Lord Devere's Ward by Sue Swift

striking.
    The rustling of taffeta broke Kate’s reverie.
    Searching for the source of the sound, she was perturbed to see a familiar figure, dressed in fashionable primrose yellow, dashing along the flagstoned path toward her.
    “I say, Katherine!”
    Kate clapped her hand over the mouth of the smaller woman. “Shh, Sybilla.”
    Lady Sybilla Farland struggled against Kate’s hand. Lady Sybilla, although she was three years Kate’s senior at Miss Elizabeth’s School, was six inches shorter than her old schoolfellow and no match for her physically. “Mmph! Mmph!”
    “I’ll let you go, if you promise not to say anything until you’ve heard me out.” begged Kate.
    Sybilla, her eyes round over Kate’s gagging hand, nodded. “You always were a bully,” she sputtered as Kate released her. “I say, Kate, I believe I’m owed an explanation.”
    “I’m not Kate Scoville anymore.”
    “What?”
    “Call me Kay Tyndale.”
    “Why?” Sybilla attempted to straighten her bonnet, which was askew due to Kate’s attack.

    “Well, it’s a long sad story,” said Kate. “Let’s just say that the name of Scoville became dangerous after my grandfather died and left me with the money.” Sybilla beetled her thick, dark brows. “A fortune is generally said to be a blessing rather than a curse, Kate.”
    “It’s a curse if money leads your relations to lock you in the attic.”
    “Locked in the attic? Ah, so that’s the way of it.
    Small wonder everyone cuts the new Earl. Where are you living now?” Sybilla retied the yellow grosgrain bow beneath her chin.
    “With my guardian’s sister, Lady Anna Penrose.” Kate nodded across the water. “That’s her daughter, Louisa.”
    “The one they all call The Fairy?” Sybilla gave up on the bonnet.
    “Is that what they’re saying about her?” Kate threw back her head and laughed. “They should see her lording it over her little sister. Nothing fairylike about her then.”
    “Who’s the dandy kissing her hem?”
    “That’s Bryan St. Wills, a friend from Somerset.”
    “Is he party to the secret of Katie Scoville?”
    “Of course, there was no helping that. He’s known me forever.”
    “Good looking man, if he knew how to dress.
    What’s he done to his hair?” Both girls laughed.
    Sybilla continued, “Speaking of good-looking men, if you’re staying with Anna Penrose, your guardian has to be the Earl of Devere, eh?”

    “Yes, Quinn is my guardian. But, no one knows I’m here. Everyone thinks I’m a cousin of the Penroses. Otherwise, Herbert might come after me again and force me into marriage to get my money,” Kate said. “If I marry his son, Herbert controls my inheritances, even my mother’s fortune. So I have to stay out of sight for the while.” She tugged on Sybilla’s elbow, urging her further down the path.
    “Out of sight in London during the season?” Sybilla trilled with laughter. “Whoever thought of that plan must have been touched in the nob.” Kate flushed. “We didn’t have too many choices.
    Quinn felt that I would go unnoticed in the crowds on young people in Town.”
    “More likely he wanted to keep you around.”
    “Why, what do you mean?”
    “Your guardian has a bit of a reputation with the ladies, Kate.” The diminutive brunette continued around the pond.
    “Quinn? He looks like a setter dog,” said Kate.
    She hoped she was not blushing. But why did she feel the need to mislead Sybilla?
    Sybilla raised her thick brows. “Not everyone shares your opinion. I’ll wager he kisses as enthusiastically as any dog. He’s known to be quite the Corinthian. Rumor is he’s hunting Staveley.” Kate’s attention was piqued. “Who’s Staveley?”
    “Bertha, the Countess of Staveley. Wealthy widow, two brats.”
    “Oh, yes, I met her in the park. But Devere wouldn’t chase someone else’s leavings.” Shocked, Kate realized she again felt jealous. Jealous because of Quinn? Mercy!
    “Why not? She’s a proven breeder,