Page 74 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

His eyes widened. “My lady, what do you intend to do?”

“Hit you over the head. They cannot punish you if you try to stop me. We shall make it look convincing. There shall be a broken vase, and mayhap a small cut or bruise on your forehead. If someone comes to check on me, you can lie on the floor and pretend to be knocked out.”

“But there are more footmen acting as guards in the hall. You will not be able to escape.”

The less he knew, the better chance he had of evading his master’s wrath. Therefore, she’d keep her window escape a secret.

He chewed on his lip as he watched her lift the vase above his head. It seemed the shaking man was going to let her whack him.

Before she could strike, the door flew open. Lord Greyson sauntered in, stared at her weapon, then knocked it from her hands. It crashed to the floor, splintering into chunks and shards.

“Be gone,” he said to the servant.

“No.” Kat grasped the footman’s forearm. “I implore you, please do not leave me alone with him.”

Although her grip was tight, Greyson pried her fingers from the servant. “Go. Now. Do not let anyone enter,” he commanded.

Kat’s pleas and whimpers were to no avail. The footman averted his gaze from hers and left the room.

Within seconds, Greyson had her cornered. “At last, my lady, we are alone together.”

She ducked beneath his arm and fled to the far corner. “Do not come near me, or I will kill you.” She’d use her hands, feet, and teeth. She’d even ram her head into his stomach if she had to.

“Surely your mother will not approve of this?” She might be a conniving shrew, but she was too concerned about her standing within thetonto allow harm to come to a woman of Kat’s station.

“I shall tell Mother you wanted this.” Grinning wickedly, he skulked toward her. “Do not worry. I shall be quick. Although, I cannot promise it will be painless.” He reached for the fall of his trousers.

Crouching low, Kat charged toward him. Leaping like a leopard, she slammed into him. He flew backward. She took advantage of him being knocked off balance to kick him in his unmentionables.

Grasping his crotch, Lord Greyson yelped.

Kat raced to the door, threw it wide, and then ran headfirst into the frowning marchioness and her absurd wig.

Chapter thirty

July 8th, 1818

Evan’s foot tapped incessantly as the damnable carriage inched along. If only they’d taken the time to saddle three horses, they’d be there by now. Hell and damnation, even turtles could travel faster than the loaded-down coach.

The tension between the three of them layered mental discomfort on top of the sweltering heat. If Harrington didn’t soon take a breath, he’d pass out, and every few minutes, Taylor swiped tears from his cheeks.

It wasn’t that Evan didn’t feel sympathy for the solicitor’s loss, but to stop Greyson once and for all, they needed Taylor’s assistance. Even though Evan could care less about a man’s emotions, Taylor’s sniffles tugged at his heart.

Egad, the amount of sentimental rubbish Evan had dealt with the last couple of weeks would fill an immense crater. He simply wasn’t cut out for such things.

Still, he placed a hand on Taylor’s shoulder. “Sorry, old chap. Your father was a good man.”

A faint smile tugged at Taylor’s lips. “Thank you.”

Evan should say something else comforting—not easy to do when you were shite at such things. “I know your father would be proud of you for rescuing Lady Katrina. After all, he did everything in his power to protect Lady Greyson from her shite-sack of a husband.”

Greyson nodded. “He looked out for women, children, and animals.”

You are dragging him off while he is brokenhearted, so be reassuring, you arse, Evan’s conscience nagged, but all he could think to do was repeat himself. “He would be proud of you for protecting Katrina.”

“I believe that to be true. ’Tis why I intervened.” Taylor blew his nose into a wadded-up handkerchief. “Weeks ago, my father confided in me. His greatest regret was that he allowed his flesh and blood to be raised by a man as cruel as the late Lord Greyson.”

“There was nothing he could have done,” Evan said. “Greyson’s father was a powerful man. He would have destroyed your father, and he had you and your siblings to think about.”