Page 80 of Broken

She didn’t automatically go, but gave her derrière a gentle pat out of sight of her father, and she took his suggestion to leave.

Lilly didn’t need to hear any more.

“You do care for my daughter, don’t you, Daventry?”

Giles paused to consider how he felt about Lilly. He hadn’t tried to put that into words. They were friends and lovers, but Giles didn’t think Lord Winter would be happy to hear it phrased that way. “She has been uppermost in my mind for some time now, sir. I will take good care of her.”

Winter did not seem completely happy, but let it pass and began to discuss the wedding and marriage settlement. He informed Giles that Lilly’s dowry remained unchanged. Giles had paid little attention to the amount but the mention of the size now surprised him. “Are you certain that’s right?”

“It is what your father and I agreed.”

Giles hurried to read through the former betrothal document to confirm that statement.

There it was in very clear letters. Lilly had a dowry of sixty thousand pounds.

Giles sat down as the shock set in. He’d had no idea Lilly would have been the most eligible bride on the marriage mart for all these years if only she’d been well.

He glanced toward the door as Mr. Barrette’s reaction to the happy news of their marriage played over in his mind again. With funds of that size up for grabs, he wondered how far Lord Winter’s heir might go to stop any marriage Lilly might want to make.

* * *

“And I’m telling you it is.”

Lilly jumped at the sound of Giles’ voice raised in anger. When she’d come downstairs, she’d discovered that Giles and her papa were ensconced in his study. By the sound of it they were not getting along. She leaned closer to the door, trying to better hear her father’s reply.

“The money is not open for discussion.”

Debates over finances always caused strife between men but a dowry was a sign of a girl’s worth, and a source of pride for her family. At least that was what her papa had always claimed.

“Her dowry does not need to be that large. I’ve already told you of my concerns,” Giles insisted. “You risk crippling your estate and putting Lilly in…”

“Ahem.”

Lilly spun to find Lord Carrington a few paces away. He appeared amused by her eavesdropping. “I wasn’t—”

Carrington smiled. “Of course you were, but no matter. I shan’t tell on you.”

“Thank you.”

“I must say, meeting you has proven exciting. And throwing your cousin from the house this morning was a spot of fun. Detestable fellow—tried to convince me you planned it all.”

“I—”

Carrington held out his arm. “No one could make my friend behave in such a way if he was not completely committed to the outcome he has now. I offer an apology for doubting your motives. Shall we have tea in the drawing room?”

Lilly glanced up at Lord Carrington and frowned. She didn’t know whether to trust such a reversal in his demeanor as a true overture of friendship or not. He was attempting to charm her.

She took his arm rather than speaking because there was a maid near to act as chaperone who followed them into tea.

“I cannot wait to see the ruckus this marriage will cause amongst the ton.”

“You mean among Giles’ paramours?”

Carrington coughed. “I was referring to society at large, not his past associations.”

Lilly frowned. “You needn’t pretend that he is one step away from sainthood. I am aware of some aspects in his life most women in my position would not be. I don’t expect he will change.”

“Past aspects.” Carrington shook his head. “Do you know much about his family?”