Chapter 2

Chapter Two

“ O h, do stand up straight, Lillian.”

Lady Lillian Colborne pursed her lips as her mother reminded her of her posture, despite her back being as straight as a fencing sword. Her posture was not the problem her mother had with Lillian. It was her second year in the marriage mart, and she had still not secured a match. It was utterly unacceptable to her mother that she was still unmarried. Every chance she had, she put pressure on Lillian, demanding that, somehow, she find a man to marry.

Arabella Colborne, Countess of Welsford, had ensured that her only daughter was raised to be a proper young lady who would easily find a husband, but the pickings were slim of late. During the past Season, however, several suitors had expressed interest in Lillian. Unfortunately, Lillian did not reciprocate their interest, much to her mother’s dismay.

“I am, Mother. It is quite impossible to slouch in these stays that I parade in.”

“I prefer to call it promenading, my dearest. In the public eye, we must always look our best, especially you.”

“But the Season is over, Mother. I hardly think that any gentleman would be looking for a wife during these dreadful months.”

“Need I remind you of the day that I met your father? Gallant and handsome, I caught his eye by being the most perfect young lady I could be, despite it being a miserable day.”

Lillian pursed her lips, clasping her hands together inside the fur muff to hide her annoyance. She did not need to be reminded, as her mother constantly reminded her, of how perfect her parents’ meeting was. Lillian was somewhat envious of it, as it was not a forced meeting where they both felt awkward and out of place, such as the many times her mother had introduced her to a possible suitor. Certainly, some of the gentlemen were handsome and well-mannered, but she did not feel a connection with any of them.

Lillian stared at the sky, and a solemn sigh escaped her throat. It was a cool and overcast winter afternoon, and it was certainly not helping with her complexion. The crisp air flushed the apples of her cheeks, giving her a childish appearance. That was certainly not what she needed.

“But why does it matter if I stand up straight? No one is looking. No one is even here at the park.”

“You ought to be well aware that men adore women who stand up straight. It creates an air of sophistication and poise.”

Where on earth had her mother heard such a preposterous thing? Men were not in the least bit interested in posture. They only wished to marry a young woman who came from a wealthy and reputable family, would adorn their arms at social events, and, of course, bear their children.

Lillian rolled her eyes subtly, turning her face away from her mother to prevent her from noticing Lillian’s defiance. It was not that Lillian did not wish to be married, but rather that she wanted to choose her future husband, herself. Of course, her mother would not allow her to do so. She was twenty years old this year, and it had been two years since her presentation to society, which frustrated her mother to no end.

Now, her mother was more determined than ever to secure a match for her only daughter.

Lillian was envious of her older brother, Timothy, who was not under nearly as much pressure to marry as she was. Plus, he was older as well. She found it unfair that Timothy was able to live his life as a bachelor, attending a gentlemen’s club and frolicking around the country as it pleased him.

Why was she not extended the same courtesy? She knew the answer, of course – it was because she was a woman.

A lady .

“What of Lord Bertram?” Lady Welsford asked suddenly.

Lillian’s brow furrowed as she recalled Lord Bertram.

“Lord Bertram was ordinary. He had no knowledge of any of the books I have read.”

Lady Welsford chuckled and shook her head.

“Oh, my dear. Men do not read the same things as we do. And you ought not to bore him with those novels you read.”

“But I love them.”

“Understandable, but you are not seeking the company of spinsters. You wish to attract a husband. Perhaps I should arrange for Lord Bertram to call.”

Lillian forced a smile and knew that it was futile to argue with her mother.

“That sounds lovely, Mother.” A chill ran up Lillian’s spine as a gust of wind suddenly blew around her and Lady Welsford. “The wind is starting to pick up. Shall we head back to the carriage?”

“Before we do that, may I say something?”

Lillian glanced at her mother, and her brow furrowed in both intrigue and confusion. It was not like her mother to withhold things from her, but the expression on her mother’s face suggested otherwise.

“Of course. Is something the matter, Mother?”

“Not at all. I am merely trying to do my best for you, Lillian. I want you to have the best life possible. And I am more than aware that finding a husband is the last thing on your own list of priorities, but it is important to me, and your father.”

“And our family as well.”

“Precisely, my dear,” Lady Welsford murmured as she gently touched Lillian’s cheek. “For generations, the Colborne family has prided itself on its impeccable reputation. Our marriages have lasted lifetimes, with no unpleasantness, and we have produced heirs to keep the family going, or the families we marry into, for the daughters.”

“And I am failing to fulfill that by not being married yet.”

Lillian lowered her gaze with regret. She knew of her family and its history, but she had not realized how important it was to her mother. Her father never badgered her with these things, as he was a man of few words. As many people described him, he was the strong, silent type, and it was the truth. But when he spoke, people paid attention, as it would be something important.

And while Lord Welsford commanded authority, he was kind and gentle in Lillian’s company. Perhaps it was because Lillian was his only daughter, and he had a very special place in his heart for her.

“It is not that, but finding a husband is good. Finding the right husband is better.”

“And how do I know who is the right one?”

“We don’t unless it is a love match, and those are rather rare. But Lord Bertram is a good man. He comes from a family which has both wealth and influence. I believe he also attended Oxford.”

