so often in these wicked scandal sheets. I can turn over a new leaf. I know it," he said.

"And you've no idea who's writing these things about you?" Lily asked.

To her surprise, Maximilian glanced over his shoulder to where Alicia was standing beneath the boughs of a weeping willow, watching their every move. But he shook his head and shrugged.

"It could be anyone. Someone with a vendetta against me – man or woman. I'm not a bad man, Lily. But I don't always behave well. Women are my downfall. I see a pretty face, and after a glass of brandy…well, I want to kiss her," Maximilian said, shrugging, as he turned back to look across the rolling landscape towards Burnley Abbey.

When put like that, Lily could almost have sympathy for Maximilian, though she hurriedly banished such thoughts, knowing she had seen a far darker side than that. But as for changing his ways, it seemed Maximilian was at least making some effort to do so. He was completely sober, and the rose had been a kind and thoughtful gesture, albeit for show.

"And what happens when your reputation's restored?" Lily asked.

Maximilian smiled.

"I suppose…I could marry someone. We could go our separate ways under amicable circumstances and use the time together to seek those matches we might wish to pursue. I expect nothing of you, and you should expect nothing of me, and we make good on the deception together," he replied.

Lily nodded. She had not entirely expected him to behave as such, or to allow her carte blanche in determining future romance. He was not seeking to control her, nor did it seem he intended to use her for pleasure during the course of their deception. The matter was a mutual benefit, one they could part from at a mutually agreed moment. But for Lily, this was not enough, for she could hardly write a scandal paper about a respectable courtship, albeit an entirely fabricated one.

"Yes… I see what you mean," she said, feeling at a sudden loss as to how to create a scandal out of nothing.

"Are you having second thoughts? Have I not behaved accordingly? Forgive me. It's hardly expected of me. I'm a thorn, not a rose," he said, cocking his head and looking at her questioningly.

Lily sighed and shook her head.

"No, not at all. It's the perfect arrangement," she said, and it would have been, had the subject behaved as she had expected.

But Lily was used to biding her time. The trap was set, and everything was now in place for the enacting of what was yet to come. Lily could observe Maximilian at close quarters, and the reaction of those around him, too. She was curious to know more about the duke and duchess, even as she knew the risk in doing so.

"Then we'll make an announcement of sorts. I haven't told my parents, but by the looks she's giving me, I presume Alicia knows of our deception," he asked.

"Not our deception. She thinks we're really courting," Lily replied, and Maximilian laughed.

"Then I know precisely why she's looking at me like that," he replied, smiling, and shaking his head.