At Last the Rogue Returns (Avenging Lords 1)

Arabella sneered. “The man is a scoundrel, used to manipulating people with his words and fake protestations.”

Much like Arabella, then.

“Lord Randall is different,” Arabella continued. “He has respect for your family, has an unblemished reputation. He is considered a catch, Lydia. Ladies are falling over their feet to gain his attention.”

If that were the case, then Lydia had lost a little faith in womankind. Rudolph Randall epitomised all that was wrong with the world. Prejudice, vanity and conceit were not traits to be admired.

“I could never love Lord Randall.” There, she had said it. How could she marry a man she detested?

“Love? Love!” Arabella’s nose took on the shape of a snout. “Do you honestly think that I am in love with Cecil? Foolish girl. Ladies do not marry for love.”

No, they married for money and status.

“Then what need have I to marry at all?” Lydia’s heart went out to her dolt of a brother. Love was the reason he bowed and scraped to Arabella’s demands. “I have a house in London, and money enough to last a lifetime. My brother is a peer, and consequently, I shall be accepted to balls and functions.”

Arabella’s face darkened. She stepped closer, gripped the newel post with her razor-sharp talons. “Does that mean you won’t reward your brother for his loyal service?” she spat viciously. “Do you intend to hold us to ransom, is that it?”

The devil had not returned to Cuckfield. The devil had been living at Dunnam Park these last three years.

“I intend to abide by my father’s wishes.” Lydia raised her chin in defiance. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must go to my room to wash and change.”

“Your room?” Arabella said with a sly grin. “I am mistress of this house and so let me be blunt.” She stared down her nose. “That room is no longer yours. I shall have your things moved this afternoon to a small bedchamber in the west wing or, better still, the attic.”

Anger bubbled in the back of Lydia’s throat. Let Arabella do her worst. Having seen the awful conditions Lord Greystone’s tenants suffered over the years, she could cope with most things.

“Fine.”

When Arabella’s threat failed to get the desired reaction, she added, “And Ada will no longer be your lady’s maid. I shall find a job for her in the scullery.” Arabella grinned as if she’d struck the winning blow. “Unless of course you agree to marry Rudolph. In which case you may disregard everything I’ve said.”

Lydia would rather die than marry the dandy. All she had to do was survive the next three weeks. As the day of her twenty-first birthday approached, no doubt Arabella would resort to underhanded tactics to get her way. But Lydia had to stay strong.

“Do what you must, but I shall not marry Rudolph.” If Arabella dismissed Ada, Lydia would ask Lord Greystone to hire her. He was in dire need of staff.

“Arghh!” Arabella looked fit to explode. “Mark my words, you will marry him, and I shall make damn sure of it.”

Lydia contemplated her next move in this battle of wills. There was little point turning to her brother for help. One kiss from Arabella and he would agree to her demands.

“You may tell Mrs Sanders that I’ve lost my appetite.” Lydia barged past Arabella and headed for the front door.

“Wher

e are you going?”

“Out.”

“Out where?”

“For some air, while you have my belongings moved.” Before Arabella could protest further, Lydia escaped out of the door. A loud crash reached her ears as she marched down the drive. Well, that was one less vase for the maid to clean.

The three-mile walk to Cuckfield gave Lydia ample time to think. She considered catching the mail coach to London. She could reside at the townhouse and hope Cecil would leave her be. But she would never leave without Ada. A promise was a promise, and the girl would not deal well with Arabella.

And yet something else made her want to stay.

Lydia did not have to trawl through her mind to find the answer. The image formed instantly—a tall, dark and handsome figure with a commanding presence.

Lord Greystone was a most intriguing man.

It was impossible to deny the connection they shared. The air thrummed with excitement whenever he came near. Her heart raced at the mere sight of his sinful smile.