Chapter 6

Chapter Six

O h my.

Lillian’s heart pounded in her chest as the handsome gentleman before her stared intently at her. His hazel eyes were mesmerizing and warm. The manly scent of him had created a whirlwind of fluttering inside her stomach. His mere presence brought forth many curious feelings, but a sense of overwhelming excitement as well. Her racing heart was evident enough to create curiosity inside her.

Who was this man?

Why was his gaze so alluring to Lillian?

And why could she not utter a single word without her cheeks coloring?

This gentleman had rescued her from humiliation, although she felt incredibly foolish. She was not a clumsy young lady under normal circumstances, but she had never been that close to a man before. They had not even been properly introduced, and already she had imagined their future together. It was rather presumptuous of her to imagine such things from only meeting someone so swiftly, but Lillian could not help herself. Those thoughts were overwhelming and quite remarkable.

Lillian’s brow furrowed as she composed herself and straightened her shoulders.

“Thank you for your assistance. It would have been rather embarrassing if I had fallen.”

“It was my absolute pleasure. Allow me to introduce myself. I am-”

“Perhaps you ought to keep your introductions to yourself,” Lillian heard her mother utter rather rudely, and she looked at her over her shoulder to see that Lady Welsford’s cheeks were colored, but it was not from embarrassment. Her eyes flashed angrily, and she wrapped her fingers around Lillian’s arm. “We must go,” she hissed at Lillian and pulled her in the opposite direction from the gentleman.

“Mother, wait. This kind gentleman saved me from a potentially humiliating fate. I missed the step and I-”

“Perhaps you should watch where you are walking, dear.”

Lillian’s brow furrowed at her mother’s tone, and she turned to the gentleman.

“Pardon my mother.”

Before she could apologize to the gentleman, Lady Welsford pulled Lillian’s arm with more vigor and forced her in the opposite direction. The two ladies crossed the road and Lady Welsford almost shoved Lillian into their carriage. She watched as her mother settled opposite her, and felt almost smothered inside the confined space with her suddenly rather rude and unpleasant mother.

“What is wrong, Mother? Why were you rude to that gentleman?”

“That was not a gentleman, Lillian,” her mother hissed, adjusting the sleeves of her dress, and straightening her clothing. She appeared rather distressed, although Lillian could not imagine why. She had not seen her mother act in such a way before, and it puzzled her immensely.

“Mother, are you well?”

Lady Welsford narrowed her eyes at Lillian for a few moments and shook her head. She stared out of the window of the carriage and sighed theatrically.

“I hope you realize that everything I have done for you your entire life was to ensure that you were raised as a proper young woman who would easily find a husband.”

“I do realize that. But you still have not answered my question. Are you well?”

“I am well. Your concern is appreciated, my dear. And I must apologize for my behavior. That gentleman outside the modiste was not the kind of man you should keep company with.”

Lillian’s brow furrowed, and her heart suddenly raced in her chest. Her palms felt clammy, and her cheeks colored once more. She lowered her gaze, to hide her affliction from her mother. She certainly did not need her mother to notice the flush in her cheeks at only the mention of the handsome stranger who had rescued her from an embarrassing fall in the busiest street in Mayfair.

“I understand, Mother, as you were quite clear the first time. What I do not understand is why you were so rude to that gentleman. Are you familiar with him?”

“I am familiar with his type,” Lady Welsford scoffed and crossed her arms. “And I would very much appreciate it if you were to stay as far away from him, and men like him, as possible in future.”

Lillian pursed her lips as she noticed the carriage continue past their home in Mayfair.

“Mother, where are we going?”

“We are meeting your brother at the tearooms.”

“Why was I not informed of this?”

“I do not require your permission to make any decisions, especially not when they involve important matters. We are to discuss a possible marriage in the near future.”

“Whose marriage?”

“Yours, my dear.”

“I beg your pardon. I did not agree to anything, nor have I been made aware of such plans.”

“Again, dearest, I do not need to ask your permission for everything, and as a matter of fact, I said a possible marriage.”

Lillian’s jaw clenched angrily, but she bit her tongue. It was a futile thing to argue with her mother regarding matters of marriage and betrothals. She was in charge of that, much to Lillian’s dismay, and she would not allow her daughter to sully the family name.

Since her Come Out three years ago, Lillian had longed to meet someone who not only shared her interests but who was also handsome and interesting. Most importantly, she wished for a love match. Unfortunately, at the rate she was going, that would never happen. If she was forced to marry someone, it would have to be someone she could tolerate.

And none of her mother’s choices seemed to fit any of those criteria.

Upon their arrival at the tearooms, Lady Welsford immediately noticed Timothy waiting for them at a table by the window. Timothy enjoyed watching people, almost studying them. That was why he read people so very well. He was also an excellent judge of character and Lady Welsford often relied on his opinion regarding members of the ton . He could often advise on who to trust, and who to stay far away from.

“Oh, good. You are here. I was afraid that we would have to wait for you. I am practically parched.”

Timothy hastily ordered their tea and glanced at his mother.

“Is everything well, Mother? You seem rather…”

His voice trailed off as he silently searched for the right word, but Lillian interjected.

“Distressed.”

Timothy’s brow furrowed and he shook his head in disagreement.

“I would not have used such a harsh word, but there does seem to be something amiss.”

“Mother was informing me that I should keep better company and not mingle with men who would ruin my reputation with their behavior.”

