Diana nodded, remembering that their marriage had been another love match. She felt a pang of envy in her chest at the thought of finding someone to explore the world and share adventures with. But there was no use in dwelling on such things. It would never be a reality for her. She would focus herattentions on Grace instead, and ensure that she made a suitable and happy match. That was her role now.
“I am sure that they will be having a marvelous time together,” Diana replied. She looked around again, keen to see who Grace was talking to. She saw her immediately, standing next to a low table where the tea things were laid out. Tristan was standing next to her, and the pair were chatting animatedly. His hair fell elegantly over his forehead, and when he looked up and caught her gaze, a smile broke out across his face.
Diana looked away, infuriated.
Cecilia seemed to have observed the whole exchange. “You really do not approve of him as a match for Grace, do you?” she asked.
Diana chewed her lip. She did not want to seem rude in speaking of Cecilia’s brother, but she also knew that she could not conceal her feelings in front of her friend. “I am worried, as you know,” she replied. “I do not think he will make her happy.”
“I think he is quite determined to win her over,” Cecilia replied. “And you, as well. Perhaps you should give him a chance over the next few days, try to see the best in him?”
Diana shrugged. “I will try to keep an open mind.”
But as the party dispersed and made their way up to their rooms to prepare for dinner, Diana could not shake her sense of unease. Tristan had shown her his true colors, more than once. She didnot think that there was anything he could do to convince her that he was a suitable match for her sister, no matter how hard he tried. He was a rogue, there was no doubt about it in Diana’s mind. And she was not intending to let him succeed in winning the affections of her innocent sister.
A little while later, the party were all seated at the dinner table. Diana found herself next to a gentleman that she did not know, Lord Pembroke. It seemed to her that perhaps he had already had a little too much to drink in the drawing room before dinner, as his face was rather red, and his voice too loud to be appropriate for the circumstances. There was no escape, though; she would have to put up with him for the duration of the meal.
Lord Pembroke spent the first course loudly talking about hunting to the lady on the other side of him, who seemed entirely disinterested and to be finding the whole situation rather awkward, but Diana was simply grateful to be spared his attentions.
However, when the second course arrived, he turned to face her, taking a large sip of wine before setting the glass down on the table in front of him with a thud.
“And it is Lady Diana Kingsman, I do believe!” he declared.
“Yes, indeed, My Lord,” Diana replied. They had already been introduced, but Lord Pembroke looked as if it was the first time that he had realized who she was. “Have we met before?”
“By Jove, My Lady, am I so forgettable?” he replied, roaring with laughter.
She tried to smile in response. “Forgive me, My Lord. I am not much in society these days, and I think it must be some time ago that we met.”
“Ah, yes, I expect you have given up on all that, now that you are a spinster,” he said.
Diana flinched, but chose not to acknowledge his comment. “Perhaps we met at a ball, during my first season?”
He nodded emphatically. “That was some years ago now, was it not?”
“Yes,” Diana said in a small voice. She sensed the direction this conversation was going to take, and she did not like it at all, but she did not know how to redirect this man’s train of thought. She could sense that people around them were listening in now, and the whole situation was mortifying.
“And there was some talk of you marrying the duke, was there not?” Lord Pembroke went on.
Diana felt her cheeks reddening. It was bad enough for the man to be talking about her like this, but with Alistair, the duke to whom he referred, seated only a little way down the table? She did not think she could bear it much longer. If Alistair heard what Lord Pembroke was saying, it would be beyond mortifying.
“I suppose he found you rather too serious, or bookish,” Lord Pembroke went on. “Well, I must say that it is pleasant to see that you have managed to tear yourself away from your books, and out into society.” He paused and looked at her closely. “Although I am not quite sure why.”
Diana bristled, her cheeks flushing with indignation. “My Lord, I am not quite sure of your meaning?”
“Might I say,” he went on, “that you have a remarkable talent for avoiding the altar. Have you considered a more spirited approach to securing a husband?”
“Perhaps you should consider a more spirited approach to manners, My Lord,” she shot back, her resolve suddenly strengthening as she felt the anger beginning to bubble up inside her. “I have no doubt that you would find them quite beneficial.”
He chuckled, undeterred. “Ah, but I fear it is too late for that for you, in any case. Perhaps spinsterhood suits you, after all. A life of solitude must be quite peaceful.”
“Peaceful, yes,” Diana retorted, trying to keep her composure. “Although not at present, more’s the pity.”
“Indeed, a pity that no one has been foolish enough to claim you,” he continued, his voice dripping with condescension. “But then again, perhaps they have simply seen the truth.”
Diana clenched her jaw, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. She willed herself to remain polite, but his comments were like daggers, each one piercing through her pride. She was not sure how much longer she could put up with it. Just as she was about to deliver a sharp rebuttal, Tristan’s voice cut through the melee.
“Lord Pembroke,” Tristan interjected, from his place on the other side of the table. “I believe that you are speaking out of turn to Lady Diana. Please desist at once.”
