LITMIR.BIZ

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Lily had only been living in London since April when Lily made her debut. They still had much to learn about the ways of society. Aristocratic society, that is. One could lease one’s manor out for a year or longer, and though everyone would know the family was having financial trouble, taking this step would seem like a sensible way out of those troubles. Renting one’s family home out for a week, however, would give the appearance of running a hotel and would reek of middle-class business. It simply wasn’t done.

      “What of Leo’s sister and her husband?” I ran through a mental list of distant acquaintance names. “The Durants, if I remember correctly? I know they keep a house in town, but where is Mr. Durant’s family seat?”

      Lily wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure where they’re from, but Leo would know better than I. Let me fetch him.”

      She rose and crossed the room as if Leo were waiting just outside in the hall. She opened the door and reached out.

      Heavens, he was just outside in the hall.

      I cast a glance at Hetty, who shrugged. “We all thought it better if he waited while Lily gave you her news.”

      Leo, usually friendly and gregarious, shuffled into the room, his head down. He darted nervous glances at me while Lily tugged him along behind her—a sight in itself. Leo was not a tall man, but he had a square, sturdy build, and Lily was so petite it looked as though she were guiding a repentant Goliath to a chair.

      Good. He couldn’t be any more uncomfortable than I, and he’d been a party to bringing this situation upon us. I invited him to sit while I searched for the right words to begin.

      Hetty had no such problem. “We’ve been discussing your situation, Mr. Kendrick, and Lady Harleigh seems to think an elopement might give rise to a great deal of gossip.”

      Leo chewed on his lip while he studied me, his warm brown eyes wary. “I rather think the gossip would be less vicious over an elopement than if we wait for the proper wedding date.”

      “Perhaps,” I said. “But not by much. Since the wedding invitations have not yet gone out, is it possible for you and Lily to change your venue and date? Somewhere in the country in a week or so, with only family in attendance.”

      He contemplated the idea then blew out a breath. “I can see the advantage to a quick, simple ceremony, but where exactly in the country did you intend the wedding to take place?”

      “Would it be possible to hold it at Mr. Durant’s family home?”

      His eyes grew wide. “In Northumberland?”

      I slumped back against the desk and let out a tsk. “That far away?”

      He bobbed his head. “And I’m not certain they’d be agreeable to the idea. Durant’s not very close to his family. Don’t know if he’d be willing to ask them.”

      “Well, that settles it,” Lily said. “We will have to elope.” She perched on the arm of Leo’s chair. “And we should do it quickly while your parents are away.”

      I hated the idea, but before I could comment, a knock sounded at the door and Mrs. Thompson poked her gray head inside.

      “Mr. Hazelton is here for you, my lady.”

      “Is he?” I couldn’t stop the smile that slipped across my lips. No matter what problems bore down on me, just the thought of George Hazelton drove them from my mind.

      “Must you see him now?” Lily flashed me a look of impatience.

      I rose to my feet. “Yes, I must. He’s on his way to Risings, so he won’t be here long, dear. Besides, you and Leo have a great deal of planning to do.” I shot her a warning look as I followed Mrs. Thompson out. “Don’t you dare leave before I return.”

      The second I stepped through the drawing room door, George pulled me into his arms. I made no protest. On the contrary, I thoroughly approved of his actions. George Hazelton and I were to be wed, though we kept that lovely secret to ourselves, so as not to steal Lily’s thunder. Once she and Leo married, we could make our announcement.

      I released a small sigh at the thought of Lily’s wedding.

      George pulled back and gave me a penetrating look. “That sounded nothing like a sigh of pleasure, Frances. Is something wrong?”

      Dearest George. Still in his arms, I reached up to brush back a dark lock of hair. I loved that I had to tip my head back to look into his eyes, but was close enough to see the dark rim surrounding the paler green iris, so full of mystery. It could take years to unravel the mystery of this man, and I would treasure every one.

      Slipping my hand into his, I led him over to the cozy conversation area of a large tea table surrounded by plump sofas and chairs, upholstered in a blue and white print. We settled into one of the sofas. “Just a little trouble with Lily and Leo’s wedding plans. Nothing so terrible, I suppose.”

      He frowned, making two vertical lines appear between his brows. “Please tell me it won’t keep you from joining me at my brother’s home next week. A romantic rendezvous requires the presence of both parties. I can’t do it without you, you know.”

      I placed a hand over my heart. “Ah, yes. You, me, and the dozen people who make up your shooting party. The ambiance leaves me breathless.”

      “I’ve only invited the Evingdons, my sister, and her husband. The rest are neighbors who won’t be staying at the house so I believe I can arrange the ambiance you seek.” His voice dropped to a low growl, sending shivers across my shoulders.

      George was the youngest brother to the Earl of Hartfield, who was currently traveling on the continent with his wife, a second honeymoon of sorts. They set out on their trip a month ago and planned to continue their travels for another. As this was quite some time spent away from the estate, the earl had asked George to check on Risings, to ensure everything continued running smoothly. He agreed, of course, and would be leaving today for a stay of two weeks. And what would two autumn weeks in the country be without a shooting party?

      The prospect of such an event left him as excited as a child with a new puppy. He’d asked me several times to join him, and I finally conceded. Though with Lily’s wedding coming up, I thought I could only spare a week.

      “Actually, this spot of trouble means I may be able to join you even sooner.”

      His brow smoothed as he grinned. “Have they decided to elope then? Wise choice.”

      I shrugged. “As it happens, it’s their only choice.”

      “You’re serious.” He leaned back and took me in with a glance. “Truly? After all their plans they intend to elope?”

      “They must marry soon.” I gave him a meaningful look.

      He responded with a blank stare. “They are marrying soon.”

      Clearly, I needed to work on my facial expressions. “No. I mean they must marry immediately.”

      His raised brows told me he finally understood. “Isn’t your mother on her way as we speak? She’ll be terribly disappointed if she misses the wedding.”

      “As will Leo’s mother, but we couldn’t think of another option. I suggested we put together a small family ceremony in the country, but Harleigh Manor is for sale and thus, unavailable.” I shrugged. “As Leo’s parents have no country home, there is nowhere to gather even a small family party.”

      “They could come to Risings. Plenty of room there.”

      “That’s lovely of you to offer, but your brother is no relation to any of us. We cannot ask him to host a wedding, even a small one. It’s far too much of an imposition.”

      “Correction.” He held up his index finger. “You are soon to be my brother’s sister, a very close relation indeed.” A second finger joined the first. “He is not in residence, thus no imposition at all. And finally”—his ring finger

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