Page 8 of The Lady and the Footballer
“Lily!” her mother trilled as she found her in the corner where she was attempting to hide. If only she could have fit a book in her reticule, perhaps she could have hidden in an empty room to read until the night was over.
“Yes, Mother?” she said, running her long, white-satin gloved hands over her floor-length, deep emerald-green silk gown. She knew the color flattered her, although she wished the bodice with its delicate lace and beadwork wasn’t quite so tight. It didn’t leave much room for her meal. She brushed back the loose curls framing her face and ran the beads of her pearl choker between her fingers.
“It has been some time since you have seen Lord Nathaniel, has it not?”
She could have groaned aloud but held it inside. She would be a happy woman if she never saw Lord Nathaniel again.
“I have seen him frequently enough.”
“He would like to dance with you.”
“My dance card is full.”
For once, she was grateful for that. Her mother and Lady Montgomery were friends despite the rivalry between their husbands, and Lily was well aware they thought they could solve the entirety of the rift between the families through an alliance. A marriage alliance.
“As it happens, Mr. Collins has agreed to dance the next set with Emmaline so Lord Nathaniel can have this one.”
“Is that even appropriate?” she asked, but her mother had no time to answer, for she was pushing Lily right into the man’s arms.
As soon as his arms slipped around her, her skin began to prickle in an awareness that something was off. She wanted to step away from this man, but instead, she was held captive in his arms.
He smiled down at her, and she knew that she should be enjoying this. He was, after all, a good-looking man with all of the connections that a young woman would hope for.
But there was something about him, as though he hid sinister thoughts behind that agreeable smile.
“Miss Evans, always a pleasure.”
She murmured something unintelligible so she didn’t have to lie to him.
“Your father has recently sponsored a football team.”
“He has,” she said, relieved that, at least, they could speak of something she had a little interest in.
“You do know that my father sponsors Manchester’s opposing team?”
“I believe I did know that. Your sister has discussed it, for she helps him with the bookkeeping, does she not?”
“She does, although why Father allows it, I have no idea. I suppose he was tired of her brooding about the manor all day in boredom.”
An interesting idea, actually, Lily pondered as Lord Nathaniel continued to speak.
“The Manchester Athletics. Our main opponents are Manchester Central.”
“I see,” she said politely. “So our fathers will be rivals in business and sport, then.”
“Perhaps,” he said, leaning in so close that she could feel his breath on her neck. She shuddered, hoping he wouldn’t take it as encouragement. “Or perhaps, there could be the opportunity for something more.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, dreading the answer.
“Our fathers have been discussing the potential of a partnership. They could merge their business interests as well as their sporting interests.”
“How could two teams from opposing cities be merged?”
“They could be partner clubs. Or one could draw players from the other. Something of that nature. As for business, a partnership of two mills would have many advantages.”
“My father has not mentioned anything to me.”
“Perhaps he was waiting for the right time.”
