Page 73 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

“It is a lovely day. I’m surprised you don’t wish to sit on the terrace.”

“The terrace has limited shade and I do not need to be harassed by insects.”

Harlow smiled. She could argue there were few insects on the terrace and there was a cool breeze coming off the ocean that made the sun bearable if one could not avoid it entirely.

Belle rested her head on Harlow’s foot as she stretched out for her midday nap.

“Does the beast have to follow you everywhere?” the woman said as her nose pinched up in distaste. “She smells.”

“Should I send her away?” Harlow asked, knowing the woman would not be so rude as to make her order the dog from the room.

“No. The beast looks comfortable. I’ll simply have to bear it, I guess.”

Harlow pressed her lips together to hide her smile.

“Did the earl say when they would be finished with the repairs on the steps? The insidious hammering is not good for my nerves.” The woman sent another look toward the glass doors where the men were working.

“I’m sure it will not be so long. I didn’t make such a large hole after all.”

The woman didn’t crack a smile at Harlow’s joke, but she stopped frowning which was an improvement at least.

“You seem unhappy here, my lady.” Harlow darted a look to see the surprise on the woman’s face.

“I don’t think it strange that a person not enjoy being forced into something they didn’t want to do.”

Harlow struggled to keep her satisfaction hidden away when the woman went for the bait straightaway.

“I imagine that is to be expected. I do not fancy being told what to do either. At home I’m constantly ordered about and manipulated by my brothers. To their detriment. For once I realize what they want from me, I am usually dead set against it. No one likes being contorted to others’ whims. Even earls.”

The woman’s dark eyes flared with interest.

“I see. It is a good point you make.”

“Oh, I don’t know that I made a point.” Except for the one she just poked through the skin of her thumb. “I am simply making an observation.”

“Do you have any other observations you wish to share?”

Harlow tilted her head to the side deciding how to broach the next topic.

“You said you know my mother.”

“Yes. I don’t know that I could call us dear friends, but we were presented at court at the same time so there was a certain bond. Your father and the late earl were friends.”

“Do you think I am like my mother?”

The woman set her stitching aside to take a long look at Harlow. “You certainly look like her. Though I’d never known your mother to be so prone to life threatening events.”

“You’re right. My mother is rather calm, while I grow restless when I sit too long.”

The countess nodded. “You get that from your father. A trait he seems to have passed on to all of his children for your brothers are full of energy as well.”

“I do think it normal for children to get parts of their personalities from both parents, do you agree?”

“Yes. I think that is the way of heredity.” She tilted her head seeming quite curious.

“It’s just that while my personality more closely resembles that of my father, I am more comfortable with my mother. We don’t always get on with people who are too similar to us.”

Her brow rose when she realized where this conversation was going.

“Another good observation, Lady Harlow. You are wise beyond your years. What a wonderful daughter-in-law you will make to a lucky woman when you marry her son.”

It seemed Harlow was not the only one directing the conversation strategically. She would not let the opportunity pass.

“I do hope so. Of course, I don’t know how well received it would be if I were to tell a potential mother-in-law that she should not push for a match so earnestly for she was causing more harm than good.”

The woman smiled then, something more terrifying than when she glared or sneered.

“I’m certain if the woman was smart she would receive the information very well, indeed.”

“One can only hope,” Harlow concluded, knowing if his mother didn’t stop pushing him, he would continue to reject marriage forever just to spite her. Which would be a travesty on many fronts. For Reese would make a wonderful husband and father, whether he was her husband or not. She’d hate for him to give up on a life of happiness just to win a war with the countess.

The other woman smiled. “Yes, one can hope.” With that she picked up her needlepoint again and went back to work.

Harlow hoped this was not considered manipulation on her part. She only wanted him to be free of his mother’s constant pressure so he could choose for himself. And now that Lady Breckenridge seemed to agree, Harlow could move on to the second part of her plan.