Page 22 of The Scoundrel and the Lady

“I hadn’t noticed,” he said, his words dripped with sarcasm. “I am rather familiar with the cruelties of the aristocracy. Why do you think I write what I do in my paper? It does not stem from admiration.”

“If you hate Society so much, why put your sister in it?”

“Because it is what she wants. And I happen to believe that once she’s out there, she’ll see for herself how wretched the people are, and she’ll come to her senses.”

“You truly do not think highly of us.”

“I do not.”

“Yes, well, they can be particularly nasty to women.” Iris shook her head. “I’m not certain I’m the one to do this. Or that it can be done. At least, not in time for this Season.”

He shook his head. “No. You will not quit that easily. If you can endure the measurements from the other evening, you can do this.” He leaned forward, braced his elbows on his knees, and the look was so masculine that she nearly lost her breath. “If I can pass you off as a gentleman, then you should have no problem passing my sister off as a lady. At least with Lucy you have the correct sex.”

He had her there. She looked away from him then. His handsome face was far too distracting for her mind to work properly. She wasn’t normally one to back down from a challenge, and after all, this entire thing she was doing was to save her brother. Certainly, she could understand Lord Ashby’s quest to do the same for his sister. Perhaps she could get some of her friends to assist her.

“Very well, but we’ll need to begin work immediately, and she will need to be willing to do and say everything I ask of her.”

He nodded. “She is compliant.”

“And sweet.” Iris smiled. “That, I can plainly tell. I am merely trying to save her some embarrassment.”

“You have an impeccable reputation, Lady Iris.”

At that, her brows shot up.

“Yes, I do my research. I asked around about you. I know that if anyone can help Lucy, it is you.” He gave her a smirk. “You need only remember all of the requirements of our agreement.”

“I haven’t forgotten any of them. I fully intend to win this little challenge of ours so that rubbish you’re publishing as advice shall disappear and my brother can cease his foolish behavior.”

“My dear lady, you do realize that boys the world over have been making poor decisions for centuries. I hardly believe his behavior is so dependent on my words.”

She cocked her head. “Your words?”

“Figuratively,” he said, waving his hand dismissively.

“No, you meant that literally. You not only publish those articles, you are the author. I suppose that makes sense, since you are so proud of them.”

“The author of said articles has no relevance to this situation.”

“It does. Before I can begin working with Lucy, I need to hear you say it.”

He frowned. “That I’m the author?”

“No, that you will agree to pull the publications. And print a retraction.”

He eyed her for several moments. “You can ensure that my sister is accepted?”

“I can ensure that she will be accepted within my small group of friends,” she said.

“I will agree to cease printing the articles, but I shall not print a retraction. Also, I will speak to your brother directly, if you believe it would help.”

“My lord, my brother has taken the time to read your articles so carefully that he has made notes in the margins and underlined his favorite parts. I think meeting you would be a disaster for him,” she said.

Iris was alight with nerves as she waited for Lord Ashby to arrive. He’d said tonight they’d begin her lessons. Tonight, he’d teach her how to be a gentleman, and she, in turn, would teach him the ridiculousness of his advice. Normally, she would not have worn such a nice gown for an evening at home, but she wanted to look every bit the genteel lady so that he’d quickly realize his foolishness. It had nothing to do with hoping to look more attractive to the dashing merchant’s son turned earl.

She’d already instructed her housekeeper to see Lord Ashby directly in when he arrived, as they had important business to attend to.

Even though the parlor in which she waited was all the way at the end of the corridor, she still heard the heavy front door open and close when he arrived. She shook her hands in front of her and resituated herself on the settee with the book she’d been pretending to read. She’d glanced at the same paragraph at least a dozen times in the last twenty minutes.

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