Bethany shook her head again. “It’s only a hat, Diana, but we really must get you home so you can change. Will you send for the carriage, darling?” Bethany sent a besotted glance in Chaswick’s direction.
Would Captain Edgeworth ever look at her the way Chase looked at Bethany? Diana stared across the lawn, searching for him. Instead of imagining a soldier’s midnight blue eyes, however, she found herself thinking of two silvery orbs gazing into hers—and remembering the flash of light she’d seen in them when he’d laughed.
Because he’d not been laughingather, he’d been laughingwithher. There was more, perhaps, to the Marquess of Greystone than she’d imagined.
Still, he was going to have to put more effort into feigning romantic affection if he was going to convince anyone that he was courting her. Because in that moment, he was practically glaring at her with admonishment… but also what might have been curiosity.
It was an expression she was growing accustomed to, seeing as most of theTonwas quick to judge her. She was a curiosity for which they disapproved.
But that may no longer matter. Not if this ruse worked, that was. She fluttered her lashes and forced the brightest of her smiles.
“I am quite looking forward to our drive tomorrow, my lord,” she reminded him and then widened her eyes. She’d forgotten that he would need to speak with her brother first.
She glanced back to where Chase was handing Bethany her reticule—touching his wife, of course—something he did at every opportunity.
“How nice for you, Diana.” Rather than seem surprised or suspicious of her announcement, Bethany sounded pleased. “Being seen driving through Hyde Park with the marquess will be good for you.”
Perhaps they assumed he would bring Posy along with them. Diana raised her brows. Perhaps hewouldin fact bring Lady Posy along.
Which would have had Diana anticipating the outing rather than dreading it, but wouldn’t be nearly as effective as driving with the marquess alone.
But was she dreading it? He hadn’t been as horrible and stuffy on the boat as she’d imagined he would be. And being rowed by him had finally garnered Captain Edgeworth’s attention.
Diana sighed and imagined her military hero atop a magnificent beast of a horse galloping toward her as she sat beside the marquess in his elegant barouche. Those who hadn’t noticed her in the boat with Lord Greystone today, would undoubtedly take notice of her being driven through Hyde Park at the fashionable hour—by a marquess, no less.
Would it work?
Lord Greystone crossed to face her. “I anticipate it with bated breath.” And then, while lifting her hand to his lips, he swept into an elegant bow and made her wonder, not for the first time, how a man could appear so incredibly masculine while performing such an extravagant gesture. “Until we meet again.”
“Until…” she trailed off, feeling silly. His lordship certainly was laying it on thick.
Staring at him as he took his leave, Diana jumped when Bethany touched her elbow. “I don’t understand it myself, but he’s always been like that.” How did her sister-in-law manage to read her mind? “Wait until you get a look at him at my dinner party this evening. His finery will make even the ladies feel underdressed.”
“But he is not a dandy.” Diana mused. She’d always considered those fellows to be shallow and vain.
“Not at all,” Bethany agreed. “He’s quite powerful.”
Diana tapped her fingertips against her lips, reminded again why a pretend courtship ought to work. “Chase doesn’t mind if he takes me driving?” she asked.
“Why would he? It was kind of Greys to ask you.” And then Bethany took Diana’s arm and guided them around to the front of the duchess’s manor where Chaswick’s carriage would collect them. “Tabetha and Mr. Spencer are returned from their wedding journey and will be joining us at Byrd House for Dinner as well. I can’t wait for you to meet her!”
“Tonight?”
“I am so excited!” Bethany all but squealed.
Diana felt a bittersweet longing for her own younger sister, Sarah. And Collette was eventually going to abandon her as well. Diana would be all alone.
Not alone exactly, but no one in the world could replace the relationships she had with her sisters.
“You’ve missed her,” Diana stated the obvious.
“More than I ever thought I would, considering I’ve often considered her to be something of a pest.” Bethany laughed. “But she is a lovable pest. And now that she’s married...” Bethany sighed and then sent Diana a sad smile. “Even happy changes are difficult.”
Bethany had experienced many of those this year, not only with her and Tabetha’s marriages, but their older brother, Lord Westerley’s marriage as well.
“I thought I wouldn’t like it when Chase married you, but having you for a sister-in-law has only improved our lives,” Diana admitted. But Bethany was right. Even changes for the better were difficult.
Diana halted her steps suddenly.
