It was not long before the older ladies broke off into a group alone, while the younger women and men remained behind. It was not until it was too late that Lily found herself being sequestered by Eleanor, who looped her arm through Lily’s and dragged her slightly aside. A possessive habit that she seemed to have with everyone.
“I was hoping to get you alone, Miss Pescott. Do you mind if I call you Lily?” Eleanor asked kindly.
“No, not at all.” Lily found herself stiffening despite her best efforts.
“Wonderful, then we shall address each other as Eleanor and Lily. It is a shame that I could not make it to the ball last night, but Mama was not up for taking me. Did you dance with anyone in particular?”
The question seemed odd to Lily as she quickly glanced at the viscount.
He seemed to be listening half-heartedly to the conversation around him as he kept his gaze fixed on her.
What is he thinking?
She felt her heart jolting at the intensity in his stare. While Eleanor seemed to have been enthralled by him, he did not seem to have any kind of interest in her at all, which further confused matters for Lily.
“Nobody worth mentioning,” Lily replied quickly.
Eleanor seemed to chew the inside of her cheek thoughtfully before responding again. “Well, you must allow me to point out a few of the more eligible men at the next ball. I assume you are looking for a husband?”
Lily simply smiled. “Not actively, but you know how it is with an eager mama. The prospect is never far off.” Her answer seemed to placate Eleanor somewhat as she glanced back at the viscount.
“I do understand. It is a pity that you are not already settled on someone. But then again, not everyone is as lucky as Julian and me,” she blushed slightly and made a shocked face. “Oh, my apologies, I do forget myself, I mean the viscount. We go back so far that I find it strange to address him formally.” She smiled sweetly at him, but he did not seem to notice at all.
Tearing her gaze away from him, Lily focused on their conversation instead. “Have you been friends for long?” She attempted a gentle probing question.
“Oh yes, we grew up together. It is only natural that we would eventually be thrown together like this. Of course, the match is very much wanted by both families, especially now that Julian is Viscount Barnard.” She drew her lower lip between her teeth and glanced back at him with a dreamy look in her eyes. “Can you not tell by the way he keeps staring at me?” She batted her lashes.
Was I mistaken?
Lily suddenly felt silly as she looked away. She had thought that he had been looking at her, and had possibly even been interested in her, but it must have all been a misunderstanding.It made sense that he would have been looking at Eleanor if they were indeed as close as she was saying.
“So, you must let me help you find a match when next we meet. It would be exciting and fun, do you not think?” Eleanor turned back to her just as Lily’s mother and aunt reappeared at her side.
Lily smiled and held her tongue before turning to her mother instead. “Mama, could we leave? I have a dreadful headache.”
Her mother nodded sympathetically. “Of course, dearest, you are looking a little pale. Shall we give our apologies and leave?”
Nodding gratefully, Lily made her excuses and greeted everyone, avoiding looking directly at the viscount just in case Eleanor got the wrong idea.
***
Her mind wandered absently beyond the four walls of the carriage as Lily stared out. She was not certain why, but she had felt a little foolish in thinking that the viscount had been attracted to her; after all, she had not wanted another man whom she found attractive.
Snippets of the conversation beside her piqued her interest as Lily listened with half an ear.
“He is quite handsome, is he not? The poor man was an officer, but he recently inherited his cousin’s title. And I can tell you that the former viscount left the estate in quite a problematic position. It only stands to reason that the newly titled viscount will want to marry well.” Her aunt finished conspiratorially.
“Heavens, that could be the perfect situation for our Lily…” Her mother gasped.
Turning fully into the discussion, Lily shook her head. “I can see where this conversation is headed, and I regret to inform you both that the viscount will not be looking for a bride.”
“What on earth do you mean, dearest?” her mother asked, tilting her head to the side as the carriage rattled over a few bumps, jostling them in their seats.
They all grabbed the edges of their seats to steady themselves.
“Did you not know, Aunt Margaret, the viscount is attached to Miss Eleanor Everet; she all but told me so herself,” Lily informed them matter-of-factly.
Aunt Margaret’s brows knit together as she frowned. “No, that cannot be right. I am aware of all the matches in theton, and Miss Everet is not engaged, nor is the viscount attached. I would have heard of the arrangement by now if it existed.”