Eighteen

In what was now a very uncomfortable dining room

A quarter after two that same day

Just perfect.

All Lilly needed was the staff speculating about her and Zander after her recent lecture about acceptable and appropriate behavior regarding him.

“Eddy, I need to put you on the table, so I can look at your cut.”

Preparing to stand, Lilly shifted the child. He weighed little, but resting on her knees made rising while holding him difficult.

“Eddy, hold my handkerchief to your head,” Zander said.

After switching the salted beef to his other hand, still gripping the cheese, the child complied.

Zander scooped him into his arms as easily as if he had lifted a puppy and rose with enviable animalistic grace.

Lilly observed him from beneath her lashes as he lowered Eddy onto the table. In his new black trousers, navy frock coat, and navy and black striped waistcoat, Zander looked every bit the dashing rogue, and her tummy fluttered in appreciation.

Ninny.

Goose cap.

Dolt.

Numpty.

Their shopping expedition had not only resulted in him acquiring new clothing, but she had indulged in two ready-made gowns for herself; the wool creation she wore today and a stunning currant-red silk.

The latter was a divine creation meant for formal occasions, and she still did not know why she had purchased it. Except, the look in Zander’s eye when he saw her in it made her feel positively ravishing.

Lilly had purchased the gowns at bargain prices too, because the woman they had been commissioned for left town without paying for them. She, too, possessed a fuller figure, and the seamstress needed only to take in the waist for the gowns to fit like they had been custom-made for Lilly.

Grateful not to be stuck with gowns she might not sell, the seamstress had not charged Lilly for the alterations.

“Do not move, young man. I do not want you to fall again,” Zander ordered with a wink before he turned to extend a hand to help Lilly stand.

She slipped her palm into his, and a squishy sensation enveloped her.

Oh, this was getting utterly ridiculous.

Soon she would dissolve into a puddle at his feet.

Zander tightened his grip the merest bit.

Had he felt the sensation too?

She cleared her throat to dispel her frayed nerves and to break the sexual tension as thick as custard in the room.

“Let me have the food, Eddy,” Lilly said. “I shall set it aside for you, while I clean your cut.”

His eyes grew wide and wary.

She gently cupped his chin and peered into his anxious eyes. Eyes far too wise and jaded for his tender years.

“I promise, you will never go hungry here, Eddy. Never. Do you trust me?”

He gave a solemn nod and released his death grip on the meat and cheese.

Mrs. B appeared with the medicine chest, atop which sat a plate of ginger biscuits.

Only a step behind her, Martha carried a basin of water, a brush, and a dustpan. After placing the basin on the table, Martha squatted and swept up broken ceramic shards.

“I always prescribe a biscuit or two for situations like this. I vow they truly speed the healing process.” Mrs. B winked at Eddy before turning away to return to her domain.

Bless her.

Eddy’s face lit up, and he darted his small tongue to the corner of his mouth.

“I brought a few extras, Mr. Brook,” Mrs. B tossed over her shoulder, as flirtatious as any demimonde. “I know how fond you are of sweets.”

Lilly almost rolled her eyes.

Really, must Mrs. B be so blatant?

Zander grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “Nothing is as sweet as you, dear lady.”

Oh, for the love of God.

Lilly did roll her eyes then.

What an unrepentant scallywag.

Mrs. B cackled with delight before her expression grew graver. “Miss Granger, a lad from the village brought a note ’round a while ago. My sister-in-law is ailing. Might I spend the afternoon and night with her? I shall cook supper before I leave.”

“Of course you can.” Lilly cast her a smile. “Please give her my regards and take her a basket of food too.”

“I shall, and thank you.” Untying her apron, Mrs. B disappeared into the kitchen.

“Can I have a biscuit?” Eddy asked, never taking his attention off the plate.

“You may have a treat after I wash the blood away. You need to hold very still,” Lilly admonished softly as she dipped a cloth into the warm water. “Can you pretend to be a soldier in His Majesty’s Army and do that for me?”

“Yes.” Eddy gazed at her with such trust that a lump of emotion clogged her throat.

He and all the other children were why she did this.

Why she had never seriously considered marrying, not that she had ever had a suitor.

Who would look after the orphans if she left?

Love them like she did?

Folding his arms, the fabric pulling taut over his biceps, Zander rested his lean hip against the table and unabashedly stared at Lilly as she tended to Eddy.

What was he thinking?

She ought to tell him to stop gawping before a maid noticed and misinterpreted his interest; but chastising him now would only draw unwanted attention.

As Lilly cared for the child, Florence headed toward the kitchen, carefully balancing dishes in her arms. Having collected the larger broken pieces, Martha swept up the last of the remnants of the dishes and glasses.

“Thank you, Florence and Martha.” Lilly smiled at the maids.

They smiled in return before dipping half curtsies and disappearing into the kitchen.

Lilly finished cleaning Eddy’s cut and covered the wound with beeswax and comfrey ointment to protect it from infection.

“I do not think you need a bandage, Eddy.” She glanced at Zander, still studying her with unnerving intensity. “What do you think, Mr. Brook?”

A half-smile cocked his mouth up on one side.

He leaned close—too close.

Lilly inhaled his musky manly scent, and her stomach did that strange thing it did when she was near to him.

Florence returned to gather more dishes, and Zander retreated to a respectable distance.

“I agree.” Nodding, he ruffled the boy’s raven hair. “But you must take care not to touch or bump the cut, lad. You do not want to contaminate it or cause it to start bleeding again.”

“Yes, Mr. Brook.” Eddy nodded and eyed the ginger biscuits longingly. “Can I have a biscuit now?”

“You may have two for being such a brave soldier.” Lilly passed him two biscuits. “Do you feel up for the nature walk, Eddy?”

Chewing happily, he nodded again. “Yes. I want to find a snake.”

“Go along with you, then.” Lilly kissed the crown of his head. “Florence, will you please escort Eddy to the terrace to join the others? Make sure he wears his coat and cap.”

“Yes, Miss Granger.” Florence extended her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Come along, Eddy.”

Without a jot of hesitation, Eddy entwined his small fingers with hers.

Lilly bent her mouth into a pleased smile.

He was adjusting and would continue to do so.

She just had to keep reassuring him.

A month ago, he would not have trusted Florence enough to hold her hand.

After they had gone, Zander gently touched Lilly’s cheek as she put away the medical supplies.

“You would make a wonderful mother, Lilly.”

His gesture and words so startled her, she fumbled with the lid to the ointment, nearly dropping it.

“Do you ever long for your own children?” he asked.