Lily shrugged. “I do not recall her name. I hardly know anyone, and I was in such a rush that I was not paying attention.”
Letting out a heavy breath, Arabella lowered her shoulders. “I am afraid that you have been the subject of a cruel jest.”
A flicker of shock ran through Lily’s veins. “But who would do such a thing?” Her anger flared again as she thought of all the embarrassment that had on Julian’s behalf, and not just hers.
Arabelle shrugged. “I cannot say for sure, but I do not think that you should be as trusting as you are, Lily. I know that you want to make more friends, but not everyone is as kind or well-intended as you and I. Take Miss Everet, for instance.
I know you consider her to be a friend, but a friend would not have advised you to leave the parlor so soon before dinner. I do not know her well enough to make any kind of judgments, but her actions were not kind.” Her voice was serious as she held Lily’s gaze.
Growing still for a moment, Lily felt herself freezing. Had Miss Everet not smirked at her once they had taken their seats? She had always been so kind to Lily, but did that mean she had not been at fault?
Coming forward, Arabella reached for the small container of powder on the stand beside them and helped Lily set her face over the tracks of tears. “I do not wish to be unkind to someone that I do not know, but let us not trust her again. Whenever thereis a social event, stay close to either me, the viscount, or Mr. Southampton. You cannot go wrong with us.”
“I resent the fact that I must be watched like a child, but I do understand what you are saying. I shall be more careful in the future and keep my distance from Miss Everet, although I do not think she would have been that malicious as to steer me incorrectly on purpose. We do not know her well enough to make such a judgment.”
Arabella made the final touches to Lily’s face and stepped back before replacing the powder. “As you say, we do not know her well enough, but it is better to remain on our guard.”
They left the powder room and headed for the drawing room, where the ladies were to gather.
Lily dreaded the looks and whispers that would be directed at her, yet there was nothing that could be done. She would have to face them all and try to redeem herself.
They had just reached the entrance hall again when Julian suddenly appeared from around a corner and stopped them.
“My apologies, Miss Tremaine, but I shall have to whisk my wife away.” He turned to Lily with a faint smile of reassurance on his lips. “I have just received a note from my mother requesting that we return home at once.”
“Has something happened?” Lily asked, her heart suddenly skipping.
Julian’s smile softened as he looked at her. “I am not certain, but I do think it best that we leave at once. I have already made our apologies to our hosts, and they sent their regards and thanked us for coming.”
Arabella looked from one to the other before fixing Julian with a strange smile. “I do hope your mother and sister are well, my lord. I shall return to the others before someone comes looking for me. Good evening.” She reached up and touched Lily’s elbow affectionately before heading toward the drawing room.
“Shall we go then?” Julian asked, offering her his arm.
Hesitating only for a second, Lily accepted it and allowed herself to be guided through the front doors and to the waiting carriage.
A wave of relief mingled with concern as she made herself comfortable opposite Julian. The carriage jolted into motion as the sound of horses’ hooves beating against pebbles filled the air.
“I hope your mother is well?” She asked Julian, who did not seem phased by the news at all.
Shrugging, his lips curved into a boyish smile that tugged at her heart. “I have a confession, and I am sorry that I lied to you, but there was no note.”
“There was not?” She tilted her head to the side in confusion.
Julian shook his head as his smile broadened. “I thought you might appreciate an early escape, so I told the duke and duchessthat my mother was not well. I hope you do not mind?” His eyes were filled with sincerity.
“Mind? That is possibly the kindest gesture that anyone has ever shown me.”
Her eyes filled with tears again as she attempted to blink them back. In the short time that she been courted by Oliver, he had never, and would have never, ended a dinner party early simply for her benefit. Julian was different. He cared about her and how she felt, no matter the situation and what others may have thought.
Leaning forward, Julian reached for her hand and covered it with his own. “Please do not cry. What happened was an accident. It was not your fault.” His voice was sincere and filled with understanding.
Was it not?
Her conversation with Arabella in the powder room came to mind, but she quickly pushed it aside. Miss Everet was an old family friend, and she did not want to be the cause of any ill feeling in case she was wrong.
“Thank you for understanding, and I am sorry that I made such a scene. I am still growing accustomed to all of the rules in London society.” A single tear fell down her cheek despite her best efforts.
Before she could wipe it away, Julian reached up and placed his thumb on her cheek, holding the side of her face as he wiped it for her.