CHAPTER 20
It was a ragtag group of misfits in his own drawing room. Phillip did a double take just to be certain he didn’t enter the wrong home.
“Elias, what are you doing here?”
Elias grinned, “Always a pleasure to see you, Randall, thank you for having us.”
Phillip scowled, “I didn’t invite you.”
Eden’s lips twitched, “Well, yes, dearest, I did. I asked the Mangroves, Mr. Stanford, and of course, our sweet Lilly, here because I wanted to clear-up a little confusion that seems to be running about our home.”
“I am not speaking to Lilly,” Phillip growled.
Lilly’s hazel eyes, already tired and worn, filled with tears.
Ryan was not about to sit still while the woman he loved was insulted. He tried to stand, but Lilly, guessing his intention launched herself at him. Seeing as how she was in her dressing gown, bedsheets, and blankets it was a flurry of activity.
“Good Lord, Lillian, do not kill the man, you have already caught him!”
The Dowager had joined the fray. It was all Lilly needed to start crying again.
“What the devil is the matter with you people. I will not have you treat her this way! Lilly, we are leaving. Why didn’t you tell me they were mean to you dearest?”
“Mean to her?” Phillip was aghast. “We are a loving family!”
Lilly clung to his large frame as he cradled her against him, “I won’t leave her here. What have you done to her?”
Eden loved a good show as much as the next Bluebell, but there was more to the story that needed to be revealed. “I believe that our Lilly is embarrassed about the situation at the inn.”
Phillip puffed up his chest, “As well she should have been! To behave in such a manner, it was uncalled for!”
Just then Lilly started to sob a bit louder, and Ryan had the grace to blush.
Elias smiled, “I should not enjoy this quite so much, however, since it was at my house and I could not avoid it then. I find that getting something out of it at this late date makes me feel ever so much better.”
Phillip rolled his eyes, “I have no idea what you are going on about, nor do I know why you are here.”
Sophie, who was sitting next to her husband, Elias, turned to Lilly, “We had invited Eden to live with us because her mother was simply horrible. It is so much worse than you could even imagine. Your brother had made a complete hash of things.”
Phillip’s head popped up, “Why are we talking about this?”
Eden laughed, “He was living in the tree outside of the window of my room.”
Elias grinned, “I never said he was bright.”
Phillip gave a sheepish smile, “She wouldn’t have anything to do with me. I was desperate. I would have done anything to get her back. And yes, for a short while, I did live in Mangroves’ tree. I still don’t see how that has any bearing on this situation.”
Sophie quirked a brow, “You see. He hadn’t married her yet.”
Phillip paled.
“Phillip!” The Dowager’s plea went unheeded.
Elias rubbed his hands together as if they were just getting to the good part, “My twin sister, Cece, and her husband, Charles, were visiting. We were sleeping when all of the sudden we were awakened by…”
“I don’t see how this has any…” Phillip tried one last time to save himself.
Eden waved him off, “He was yelling out, ‘Look at my cock!’ and at the top of his lungs no less. There wasn’t a soul in the house who didn’t hear him.”
Elias and Sophie nodded to confirm the story.
“My sister makes jokes about it every time she sees Randall,” Elias shrugged.
Lilly blushed, “I know Mrs. Rotherford; I just cannot believe it of Phillip. The impropriety of it all. I thought that we had to be entirely proper at all times.”
Eden took her hands, “Your brother owes you an apology. He is just having a hard time with you growing up. Ryan has come to call every day since you have returned. Why don’t I let you two talk?”
Suddenly it was only the two of them in the room, and Lilly was very much aware that she was sitting on his lap in her nightdress.
“I am just in the next room, Lillian,” Phillip called out.
“We are getting married tomorrow,” Ryan called out just as firmly.
Lilly giggled, “We are?”
Ryan searched her face, “Can we? I can’t take any more days apart, Lilly. I love you so very much.”
Lilly dimpled, “I would like that.”
She grabbed his face and kissed him hard taking his breath away, “I love you, Ryan.”
The door was swung open, and Phillip was striding into the room, “Enough of that, you will have her all too soon.”
But for the first time in days, Lilly wasn’t sad. She wasn’t a bad person for wanting Ryan. And somehow, she could help Phillip see that.