Page 27 of Charity

“I take it back,” Agatha murmured.

Lilly laughed heartily. “He is the most devoted man. So patient with me when I don’t understand the significance of the commonest of news.” Lilly caught up her fingers and led her to the couch. “He has become such a dear friend to me.”

Curiosity ate at Agatha. “What did he do to cure you?”

Lilly passed over a teacup. “Have you any understanding of treatments applied to horse limbs after exertion? Rubbing them down, warming muscles or cooling them off?”

Agatha nodded. Her grandfather was always berating the grooms for inattention to his horses in the cold.

“Giles said my limbs were stiff with tension so he tried to soften them. It worked startlingly well, but I need regular treatments to remain pain-free.”

“That was terribly clever of him. Had no one ever tried that before? I thought your father had taken you to every medical man he could find?”

Lilly leaned back in to a chair filled with cushions. “No one even suggested it, as far as he could remember. Anyway, I wouldn’t care to have a complete stranger touch me.”

“And Lord Daventry determined this treatment after you married?”

Lilly bit her lip over a smile. “Between us? Before.”

Agatha pressed her hand over her face. She should have known there might be some wickedness involved, but Lord Daventry was famous for his rules. No virgins or married women. It was a shock to discover that he’d broken them.

“I was always his, you know.”

Agatha forced a smile to her lips, remembering Lilly’s aborted betrothal. “That’s right. I had not forgotten you were betrothed once. Did he offer to honor it after all these years?”

“Yes, he did eventually,” Lilly admitted. “But I did my best to refuse him. I thought he shouldn’t have to deal with my troubles for the rest of his life. He disagreed.”

Moved, Agatha caught up her friend’s hand. “Well, however it happened, I am very glad to see you well and happy.”

“I have been more fortunate than I know. He loves me, Agatha. How is that possible?”

“Because you are you?” Agatha caught her friend in a gentle hug and squeezed carefully. “He had no chance of escaping you.”

“Indeed I didn’t.” Lord Daventry laughed as he approached. “I am going to step out, my dear. Is there anything you need?”

“You have spoiled me enough as it is. Have a nice time.”

Lord Daventry swooped to capture his wife and pressed a long, possessive kiss to her lips. Eventually, he let her come up for air. “I won’t be long.”

Lord Daventry hurried out again.

“Goodness.”

Lilly fanned herself. “Exactly.”

They burst into giggles and spent a very pleasant hour discussing the change in Lilly’s life.

“Now, what about you?” Lilly asked as she stretched out on a couch.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. What wonders fill Agatha Birkenstock’s days?”

Agatha smiled. “The children from the Grafton Street Orphanage occupy most of my time.”

Lilly frowned, and shuffled around to get comfortable. “Is that all?”

“Yes, that is all. I spend my days there, and I manage my grandfather’s house for him.”