Hint of Desire by Lavinia Kent Page A

Lady Smythe-Burke was still speaking. “Hear there’s a child. I always did adore an infant. Granted they belong in the nursery, but they make a nice armful on occasion and there’s no picture as pretty as a mother with babe in arms. Have you considered having a portrait done? No, of course not. Don’t know what I am thinking. Still, you’d make a lovely picture. St. Aubin’s a good looking chap, too. Westlake and I were just discussing the matter. You’ll make an attractive family. Pity about the relationship, a girl like you must appreciate a good looking man. Still, too confusing for the infant – father or uncle, cousin or brother. Such a mess. Still, it’s a pity and there have certainly been stranger relationships. What do you think? I remember Lady Maude James who married three brothers in a row. Never had children, though.”
    “I think we’d better move conversation back to the present. Lady Worthington, let me help you to your seat so that dinner can be served.” Arthur spoke as if nothing his aunt had said held any import, but his scar stood white against his skin.
    Lily slipped into her seat . She let the remaining conversation slip past her, grateful that she need not reply. Her mind was still spinning with thoughts of the magistrates and now there might be a solution other than returning to Marclyffe. Burberry and salvation might be only miles away.
     
    “She appears hardly more than a child.”
    Arthur turned to face his aunt . Lily had retired after dinner and he was left alone with Lady Smythe-Burke. He placed his brandy on the desk and stood.
    “She’s not a child.”
    “I realize that, but that small delicate appearance might well bring out a man’s protective instincts.”
    “I know my duties.”
    “But what about your desires?”
    He swallowed, but allowed himself no other response.
    Lady Smythe-Burke was not intimidated by silence. “Not going to answer me? Probably safest that way. Why commit yourself if you don’t have to? It’s of no consequence anyway. You’re obliged to send her home. Only proper thing to do.”
    “I know.”
    “Do you? She is a young woman of apparent good family. Even given the circumstances, the rumor of how long she was here alone could be her ruin. It is unlike you to make such an error. Let her husband’s brother take care of her. I haven’t heard that many disagreeable things about him. It’s not as if you have any legal responsibility for her – or any desire for such. Well, I must off to bed. A woman of my years needs her rest.”
    She turned and left the room as Arthur held his silence . Only once she had gone did a long sigh escape his lips.
     
    For the next week Lily managed to avoid both of them. She needed to learn more about Admiral Lord Burberry before she could make further plans and until she did she would keep to herself. She could not risk facing further question. Avoiding Arthur had proved easy. His schedule held firm and as long as she breakfasted late and avoided passing his study she was safe. Dinner proved more of a difficulty, but nobody had yet challenged her claims of fatigue and headache. She ate each meal on a tray in her room and plotted her possible escape.
    Avoiding her chaperone was not so easy. Lady Smythe-Burke had a talent for already occupying any room Lily planned to enter. On most occasions Lily could sneak about without indulging in her desire to enjoy her tea in the sunny parlor or browsing along the long shelves of tempting volumes in the library. Lily felt almost as though she were reliving the long-ago game of her childhood, seeing how long she could remain invisible to the others. But, on some occasions – like this one – Lady Smythe-Burke’s pointed gaze would grab her and hold her firm.
    “How long d o you intend to be cool to my nephew?”
    Lady Smythe-Burke’s question caught Lily before she could slip back from the door.
    Lily faltered . “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Don’t play coy