Page 28 of Charity

Lilly eased to one side, resting her body against the side of the chair. “You’ve never married? But you are so pretty.”

Agatha laid a light blanket over her friend’s legs when she stretched for one, fighting a blush at the compliment. “No, I’ve never been asked.”

Lilly caught her fingers and squeezed. “I’m so sorry. I remember you were looking forward to managing your own house as I once did.”

Agatha forced a smile to her lips. Such days seemed so long ago now. “Perhaps it is for the best. I manage my grandfather’s home and do not have to please a husband’s demands.”

A secretive smile flitted over Lilly’s face. “The demands can be very pleasant.”

Agatha sank into her chair, attempting to hide her understanding of Lilly’s words. She did know the joy a lover could bring a woman, but for all Oscar’s skills, he was quite undependable. When she glanced at Lilly, there was a question hovering in her gaze. One she didn’t want asked because she would never answer it honestly.

Lilly fussed with her blanket. “Giles is determined to show me off soon, and I was wondering if you would accompany me as my companion. I am anxious that Giles not be forced to stay by my side all night.”

Agatha was not keen to rejoin the earl’s circle of acquaintances. She didn’t feel comfortable there anymore. “Judging by his behavior today, you might have trouble getting him to leave you. Besides, his friends will not desert you when they return to Town.”

“Do you mean Lady Ettington and Lady Hallam?” Lilly’s fingers brushed harder over the blanket. “I haven’t met them yet.”

Sensing Lilly’s unease, she reached forward to still her hands. “They are both wonderful women, very kind, and without a hint of coldness about them. You will be in good company with them I promise. With all the earl’s friends, for that matter.”

Lilly sat up. “I’ve already met Lord Carrington. He tells me you are acquainted.”

Agatha’s heart stopped for a full minute. In all her pleasure at hearing of Lilly’s return to good health, she had forgotten the connections Lilly would now make due to her marriage.

Had Oscar been indiscreet about their association? She hoped not. If he had, Agatha would have to deny it and lie to her friend. “His London residence is next door to my grandfather’s,” she answered carefully. “We have had some conversation over the years.” Very little, really. Conversation didn’t feature heavily in their recent interactions, only mind-numbing, scandalous pleasure.

“He visited with Giles recently.” Lilly laughed. “Can you imagine we didn’t get along at first?”

“No, not really. He appears to be a universal favorite with the ladies.” Agatha quashed the bitter jealously filling her mouth with bile. Countless tonnish ladies threw themselves at Oscar. He had never been without his admirers.

“He came to Cottingstone Manor while I was there. He saved my life.”

Lilly’s words echoed around the room. “Saved your life?” Agatha swallowed. “What? How?”

Lilly’s lips twisted with distaste. “I shall say this in a rush, because the memory is still vastly unpleasant. My cousin, Bartholomew Barrette, was quite mad and meant to kill me, as he had tried to do many years before. To cut the story very short, Carrington saved me when I thought Barrette would either shoot me or shoot Giles. Lord Carrington’s accuracy with a pistol was quite deadly. One shot, and Barrette was no more.”

“He killed someone?” Agatha held a hand to her chest and pressed her fingers into her skin. “I don’t believe you.”

Lilly nodded. “Giles tells me we should keep it quiet, but since you are my friend, I cannot see the harm. You do hold some regard for the viscount, don’t you? I wouldn’t have the story gossiped about. The viscount and I, as you can imagine, have become the best of friends since.”

Agatha shook her head in confusion, then quickly nodded as Lilly’s expression turned grim. “Of course I will keep the secret.”

Oscar had shot someone dead. Could that explain the haunted look in his eyes, the sadness that lingered just below the surface? And the sleepless nights he’d mentioned. Agatha pressed her hand to her face, horrified that Oscar had been placed in a situation where a killing had been the only solution.

“This must come as a shock, to be living next door to a man capable of such an act, but you can understand that I am forever in his debt. I fear I must warn you that he will be here directly. Giles went personally to invite him to luncheon with us. We have much to be thankful to him for.”

Agatha surged to her feet. “Then I should go.”

Lilly swung her legs out from under the blanket and stood, too. “Are you certain? I am now considered a suitable chaperone. You may stay with no risk to your reputation, and besides, he is an engaged man.”

Agatha’s heart beat fast in her chest. “It is not that,” she lied. “I have duties at home that I have neglected. Thank you for the wonderful visit. I’d like to call again another day, if I may.”

Lilly came forward to embrace her. “Of course, I hope to see a lot of you, too. We’ve missed so much time.”

Agatha turned away, collected her bonnet and gloves, then hurried out the door, ignoring the butler’s protests that her conveyance wasn’t ready. She’d not wait for a carriage. The walk would cool her mind from its panic.

Oscar had killed to protect Lilly and had become her friend.

There would be no doubt that she’d be forever stumbling into him now. What to do? She couldn’t very well break off her connection to Lilly without explaining her dilemma and hurting her feelings. Yet their friendship had survived Lilly’s illness. Agatha would just have to try harder to ignore Oscar, should their paths cross while she was visiting with her friend.