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she stood and took her husband’s arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world to leave her daughter unchaperoned. That was absurd, as absurd as the notion that Tom, who was skulking to the door, would bother with a new colt—especially one that didn’t exist! “Mama?” Lilliana asked, her voice quavering slightly. “Wouldn’t you like to sit with us?”
    Lady Dashell’s eyes flicked to Lord Albright, thenback to Lilliana. “No. Ah, no dear—your father needs help with the … ah … accounts.” Lilliana’s eyes widened at that ridiculous lie, and she panicked. They
were
contriving to leave her alone with him! What would she say? How on earth would she converse with a man like
him
? “You might offer some tea,” her mother added with a frown, and before Lilliana could speak, her father was moving toward the door, pulling her mother with him and forcing Tom out in front of him.
    She gripped the arm of the settee as her family trooped out the door. What in blazes was happening here? Had some strange star struck the Grange and caused them all to take leave of their senses? She was completely unprepared—no,
inept
—to amuse a man of his position and experience! He was used to the finest the world had to offer, women far more sophisticated than she was!
    “Your parents are graciously allowing me a moment to speak with you alone,” he said.
    A strange little flurry of nerves shot through the pit of Lilliana’s stomach at that remark, and she dragged an astonished gaze to him. She knew what
speaking alone
meant in the country, but the idea was so unbelievable, so ridiculously preposterous, that she almost laughed. He arched a quizzical brow, and she thought it might be necessary to remind him that he was a man of the world, a scoundrel of the highest order, the exceedingly wealthy Earl of Albright. He was mistaken—he did
not
want to speak alone with her, not to Lilliana Dashell of Blackfield Grange. That idea was so ludicrous that she choked on a hysterical giggle.
    Lord Albright smiled fully then, and the flurry in her belly turned into a full-blown churning. “You look positively horrified. Am I as odious as all that, Lilliana?”
    Oh God, but her name sounded like heaven on his lips, especially since it was not supposed to be there. A gentleman would not be so familiar—well, at least not a
country
gentleman, but who knew what the fast set of London did?
    He was staring at her. She swallowed. “Forgive me, I did not mean to look … horrified,” she muttered uncertainly. “Shall I … shall I ring for some tea?” she asked, her tongue moving despite her frozen brain.
    “Perhaps a little later,” he said, and smiled charmingly. Lilliana frantically racked her brain for something to say as those lovely hazel eyes thoughtfully roamed her face and then her … oh
my
 … a deep blush flamed Lilliana’s cheeks, and she quickly lowered her gaze—only to see the hideous splatter of mud on her lap. Hastily, she snatched a handful of her skirt and folded it over the stain.
    “Please don’t look so frightened,” he said with a low, silky chuckle. “I am perilously close to having my tender feelings crushed.”
    Tender feelings
? “Oh! Do I look frightened? I assure you I am not,” she said uneasily. “Not in the least. I am just … I am just—”
    “Surprised?” he offered helpfully.
    “Surprised!”
she agreed, nodding furiously to emphasize just
how
surprised.
    “I regret that I have not called sooner. Unfortunately, I am often in London—”
    “Yes of course, London is a very large town—”
    “And I do not get to the country as often as I would like. Kealing Park is a good half-day’s ride from London.”
    “It is a good half-day’s ride from
Hades
,” she hastily agreed.
    He smiled again, sending another quiver through her belly. “Nevertheless, I pray you will forgive my deplorable lack of manners.”
    What on earth was he talking about? She hadn’t expected