My Fair Lily by Meara Platt Read Free Book Online Page B

the crowd. The men looked quite distinguished in their afternoon grays, and the few ladies in attendance were finely turned out. Lily arrived, as he expected she would, escorted by a tall gentleman whose dark hair was sprinkled with gray. The man had a commanding presence and appeared old enough to be her father... possibly was her father.
    Ewan decided not to approach, but Lily saw him out of the corner of her eye. Turning to her companion, she began to tug on the gentleman’s sleeve to draw him toward the back of the hall. “Good afternoon, Mr. Cameron,” she said, reaching his side.
    He nodded. “Hello, lass.” She looked adorable with those wire-rimmed spectacles perched on her nose. Prettiest scholar he’d ever encountered.
    “May I present my uncle, Dr. George Farthingale?”
    “A pleasure to meet you, sir.”
    Lily’s uncle responded cordially, but Ewan knew the man was wary of him and obviously protective of his niece. He wouldn’t hesitate to confront Ewan—duke’s grandson or no—if he were ever to hurt Lily. Ewan understood and respected the man for it. He would be just as wary of any man sniffing about his own sister, Meggie.
    Not that he was sniffing about Lily, though she did smell nice. Like pink roses in the evening dew, sweet, warm, and subtly intoxicating.
    Bollix.
    “My niece tells me that you’re looking to purchase a horse for yourself.”
    He glanced at Lily and then turned back to her uncle. “That I am.”
    “I may be able to help.”
    “I’d appreciate it.” He glanced at Lily again and grinned. “And just so we’re clear on the matter, cost is no object.”
    Lily rolled her eyes. “Gentlemen do not discuss their finances in public.”
    “I know, lass. Couldn’t resist teasing you. Not that I’m much of a gentleman, but rest assured that I am usually cautious with my blunt. In truth, I am as tight-fisted a Scot as you’ll ever meet.”
    The shadow of a smile fell across her lips. “Then I would advise you to keep your hands in your pockets, Mr. Cameron. Lord Squeers is coming toward you to hit you up for a donation, no doubt. He may tell you it’s for a worthy cause, but I hardly think acquiring a case of whiskey for his cellar counts as such. Oh, dear. Lady Marchmain has just seen you, as well. She’s desperate to marry off her widowed sister and will be impossible to shake once she starts talking.”
    Her uncle frowned. “Lily, that’s not a kind thing to say.”
    “But it’s the truth.”
    “Even so.”
    A blush ran up her cheeks. “Forgive me. I have an awful habit of... I merely thought to be helpful... obviously, I’m not... being helpful, that is. I must sound quite petty and insulting. I don’t know why I felt the need to warn you about them, Mr. Cameron. I’m sure you can take care of yourself.”
    “No harm done. I appreciate your candor. ’Tis hard to know whom to trust,” he said quietly.
    “About the request in your note,” she continued, “my sister, Laurel, is the expert on horses.”
    “She’s promised to help me select top bloodstock at next week’s auction at Tattersalls,” her uncle added. “Join us there, won’t you? I’m certain Laurel will be glad to give you advice.”
    “I’d appreciate it. Thank you, I will.”
    “Can you ride?” Lily asked.
    Ewan realized that she’d never seen him on horseback, only out walking with Jasper. “A little.”
    She shook her head as she studied him. “Are you being honest or modest?”
    Ewan chuckled. “Modest.”
    “You must have been born in the saddle, probably took to it like a duck takes to water.” She let out a delightful sigh. “I’m a fair rider at best. I understand the motion of a horse, its loping rhythm and the need for one’s body to attune itself to the animal so that both move as one, but I fear I’m hopeless. My body insists on bouncing one way while the horse trots another way, so we always seem to be moving at cross purposes.”
    “You’ll have to show me. I may