The Lord’s Persuasion of Lady Lydia. Raven McAllan

breath she’ll stay silent. You know Mama. She still can’t accept I prefer spinsterhood and the country life to marriage and the giddy whirl of tonnish life.’

      ‘Do you really?’ Esther asked her, shrewdly. ‘You honestly do not want to marry and have children? To be loved and love back, like I have.’ She favoured Lydia with a piercing stare. ‘You are good with children – I swear you would be a perfect wife and mother.’

      They skirted two other young ladies coming towards them, passed pleasantries and walked on. Lydia composed a reply that wouldn’t show how she was torn.

      ‘How many marriages do you know like yours?’ Lydia asked, as she supressed a pang of envy for her friend’s marriage. ‘You and Edward are the exception. Most of our peers are wed for convenience not love, and once the heir is sorted go their own ways. I could not and would not countenance any such thing. I’d rather be single.’ It was impossible to put into words how she had seen her mama wither and resort to entertainments outside the home.

      ‘Well, I know I’m indeed fortunate,’ Esther said quietly. ‘But who is to say you wouldn’t be so as well?’

      Lydia shrugged. ‘As I actively repel suitors, it is not likely. After all, I’m almost on the shelf, an old maid, an ape leader, call it what you will; it’s hardly likely now, is it?’ She ignored the thought that Lord Birnham had spent that little time with her, and not appeared repelled, or that she hadn’t disliked his attention. It was a once in a lifetime attention from him, she realised that. ‘I could never countenance anything where I was a convenience. No, I’ll retire to Devon and be happy.’ Or as happy as possible. Why, when her goal was so close, was the thought of a single life not as appealing as it had been before? ‘Now let’s change the subject,’ she said hastily, blocking her wayward thoughts. ‘Have you decided what you want to do with the decorations in your sitting room yet? Did you commission those chairs you liked?’

      As she hoped, Esther, after one understanding and loving glance at her, picked up the new thread and chatted about her colour schemes and the chairs she desired and which Edward insisted were as comfortable as sitting on a nail. ‘And I swear they are not,’ she said indignantly and then coloured as Lydia stared at her sceptically. ‘Not really. Oh, look…’ Esther changed the subject as she tugged them both to a halt. ‘There’s Edward over there and well, well, look who’s with him. And they’re coming this way.’

      Lydia looked and groaned. ‘Why?’ Did she have a placard over her head saying ‘Here I am. Come and annoy me’?

      ‘Why what?’ Esther waved as her husband and his companion approached on horseback. ‘Why should they not? Oh, you surely are not worried that Harry Birnham will speak to be civil and only be punctilious, are you, Lyddie? He’s not like that.’

      ‘All men who have any manners at all – with, yes, all right, the exception of your Edward – are like that,’ Lydia said wryly. ‘And even he can say all that is necessary if need be and not realise he is saying it. However, I promise I won’t be rude, and will act the well-brought-up lady I am expected to be.’

      Esther harrumphed and looked very sceptical. However, she had no chance to argue before her husband and Lord Birnham were upon them.

      Lydia made a split-second assessment of the situation and breathed a sigh of relief. As the men were on horseback, she reasoned there would be little likelihood of more than a brief exchange of words.

      She was wrong.

      Both men dismounted as they drew up, and as if by magic a groom appeared to take hold of the horses and walk them. Edward nodded his thanks and bent to kiss Lydia’s hand and his wife’s cheek. ‘Well met, ladies. We thought it was you both as we made our way down the row. Harry, you know Esther, of course, and this, I’m sure you realise, is Lady Lydia Field. My wife’s closest friend and confidante.’

      Lydia narrowed her eyes. What was Edward playing at? Why was all this information necessary? Then she had another even more disturbing thought. What information had Harry shared? If Esther knew of her previous meeting with Lord Birnham it was a certainty her husband did as well.

      ‘As you know, Edward,’ Harry drawled, every inch the rake, ‘Lady Lydia and I are acquainted and I knew your wife before you did. As a distant relative, you understand, no more, so do not think to try and plant a facer on me for it. You’d miss anyway. Your guard is suspect.’

      Edward laughed. ‘Don’t rub it in.’ He turned to Lydia and Esther, as Harry bowed to them both and kissed both of their hands.

      Lydia bit back a moan, as he winked and nipped the soft flesh of her wrist with his teeth. What on earth was he doing?

      ‘I thought I was fit until just now when this bounder worsted me in Jackson’s salon,’ Edward said plaintively. ‘Show me I’m your hero, my love.’

      ‘For what? Hitting someone for no reason? Not a chance. Urgh, boxing, nasty thing,’ Esther replied and punched her husband in the ribs. ‘How can fighting someone be called a sport? I cannot understand it, can you, Lydia?’ she appealed to her friend as Edward said laughingly, ‘Well, what was that?’

      Esther rolled her eyes. ‘A loving tap.’

      Edward snorted. ‘I never want an unloving one, then.’

      Lydia smiled at her friend. ‘I suppose they need somewhere to let off steam. After all, this is London with all its petty restraints. No galloping, no hunting, shooting, or fishing. They have to relieve their tension…’ She realised how her comment could be construed. ‘Ah, their frust… oh lord, excess energy.’ She forgot who accompanied them and rolled her eyes. ‘Esther, for goodness’ sake, stop laughing.’

      It was no good. As Esther giggled and the men chuckled, Lydia reddened and let her amusement show. ‘Good grief, do not tell my mama about this. She would disown me for sure.’

      ‘Is that not what you want?’ Esther asked shrewdly. ‘In some form or another.’

      ‘Maybe, but not like this.’

      ‘My lady, shall we leave these two reprobates to their own devices and take a turn around the lake?’ Harry, whom Lydia noticed had been listening to the interchange with avid interest, asked smoothly.

      It was on the tip of her tongue to query why, when Esther intervened.

      ‘Let’s all go. That way we are observing protocol and not upsetting the tabbies. After all, as friends of you both and an old, established couple, Edward and I are ideal as chaperones.’

      ‘My dear Esther. I am old enough not to need one,’ Harry said suavely.

      ‘You might be, but whatever Lydia thinks, she is not.’ Esther said. ‘Not here. We must observe propriety on her behalf. Lead on.’

      Lydia rolled her eyes and resisted the temptation to poke Esther in the side and remind her she could hear every word. ‘I’m here, you know; you don’t have to talk about me in the abstract.’ Sometimes people could be so annoying. For that matter, so could the petty rules and regulations of the ton.

      Edward laughed. ‘When my lady wife is in this mood I always do as she says.’

      ‘You do whatever mood I’m in,’ Esther said cheerfully. ‘I love you.’

      ‘And I you, my sweetness, but we are shocking Harry.’

      ‘Not me,’ Harry said with a grin. ‘I’m unshockable. Lady Lydia perhaps?’

      Lydia shook her head. ‘Oh no, I’m used to them billing and cooing.’

      ‘Then let’s leave them to follow us like good little chaperones and they can bill and coo and we will converse like sensible people.’ Harry held out his arm for Lydia.

      Why can’t we bill and coo a little? Had she really thought that? Lydia took Harry’s proffered arm, and waited for him to indicate which way around the lake they should walk.

      It was inevitable,