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Perhaps sensing her perusal, Lord Randall turned to face her and their eyes met

Lydia waited to feel so other than bland disinterest Bland disinterest was the only thing she felt

Randall’samusement she did not know, and he inclined his head

It was rude not to acknowledge hi interest in Arabella’s mindless chatter

“You know, Cecil should go shopping with Rudolph next time he visits his tailor” Arabella looked at the dandy as if he’d descended in a shower of gold “One can learn a lot froentleman like that”

Cecil joined his friend, and both gentlemen sauntered over Well, Lord Randall sauntered Cecil stumbled and alreen coat Green being his preferred choice ever since Arabella told hih that was before they married

“Miss Lovell” Lord Randall captured Lydia’s hand and raised it to within an inch of his thin lips “May I say how splendid you look this evening?”

Splendid?

The word lacked warmth, lacked sincerity, lacked the power to make her heart flutter

“And may I compliment you on your choice of wardrobe, my lord? It really is rather … unique”

Lord Randall raised a brow “At least one unnoticed I fear ood people of Cuckfield” He spat out the last word as if it were a piece of gristle ruining a tasty morsel of beef

“The good people of Cuckfield have no need for extravagance,” Lydia said, brushing her hand down her plain white gown They left that to self-absorbed prigs “They focus on the sis one needs to survive”

Lord Randall snorted “I see we are of a siht word in this scenario” He flapped a li “Simple if not a little backwards”

Lydia bristled “And yet I cannot help but feel a kinship with these people One I could never share with those who parade about in London society” Or with a devil who let his tenants starve so he could spend another ly handsome

Arabella tittered nervously “What Miss Lovellin the country she has forgotten what it means to be an aristocrat”