Lady Iona's Rebellion Read Online Free PDF Page A

imposed on most English gardens, Sydney Gardens celebrated the wilderness, albeit in a safe well planned-out manner.
    Iona and Lillian found Amelia and her brother, Mr. James Harlow, waiting for them not far from the entrance. They were standing under a shady bower of flowering Catalpa trees with another gentleman Iona recognized immediately.
    “Lord Grainger.” She inclined her head in the dark-haired gentleman’s direction. He was dressed in the most fashionable manner, with fawn-colored pantaloons, shiny riding boots, a red-and-white-striped waistcoat that matched the nearby camellias, a flowing cravat and an olive-colored single-breasted coat that fit like a second skin.
    “Ladies.” Lord Grainger Talbot bowed with a Corinthian’s flair. As he rose, his silver gaze latched onto Iona’s. “Perhaps I might be permitted to join in your stroll through the labyrinth? I am a great lover of all beauty, you see.” There was a laugh in his voice.
    He’d playfully pursued Iona’s hand all season in nearly the same manner. She rarely took him seriously. Yet his sudden appearance in Bath caused a niggling of doubt to flare. When most of the Fashionables summered in Brighton, enjoying an endless string of routs and balls, had he chosen the much more reserved Bath because of her?
    She nearly blurted out how her hand was already spoken for—nearly.
    “The more the merrier,” she said instead, took his arm and led the group down a pathway that meandered through a bed of waving snapdragons alive with tiny yellow butterflies.
    In one week and five days all of England would know of her fate.
    Unless…
    No, she must obey her father’s wishes. That long night of tears after she had openly defied her parents had made her realize one important thing. Keeping her parents’ love was more important than chasing after the flighty hope that she might one day stumble upon her heart’s passion.
    Unless…
    Was it her imagination? She glanced over her shoulder when the path led them around another wide corner to take a second look. Was that the wicked Lord Nathan on the path behind them? She licked her lips as she wondered what mischief he could be searching for in Sydney Gardens.
    There was the secluded grotto, rumored to be a popular spot for lovers. Would he dare attempt a dalliance in broad daylight? But why shouldn’t he? He had a particularly clever and scheming head on his broad shoulders. Besides, even if he were caught, how would it hurt him? Iona couldn’t help but think how a tattered reputation such as his must be terribly freeing.
    Her spotless name had left her locked in a gilded cage. Oh bugger, why had her father come up with his brilliant idea that she marry her cousin the same day she had finally gathered enough courage to tell him of her plans for independence? Perhaps she should take lessons from the wicked Lord Nathan.
    “What is that mischievous look?” Lillian asked, her pretty forehead creasing. “What are you plotting?”
    “Nothing,” she said. She freed her arm from Lord Grainger’s.
    “Lady Iona plotting?” Lord Grainger said, causing the group to laugh.
    Lillian naturally turned the subject back to fashion by the time they entered the labyrinth. Never had Iona acted impulsively or in a manner that would raise an eyebrow. She was after all, as she’d overheard whispered on several occasions, an utterly obedient and dreadfully dull young woman.
    If only there was some way she could change that.
     
    Gentlemen flocked to Iona like flies to honey. Why shouldn’t they? Her sunny smile and delicate complexion had captured the breath in Nathan’s throat the first time they’d formally met.
    This afternoon, he followed her through the twisting green labyrinth like a besotted puppy. Every so often he’d catch a glimpse of her. He rounded a corner and once again spotted her through an opening in the labyrinth’s hedge.
    This time she noticed him too. She turned and stared right back at him. A curious