Then back at Lillias.
“And your . . . father . . . the earl . . . he can’t possibly think . . . that is, Mr. Cassidy is . . .” Giles’s voice wasn’t quite a croak. But there was really no way to finish the sentence that wasn’t astonishingly rude,and Hugh got the sense that nothing but a terrible shock would have caused Giles to stumble down that particular conversational road.
“FatheradoresHugh.” Lillias managed to make those three words sound like gospel. Hugh had no illusions about it being for his sake—more on the order of loyalty to her family and her father’s orders—but he was impressed.
Bankham finally was very subdued. He squared his shoulders. “Well,” he said. “I suppose congratulations are in order, Lilly.”
These words were utterly inflectionless. They might be in order, but he didn’t precisely offer them, and Hugh was not included.
“Thank you,” Hugh said pointedly, anyway. “We are very happy indeed, and it’s kind of you to share in our happiness.”
Lillias appeared to be mute. She smiled again, and it was almost convincing. Then looked into the middle distance, where someone was still waving a handkerchief, attempting to get her attention, and then glanced into a nearby mirror, obviously worried thatshewas invisible. Lillias was staring right through her.
“I’ve yet to enter a similarly happy state,” Giles said carefully. Like a spy delivering a code.
He’d transferred that unblinking gaze to Lillias.
Lillias’s head went up sharply.
She locked eyes with Giles for a moment that was eloquent with...something...before looking away again.
And Hugh clamped his teeth down on a corrosive suspicion that mingled with quite a few other things he’d rather not examine closely.
“I look forward to coming to know you, Mr. Cassidy,” Giles said suddenly. “In fact, I would be so honored if the two of you—and Lord and Lady Vaughn—should join my parents and me for a picnic tomorrow at Heatherfield in Richmond. Your new mutual happiness would certainly brighten the day, which promises already to be sunny.”
“I am away to Portsmouth the day after tomorrow to meet theTropica, as my uncle is expected to arrive within a day or so. I would be able to spend a lovely day in Richmond with my fiancée and her dear friends if I set out no later than sunrise the following day.” He smiled pleasantly.
He could not recall the last time Giles had blinked.
Lillias notably did not make haste to accept the picnic invitation.
“Heatherfield is our estate, Mr. Cassidy. You may have heard of it,” Giles said thoughtfully.
“Oh, I have indeed.”
“It will one day be mine, of course.” Giles smiled modestly.
“Fortunate you are, indeed. Land is the ideal asset, Lord Bankham. Unless, of course, the lands are entailed to a title in such a way that an endless amount of money is needed to support them. Then they’ve been known to quite drain the coffers. Best to have a good business head and a reliable source of income. “
Giles was silent. His face hardened speculatively.
“I don’t recognize your tailor, Mr. Cassidy,” he said. “Which strikes me as unusual, as Lillias is usually dressed in the first stare of fashion as such things matter to her.”
Hugh almost laughed. He supposed it was an English aristocrat’s version of drawing a sword.
“Mr. Cassidy’s clothes were lost at sea,” Lillias said suddenly.
Hugh slowly turned to look at Lillias.
“Yes,” he said, after a moment. “In a tragic maritime accident, my clothing was lost at sea. Yet my enthusiasm for this evening and the opportunity to meet you was such that I found the courage to wear this coat.”
Lillias refused to look at him. Her expression had altered somewhat. She knew he was angry. But, if he’d had to guess, she was almost tempted to laugh.
Although, given the mood, it would have been slightly hysterical, if she had.
The three of them stood not speaking at all, but theywerebeing looked at.
And then Lillias said, “Gilly... I so looked forward to meeting Lady Harriette this evening. Did she arrive with your family?” It was an attempt at sounding casual.