Panic began to set in as Lily’s breath caught in her throat.
He cannot do this.
Her breathing became more labored, and she sucked in sharply.
“Nobody can touch me here, dearest Lily. I can escape to Spain or France whenever I choose. The only reason I have not already is because I am waiting for you.” He took a step toward her and placed his arms around her shoulders as she stiffened. “Twenty-four hours, that is what you have before I unleash hell on your poor, unsuspecting husband.”
She placed her hands on his shoulders, gently pushing him away as she lost all strength in her body.
Oliver smirked at her again. “I shall be waiting, and do not think that I am bluffing. I will not stop until you are at my side once again.”
Lily balled her hands at her sides, turning away from him as she headed in the direction of the ball.
I have to do something.
Her hands were trembling by the time she entered the ballroom and began to look for Arabella. If there was anyone who could give her advice, it was her friend. She did not want to interrupt Julian’s evening until she had all her thoughts in a row.
She spotted Arabella from across the room and quickly made her way toward her, pushing the guests aside as politely as she could.
“Lily, there you are!” Arabella hurried toward her, her face glowing as she smiled and reached for Lily’s hands.
“Arabella, I must tell you something,” Lily breathed as she nervously glanced around her. It was too obvious for Oliver to have followed her, but that did not mean that he had not placed spies at the ball. There had to be someone who had been feeding him information; he would not have known about the ball that had been arranged in such a short time.
“Are you engaged as well?” Arabella drew her attention back to their conversation.
“I beg your pardon?” Lily asked, taken aback by the sudden turn of the conversation.
Drawing her lips between her teeth, Arabella tried to hide her smile, but failed. “I am engaged, Lily. Mr. Southampton asked for my hand in marriage, and I accepted!”
Joy mingled with confusion in her chest as Lily looked at her dearest friend. There was no possible way that she could ruin her evening by telling her what had happened.
“Are you not happy for me?” Arabella lowered her tone as her face fell in disappointment.
Quickly fixing her face, Lily smiled at her. “Of course, I am overjoyed. It was just so sudden that I did not know what to say. You are engaged to be married. I am so happy for you!” She drew Arabella in for a tight hug, trying her best to forget her own worries that still plagued her mind. A single tear of frustration fell down her cheek as Lily drew back.
Taking Lily’s hands in her own, Arabella gave them a gentle squeeze. “I knew you would be happy for me, Lily. You are the first person I have told.” She practically beamed with delight.
“And I think it is time that we go and tell our families.” Benedict came up from behind and placed a hand on Arabella’s arm.
Turning to her now fiancé, Arabella melted in his gaze. “I think we had better. I know my mama will be bursting to know the outcome.” She sucked in a sharp breath as she turned to Lily and smiled, practically bursting at the seams with delight. “Will you be all right on your own for a moment? I am certain that the viscount has been looking for you.”
Lily nodded as she held back the overwhelming flood of emotions. “Go, I shall see you later.”
Arabella turned toward Benedict without another word and allowed herself to be guided away by him.
What will I do now?
Lily watched them go, feeling her chest clench with anxiety as her palms began to sweat. She needed a moment alone with her thoughts as she came up with the right words to tell Julian what was going on.
Making her way from the guests, she exited the ballroom and headed toward the lower library, where she knew nobody would bother her. Once inside, she shut the door behind her and walked over to the fireplace, where a single candle had been placed on the mantle.
She used the tinder box to light the fire, something she had not done since her days on the farm, and then let the candle burn once the fire was blazing.
“Did your meeting with Mr. King go well?” A cold voice suddenly carried from the doorway.
Freezing at first, Lily sucked in a sharp breath.
I cannot be…