Julianne MacLean - Love According to Lily

It was at the youthful age of twenty-one that Edward Peter Wallis

With the late-afternoon sun beaming in through the lace curtains

At quarter past four in the afternoon, a liveried footman

Did you enjoy yourself last night? James asked Whitby, who

When Lily was a little girl, she had adored Whitbys

I dont understand it, Lily said to Sophia later that

Whitby sat on the cold bench and swallowed over his

That evening, Lily sat in the green saloon with the

Later in the evening, after the second theatrical performance by

That evening, the ballroom was adorned with colorful flowers and

Lily was taking part in a quadrillestill exceedingly unnerved over

Later that day, after Dr. Trider had thoroughly examined Whitby, Lily

How is he? Sophia asked, rising to her feet when

Lily stood over Whitby, gazing down at his handsome face

I shouldnt be doing this, Whitby thought in a mindless,

The next morning, Dr. Trider came to examine Whitby again. He

That night, Whitby woke to find Lily at his side

Lily kept her eyes fixed on Whitbys as she crawled

Though he was still extremely fatigued the next morning, Whitby

Whitby entered Jamess study at precisely 10 A.M . James was

Facing James in his study that morning had taken a

Lily stood outside her brothers study for a few nervous

Lily and Whitby were married in a private ceremony at

Lily and Whitby spent the first three days of their

Lily woke from a brief nap when a knock sounded

Lily sat beside Whitby in the closed coach as it

Lily had vowed to walk into Century House with optimism

Lily realized miserably the next day that she needed to

In the days following, Whitby gave Lily a wide berth.

Lily stood at the drawing room window with a cup

Almost immediately, Lily and Whitby rekindled their sexual relationship, and

It was quite surprising when Lily realized that contrary to

After the doctor finished examining Lily and assured her and

Whitby stood outside the closed door of his wifes bedchamber,

By mid-morning the next day, Lily was no longer cheerful,

It was a miracleone of Gods own miracles.

Two sons in two years. Very impressive, Lady Whitby.

Wentworth Castle, Yorkshire
Summer 1872

I t was at the youthful age of twenty-one that Edward Peter Wallis, Earl of Whitby, raised a coffee cup to his lips and made the conscious decision that he did not want to die. Or rather, he did not want to grow oldfor being young was far more entertaining.

Here comes your little sister, dashing up the hill, Whitby said to his friend James, the Duke of Wentworth, who sat across from him at the breakfast table.

Theyd had the table brought outside onto the sunny stone veranda, having decided they needed fresh air to ward off the disagreeable effects of their excessive consumption of brandy the night before. Although now it seemed a rather idiotic idea, as the sun was casting a blinding reflection off the sterling silver coffeepot in the center of the table, making it necessary to squint. And squinting was never advisable when one was nursing a pounding headache.

Look at her run, Whitby said, lounging back in his chair as he watched Lily, her blue-and-white skirts flying everywhere. You dont suppose shes going to ask me to play hide-and-seek, do you? Good Lord.

Maybe tag, James replied irritably, resting his forehead on a finger.

Whitby was still wearing the same clothes hed worn the night before, and his face was prickly with stubble. He felt grimy and quite honestly disgusting, yet he couldnt help smiling at Lily, who was racing toward him with a fresh smile on her face, her bright dress clean and crisp. She had just turned nine.

He leaned toward James. When do you think shell be old enough to realize were still half pickled when she comes running up the hill to our breakfast table? I swear it goes completely unnoticed to her innocent eyes when we stagger our way to find her behind the rosebushes or wherever she takes herself off to hide. He lowered his voice to a near whisper. And she giggles, James. She doesnt know we find her because we can hear her. He chuckled and took another sip of his coffee.

Speak for yourself, Whitby. You may still be pickled, but I am sober enough to feel the throbbing in my brain, and if Lily asks me to chase her

Youll tell her to go play with her dolls.

Lily came to a slow stop on the veranda, breathing hard and smiling. She wore her shiny black hair in two braids with blue ribbons that matched the broad ribbon sash on her dress. Lord Whitby! I knew youd be here this morning!

And how did you know, Lily? he asked, leaning forward in his chair and resting his elbows on his knees, ignoring the pounding in his head. Did a little bird tell you? Or perhaps it was that spider on your shoulder. He pointed.

Lily jumped and brushed at herself. Where?

Whitby laughed, though it hurt to do so.

Lily shook her head at him. You are a tease, Lord Whitby. And you need to take a bath. You both do. You smell like cigar smoke.

Whitby raised an eyebrow at James. From the mouths of babes.

Im not a baby, she said. And for that, you shall have to be the seeker. Close your eyes.

Amusedand as always, quite unable to refuse darling Lily anythingWhitby did as he was told and closed his eyes.

Lilys boots tapped quickly along the flat stones toward the left. Come and find me! she called out a few seconds later.

The thought of getting up out of the chair gave Whitby pause. He didnt really want to move. Damn, James, why dont you go. Whitby tipped his head onto the back of the chair. Shes your sister.

But she asked you , James said.

She always asks me.

Thats because I never play with her. You have much to learn about discouraging unwelcome female attentions, my friend.

Knowing hed never convince James to play with Lily, Whitby forced himself to stand, though it cost him much. There is no such thing as unwelcome female attentions, James. Even if they are from a nine-year-old.

Whitby heaved a deep sigh and grudgingly crossed the veranda. Here I come! he called out.

He descended the steps and immediately saw the bright, white hem of Lilys dress behind the birdbath, which was nowhere near wide enough to hide her. Yet she thought she was invisible.

Smiling and chuckling, he shook his head. Perhaps youre behind the azaleas! He walked softly toward the birdbath. Or here, under the bench!

Lily giggled.

Whats that I hear? Whitby said, stopping only a few feet away, seeing her as plain as day. You must be hiding in the hedge!

She giggled again, and he lunged around the birdbath. Found you!

Lily screamed and took off, and Whitby ran after her, throwing his arms around her and tickling her ribs until she bent over, clutching her side. She laughed and screeched until he stopped and slapped his hands over his ears. Great Scott, Lily. My head.