A Scandalous Seduction: Historical Regency Romance by Lily Harlem

Author:Lily Harlem [Harlem, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lily Harlem
Published: 2022-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

For the second time that day, Elizabeth stormed into her room and flung herself on the bed.

It seemed, in his wisdom, her father also thought it an excellent idea for her to go to Scotland with the duke to keep his younger sister company—with Sarah as a chaperone, of course.

She knew what both he and her mother were scheming. She had seen it in their eyes, heard it between the lines. The duke was a perfect match for her, and the sooner she wed him the better. If they could have had their way, the date would already be set.

Ha. If they knew him they wouldn’t think that at all. Yes, he was handsome and charming and rich and intelligent, but he was also a man happy to be presumed as something and someone else.

She had never claimed to be a village girl, simply headed in the direction of Littlemead. Yet he had strutted, yes, that was what he’d done, strutted with his gun and a handful of game like any gamekeeper would, thoroughly acting out his role.

After yelling her frustration into the pillow, she stood and wiped her hot face, tucked her hair behind her ears, and walked to the window. Already she missed the rolling green hills of Burghley.

How can I avoid this infernal trip?

She racked her brains and stared out at the landscape. Maybe she could feign her headache and nausea illness was worsening. Or make up a story about a publisher in London requesting to see her work. Perhaps she could quickly get another invitation to a ball, an offer that she couldn’t and shouldn’t refuse. Yes, that was it. She’d start concentrating on that plan immediately.

To the right of the carriage park stood the enormous elm tree she’d played around as a child, the gnarly trunk wider than a stable door. It was in shade, owing to the heavy leaf cover. Movement caught her attention. She peered closer.

It was a horse, tied to the fence, its head dipped as it grazed. And was that…standing with the creature?

Tom, yes, it was.

In the name of the Lord, he had a nerve.

Anger heated her blood, and she gripped her gown above her ankles and marched from the room. She took the back staircase, not wanting to alert her parents he was loitering. She could and would deal with this matter.

And by the time she’d finished, she wouldn’t be going to Scotland.

Striding from the house, ducking beneath a hanging vine and then skirting past a bed of parsley, she emerged onto the lawn. She was sure to stick to the shadows of a high brick wall as she made her way to the elm tree.

The horse snorted softly and swished its tail. It took no notice of her arrival.

Tom did.

He straightened and grinned that maddening grin of his. He’d removed his jacket, and his cravat was undone. He looked more like her Tom now that his attire was less formal

Her Tom. No. That he wasn’t.

“What are you doing?”

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