Her mother seemed to perk up again. “That is good news then, such an arrangement could solve all of our problems. Lily can make a good match, leave her past behind, and the viscount can use her dowry to save his estate.”
“Mama, how can you say such things?” Lily complained.
Turning toward her, Lily’s mother grew serious. “You are not a child, dearest; one must talk openly on such matters. You are both in positions to help the other, and do not discount an arranged marriage. Good things can come from such situations. You never know, you and the viscount could possibly even grow to cherish one another.” The statement caused Lily to roll her eyes.
“I do not think it necessary to marry anymore, Mama. I have left Oliver King and all of that behind me. I am quite content to remain as I am for the time being.” She sat back against the seat, hoping that her point had been made.
Her mother’s face grew more solemn as she exchanged a look with her sister.
“What is it?” Lily asked, her chest knotting with concern. A look like that could only mean trouble, and she was not in the mood to deal with any new developments.
Taking a deep breath, her mother turned to her and reached for her hand, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Lily, dearest, you may have left the matter behind you in New York, but I am afraid that the matter has not left you behind.” She glanced again at her sister, causing the pit of Lily’s stomach to churn.
“Has something happened, Mama? If so, you may tell me, I am made of sterner stuff than that. Has Oliver been spotted with yet another woman?” She felt her mother’s grip tighten on her hand.
“I am afraid that it is worse than that, dearest…” Her mother’s voice trailed off again with a heavy sigh. “Rumors of your alleged involvement in the ongoing accusations are still circulating.”
“And they are growing more and more prevalent by the day,” her aunt added, matching her sister’s grave tone of concern.
“But who would be spreading such vicious lies?” Lily’s heart began to race as she thought of all the implications that such rumors could carry for her. Treason was an offense punishable by death, and that was not something she was willing to experience because of Oliver.
Both her mother and aunt shook their heads before her mother spoke again. “We do not know; all we know is that the rumors are circulating. And that is enough for us to concern ourselves with. Whether it is Oliver spreading the rumors or simply society speculating, we must put a stop to them at once.”
“And marrying will achieve that…” Lily sighed, feeling her shoulders rise and fall.
Her mother nodded. “You must marry, and you must marry well. A title like that of Lord Barnard’s will be able to protect you. You can claim that you knew nothing of Oliver’s schemes once you are married.”
“But I truly knew nothing of any if it!” She protested loudly, raising her voice.
Aunt Margaret chimed in again, her tone sharp yet understanding. “And we believe you, but the rest of the world will not. Relations between Spain and America have been shaky for quite some time; we must squash these rumors before they reach the ears that truly matter. Give the gossips something substantial to chat about while you clear your name.”
Her eyes flashed with determination.
Lily could feel her hopes sinking again as she shut her eyes and shook her head. “That may very well be the case, but I do not think that the viscount is an option. Miss Everet was adamant that they are attached.”
Her aunt rolled her eyes.
“And we are adamant that you should be married. We shall have to see who is right in the end. I saw the way that Miss Everet was hanging on the poor man, and I would stake my life on the fact that Lord Barnard is not attached. He did, however, seem to take a particular liking to you. The viscount has always been a private man, but the announcement would have been made by now if the matter was serious.”
“And just because he is possibly courting the young woman, it does not mean that she will have him. Young lords are well-known to court several young women in one season until their minds are made up. There is no harm in stoking the embers of attraction to see if they will catch flame,” her mother persisted.
“Attraction?” Lily asked, regretting the question almost as soon as it had slipped out.
Her mother and aunt nodded vigorously in unison again. “The viscount is most certainly attracted to you, Lily. We saw the way he danced with you at the ball, and how intently he was paying attention to you in front of the painting. Do you not find him attractive as well?” Her voice was tinged with curiosity as she eyed Lily quite closely.
Lily’s pulse quickened at the question. “Of course, he is an attractive man…” she said hesitantly.
But Eleanor said that he was looking at her.
Glimmers of doubt entered her mind again, but her aunt and mother did not seem to notice.
“I know, we should have them over for dinner!” Her mother completely ignored her protests and began to make plans with her aunt. “I simply adored his mother and sister.”
Lily turned her head again, gazing out the window as she left the conversation behind. It did not matter whether she agreed with her aunt and mother or not; they seemed to have made up their minds and would not be swayed.
How will he feel about this?
Her mind wandered back to their dance at the ball, their meeting on the terrace, and even the moment in the gallery. Had she been misreading the signs all along?