Hint of Desire by Lavinia Kent

and he’ll do what’s right.”
    After Nanny left Gertrude fluttered around the room for a moment as if unable to settle . Lily looked at her in question.
    “Some man’s been asking the other maids about you,” Gertrude finally spit out. “He wants to know what time his grace arrived here with you after the baby was born.”
    Lily froze, staring down at her hands . “Do you know who he is?”
    “No, but Elise thought h e might work for Sir Drake who’s the newly appointed Magistrate.”
    Lily fought to show no reaction . Nobody could know how those words cut into her. “It’s not surprising. I am sure they are required to look into Worthington’s death – to find his attackers. Come now and help with my hair.”
    Gertrude was immediately all bustle . “We do want you look pretty. I’ll curl your hair so it frames your face and draws attention up and away from that plain dress. Oh, this does look pretty. You really do have the most lovely hair. It has such a nice curl and it stays however I brush it. Have you put lemon juice in it? I bet it would bring that bit of gold out even more. I’ve never seen such a golden shimmer in such dark hair.”
    Lily just let the words flow by her. It was so much easier to listen passively to the ceaseless prattle than to think and participate. The magistrate. Why was he asking about her? Just stay calm, nobody could know the truth. She closed her eyes against the image St. Aubin and a golden room gleaming in the air. She could not give in to Nanny’s advice. She could not afford to trust.
    Each question would lead to another, and on to those questions she could not answer with out betraying herself, and Simon.
    Reaching up , she pulled a loose a curl. She pasted a smile on her face, and with a last “thank you” to Gertrude, proceeded downstairs to dinner. She would not let Arthur see her distress.
     
    “Of course, you were right. She has to go back. Don’t see what other choice is open to you. It’s not like you have a relationship with the girl. She’ll be much happier once she’s settled with St. Aubin. He’s a good looking man. Pity he’s her brother-in-law or you never know . . . not a bad idea that.”
    It was on those words Lily entered the dining room and found herself facing the thinnest, stiffest, most pinched lady she could ever remember seeing. The woman turned and stared back. Lily could feel the evaluation taking place. She could only hope that none of inner torment showed.
    The lady then turned back to Arthur. “You didn’t mention she was pretty. But, knowing you I should have guessed. It does explain things.”
    Arthur rose . “Lady Worthington, my aunt, Lady Smythe-Burke.” He nodded from one to the other.
    “I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” Lily said.
    “About time too.” The lady said nodding but remaining in her seat. “I don’t know what my nephew was thinking of. If he’d explained in more detail I’d have come sooner. Burberry’s place isn’t far. Pity his wife wasn’t there, visiting her sister or some such person. He’s not doing well. Thought once the daughter was born he’d come around, but even miracles only last so long. Not what I was talking about though.” She addressed Arthur. “Why didn’t you describe the situation more fully? Not like you at all.”
    Lady Smythe-Burke turned back to Lily . “Always did everything just right. Never made a mistake. Boy to make a father proud. Not that his father was ever proud of anything besides himself. Doesn’t make sense that he didn’t observe the proprieties.”
    Arthur was silent through the monologue and Lily’s mind had frozen on one statement . Burberry lived nearby. Could it be the same Admiral Lord Burberry under whom her father had served? The man who’d gone out of his way to promise her mother help? How could she not have known this past year of the possibility of sanctuary? Maybe, there was yet hope.
    “. . . pretty face . But, that’s no excuse.”