Page 55 of How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days

‘That is rather the point.’

‘But if I could,’ Ashford continued, ‘I am sure there is a way we could both get what we want.’

‘I am already getting what I want,’ Lydia said doggedly, trying to pull her hand from his grasp.

‘You have not thought this through,’ Ashford said. ‘You have embarrassed me, I admit it. You may continue to do so, I am sure, but you will certainly harm your reputation in the process. Where will that leave you?’

Lydia did not answer. In the past few days she had, she could admit, pushed her behaviour far past the boundary of what caution ought to allow, but she could not de-escalate, could she? Not now when the great advantage of Ashford’s cluelessness had elapsed. She had to show strength.

‘What will it cost me,’ he said, ‘to cause you to cease this madness?’

Lydia lent towards him.

‘I thought you were poor?’ she said, voice so mean and soft she herself was shocked to hear it.

Ashford flinched.

‘I have been very clear about what I want,’ she said. ‘Jilt me, and I shall leave you alone. Do not and …’ Her voice trailed off meaningfully.

He looked at her, a muscle ticking in his jaw. ‘You ought not make an enemy of me,’ he said eventually.

He meant it, she could see that. Lydia raised her chin, heart beating fast.

‘Yes, well, as much as I do fear the apple pie bed and floorboard eggs,’ she said acidly, ‘make all the threats you will, my lord, but in truth, you have no leverage, no bargaining power. Any humiliations you might visit upon me only further my agenda. You may as well give in, now.’

‘Never,’ he said.

‘Then brace yourself,’ she said. ‘For I have much in store for you.’

She wrenched her arm away and turned towards the drawing room – Ashford hot on her heels.

‘I will see you regret this,’ he hissed, as they crossed the threshold.

‘What was that, my lord?’ Lydia asked loudly. ‘I could not quite hear?’

Under the enquiring eyes of Lady Phoebe, Ashford wilted.

‘I said I was looking forward to dinner,’ he said sulkily.

Lydia smirked. She had never felt more powerful.

Most of the party were gathered before the windows, admiring the golden sunset, and Lydia hastened over to their side, Ashford trailing petulantly behind.

‘I too am looking forward to dinner,’ Lady Phoebe agreed, with more than mere politeness. Her face was flushed with excitement, her smile wide. ‘But before then, I have a surprise for you all!’

She raised her voice to carry over the room, and everyone turned to regard her.

‘I am so delighted to announce,’ she said, ‘that we have an addition to our party, this evening, who will be joining us for the rest of the week.’

There were murmurs of interest from around the room. Lady Phoebe paused coquettishly, relishing the moment.

‘May I welcome my very great friend, Captain von Prett!’

14

For a moment, Lydia wondered if she had taken leave of her senses. Had the pressures of the past days sent her over the edge? How long was she to be beset by such incredibly vivid hallucinations? For there was Captain von Prett, stepping into the room and looking just as striking as he had at the lecture where she had first encountered him, with the famous cowlick that fell just so, heavily marked brows and a distinguished aquiline nose. His evening attire was perfect in its simplicity: his dark blue coat lay across his shoulders just so, and his satin knee breeches had not a single crease.

For the third time in as many days, Lydia felt her mind grind to a complete, shocked halt.