His voice was raised and filled with anger when he called to her again. “You cannot do this, Lily! Mark my words, you cannot do this to me! You will be sorry if this wedding does not go ahead!”
Lowering her voice to a whisper, Lily lifted the hem of her dress and climbed the steps one at a time. “I am already sorry that I ever met you.” Tears spilled down her cheeks again, making her grateful for the fact that her back was turned to him.
“You will pay for this, Lily Prescott, mark my words! I shall make you pay for ending this!” His angry words followed her up the stairs and across the gallery until she reached the door to her chambers.
So much for honey.
She pushed open the door, feeling the final waves of shock begin to take over her body as her fingers began to tremble. She had stood strong in his presence, yet her emotional tolerance for the day was reaching its limit.
Shutting the door behind her, she let out a shaky breath and allowed the tears to flow until her legs felt as if they would buckle.
“Why did I allow myself to be humiliated like this?” She asked her empty chambers, needing to voice that question that was tearing her apart.
Placing the tips of her fingers against the rough wood of her door, she pushed herself off and walked to her bed, falling into the softness between the four-posters as if it could envelope her and make everything better.
Her body shook with every sob, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Chapter 1
Three months later, London, England. Late March.
“As you can see, I will certainly have my hands full with restorations.” Julian Sinclair placed his hands behind his back and clenched his jaw as he looked at the numerous issues that had befallen Redding Hall.
Wallpapers were peeling, and buckets had been placed around the foyer to catch the many droplets of water that leaked through the ceiling. Even the spring breeze seemed to have come in uninvited and made a home in the drafty halls.
No servants had been there to greet him and his friend, but the solicitor had warned Julian that they would be far too busy plugging holes when he arrived. Not even a butler or housekeeper had set foot on the premises for as many years as Julian had not spoken to his cousin.
“You certainly will.” Benedict Southampton looked around the foyer while drawing his lower lip between his teeth. As Julian’s oldest friend, he always gave his opinions decidedly without hesitation.
“And you never knew that your cousin had allowed the place to fall into such a state of disrepair?” He tore his eyes away from a pail of water that was just beginning to drip over onto thealready ruined flooring. His light brown hair matched the color of his eyes, which overflowed with concern.
Julian shook his head, chewing the inside of his cheek as he ran his fingers through his cropped curly black hair that had been cut short in an attempt to tame it. Although most attempts usually seemed futile, it was more manageable when it was short. “I am afraid that my cousin was a private man. Or at least, he was with our side of the family. The Viscount of Barnard never paid us poor relatives much heed.”
Benedict let out a low whistle as he once again began to survey the damage. The boyish charm that usually marked his character was replaced with a grave look of concern. “It certainly is shocking how a gambling addiction can throw an estate into such disarray. Have you any idea of how you shall pay for all of this?”
Julian’s chest clenched along with his jaw. “I do not. I had considered giving up the title, but my position as the new Viscount will help my sister find an advantageous match.” He tried to push aside the resentment that he felt toward his cousin for leaving him such a mess.
His friend nodded. “I can understand. A title is only as good as the paper that is written on as long as the estate is functioning and in good hands. I am grateful at times that I am the second son of a baron and not directly in line to inherit…” His words trailed off when the bucket beside his boots accepted a final drop and splashed dirty water onto the polished leather.
“Indeed,” Julian grumbled, further resenting the fact that he had to leave behind a life in the military to sort out the family mess.
“Perhaps you should take a wife,” Benedict suggested after rubbing his boot on the back of his cream breeches.
“That is by far the worst idea that you have ever come up with,” Julian answered without hesitation, prompting his best friend to roll his eyes.
Benedict was at least a head shorter than Julian, and lean rather than muscular. They had become friends during the Napoleonic Wars when title and status had not mattered on the battlefield. “You are such a curmudgeon when it comes to these matters, Julian. You are a sought-after man. Even before your newly inherited title, women were throwing themselves at your feet.”
“Which gives me all the more reason not to entertain any of that nonsense,” he grumbled again.
He was a well-built man with stunning blue eyes that bordered on gray, yet his years in the military and past experiences had taught him that looks were not all that mattered when character played a bigger part. He detested the thought of ever having to lend his heart out to someone who could break it.
Benedict interrupted his thoughts again. “I never said anything about love, Julian. I merely meant that you should consider the virtues of having a marriage of convenience. There is a fresh batch of debutants this season, and balls will be in full swing soon enough. It is the perfect time for you to find a wife with plenty of money.”
“And you find your terms acceptable to start a marriage? You know my stance on the matter, especially after what happened the last time I convinced myself that I had been in love.” He raised an eyebrow.
Benedict stopped and looked around the almost crumbling foyer. “Not if you think it acceptable to bring your mother and sister to live in such deplorable conditions. I suppose you could always keep the small house in London, but it is not very befitting of a viscount, nor do I think you will find someone higher than a merchant to marry your sister. Unless you have hidden fortunes that I know nothing of?”
He looked back at Julian with raised brows before placing his hands on his hips.