Page 72 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“First, you shall meet Lady Greyson,” he said.

Did that mean he would take her back to Brighton once she met the marchioness?

Of course, he would. He wouldn’t be so unwise as to try to kidnap her. Force her intohis bed. Cut her into a million pieces and bury her in the flower gardens beside the grand estate she was now being dragged toward.

On second thought, this was Lord Greyson, the most odious man of her acquaintance. He was capable of anything. She was in grave danger.

She stopped fighting her captors and entered the manor like a meek prisoner. She needed to save her strength, for she would need it to carry out her escape.

Whatever that might be.

The rumors about the marchioness’s unpleasant sneer and ear-ringing shrill were true. Additionally, her golden dress had not been fashionable for decades. She sat on a gaudy gilded throne, and she could have hidden a small child in her humongous wig. A fluffy cat—the same snowy-white color as her hair—stretched across her lap. Evidence of her one-time beauty lingered in her bright blue eyes and high cheekbones.

“Come closer,” she demanded.

Kat stepped forward and curtsied. Mayhap it was practiced etiquette making her behave as if she were a guest in a genteel home instead of the captive of a lecherous man who was her inferior in rank.

Lady Greyson held her lorgnette to her eye, looked Kat up and down, and then wrinkled her nose.

The rude appraisal took Kat aback. It wasn’t her fault her hair was in disarray or that her dress was rumpled and covered with dirt. It was entirely the fault of the woman’s wicked son. Therefore, she would not apologize for either thing. Sheclamped her lips closed to keep from uttering an excuse for her appearance.

“Are you sure this is the woman you want to marry?” the marchioness asked, her displeasure evident with her exaggerated sniffing.

Marriage? How absurd.

“I am to wed another.” It was none of this woman’s business that Kat needed to convince her brothers of the suitability of her choice.

The marchioness held a finger to her lips, shushing Kat. “The girl looks as though she fought with Kitty, and Kitty won.” She puckered up and pecked her cat between the ears.

Kitty hissed and tried to wriggle free. The marchioness tightened her grip with one hand while rapping the poor creature’s nose with the lorgnette in her other.

It seemed Kitty and Kat found themselves in the same unfortunate situation.

“Yes, Mother, I chose Lady Katrina even though she has behaved unladylike: throwing herself at me, asking me to come to her bed…” Greyson winked at Kat.

Winking while he lied? How horrific!

Intending to scratch his eyes out, Kat lunged at him. A footman grasped her around the waist and yanked her backward.

“You untruthful beast,” Kat growled between clenched teeth. “I would not touch you if you were the last man on earth.”

The marchionesstsked.

“You see, Mother, she is quite the termagant.”

“I see that. And yet you still want to marry her?”

“Yes. But mostly because my enemy desires her.”

“Oh, ho, ho,” the marchioness chuckled. “I suppose that is as good a reason as any.”

Fighting a wave of nausea, Kat squared her shoulders and feigned bravery. “If you think the Duke of Astleyshire will let you get away with this, you are even more insane than I thought.”

The marchioness’s brow furrowed. “Why would the Duke of Astleyshire give two farthings about you?”

Hadn’t Lord Greyson told his mother who Kat was? What an imbecilic imp.

“The Duke of Astleyshire is my brother. I am Lady Katrina. My father was the ninth Duke of Astleyshire.” Kat held her breath, awaiting Lady Greyson’s response.