Chapter 14
Opening her eyes, Lily awoke to an empty bed.
I chased him away.
She felt a sudden pang of guilt as she recalled the night before and how hard he had been trying to make conversation with her. She had not wanted to push him away, yet the letter from Oliver had startled her to the point of not knowing what to do. Everything between her and Julian at the wedding had been perfect; the last thing she wanted was for something like the letter to come between them.
A part of her felt as if she should tell him, but she decided to write to her mother first and get her opinion. She had never been married before and felt a little uneasy at keeping secrets, but her mother had always given her good advice.
Stretching out her arm, she touched the pillow where his head had been lying. The fabric was still warm, and a sudden memory made her blush.
I slept in his arms…
Flashes of the rest of the evening came back to her. She had woken from a nightmare where she had been caught in a storm. Julian had been fast asleep, and she had been lying in the crook of his arm, almost against his chest. Not wanting to wakehim, she had lain as still as he could before drifting to a more comfortable sleep.
Had she been in his arms when he had awoken? And if so, how had it made him feel?
The thought made her blush deepen as she sat up straight and ran her fingers through her messy hair. The simple braid she had attempted on her own had not held at all, leaving her hair in a tangled mess.
A gentle knock sounded at the door, drawing a thankful Lily away from her own tortured thoughts. “Who is it?” She called out while straightening her nightdress over her legs.
“It is Amy, my lady, I have brought you some breakfast,” her maid called out.
Glancing at the curtains, Lily wondered if she had missed breakfast.
Bright light streamed through the thin crack in the curtains, making her wince as she adjusted her eyes. “Come in!” she called out again, welcoming the much-needed distraction.
Opening the door with one hand, Amy balanced the tray in the other while using her knee to prop it up. She seemed like her cheerful self as she came in and placed the tray on Lily’s lap with a smile. “Good morning, my lady. His Lordship asked me to bring up your breakfast. He thought you might like to sleep in a bit after all the excitement of yesterday.”
“Yes, thank you, Amy, that was very kind of him.” She looked down at the tray as her maid opened the drapes and began to tidy the chambers.
Buttered toast, cheese, and fruits were all neatly arranged on a plate beside a pot of tea with a single cup. Yet the thing that drew her attention the most was a small note that had been neatly tucked in beside the pot of tea. Unfolding the edges, she recognized the viscount’s writing at once.
Hope you slept well. I had an early meeting and thought you needed the rest. I will be gone for most of the day, but I am hoping to be back in time for dinner.
Your Husband,
Julian Sinclair, Viscount of Barnard.
The sentiment warmed her heart as he placed the note back and began to eat her breakfast. It was good that he had not been angry with her, but she needed to take more care in the future not to alienate his good nature.
She had been alone for so long that she was not accustomed to sharing all of her feelings with a man, but Julian seemed to be a far more open person than Oliver ever had been.
After finishing her breakfast, Lily allowed Amy to help her dress and fix her hair before making her way downstairs.
Catherine and Juliette were waiting in the drawing room as they welcomed her with bright smiles.
“Good morning, my lady, and how did you sleep?” Julian’s mother asked her and motioned for Lily to take a seat.
Breathing more easily, Lily joined them on one of the settees surrounding the coffee table. “Please, call me Lily; it will take me a while to get used to all of thismy ladybusiness.”
Juliette smiled at her with a teasing glint in her eyes. “You and Julian are so alike. He always insists that we call him by his name, and no,my lord.”
“Do not tease her so early in the morning, Juliette,” her mother scolded her lightly before turning back to Lily. “Of course, we shall address you in the manner you choose, Lily.”
A wave of gratitude washed over her as Lily sat back and accepted a cup of tea from Juliette.
“In that case, you must call us Catherine and Juliette. You are part of the family now, so it would not be improper. Did you enjoy your breakfast? Julian insisted on our leaving you to sleep. His thoughtfulness is just one of his many qualities, as I am certain you are aware of by now.” Juliette chattered away as a comfortable atmosphere descended between them.