The dark-haired woman wore a pale blue gown that showed a lot of bosom. She was tall and pretty. Lily didn’t recognize her.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Forgive my rudeness. I’m Lady Amelia Gregory. And you are?
“Lily. Lady Lily Jameson.”
“Of course, Lord Ashford’s daughter. What a lovely thing you are. It’s a pleasure.”
“The pleasure’s mine.” Lily stood, still a bit dizzy, and turned. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Not so fast.” Lady Gregory reached out and touched Lily’s arm.
“I beg your pardon?” Lily yanked her arm away.
“It may interest you to know that I saw you in a compromising position with His Grace a few moments ago.”
Lily forced back a swallow and tried to sound nonchalant. “That doesn’t particularly interest me.”
“No doubt you’re wondering why he grabbed you as he did.” Lady Gregory smiled and let out a little yawn. “You see, he mistook you for me. It was rather dark outside, and you and I seem to be of similar size and coloring. He asked me to meet him there.”
“And you went willingly?”
“Of course.” Lady Gregory sat down on a chaise longue and smoothed her skirts. “My, you’re an innocent one. He and I were going to get—shall we say—reacquainted this evening. We haven’t seen each other since he left for the continent a year ago.”
Who was this woman? That smile was so fake. Lily blew out a breath. “And I should find relevance in this statement because?”
“I can see I may have underestimated you, dear.” Lady Gregory patted the seat next to her. “Believe, me the duke made a mistake. He’s not at all interested in you.”
Lily remained standing. “He seemed interested to me.” Her heart lurched as she remembered how the duke had pulled her back into his embrace after he had seen her face.
“As I told you, he mistook you for me.”
Lily gave a terse smile. “Well, I couldn’t care less anyway. I’m not the least bit interested in him.”
“Of course you’re not.” Lady Gregory’s acid tone was sardonic. “This must be your first season. No young debutante would want to land the Duke of Lybrook. How foolish of me to think it. Well, get it out of your mind. You’re not going to stand in my way of becoming a duchess.”
Lily let out a breathy chortle. “I have no interest in becoming a duchess. If you were acquainted with me at all, you would know the truth of that.”
“Forgive me if I have a difficult time believing you, dear.”
“Believe what you want. You’re welcome to him.” Lily moved forward to leave, but couldn’t help adding, “I wonder, though, if you’re so intent on becoming his wife, why you didn’t bludgeon him into a commitment years ago?”
Amelia chuckled, shaking her head. “You are daft. He was a second son. Not even a lowly viscount. I was married to an earl. Why would I want to lower my station?”
“How charming.” Lily rolled her eyes. “Look, Amanda—”
“It’s Amelia. But I prefer to be addressed as Lady Gregory.”
“I would certainly address you as such if you were a lady.”
Lady Gregory’s face reddened. “Who do you think you are?”
“No one of any consequence.” Lily waved her hands in front of Amelia’s face. “I have no designs on the duke. You may certainly have him. Now if you’ll excuse me—”
“Just one minute.” Lady Gregory stood up in front of Lily, blocking her exit. “I can be very nasty when I don’t get what I want.”
“So can I. And right now, I want to leave this room.”