Her sister released a laugh. “There is nothing exciting in my days. Mama wants me to get Gwen outside to someplace other than the lending library.”
“You should go to a party. Both of you. Something fun.”
Lilah leaned forward. “I will if you will.”
Diana shook her head. “My place is here beside my husband.”
“Your place was there on the day of your wedding. And now your place is to oversee his household and his care—”
“It is.”
“But it is not to hide away.” She took a breath and dared touch Diana’s hand. It was a bold move for her, but one that was deeply appreciated. “You will need to wrap yourself in crepe soon enough. When he dies, you will be locked away in mourning. Take a moment now to get out of this house just for an evening.” Then she shrugged. “And if we can force Gwen to accompany you, so much the better.”
It was a tempting idea, to be sure. Gwen was twenty-eight and needed to find a husband immediately. And if she could get Lilah out into society, then the woman might meet a man who was willing to overlook her illegitimate birth. Perhaps there could be happiness for her sisters.
“You said you wanted a way out of your melancholy,” Lilah coaxed. “Couldn’t this be the way?”
It wasn’t her melancholy she needed to escape, but Lucas, who had invaded her home and upset her equilibrium. Then the idea came to her.
She snapped her fingers in triumph. “A masquerade!” she said. That would give time for a gentleman to become intrigued with Lilah before her identity was revealed. Plus, they were known to be more forgiving with the invitations as members of the not-quite-propertoncame out to play.
But Lilah shook her head. “Gwen would never go to such a thing. She would find it too frivolous.”
“She finds people too frivolous. If we could dress up a book in trousers, then she might be interested.” Diana shook her head. “No, I have decided. The very next masquerade shall have all three of us in attendance. Tell Gwen I desperately need the frivolity.”
“You do need it.”
“And I will not have it unless both my sisters attend.”
Lilah frowned. “I might be able to convince her.” She sounded doubtful but willing to try.
“The harder part will be to keep Mama away. There can be no fun with her constant interfering.” And no chance that Lilah would be able to kick up her heels a bit. Mama was ever vigilant that Lilah did not put herself forward. In truth, Diana thought it cruel to give Lilah all the trappings of gentility but none of the possible futures. Sadly, that was the way with by-blows. If they were lucky, they were given a place in the household as an unpaid servant. It was a difficult life, but at least she was not on the street.
Then Diana had an idea. “I shall ask Mama to reside here for the evening in case Oscar needs something.”
Lilah’s eyes widened in horror. “Mama abhors a sickbed.”
“But I will remind her that it is her motherly duty to help every once in a while.” Her tone grew harder in memory. “Just as she told me over and over that it was my daughterly duty to marry Oscar.”
Lilah nodded. “Giving you one night away is the least she can do.”
“We have a pact then? The very next masquerade—”
“Will see three sisters attend. Yes.”
They even shook hands on the bargain.
*
Lucas smiled ashe loitered outside Diana’s bedroom door. Now that was a great idea.
Chapter Five
Lucas paced inthe dark, allowing his nerves free rein. He was completely alone here, so he could run a hole in the threadbare carpet if need be. Not twenty minutes ago, he’d sent missives to two of his best friends from school. Aaron and Jackson had been his constant companions until circumstances had thrown them to the four winds. It had been the most natural thing in the world for the three future earls to become steadfast friends, but then he’d gone to war, and he hadn’t seen them since.
The missives had requested their appearance in Aaron’s own front parlor with no signature provided. That was enough of a mystery that they ought to be here any moment now. And Lucas could only imagine what they would say to finding their supposedly dead friend had unlawfully entered Aaron’s home only to wait for their arrival.
He heard them arrive, one through the front, the other through the back. The house was dark because Aaron’s lazy servants had long since disappeared to their own entertainments. Lucas forced himself to stand in a relaxed pose next to the cold fireplace, and he waited.
