The Lord’s Persuasion of Lady Lydia. Raven McAllan

soft sandals scuffed a few fallen leaves at the edge of the pathway as they walked, and she wondered what the ton would say if she kicked them up in the air as she’d done as a child in the country. ‘It will cause talk and my mama to crow, as well as raising false hope in her that you will somehow persuade me not to leave in a couple of weeks.’ To stop her even half thinking about causing a scandal, she steered Harry towards the middle of the path. ‘You are a rake, and I am not the type of person a rake consorts with.’

      ‘You intrigue me,’ Harry said. ‘And believe me, I am interested in you. And I’m hoping with your mama.’

      ‘Eh?’ Lydia was confused. The man was like a terrier with a rat, but half of the time he’d made her lose the thread of their conversations. She stopped walking and he obediently turned to look at her. ‘What are you talking about?’

      ‘I hope I can persuade you not to leave,’ Harry said blandly. ‘This is one way.’

      ‘But why?’ She was bewildered. ‘There is nothing about me to interest you.’ Unless her persona of biddable had worked so well that he thought she was the sort of person to make a quiet, unassuming, undemanding wife. That thought made her feel sick. She didn’t want to marry at all, did she? And if, if, she ever entertained the idea, that type of partnership would not be it. ‘It is not nice to dally with no intentions of anything,’ Lydia added reproachfully.

      He tapped her nose with his forefinger. ‘Oh, I have a lot of intentions,’ he assured her. ‘I just chose not to share them all yet. Now smile, for I see your swain approaching.’

      ‘My what?’ she asked as Esther and Edward caught up with them. ‘I have no swain, nor do I want one.’

      Esther groaned. ‘Harry, if I stay here now, you owe me a favour at some point. I swear your heir is one of the most aggravating and annoying people I know, and I make no apologies for saying so. Why is he such a pathetic, whining man?’

      Lydia started. His heir? Jeremy Mumford, the pitiful, long specimen dressed as a dandy, was Harry’s heir? It seemed hardly likely they could be related. They appeared as alike as chalk and cheese.

      Hold on, why am I now thinking of him as Harry? However, once that name had fixed in her mind, it was nigh on impossible to revert to formality in her thoughts.

      She watched Jeremy as he stood in front of Harry and glowered. ‘What are you doing?’ he demanded of his elder. ‘Why are you with her?’

      Lydia opened her mouth to tell the newcomer just what she thought of his attitude, but Harry luckily forestalled her.

      ‘She has a name,’ Harry said quietly. ‘You are making a fool of yourself, you know. Lady Lydia is not your responsibility.’

      ‘And she’s yours?’ Jeremy asked rudely. ‘I don’t think so.’

      Lydia gasped and Esther coughed dramatically. Jeremy ignored them both.

      ‘Manners.’ Harry narrowed his eyes and Jeremy looked a little discomforted. ‘I know so,’ Harry continued implacably. ‘Now, unless you intend to be polite and greet us like a proper human being, I suggest you leave.’ Harry paused. ‘Now.’

      ‘Oh, all right – good afternoon, everyone.’ Jeremy looked at Lydia with a curious expression. Calculating, considering, almost evil; it made her shudder in trepidation. Therefore she ignored him. It was obvious he was not to be encouraged in any way, and his presence cast a cloud over them. Beside her, Harry shook with silent mirth. Lydia wanted to slap him. Jeremy was an annoyance, and Harry was fast joining him.

      After a few seconds, Jeremy scowled. ‘I will bid you all a good day.’ He turned on his heels.

      ‘If looks could kill we would be choosing the hymns for your funeral,’ Edward remarked. ‘You really need to do something about him, Harry. He’s more than an idiot; there is a darker aspect to his make-up that is coming to the fore.’

      Harry shrugged and Lydia watched with interest as the two men exchanged what to her seemed like a warning glance.

      ‘May I be so bold as to say good riddance?’ Esther asked sweetly.

      Harry nodded. ‘Oh yes.’

      ‘Why me?’ Lydia asked. ‘Why is he fixated on me? He makes my skin crawl. You know, he invites me to dance and stares fixedly at me all the time. And his hands are clammy. At first I thought him harmless, but now?’ She shuddered as she remembered just how he made her feel – as if spiders danced over her skin. ‘He appears everywhere I go. It is unnerving to say the least. Now he’s talking about how, with my money and his acumen, whatever he means by that, we would make the perfect couple. Urgh. No. I tell you, I am having so many headaches or reasons to stay where only ladies go, my mama is at the end of her tether. What is it all about?’

      ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out. Now let’s forget about him and talk of pleasanter things.’

      ‘He cannot be of your ilk, you know,’ Edward remarked, as in mutual, but unspoken, agreement they retraced their steps and approached the Countess’s carriage. ‘Somewhere down the line someone played their partner false.’

      Harry laughed. ‘You’ve met my aunt and her mother. Who would have them?’

      ‘True. Well, you have all of my sympathy.’ Edward said with a wink.

      ‘My lord, if you do not want me to be subjected to intense questioning and pressure, can I persuade you to leave me before my mama spots you?’ Lydia broke in. As much as she wished she could hear all of what they were saying, she had a more pressing concern. Her mother’s nosiness.

      Harry looked towards where her mama sat. Even at that distance he could see just where her attention was fixed. He shrugged and rolled his eyes. ‘Too late. I wager she has never let her eyes wander from us ever since Edward and I joined you and Esther. But I promise to say all the correct things about how I was merely with Edward, if you wish.’

      ‘Oh, I do.’ Not that she thought it would do much good, but even so, she intended to give her mama no ammunition. ‘I fear it will be too little too late or something, but every little helps,’ she said hopefully.

      ‘Then so be it. For now.’

      Lydia glanced at him questioningly but he merely grinned and, as they reached her mama, turned and bowed. ‘How fortunate that my ride with Edward resulted in me seeing three lovely ladies,’ he said suavely. ‘And you, madame, outshine everyone.’

      The Countess, always susceptible to flattery, simpered and laughed. ‘I thank you for your kind words.’ She stared at him for a few moments and then visibly collected herself. ‘Now, my dear Lydia, we’d best get on.’

       And no doubt question me until I am ready to scream.

      ‘Come to tea soon?’ Lydia asked as Esther kissed her cheek and they exchanged hugs. ‘And I promise not to be morose or negative.’

      Esther laughed. ‘Even when you are down you are never negative. Just determined to stick to your own view of society and life in general. I might not always agree with you, but I do applaud your individuality.’

      ‘Is that a compliment?’

      Esther patted her cheek. ‘Yes, you goose.’

      Lydia waved her friend and the gentlemen off and got into the carriage, ready for the questions she was sure would come.

      Her mama didn’t disappoint.

      ‘Why was that Lord Birnham with you again?’ she demanded. ‘And you didn’t bring him back immediately to meet me or ask him to call? Really, how on earth could you waste such an opportunity?’

      ‘He’s not a dog, Mama; I cannot teach him to do as you bid,’ Lydia said patiently. ‘He was with Esther’s husband, and was very polite. That is because he is a gentleman who has no interest in me, but is too polite to say so.’

      ‘Oh