Read The Revenge of Lord Eberlin for Free Online Page B

natter on and, much like his niece, Catherine, was either oblivious or uncaring that Tobin didn’t answer. When they reached the road to Ashwood, he sent the horse to a trot, and Miss Taft shrieked loud enough to wake the dead. But Tobin was anxious to hand her off to a servant and return to Tiber Park before the rains began in earnest.
    Ashwood looked almost foreboding in the gloomy light. Tobin thought he saw a movement of light in one of the windows of the upper floor, and he imagined Lily looking out that window fifteen years ago.
    Whatever had happened that night, he could scarcely bear to think of it without fearing another attack.
    “Why do you suppose it rains in summer? It rains all the time in winter, and I think that should be enough rain for the year, wouldn’t you?” Lucy Taft asked.
    They had reached the drive, and Tobin reined his horse to a halt. “Here we are.” He swung off his horse, then lifted her down, and as he was putting her on the ground, the Ashwood coach barreled into the drive.
    Tobin looked down at the girl. “Mind you go straight inside.”
    “Will you come in for tea?” she asked. “The countesses always serve tea when someone comes to call.”
    “I would hardly term this a call,” he said, watching the coach door swing open and Lily fairly leap out of it. She rushed toward them, Mr. Fish close behind. “Lucy! Lucy, come here at once!” she called.
    Lucy smiled up at Tobin. “Thank you,” she said and scampered forward to meet her guardian.
    Lily looked the girl up and down before handing her off to Mr. Fish, then came striding toward Tobin, her expression furious, and apparently heedless of the rain that was beginning to fall.
    “Well, Lady Ashwood, it would seem we meet yet again,” Tobin said.
    “What do you think you are doing?” she demanded.
    “Obviously, I am delivering your ward. She was wandering about the woods without a cloak.”
    “Please!” she scoffed. “Do not take me for a fool!”
    “What, then? Do you think I was spying? Preying on children?”
    “What do you expect, Count Eberlin? You have stolen land and tenants from me—why should I think you above spying and kidnapping?”
    “My, my,” Tobin said, trying as best he might to keep his voice even. “You are accusing me of any number of things today—stealing, spying, abduction. I sound quite vile even to my own ears.” He stepped forward, so close that she had to tilt her head back to look him in the eyes. “Let me assure you, Lady Ashwood, that I am merely righting a very deep wrong. I do not need to spy. ”
    The color in Lily’s cheeks deepened, and her dark brows dipped in a deep V of displeasure. “Is that so? Then tell me, how else would you know which tenants are ripe for the picking? Be forewarned—I will fight you at every turn.”
    Tobin arched a brow with amusement. “ Fight me? If you want to fight, I will not stop you. If anything, it ought to make things interesting.”
    “Go on, then,” she seethed. “Underestimate me. I will find a way to stop you, and I will show you no mercy.”
    He didn’t know the meaning of the word. Tobincould feel the band tightening around his chest, and he knew he should leave her to stew in her juices, but he could not help letting his gaze casually wander her lush form. She surprised him. He’d expected her to topple into a crying heap of crinoline, but she had responded with determination. In another place or time, he might have appreciated it more than he did at present.
    “I do not wish for mercy, Lily. That will make it all the sweeter when I bring you to heel.” His gaze met her pale green eyes. “And let me be perfectly clear.” His gaze fell to her lips. “I will bring you to heel.”
    He expected a maidenly gasp, but Lily brazenly stepped closer to him, her eyes glittering with undiluted ire. “Do you honestly think you will intimidate me with innuendo? Let me be perfectly clear, sir. Do not step foot on Ashwood soil again. And