Page 9 of A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess

She grabbed the lemonade to wet her parched throat. Her training helped her regain her composure quickly, but her fingers tightened around the crystal glass.

“You missed nothing of consequence,” she lied.

CHAPTER 3

Fair Market Value

Diana was ready to leave the charity event altogether by using the great excuse of every lady of the ton—the headache that was met with fake sympathy and no further questions. But then she spotted Elizabeth, and some of her bitterness ebbed.

Elizabeth had a light about her. She was a force of nature, and Diana was happy that she was part of her life. So, the event became much more bearable as they talked and gossiped.

“I wonder where Stephen went,” Elizabeth said merrily.

“Weren’t you together just now?” Diana pointed out. “Anyway, since you are on the lookout for my family, make sure we steer clear of Herbert and Selina.”

Elizabeth chuckled and patted the arm Diana had linked with hers.

They were standing near the refreshments table, since both prudently decided that this event could not and should not be suffered with an empty stomach.

“That bad, dear?” Elizabeth asked her.

“My siblings are atrocious tonight,” Diana huffed.

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow.

“Except for Stephen,” Diana hastened to add.

“Better.” Elizabeth nodded.

“I haven’t had the chance to talk to him, after all. I am sure that exception would be quickly overturned should that happen. Anyway, for now, Selina and Herbert are the vicious ones.”

“Yes, well, I imagine that is hardly news to you.”

Diana bit into her game pâté and toasted bread as if they had offended her.

Oh, this is so good.

Horrible or not, Selina had a fine taste, and everyone in the ton envied her, since she had managed to snatch the best cook in the whole of London.

And let’s not forget the pastry chef.

Diana made a mental note to step toward the pastry stand later and fill a cute porcelain plate with the famed chocolate custard tart.

“I am telling you,” she said, not ready to allow savory treats to distract her from the menace Selina could be. “I am sure that they are up to something. Plotting behind my back, snickering and whispering.”

Elizabeth studied her with that sharp look that left nothing hidden. Diana swallowed and cowered under that soul-drilling look.

“That is basically their default disposition, Diana. Are you sure you are mad at them and not something else?”

Could it hurt anyone in the family to be more ignorant?

Of course, Herbert and Selina were the bane of her existence, but her foul mood was caused by something else entirely.

No, not something. Someone.

The main reason Diana was stuffing her mouth, the main reason behind her exhaustion, was none other thanhim. It took all her will to power the sheer effort of pointedly ignoring him.

Not because he hovered near her—he did not. Not because he sought her out—he hadn’t. Not because he acknowledged her existence after their exchange earlier—because,blast it all,he had not done that either.

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