Raven McAllan - The Lord’s Persuasion of Lady Lydia

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 Lydia, why do you sell yourself short?’ her mama asked sorrowfully. ‘Any man would be proud to spend time with you if only you acted…’ She hesitated.

‘Simpering?’ Lydia suggested. ‘Meek and mild?’

‘Less forceful,’ the Countess said finally. ‘As I know you could if you wanted.’

‘Mama, that will never happen,’ Lydia said. She had some sympathy for her parents being saddled with someone as indifferent to their lives as she was, but, as her mama was wont to say when Lydia cribbed about tonnish restrictions, it was life. ‘I do not want to attract a man because I can simper or pretend to bow to his every whim. I am me. I cannot and do not want to change.’ She didn’t add: ‘I cannot be like you and suffer what you do at the hands of Papa.’ It would have been cruel. Nevertheless, Lydia thought it.

The Countess sighed as she nodded to her coachman and the barouche set off and manoeuvred out of the park. ‘I know,’ she said. ‘And as much as I wish it were different, I do admire you for sticking to your guns and not giving in. You know? Strange though it may seem, I fell in love with your papa when he first spoke to me. He? Ah…’ She sighed deeply. ‘Who knows how a man’s mind works. He respects me, which I know, but love? I don’t think that came into his equation.’ She sounded so despondent, Lydia’s heart went out to her. That was one reason she refused to marry for the sake of it.

‘Love didn’t in those days, you know, and no one thought anything of it. Sometimes, Lydia, I wish I had your backbone. You may not realise it, my love, but I am so very proud of you.’

Lydia swallowed and blinked back sudden tears. ‘Mama, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.’

Chapter Four

Harry scowled at the sheets of paper in front of him that his major domo had presented him with a few moments earlier. They made for disturbing reading.

Lydia Field was indeed in possession of a considerable fortune and heiress to an even greater one. Her godmother had recently left her another very large sum of money. Just before Jeremy had approached Harry. Coincidence?

Harry snorted. He didn’t believe in coincidences.

Jeremy, it seemed, had dipped very badly in more gaming hells than Mrs O’Connor’s and was being dunned for money. Some very villainous thugs had been seen outside his lodgings, and although they had been refused admittance, it didn’t bode well for the man. Even if Harry signed his heir’s money over to him, Jeremy would be hard pressed to keep his head above water.

Stupid fool.

Harry read on, and slowly let the paper fall to his desk. The second sheet had even more disturbing news. Over the previous week or so, Jeremy had begun to repay his debts.

Where on earth had he got the money? Harry’s solicitor informed him he had someone looking into it all.

All this on top of yet another visit from Jeremy, stating emphatically he would marry Lydia and soon. It was no wonder Harry had a constant headache.

He massaged his forehead wearily. Was Jeremy truly enamoured with Lydia, or was it her money that called to him? He had no way of knowing. Whatever, she was not the one for Jeremy; she would eat him and spit him out in tiny pieces.

The rest of the epistle made him sit up straight and read it twice. Lady Lydia Field was known throughout the ton as a shy, demure, effacing young lady who had little to recommend her to a gentleman, except her fortune. She had turned all offers down, was considered to be on the shelf, and no one was surprised, even though she was an heiress.

That didn’t match with what he had seen over the past weeks. The lady intrigued him more and more. If he did nothing else he would have to discover the true Lady Lydia Field. It seemed his psyche, for reasons know only to it, had decided she piqued his curiosity, and he’d better do something about it.

And make her his?

****