Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Cressida's maid came to tell her that she had a visitor.

"Who is it, Eloise?"

"That gentleman who visited last week, Sir Jonathan Ellington."

"Ah, he must have news for me. Let's hope my plan is working." She drew her shawl around her shoulders. "I'll see him in the parlor. Can you ask Mr. Johnson to bring us some tea and fine cognac?"

"Very good, your Ladyship."

Her skirt rustled around her as she entered the parlor to greet her visitor. "You return again, Sir Jonathan. You have news for me? Good news I hope."

She waved for him to sit opposite her and smiled encouragingly. It is so easy to bewitch these poor deluded Englishmen. Yet the one I wish to entrance seems to have fallen for that mawkish Lady Olivia Sherwyn. This one is a bore, but he's useful for now.

"I'm afraid there is no good news. Olivia refused my offer of marriage a few days ago. I'd hoped to speak to her uncle and enlist him to make her see sense. However, news reached me this morning that she is engaged to marry the Earl of Hatfield."

Fury fired through Cressida's body. She almost snarled as she spoke. "Lady Olivia Sherwyn is engaged to the Earl of Hatfield? Why would he offer for that milksop of a girl with a scarred face?" She stopped, remembering that the man before her had hoped to marry Olivia himself.

"She rejected you?"

"Yes, turned me down flat, then within days this announcement is made."

"I believe it is a marriage of convenience to protect her reputation," declared Cressida.

"She is rich now and her uncle, the Earl of Riversmead, has influence," replied Jonathan.

She stood and began pacing the room. "I'd go to see her, but I know they suspect I am behind the gossip sheets. It was very unfortunate when I was overheard talking about her at that ball. I don't think they would invite me for tea if I called at Swanbourne Place."

She stopped and spoke calmly and directly to Sir Jonathan. "We need to re-double our efforts. I shall write to Olivia and pour out my heart. She may not believe me, but her feathers will be ruffled. That's all I need. I plan to sow seeds of doubt about her betrothed."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"You have staff you trust? Your house is secure?" Cressida enquired of Jonathan.

"I do," he confirmed.

"Then we abduct her before her wedding. We can spin a story about how she changed her mind and decided she wanted to be with her first love. Whatever happens she will be ruined for good, after spending time at a bachelor's home unchaperoned."

"Are you sure? I don't want to end up in the Fleet Prison for kidnap," replied Jonathan nervously.

"Trust me, Sir Jonathan. I can see how we can make this work. Of course, after she is ruined then it will be your choice whether to marry her or make her your mistress. She will certainly be shunned by society by the time I've finished with her."

"My dear Lady Cressida, your skills in scheming and intrigue are astounding. If it wasn't that I needed access to Olivia's fortune, then I would make you an offer of marriage myself."

"And I would most certainly reject you," she laughed in her menacing low pitch. "You are not for me. However, I rather enjoy your evil mind, and you are welcome to take supper with me, while we finalize our plans."

He nodded his agreement. There was a certain risk in this plan, but very few people cared about young ladies once they were ruined. Olivia already had gossip flying around town about her loose morals. This plot would build on that gossip and secure her downfall.