Excerpt of Lady Falls by Renee Bernard

Lord Trent’s breath caught in his throat.

The overstuffed wraith at his side was practically panting in fury. “I’ll beat her for it! Do you see her, sir? Do you see what a shameless animal she is?” Mrs. Hoggerty crossed her arms. “She’s a witch!”

He nodded with a smile, his eyes never leaving the little figure perched on her stone reveling in the storm. Her impromptu dance was almost gypsy-like and he was immediately taken with her. “Calm yourself, madam. She is…free-spirited.”

He’d hoped she’d have a bit of her father’s bearing and braced himself for disappointment but this—this was a gift from the gods. She had aristocratic lines and even at the gangly age of ten, he could see beyond the raw coltish beauty to her potential.

My god, the glorious potential!

She was almost feral in her pleasure, an unashamed vixen cavorting in the cold spring rain as unaware of her beauty and appeal as a cub of its claws.

She’ll suit my plans perfectly.

Lord Trent shook his head. He’d nearly missed it. When a friend had confessed of his bastard daughter’s existence and begged him to look into the fate of a child he’d lost track of after some vague tragedy, he’d promised to see to the girl—without a single thought of wasting a moment on it.

But a few weeks later and a dark turn of events, the Earl of Trent had begun to think about revenge and what the perfect game would look like. And he’d remembered his promise and the existence of a girl without legitimate family. And his imagination had seized on the notion of using her like a bit player in a grander scheme…

It would take time, true cunning, craft, and best of all, just the right pieces on the board. The wait would be long but it would make the taste of vengeance all the sweeter.

He’d always been obsessed with games but in the pitch black of an empty ball room, the Earl of Trent had decided that he was just the man to demonstrate to the world what dark justice could look like when mastered by a genius in a gentleman’s form. The world preached forgiveness but Geoffrey couldn’t remember the taste of it. In recent years, he’d begun to accept only the dictates of his own needs and the inner voices that ruled him.

And ever since he’d met Phillip Warrick…

A passing dislike had coalesced into pure hatred for the young rake and Trent gave in to the intricate and convoluted scenario that unfolded in his mind with a seductive allure that soothed the storm in his head. He would build a labyrinth of pain that he would guide Phillip Warrick into and deprive him of his happiness.

I’ll teach him what humiliation truly is…

Trent’s gaze narrowed as he leaned closer to the glass window, and his smile widened. He would need a few years to polish and train her for what he had in mind, but who’s to say he couldn’t enjoy it?

Mrs. Hoggerty saw his smile and matched it with a wicked knowing look of her own. “Free spirited? She suits you, does she? Looking for a scullery maid, your lordship?”

“Please gather what things she has and prepare her to leave, Mrs. Hoggerty.”

“Hah! She’s got nothing and I ain’t just handing her over without—“

He unfolded his wallet and took out a few notes. Her immediate silence was almost comical.

Almost.

She’d sell me a dozen girls without blinking even if I told her I was procuring them for a blood sacrifice.

“Prepare her to leave.” He shed any pretext of civility, deciding it was a waste. “Now.”

Her mouth dropped open making her look like a bovine fish gaping for air but she dropped a quick curtsey as her face flushed red. “As you wish, your lordship. I’ll get her then.”

He shook his head. “I’ve changed my mind, Mrs. Hoggerty.”

“Y-you don’t want her?”

“Very much. But I think I’ll fetch her myself.” He straightened his coat to refasten it against the weather. “Our business is concluded. See to it my coachman is ready and the gates are open.”

He breezed past her without another word, heading down a narrow stairwell toward the ground floor and the stony courtyard. He put on his hat and stepped into the rain.

“Tell me your name,” he commanded, wondering if she’d yelp from surprise at his sudden appearance or turn into a mouse.

She lowered her arms slowly, finishing a careful pirouette before tilting her head like a small bird. Curiosity flashed in eyes the color of smoke. “It is Raven Wells. And your name?”

“I am Geoffrey Parke, the Earl of Trent. I know your father and I’ve come to take you from this place if you wish it.”

The joy that sprang to life in her eyes was so pure he almost felt a tug at his deadened conscience to let her go.

Almost.

I’m no weak man to turn at the first obstacle. And you, my pretty little bird, have a part to play in the game ahead. Every drama needs a leading lady…

Raven couldn’t believe it. She’d been daydreaming about storm fairies and some nonsense about sprouting wings and flying away as soon as her father, the King of Clouds, realized she was there. And now a man in a top hat and a grey wool coat with jet buttons was offering to take her away. The King of Clouds had come after all!

Raven smiled and did what she’d always done.

She accepted whatever was ahead with the faith of a creature that still clung to hope.

“Well?” he asked coolly and she realized she’d failed to answer him.

“Yes! I would very much wish to go, your lordship!”

“Then we’ll go.” He held out his gloved hand and she took it, placing more than one forbidden toe off of the stone square and allowing him to lead her from the yard.

“Can I bring Pepper? She’s five but she’s very—“

“No.”

Raven held her tongue, despite the hundreds of questions that began to clamor inside of her head. She had no desire to irritate her savior and decided that there would be time enough to ask about her father, or where he was taking her, or even how he had found her. As for Pepper, she was sure that there would be a better time to ask and convince him that Pepper would be no trouble at all and that Raven would happily share her food and provisions to make room.

At the outer gate, a black carriage with gold painted piping was waiting and Mrs. Hoggerty stood by the stone arch, her mouth pinched into a tight line of disapproval.

Raven lifted her chin a fraction of an inch and the instant she had one foot safely on the other side of Greenwood’s locked iron gate, she risked sticking her tongue out at the woman who had tormented her for months.

But instead of the stream of curses Raven expected, the woman smiled maliciously and leaned in to whisper, “The Devil has you in hand now.”

Raven blinked in surprise.

“Miss?” the coachman asked as gestured for her to climb up the step he’d unfolded from the carriage.

The interior was the sumptuous color of cherries, velvet and leather bespoke luxury she’d never seen before and the warmth of it beckoned. Raven swallowed hard. Her new benefactor was already inside and the earl leaned forward just a bit to give her a challenging look. “Are you coming? Yes or no?”

“Yes.” She frowned at the way her voice sounded small and shaky but she took the coachman’s hand all the same and climbed up the steps, doing her best to ignore Mrs. Hoggerty’s ominous smiles and the haunting sound of her final words.

The Devil has you in hand now.

Does he?

Well, then, let’s see where he takes me.