several seconds to compose her face into a look of graceful gratitude. ‘I have often longed to meet my benefactor, sir. I must thank you…but…’ Unable to stop herself, she continued, ‘May I ask…why you have done this for me?’
‘Because he asked me to look after you.’
‘He asked you?’
His jaw tightened—he had not missed the disbelief in her voice. ‘Perhaps you should read what he has to say for yourself.’ He handed her an envelope of thick, white paper. ‘He gave me this to deliver to you some months before he died, when he first asked if I would be responsible for your well-being in the event of his death.’
She stared at it. Her name was written on the front in a scrawl she knew as well as her own, neater script. ‘This is from Robbie?’
He nodded.
Dropping her eyes to her lap so he would not see the sudden tears that threatened, she took a couple of deep breaths. ‘Thank you. I will read it later.’
He frowned. ‘I really think—’
‘If that is all…’ She rose to her feet. ‘I am sorry, I feel a headache coming on…I think I should lie down for a while.’
‘That is not all.’ He pushed himself up off the chair and stood, looking down at her from his much greater height. ‘Miss Pevensey, your brother has seen fit to make me your guardian.’
For a long moment, she stared at him. ‘My…what?’
‘It was planned out in advance—but was also his last wish,’ he said quietly, voice betraying no emotion. ‘He wanted you to be provided for. I visited your solicitor this morning and I have taken charge of your financial affairs. You will come to live with me, or you may live in my house in Richmond, whichever you choose. I will provide for you until you are married.’
Lily, openmouthed, was shaking her head. Truly, the man was insane. He had taken charge of her affairs? He wanted her to live with him? He had planned her future, just like that, without so much as informing her in advance?
‘By what authority have you done this, sir?’ she demanded, stunned almost into laughter by the ridiculousness of such a situation.
‘Captain Pevensey put everything in place before he died, as I have said.’ He handed her another piece of paper. ‘This was what he gave me to make it official, and he instructed his lawyers also. I am assured it is legal—I am your guardian.’
Hand shaking, Lily took the paper, and her knees gave way when she saw her brother’s unmistakable handwriting on this unbelievable document. She sat down with a thud, eyes fixed on the words. Robbie’s signature. Major Westhaven’s signature. It was official.
It was true.
Her brother had signed her over to this cold, cheerless man, as if she was no more than a favourite horse. And he had done it without so much as hinting to her that one day she would be sitting in her garden, trying desperately not to weep before the stranger who was to be responsible for her well-being. How could he do such a thing?
Very slowly, she looked up, willing all trace of emotion from her voice. ‘I thank you for your interest, my lord,’ she said carefully. ‘But it is not needed. I have no need of your…guardianship. I have a home, and sufficient money.’
He took the paper as she handed it back, but did not put it away. ‘Forgive me, but I know that is not true. You are almost penniless, and your home is about to be sold.’
‘How do you know that?’ She stared at him, incredulous. ‘When I myself found out only yesterday?’
‘Your solicitor entrusted me with the knowledge, knowing I would use it in your best interest.’ He left her a moment to digest this in stunned silence, then added, ‘Even if your home were not to be sold, you cannot live here as a young woman alone. It is not appropriate.’
‘Appropriate?’ Lily was amazed. ‘And living with you would be appropriate?’
‘As I have said,’ he told her, with maddening patience, ‘you need not live with me if you do not choose. I have a home in Richmond.’
‘So you will closet me away in the country, to rot?’
Major Westhaven got to his feet. ‘I can see you will need a little time to get used to the idea, Miss Pevensey. I will leave you to think on it.’
‘I do not need to think on it! I know I will not leave my home to live with a stranger!’
‘Visit me in Richmond,’ he said. ‘You will like Oakridge.’
‘Do not tell me what I will like!’ Lily was dangerously close to tears now. ‘I do not need you, sir, or your platitudes!’
He stood for a moment, just looking at her. Then, quietly, but with great authority, he said, ‘Miss Pevensey, you do not have a choice. This is what your brother has decided for you, and it is for the best.’
‘Then why do you look as if you go to the gallows?’ she spat at him. ‘You are all too obviously less than thrilled at having to fulfil such a task! Why do we not just agree to forget the matter?’
A muscle ticked in his jaw. Drawing himself up, he bowed stiffly. ‘I shall leave you to read your letter.’
Helpless, Lily turned away as he left, unable to protest lest she lose what little control she had left. Hastily, she tore open the letter in her hand, desperate for an explanation. A single sheet of paper lay inside, the writing achingly familiar.
Taking a deep breath, she focused on the words.
Lily,
If you are reading this then I am glad I wrote it, for it seems I have left you alone in the world. Forgive me—all I wanted was to come back to you.
I thought long about what to do in the event of my death, and this was the solution I found. Daniel Westhaven is a good friend, the best man I have ever met. He is a man of honour and integrity, and if I had to entrust you into anyone’s keeping, it would be his. If you are reading this—and it seems you are, dear sister—then it means I have plucked up the courage to ask him this greatest of all favours, and that he has agreed, and kept his word by finding you. Trust him, as I do—he will not fail us.
All that remains is to say goodbye, my beloved Lily. I will see you when we meet again. Until then, be happy.
Robbie
By the time Lily had finished reading, tears were coursing down her cheeks. It was as if she had heard him speaking to her, so typical was this letter of her brother’s cheerful rhetoric. And yet, how could he have so misjudged his commanding officer?
Major Westhaven was a man grudgingly fulfilling a promise he obviously regretted making, involving himself with a woman he appeared not to like in the slightest. He had not pretended otherwise, or attempted to consider Lily’s feelings.
How could Robbie have done such a thing?
Weeping now, Lily dropped the letter and buried her head in her hands. This message from her brother was precious, but in such circumstances…
‘Miss Lily?’ Jo was standing before her. ‘Major Westhaven’s just bolted out of the house like the devil was after him. He said I should go to you.’
‘Did he now?’ Lily raised a tear-streaked face to her maid. ‘He has started fulfilling his duties already, then! And as to the devil being after him, I dare say it is no more than the truth!’
‘I’m not sure I follow…’ Jo picked up the letter and frowned at it. ‘May I?’ When Lily nodded she read its contents, slowly, brow furrowed to ensure she was making sense of things.
‘But, miss, he’s saved you.’
Lily shook her head. ‘He thought he had. But apparently he has no grasp of what manner of man Major Westhaven is!’
‘What