Page 62 of Broken

Giles shook off Carrington’s grip. His friend’s comment about his state of mind was surprisingly accurate. He did not know what had come over him. He was chasing after Lilly like a lovestruck boy.

Lust-struck, he corrected. This was not love.

He felt an attraction to her. An overwhelming one, most certainly. One glimpse at his trousers at any time of the day could confirm his condition, but it was certainly not love. It could not be.

They were friends, and she was incredibly lonely. “You should pay attention to your own affairs.”

Carrington didn’t comment so Giles stalked down to his study, already missing the uncomplicated conversation with Lilly. They maintained an uncomfortable silence, each developing an interest that didn’t require them to speak to each other. But after a while, he noticed Carrington fiddling with a note in his hand. “What is that you have there?”

Carrington grimaced. “The marriage contract. I had hoped to show you and see if you could find a way out of it.”

Giles sighed. “As far as I’m aware, there is nothing you can do without being sued for breach of promise. Why didn’t you speak up earlier?”

“When her father found us together, I couldn’t prove I hadn’t just bedded her.” Carrington shifted uncomfortably. “I was a trifle rumpled already after being with...”

Giles scowled to cut off what most likely was going to come out of his mouth next. Giles had already made some assumptions about that night. “Don’t tell me. I don’t want to hear it.”

“So,” Carrington began, “when will you be returning to London? You’ve been here much longer than you initially planned.”

Giles glanced up at the ceiling toward where Lilly resided. He wouldn’t go until her future was set to his satisfaction. Exactly what that entailed, he didn’t want to speculate on just yet. But he honestly didn’t look forward to the day when Lilly and he parted ways.

Footsteps approached, saving him from tendering an answer. Lilly poked her head around the door. “Am I disturbing you?”

“Always, but please come in.”

Carrington scoffed, but Lilly braved his poor welcome and paced about the room. Giles watched her for a moment, lingering on the curve of her cheek and the stray wisps of soft hair that would tickle his nose later that night. Sensing the heat of arousal tightening his trousers again, he dropped his eyes to the paper Carrington still held. “Give me that.”

Carrington tossed the parchment across the desk and Giles settled in to read. Couched in near-illegible scrawl was a fairly short betrothal document. He stumbled over a small section of poorly formed words. “Who wrote this?”

“Her father,” Carrington replied after coming around the desk to peer over his shoulder.

“Worst bloody penmanship in history, I should think. What the hell does that say?”

Carrington took the page and peered at the smudged text. “I cannot make it out.”

“Neither can I. Lilly, would you have a look at this please and see if you can read it?”

Lilly moved toward them, but her expression conveyed reluctance. Did she think Carrington might snarl if she uncovered bad news? He held the paper out to her.

As she crossed to the window, Giles watched the sway of her skirts. Just a few more days and he could delve beneath them. It was a pity patience had never been a particularly noticeable element of his character. He was wound as tight as a violin string.

“It’s badly smudged,” Lilly pronounced, turning the page over to examine the reverse side. “I can only just make it out but there appears to be a stipulation that you reside at a certain address. What is the document?”

“My betrothal document. How could you tell what was underneath?”

Lilly shrugged. “I’ve had a lot of idle hours to occupy. Quill nibs can leave impressions on the other side. I used to try to read old letters in reverse to pass the time.” She handed the page back. “Did you really accept the condition that you reside in your father-in-law’s home for the duration of the marriage?”

“What?” Carrington scrambled to the window and Lilly patiently pointed out the letters.

“Is she right?” Giles crossed the room and, while Carrington was distracted, looped an arm about Lilly’s waist. He squeezed and had the pleasure of seeing a proper smile cross her face.

“She is.” Carrington slumped against the window frame. “All I can hope for now is an act of God, or for Lady Penelope to call the whole thing off to save us both an unhappy future. I don’t like my chances.”

Lilly sighed. “I don’t like your chances either. The Thorpe’s are evil. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that my mother likes them very much.”

* * *

“Your letters, milord.”