Oh, God. The assembly!
An evening of fake smiles and forced laughter with self-indulgent prigs was not Lydia’s idea of entertainment. Biting back her opinion would achieve nothing but a sore tongue. She should have feigned an illness. But then perhaps she wouldn’t have to. Each startling revelation left a throbbing pain in her temple.
Lydia closed her eyes briefly.
In less than a month her problems would be over. She would come into her inheritance and never have to spend another night listening to Arabella’s constant criticism. Never have to watch her weak, insipid brother bow to his wife’s demands.
“They weren’t riding in a coach, miss.” Ada’s words dragged Lydia from her reverie. “They were both sitting astride huge muscled beasts. Beasts that snorted puffs of smoke if you dared look ’em in the eye.”
“Both?”
“The devil and his friend who’ve come to stay at Greystone Manor.”
Good God! It was him!
The room spun.
Clutching her hand to her heart, Lydia shuffled back and flopped onto the bed.
Seeing her mistress’ calm countenance shaken, Ada made an odd mewling sound. “Oh, miss, he must surely be the devil to cause fear to flash in your eyes.”
It wasn’t fear that gripped Lydia and refused to let go. It was shock. Quickly followed by a burning anger capable of obliterating any demon from Hades’ realm.
By God, she would rip into Greystone and tear him limb from limb. Even if it meant eternal damnation.
But she should wait, bide her time, speak to him in a composed and rational manner.
No!
The problems at the manor had long passed the need for sense and reason.
“Ada, there’s no time to bathe this evening. I must go out.”
The first guests would arrive at the assembly at seven o’clock. Cecil had arranged for the carriage to leave the house just before eight, all because Arabella insisted on making a grand entrance. Lydia would be back from Greystone Manor within the hour.
“Go out, miss?”
“Yes.”
“Now?”
“Now, Ada. There is no time to lose.”
“But—”
“Lock the door behind me. If Lady Lovell knocks, you’re to say I’m in the bathtub.”
Ada’s eyes bulged. “But what about the assembly?”
“I shall be back in plenty of time.” And feeling remarkably better for having put the rogue in his place. Indeed, it would go some way to making the evening more enjoyable. “Wait here. Do not leave this room until I return.”
Ada nodded.
“Now find my cloak, the blue one with the hood.” Lydia possessed great skill when it came to sneaking about in the dark. She was light on her feet, could move stealthily through the shadows.
Within minutes, Lydia had exited the house through the servants’ quarters and was racing along the woodland path on her way to Greystone Manor.
On her way to a date with a devil.