Lillian’s eyes sparkled with interest, and she pointed out, “Perhaps Timothy might know him.”

“I already asked, but your brother was vague with his answer.”

“Perhaps he is aware of something you are not, Mother.”

“Do not say such things, Lillian.”

Lady Welsford stared sternly at Lillian, working her lower lip anxiously. She did not intend to upset her mother, especially not when it came to suitors. Or her brother, for that matter. He was the apple of her eye.

“Where is Timothy? Was he not supposed to join us this afternoon?”

Lady Welsford fobbed Lillian off and shook her head.

“Your brother would rather be anywhere else than keep his mother and sister company, it seems.”

“It must be nice to do whatever one pleases,” Lillian muttered.

“Do not mumble, dear.”

“Oh, it was nothing important, Mother.”

As she looked into the distance, across the park, which was now covered by a light whisper of snow, Lillian’s eye followed the stone pathway and she noticed her older brother, Timothy, strolling towards them. Timothy exuded confidence and charm when wearing his usual attire of dark breeches, black boots, a dark jacket with an emerald-green cravat, and a bright smile.

The young ladies of the ton , as well as their mamas, adored Timothy, but he had not shown significant interest in any of them, and of course, courting was out of the question. Despite his age of six and twenty, he had no thought of marriage, and Lillian's mother uttered not a single word about it. It was infuriating to Lillian, as she had been pestered nonstop since her Come Out. Perhaps, like her brother, she also did not wish to be married. But of course, no one listened to her.

“Timothy, my darling.”

Lillian watched as Lady Welsford beamed at Timothy, embracing him lovingly. Timothy winked at Lillian and eventually pulled away from his mother.

“Mother. My dear sister. Are you enjoying your stroll?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

He was well aware of how much Lillian despised these strolls with their mother. It was as though she was put on show like a prize calf, ready for the slaughter.

“It is lovely. In fact, we were speaking of you a few moments ago.”

“You were?” Timothy asked and cocked his head at Lillian.

“Indeed. Mother wishes to arrange for Lord Bertram to call, and I want to know if he is a good suitor.”

Timothy shifted his weight rather uncomfortably and his jaw clenched. He appeared nervous and swallowed hard.

“Perhaps Lillian should refrain from seeking a husband in such dreary conditions. It does nothing for her complexion. Wait until Spring, rather, for the sunbeams to add some color to her porcelain skin.”

Lillian’s jaw dropped, and she stared at Timothy. She was not certain whether to be shocked by his words or welcome them with open arms. She would be forever grateful to him if he could convince their mother to postpone her matchmaking for Lillian until the Spring - if anyone had that power and influence, it would be Timothy.

“Never in my life have I heard such fustian nonsense. Wherever did that come from, Timothy?”

Timothy shrugged his shoulders and glanced around.

“It does seem rather pointless. It is winter and so close to Christmas. And speaking of Christmas-”

“Timothy, apologies for interrupting, but what of Lord Bertram?”

Lady Welsford sounded, most unusually, actually a little annoyed with Timothy.

“Is he not too old for Lillian?”

“He is the same age as you are.”

“That is precisely my point. Would she not fare better with a gentleman her own age?”

“That is not how this works, Timothy. You ought to know this.”

Lillian’s gaze moved back and forth between her mother and her brother. They spoke of her as though she was not standing beside them, and it was infuriating.

“Do I not get a say in this?” Lillian interjected.

Both her mother and brother paused for a moment and turned to her.

“ Do you want a say in this, sister?”

“At least a little,” she answered, wringing her hands together inside her muff.

“Perhaps Timothy is right,” Lady Welsford sighed theatrically. “Perhaps we ought to hold off for a while, until the new year, at least. I will consider it.”

Lillian gazed at Timothy gratefully but lowered her gaze before her mother could notice.

“What were you going to say about Christmas, my darling?” Lady Welsford asked Timothy.

“Oh, yes. A very good friend of mine, whom I met while at Oxford, is returning to London soon. Would it be alright if he joined us for Christmas? He has no other family, and I do not wish him to spend Christmastide alone.”

Lady Welsford and Lillian exchanged puzzled and intrigued glances, and Lady Welsford asked, “Who is this friend?”

“We attended university together in Oxford, as I mentioned.”

Timothy grinned, his shoulders straight, his hands behind his back.

Lady Welsford’s eyes narrowed curiously.

“You have never introduced us to this friend, have you?”

“I have not. But he and I have exchanged letters for a while. He is managing his estate in Cornwall but is traveling to London to visit me. Please, Mother. I consider him family, and to him, I am the only family he has,” Timothy uttered.

“Very well, but I will consult with your father when we arrive home.”

“Wonderful.”

As Lillian watched her brother, she noticed something strange in his behavior. He had been very vague when he spoke of his friend and had not even given his friend’s name. Who was this friend of Timothy’s, and why was he doing his best to keep his name a secret?

Lillian bit her lower lip as she wondered what her brother was hiding since she had never truly seen him act this way before.

But, in her experience, the festive cheer of Christmas did rather strange things to even the most normal of people, Timothy included. Perhaps it was just that.