Page 82 of A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess

The moment Diana stepped through the front doors of Westall Estate, she ran. She ignored the startled look from the footman, the way Elizabeth called after her. She didn’t stop. Not until she was in her chambers, the door slammed shut behind her.

Her breathing was ragged, her chest aching as she pressed herself against the door, her fingers trembling at her sides. She took a few steps, only to collapse before she reached the bed, gripping the covers and taking them down with her.

She let the tears run down her cheeks, hot and burning, born out of fury and something that was brewing deep in her soul. She sobbed and didn’t even bother to stop or cover it.

“Diana?” Elizabeth was at the door.

“I…” No other words came out of Diana’s parched throat.

“Diana!”

“Go away!”

She heard footsteps retreating and sighed in relief. She wanted to be alone for good. She had no power to do anything but cry.

“I love you…”

Diana squeezed her eyes shut.No.She wouldn’t think about it. Wouldn’t think about him. But her treacherous mind refused to obey. She could still feel the warmth of his hands on her waist. The way he had sounded so certain.

He was lying. He had to be. James Bolton did not love. He moved through life as he pleased, indulging in games and pleasure and wicked amusement. And she had simply been another diversion.

Diana let out a strangled breath and dug her nails into the sheets as if she could claw the memory out of her mind.

“Diana, I brought tea, and I am coming in.” Elizabeth was back at her door.

“No,” Diana tried.

But it was too late. The door opened a fraction, and Elizabeth came in bearing a tray. The moment she saw her in that condition, she set the tray on a side table and fell to her knees beside her. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around her. And Diana let her.

A fresh wave of tears flooded her. She gripped Elizabeth’s sleeves, holding onto them as if she could anchor herself to the world again. Her body was shaking, and she sobbed in Elizabeth’s arms.

Elizabeth held her, allowed her to let it all out. No judgment and no questions.

After a while, Diana’s sobs ebbed. The storm had passed, but the clouds were still looming in her soul. Softly, Elizabeth took her by the hand to guide her to the small sofa and rubbed circles on her back, still not prying. She poured her a cup of tea and patted her hand, before stroking her hair.

“I was such a fool,” Diana said as she wiped her tears.

“I am sure you were not.” Elizabeth smiled. “I’ve known you for a while, Diana. And there are many things that I would call you, but fool would never cross my mind.”

Diana looked up at her sister-in-law with a grateful look.

“Now, will you tell me what happened?”

“I… James…” Diana said simply as if that would explain everything.

“Yes, I gathered as much. I had to rush down to prevent Stephen from going straight to him. I found him in the armory.”

Diana looked up in shock. Elizabeth was smiling.

“This is not a joke,” Diana sighed.

“I assure you it is not. Just some embellished truth. I mean, I didn’t find him in the armory, but he was asking for his coat.”

Diana shook her head.

This was a mess. And it was all her fault. She should have known better than to make a deal with a rake like James. How did she think she could protect her heart from him? She was a novice, and he was a master. She was doomed the moment she stepped onto that wretched balcony.

“I bought us some time,” Elizabeth continued, sipping her tea calmly. “I told Stephen it is not prudent to kill the man his sister loved.”

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