London was full of life. The hustle bustle of the city allowed Lizzie to hide and be alone with her thoughts. She had arrived in London one week prior, and was finally starting to forget the irresistible smile of Lord Malmesbury.

Lizzie had settled into her family’s townhouse quite comfortably. She wanted to be alone, so the servants obliged. She ate alone and didn’t even bother getting dressed some days.

Lizzie sat on the windowsill in the sun room, only wearing a loose chemise. It was quite cold for March so she had a shawl wrapped around her. Immersed in her book, she did not hear the sound until it was too late. The door opened and she frowned. “I thought I told you I was not to be dis—”

Matthew entered the room.

He saw her state of undress and immediately averted his gaze. “I beg your pardon, Lady Elizabeth. I did not know.”

Lizzie blushed furiously and wrapped the shawl around herself. Mortified, she stood up and rushed out of the room. Hurrying up the stairs, she rang for the maid and was dressed quickly.

“Who allowed Lord Malmesbury inside?” Lizzie demanded. “Who is responsible for letting him get as far as the sun room? The lack of order in this household is a disgrace.”

The maid was understandably upset. “The main entrance was secured, m’lady! He must have entered through the servants’ entrance. I was briefly unavailable. He must have asked the new man.”

“This is ridiculous! Hurry up so that I can go see what he wants.”

“Very good, m’lady.”

Downstairs, Matthew was trying to calm himself down from the embarrassment of surprising Lady Elizabeth while she was indecent. She had looked positively delightful and so furious. He had never seen such a wild expression on a lady’s face. She might very well have mauled him to death. He looked towards the entrance. Perhaps he should leave.

“Lord Malmesbury.”

In a simple blue dress, Lizzie looked absolutely stunning.

“Let us skip the formalities. Why are you here, Lord Malmesbury?”

“Why did you run off to London?”

Lizzie narrowed her eyes. “I do not need an excuse to travel, and please do not be so presumptuous.”

“I am not an arrogant man.”

“But you expect me to fall into line as soon as you snap your fingers. That is not going to happen. You are perfectly aware that I am the daughter of a duke. You are wasting your time. I do not wish to be courted by you.”

“I would like to know why.”

Lizzie offered him a cool smile. “My choices are not your concern.”

Matthew smiled. “Then I should like to inform you that I plan to pursue you until you either give me a reason not to or you say yes.”

Lizzie studied him and cocked her head. “You flatter yourself. I have never seen a more arrogant man in my entire life. That is not an attractive trait, Lord Malmesbury.”

It seemed to Lizzie that Matthew was incredibly patient with her, and that made her blood boil. He was making this into a game she did not wish to play. More than anything, she wanted to keep her dark secret close. She couldn’t let him see how vulnerable she was feeling. He was everything she had dreamed about.

“Your voice is sweet; your smile is charming, and yet, your words drip venom. Your eyes tell me that you would like nothing more than to throw me under the first carriage you see.”

“You have a very active imagination.”

“So, I have been told.”

“One again I will inquire, why are you here?” Lizzie demanded.

Matthew chuckled. “My sister, Lady Katherine, has expressed a desire to meet you. Of course, I told her that you dislike people in general. However, she insisted.”

“How very kind of you to speak on my behalf, but I can very well speak for myself.”

Matthew smiled. “Well then, we will expect you for tea tomorrow at my estate.” Bowing before she could refuse, he exited and called out, “I will send a carriage just to be safe.”

Stunned for a few minutes, Lizzie sank back into the cushions of the sofa and scowled. What was wrong with that man? She did not want to meet his sister. She did not want to meet his family. She did not want to build up her hopes and watch them razed to the ground again.

Eyes lonely, she looked outside at the carriage waiting outside and wondered how it would feel to let herself love someone and be loved in return. Her eyes burned, and she wiped them to prevent the tears from coming. She was not a child and she couldn’t afford to behave like one.

“I apologize! I forgot my—”

Matthew rushed back into the room, took one look at Lizzie’s helpless face and felt an immediate need to care for her. “Lady Elizabeth, are you unwell?”

He walked towards her and he saw the panic replace the desolate look on her face, as she took a step back. “I am quite well, thank you.”

“May I fetch some water for you?” asked Matthew. “You have lost all of your magnificent color, and it looks as if you are about to faint.”

“Thank you for concern, but I must insist that you leave.” Lizzie eluded Matthew’s intense gaze and avoided all eye contact.

Not wanting to intrude, and yet wanting to know why she had looked as if her heart was breaking, he decided to leave her alone. As he exited, he looked back and saw her fall onto the couch, as if exhausted.

He was determined to find out her secret. He couldn’t imagine Lady Elizabeth capable of something so terrible that would change his feelings for her. He wanted her. He would have her.