I bowed. “Miss Atherton and I are, indeed, acquainted. Although it’s been a number of years.”
“Four,” she said, dipping into a small curtsy. “It is a pleasure to see you again, my lord.”
Her voice was a hint deeper than I remembered, the smooth timbre devoid of the higher pitch that normally came with youth. I took a moment to study her. Brown hair pulled back into what must have been an uncomfortable style, with no hint of the curls I knew she possessed. Against her fair skin, her brown eyes seemed larger.
No, not brown. I could see now the hint of green around the outside. Hazel, then. I wondered how much it would change in the sunlight. Would her eyes appear green when her pupils contracted?
I’d never paid much attention to her when she and her mother had visited mine. But there was a hint of something in her gaze that made me sad. That carefree young girl was gone. In her place stood a young woman who seemed unduly cautious.
The conversation I’d heard outside had me on high alert. I examined her closely as I asked, “Are you well, Diana?”
Impossibly, her eyes widened further. “I… Of course, my lord.”
“I was sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I trust your aunt and uncle are treating you well?”
Thinking of that young girl who took delight in everything and was free with her smiles had me wanting to protect her. She’d lost both her parents in quick succession, and now she was in the care of extended family who clearly didn’t have her best interests at heart.
Her mouth opened then closed again as though she was trying to decide what to say. I took a step closer and lowered my voice. “If you are in need of assistance?—”
“Diana.”
At the sound of her aunt’s shrill voice, I took a step back. Diana gave me a cool, polite smile, so different from what I remembered. “It was a pleasure seeing you again, my lord. Please give my respects to your mother.” She turned to face her aunt. “I’m here, Aunt.”
Lady Tuttleford forced her way into our group and took hold of her niece’s arm. “Your uncle has called for the carriage.” She turned to Kendrick and Caroline, offering her insincere felicitations on their marriage, before leading Diana away.
My gaze remained on the pair, and I saw Diana’s aunt lower her head to whisper something in Diana’s ear. The hitch in Diana’s step was almost imperceptible, but she said nothing as she was led away.
I turned to Greyson and Fairfax, who’d joined me. “We need to call a meeting later at the club. But not Kendrick. Let him enjoy his wedding day.”
Fairfax was uncharacteristically grim. “Maybe next time you should leave the sleuthing to me.”
So he had been keeping an eye on the back garden and engineered the distraction. He would have seen the way the Tuttlefords became alarmed and decided to step in.
I nodded, but I knew I’d do it again. I owed it to the delightful young girl Diana had once been to ensure she wasn’t in danger now.
It would be tragic if an accident were to befall her as well. Tuttleford’s words echoed in my mind.
I couldn’t ignore the threat to Diana’s life.
CHAPTER 4
DIANA
I kept my gaze lowered as I allowed my aunt to lead me to the carriage. Lord Tuttleford was waiting outside, his tight expression making his displeasure clear.
I entered the carriage first, and Aunt Matilda settled next to me.
I held my breath as my uncle climbed in last, releasing it only when he settled across from his wife. It would have been impossible to ignore his glower if he were seated across from me.
The atmosphere in the opulent carriage was tense. I never enjoyed going out with my aunt, but it was so much worse when my uncle was with us. Fortunately, those occasions were few and far between.
I kept my gaze lowered, staring at my fingers entwined on my lap. I was careful to keep them loose. Any sign that I was uncomfortable would give my uncle a great deal of pleasure, and I refused to reward him for his bullying.
As the carriage pulled away from the house, I began to count in my head. It was a habit I’d picked up after my mother’s death to distract me from worrying about what might happen.
I’d reached one hundred when Aunt Matilda spoke. “What were you thinking, speaking to that man?”
I’d hoped to keep my connection to Clifton a secret, but the truth would be the least offensive explanation for why I’d be having a private conversation with a Legend. Aunt Matilda had given me clear instructions not to speak to any of them before we’d set out this morning.
