“None,” he yelled to make himself clear.
“Well, that’s a bother, isn’t it?” She pursed her lips and paced before him.
“Maybe her two knights can find out, then they can tell you so you can tell me.”
“Yes, of course, but she’s not said anything to those two as of yet.”
“Well, hopefully, they’ll pester Diana enough that she’ll answer if only to bring peace.”
“I hope you are correct because you’ve three days to make this right.”
Chapter 13
Diana’s heartached for James, especially after he had confessed what he’d planned the night of the Hearne ball. A part of her wished that she’d not overheard what those men had said about James and her mother being lovers, but she had, and it wasn’t something she could ever forget. For those reasons, Diana knew, in the end, it would strain their marriage and all because she couldn’t tell him. Further, she feared that her mother would wish to renew their acquaintance even though James was married to her daughter.
Mother hadn’t cared whether her lovers were married before so why should she care if he was a son-in-law?
And, even if James didn’t succumb to Mother’s charms, would he be tempted? Or would he compare mother to daughter, like that man suggested.
She knew James wasn’t a saint and that gentlemen often had lovers before they married. When her oldest brother, Thomas, came down with the pox, her mother explained in detail how he’d come by the disease, as her mother had never sheltered her daughters. Further, she never even tried to hide the fact that she had affairs, one apparently being James, though her mother had never mentioned the names of any of those she took to her bed.
Diana knew that she’d never be able to forget what they’d done, and it was the very reason she had rejected Somerton’s offer, shattering her own hopes and dreams in the process.
Her intention was to remain in her misery, in her set of rooms, for at least a sennight, or maybe forever, but Adam had forced her to attend the wedding of Lady Gwyn Hambly to Lord Locryn Pendarvis three days later.
It had been lovely, as most weddings were, though she’d never attended one within a garden before. Not only was every flowering plant in bloom, but ribbons had been strung from the trees. Though as lovely as the setting was, watching the bride and groom say their vows only made her heart ache all the more. Somerton had looked at her the way Lord Locryn Pendarvis looked at Lady Gwyn, with deep love and affection, and it was all Diana could do not to cry.
To further add to the strain, her knights had given her no peace. They demanded and begged to know what Somerton had done that was so unforgivable, but Diana refused to tell them. They then begged her to forgive his transgression and admit her love so that they could all be free.
It was something else she could not do. Besides, it wasn’t forgiveness that was needed, as he’d done nothing more than what any other gentleman in Society might do and Diana half wondered how many of the men who had attempted to court her before had also taken her mother to bed.
The very idea sickened her, so much so that she wondered if she might need to move to a part of the country, or world, where they’d never heard of her mother.
Following the wedding breakfast, at which Diana had remained close to her younger sisters, Adriana and Cordelia, in order to shield herself from Somerton, they’d returned to Hollybook Park to change and prepare for the ball to be held that evening.
She didn’t want to go. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy dancing, it was because it hurt too much to see Somerton. So many times today he’d attempted to speak with her and Diana had nearly given him the cut direct. She wasn’t certain she had the strength to put him off this evening.
As she prepared for the ball, Diana thought over her life and what had led her to this melancholy state. It wasn’t just that she’d be denied James, or that she was denying herself his love, but it was all because of her mother.
They’d been close for the first thirteen years of her life, but then Diana’s father had passed away before Edward had taken his first steps. It was during that time her mother had withdrawn from her children, often remaining in her set of rooms and bemoaning the fact that she must wear black and hating the fact that she must remain at Hollybrook Park. Until her father was gone, Diana hadn’t realized how much her grandfather had disliked Diana’s mother, which was nearly as much as he had disliked his son’s first wife, who happened to be Adam’s mother. Her mother and grandfather had only lived in peace for Diana’s father. Once he was gone, there was no reason to hide the animosity they held for the other.
Further, Diana also learned that her grandfather barely tolerated his grandchildren, with the exception of Edward, for he didn’t like having so many females underfoot. But, as Grandfather had been their guardian, there wasn’t much he could do, and her mother resented the fact that she did not have any control. When her year of mourning had come to an end, her mother had left Hollybrook Park and hadn’t returned for six years. She hadn’t even sent for her daughters when they were old enough to attend a Season and it was Adam who finally took control and made certain Diana and Miranda finally enjoyed a Season. Diana was twenty and Miranda eighteen the first time they visited London. Her grandfather had hoped that they’d find husbands quickly, which hadn’t happened.
It was odd seeing Mother again after so many years. She saw them outfitted then had little to do with her daughters. It wasn’t until the following year that she had returned to Hollybrook Park to take her children from Cornwall so that they weren’t exposed to Thomas, who was ill by that time. Mother didn’t take her children to London however, but to Northumberland and to the home of her brother, the Earl of Kenley. Thankfully, her Uncle Clifford Storm had seen that she and her sisters had two more Seasons. Then, this past fall, her mother had seen her children returned to Hollybrook Park following the death of Thomas and left for London as soon as their luggage was unloaded.
As the woman had little regard for her children, it wasn’t any wonder that she’d seen nothing wrong with taking the gentleman courting her daughter as a lover.
The memories of her childhood and these past years flooded Diana as she truly acknowledged that she’d not really had a parent since the age of thirteen and few adults had taken an interest in Diana or her sisters during that time. It was a wonder they had turned out as well as they had and it was the very reason why she could not sacrifice her heart, and more importantly her future. If Somerton could claim to love her and still have an affair with her mother, what was to stop him from continuing such behavior after they married? Would he eventually tire of her and seek out the arms of another?
Diana wasn’t certain she could bear it and knew in her heart of hearts that she’d always fear that she’d lose him once again to her mother.
Diana swiped the tears and blew out a shuddering sigh. She didn’t wish to return to the castle but Adam and her sisters were waiting. Somehow, she would find the strength to get through this night and then she’d spend the rest of her summer crying over the blasted rogue.
“Where is Miranda?” she questioned as she gained the entry.
“She will not be joining us,” Adam answered.
“If Miranda can remain at home, so shall I.” She turned to make her way back up the stairs.
