“Scotland?!”
“Yes, Scotland. The Earl of Hadley is hosting a political gathering at his estate. Lord Charswood will be in attendance, giving you the opportunity to come to know his lordship.”
The carriage turned sharply off Pall Mall and onto St. James Street. Allie braced a hand against the door.
“And then what?” she said. “I will certainly refuse to go along with your plan. We live in a modern age. No matter how you threaten or browbeat me, you cannot force me to marry.”
“Lady Allegra—”
“I will not comply with your wishes, Kendall. You have removed every choice from me. My back is against a wall with nothing to lose. I will find a way out of my prison.”
Allie’s harsh breathing filled the coach’s interior.
The wheels rocked over the cobblestone streets, braces squeaking.
“And yet . . . ,” Kendall said slowly, “. . . you are still here. You are far too intelligent to havenotescaped your ‘cage,’ as you call it, were you truly determined.”
Allie hated him in that moment. Hated that her twin, even now, knew her so well. That enough of Tristan remained within his cold heart to see through her so clearly.
Yes, she did want her freedom. But part of her was still that little girl curled up in her twin brother’s embrace. Still the sister who ached to reunite with him.
When would she finally permit that dream to die?
“Do not let that thought lull you into complaisance, Your Grace.” She folded her hands in her lap.
“I am not wrong, Lady Allegra. The stunt you pulled tonight with Mr. Penn-Leith was merely that—a stunt. You allowed him to thwart you.”
Silence again.
Allie said nothing, as Kendall was correct—damn him. Shehadpermitted the Scot to waylay her plans.
“Or is there perhaps more I should know about your relationship with Penn-Leith?” Kendall continued. “I could have sworn you had no prior acquaintance with him before tonight and yet . . .”
Innuendo dripped off the end of her brother’s ellipses.
Allie laughed. “What are you suggesting, Kendall? That Mr. Penn-Leith and I are lovers?”
“Hardly. I have known Mr. Penn-Leith for a number of years, and the man is far too honorable to seduce a young lady. But you cannot deny his poetry affected you. You were practically hanging off his every word. Moreover, I have only once seen Mr. Penn-Leith show genuine interest in an eligible lady. He tends to flirt outrageously but nothing more. Yet, he broke free of his uncle’s tether to run you to ground.”
A thrill chased Allie’s spine.
She immediately quashed the emotion.
Ethan Penn-Leith had merely been eager to confirm her identity.
Yet . . . how differently would she feel about Kendall’s machinations if Mr. Penn-Leith were the groom who awaited her? And who was this other woman Mr. Penn-Leith had shown interest in?
But perhaps most importantly, how could it help her if Kendall knewshewas the woman in Mr. Penn-Leith’s famous poem? Could she threaten to go to the press with the information? Or would that merely encourage her brother to tighten his grip on her cage?
She would have to ponder the ramifications carefully before she acted.
“Penn-Leith is not for you, of course,” Kendall continued. “A fact I shall be sure to inform him of when next I see him.”
Of course.
“No need to go to such effort. Someday soon, you will turn around and find me gone for good.”
“Or you could see that I trulydowant what is best for you.”