Timothy stared at his mother in confusion and inquired, “What prompted this?”

“I tripped outside the modiste’s, and a kind gentleman caught me before I fell.”

Lady Welsford’s jaw tightened.

“Perhaps in the future, you should be more careful and mindful.”

Lillian rolled her eyes and turned to her brother.

“He was lovely, Timothy. He was kind and handsome-”

“And not a good fit at all. Lord Bertram is a much better match.”

“Lord Bertram? Are you seriously considering him as a suitable husband for Lillian?” Timothy asked.

“I am. His father was well-respected-”

“That does not mean that he is, Mother.”

Lillian stared at her brother and mother, who were practically arguing about whether Lord Bertram was the kind of man Lillian should marry. Her mother was very happy with the idea, but her brother appeared very apprehensive. It was as though he knew something about Lord Bertram that their mother did not, and he was attempting to keep it concealed. Lillian found that rather surprising, as Timothy could persuade his mother of most things.

Unfortunately, when it came to Lord Bertram, her mother was steadfast and unmoving. She appeared to have made up her mind about Lillian marrying Lord Bertram. Perhaps Lillian must investigate on her own, and find out as much as she could about Lord Bertram.

But the only person on Lillian’s mind was the handsome man who had caught her in front of the modiste. She still smelled the scent of him on her clothing and she would never be able to forget the intensity of his hazel eyes. Lillian shivered at the thought, and she lowered her gaze.

“But who was this stranger who rescued you from humiliation, sister?”

Timothy’s voice startled her, and her thoughts of the handsome gentleman instantly vanished. She lightly shrugged her shoulders and sipped her tea.

“I am not certain. He was not able to introduce himself, nor was I for that matter.”

“That is a pity, as it is clear that he made quite an impression on you, sister.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have not seen your cheeks so colored in a long time, and you are smiling rather dreamily.”

“Stop it,” Lillian giggled.

“Perhaps you shall fall at his feet again and he will properly introduce himself.”

“Or perhaps she ought to forget about a man who does not make an effort to introduce himself. The man is hiding something,” Lade Welsford muttered before sipping her tea.

“The only reason he did not, was because you rudely interrupted him,” Lillian pointed out.

“Is this true, Mother?”

“Please, spare me the interrogation. A man like that should not be walking the streets of Mayfair, not even during the off-season.”

“I do not understand what this man did that made you despise him so,” Lillian uttered.

“It does not matter, and he most certainly does not matter. Shall we speak of Lord Bertram? It will be a much more pleasant conversation,” Lady Welsford suggested.

“And what do you wish to discuss about Lord Bertram?” Timothy asked.

“I am arranging for him to call at our home in a few days. Perhaps we can invite him to have dinner with us as well. I do feel that he is a good match.”

“He has shown an interest?”

“He has. In fact, he seems very interested.”

“Really?” Lillian asked calmly.

“Indeed. Is that not wonderful? He owns a lovely country home in Kent and a townhouse in Grosvenor Square. Lillian would not be too far away. We could visit as often as they allow us, and you and Lord Bertram can get reacquainted.”

“Reacquainted?”

“Lord Bertram attended Oxford with Timothy.”

Lillian’s eyes widened and she stared at her brother.

“You did not tell me this.”

“I did not feel the need to. I wish you to make up your own mind about him, sister.”

“Since when do I have that luxury?” Lillian muttered and rose to her feet. “Pardon me, I need some air.”

Before Timothy and Lady Welsford were able to say anything, Lillian left the tearoom and stood outside. She drew in deep breaths and calmed herself. She was growing weary of her mother controlling her life, especially when it came to suitors.

Lillian looked around her, hoping to see the handsome gentleman she was not able to stop thinking of. Of course, she realized it was foolish, and wishful thinking from her side to even consider the possibility that he might wish to see her again. But there was no harm in looking around, after all, what were the chances that she would bump into him twice in a row?

“She is only taking care of you, Lillian,” Timothy said, suddenly beside her.

Lillian gasped in surprise and turned to her brother.

“I hardly think that is true. She is determined to make my life miserable and marry me off to the man she wants me to marry. I have no say in it whatsoever.”

Timothy shifted his weight from side to side and grinned at her.

“Perhaps you ought to show some interest in another suitor. Perhaps if you do that, she will not be as adamant.”

“That would work, except that I have not met someone who has caught my interest, brother.”

“What of this gentleman who caught you and stopped you from falling on your delicate little face?”

Lillian chuckled and her cheeks colored.

“I wish I knew his name. You would be able to find him with a snap of your fingers.”

“You deem me very resourceful, sister.”

Lillian playfully nudged Timothy and giggled.

“You are.”

“I am,” he admitted with amusement. “Please do not be hard on Mother. She is doing the best that she can.”

Lillian sighed and tilted her head to the side.

“It is at times such as these that I wish I had a sister.”

“We both know that would not help in the least,” Timothy laughed. “But do not fret, sister. I am always here when you need me.”

“Thank you, brother. I would not have been able to last as long as I have with Mother if it were not for you.”

“Shall we go back inside, then? We should not leave Mother to her own devices, should we?”

Lillian grinned.

“Perhaps a few more minutes?”

“Very well.”

Lillian smiled at her brother. Ever since she could remember, he had protected her, and shielded her from the dangers of the world, their mother included. And it was true what she had told him. If it was not for him, she would not have held out that long with her mother and her overbearing nature.