Page 33 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
LILY’S SCANDALOUS SECRET BY PAMELA GIBSON
Spice Level ??????
Copyright © 2023 by Pamela Gibson.
All rights reserved.
CHAPTER 1
LONDON, NOVEMBER 1820
She remembered the snow—tiny crystalline flakes that tickled the skin and created a wonderland when they settled on the ground. Soot, litter, even drops of blood, magically disappeared as if one needed to be reminded that nature could erase ugliness.
Lily Whittington gazed through the frosted panes and chose her memories carefully, avoiding thoughts of another snowy day long ago, a day when her life changed.
She shuddered and dropped the curtain back in place. London was a foul place, and she hated it. She’d been back only once in fifteen years, when her brother was ailing. Now she was here again, in the home of her niece, staring out the window in the hope that a calm would settle over her, much like the delicate, drifting flakes covered the landscape with a soft, white blanket.
“Aunt Lily?”
Lily jumped. She turned to see her niece near the door of the drawing room, leaning against the frame. “Have your pains started? Shall I summon the physician?”
Emily, Lady Cardmore, wasenceinteand her time was near. Lily had only agreed to come to London because Emily’s mother was ill, and her husband was away.
“No. Please. I didn’t mean to alarm you.” Emily waddled over and eased into a chair. “I keep telling anyone who will listen it will be another month. I wanted to see if the ballroom had enough light for your painting. I appreciate your willingness to leave your home to keep me company while Andrew is away. I feel terrible that I cannot convey you to Bullock’s Museum or the art gallery at Somerset House or to see other new sights since you were here last. Then I remembered you don’t care for London.”
Lily dropped into the chair next to Emily and took her hand. “You’re my favorite niece. You needed me, so I came, and you know I’m a recluse. I need no entertainment.”
Emily withdrew her hand and rested it on her stomach. “I miss my husband, and I miss my children. I wish Andrew hadn’t talked me into leaving them with their nanny at Cardmore Hall.”
“In the country, they’ll have much to do to prepare for the approaching holidays. George is old enough to help entertain his sister, and it won’t be long now before they have another sibling. Here they’d be restless, and you’d let them talk you into activities you should avoid.”
“I suppose you’re right. Andrew promised to bring them here if I haven’t delivered by Christmas.”
“A perfect solution.”
Emily tilted her head. “You’ve never told me why you dislike London. Is it the crowds? Although I daresay you love the village fairs near Langston Grange, and they are well-attended.”
Lily studied her hands. A paint stain marred her thumb. She must remember to scrub it more thoroughly. “It’s not that. I adore a crowded village fair. Here there’s … perpetual smoke from coal fires, beggars on the streets, and ragged children sweeping street crossings hoping for coins from charitable passersby. ’Tis depressing, and it hurts my heart.”
“There’s poverty in villages, too, Aunt.”
“I know. Perhaps it’s also due to memories I don’t care to relive.”
There. That was the truth.
“I’m so sorry, Aunt Lily. I keep forgetting this is where your husband died. I know you must have loved him dearly to have stayed away from the city for so many years. Forgive me?”
“Of course.” Lily forced a smile. “Now, if you’ll indulge me, I want to finish the watercolor I started yesterday.” How awful to keep secrets from someone who only wanted one to be happy. Lily had lived the grieving widow lie for so long she could almost believe it was the truth.
She rose, straightened her skirt, and patted her niece’s hand. “Why don’t you play the pianoforte? I know it soothes and challenges you.”
“Perhaps I shall. Talking about poor street children makes me think of all the babes in foundling homes.”
“It’s sad, is it not? Charitable institutions do what they can, but they have room for only a small number even though the need is much greater.”
Emily grinned and looked away.
Why was she smiling? It wasn’t a topic to cause merriment.
