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He inclined his head “Good evening, Miss Lovell It seems we are destined to rievance, you see” He dragged his gaze away fro as they fixed on Mr Gilligan

“Mr Gilligan,” Lord Greystone said in a slow, ed to sound vicious “You’ve been a busy man in my absence”

“M-an had no choice but to bow to his master, but the steent one step further and dropped to his knees He gripped Greystone’s dirty boots “I can explain I can explain everything”

“Stand up!” Greystone yanked his boot frorasp and stepped back “You will stand up and walk out of this roo you out”

“Is that really necessary?” Lord Randall said haughtily “A gentleman should not resort to violence when in the presence of a lady”

Lydia ht have admired the lord for his considerate comment, yet it was born frohteous

Greystone turned his head a fraction, a s on his lips He scanned the dandy’s clothes “Do not dare tell me how to conduct entleman” The words hit like an arctic wind—harsh and bitterly cold So cold that all those nearby shivered “Have a care, that is unless you wish to polish your pistols and meet at dawn”

Lord Randall gulped nuainst aa person with his bare hands

“Step back,” Lord Greystone warned when Randall failed to reply “Else I ht think that you are part of the problem”

“I aht of entertainment,” the pompous lord eventually said He tried to shuffle backwards without looking craven but only made himself appear weak and pathetic

“If entertainment is what you seek, then I do not wish to disappoint” Greystone glared at the cruan “Stand like a man and accept the consequences of your actions”

Lydia glanced around the room The musicians sat perched on their chairs, bows frozen in hand,on Greystone’s every word, watching, waiting, wondering what on earth he would do next

Other than Lord Randall, no one dared offer a challenge

For all Mr Gilligan’s protestations to the contrary, his lips were sewn shut, too

So