Page 77 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride

“Can I offer you a drink?” Theordore continued. “My drinking companion is a little worse for wear and I cannot help but think you will be infinitely better company.”

“I should not,” she said. “I do thank you, however.”

“Please, do not make me beg Miss – Oh! Where are my manors.” Theordore shook his head. “Madam, allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Northwood.”

“It is nice to meet you.”

“And you are? Or do angels not have names?”

“Theodore,” Magnus sighed. “Will you leave the poor woman alone!”

“Just being friendly.”

“It is not bother, truly,” the strange woman said. “Although I was hoping to speak with His Grace, alone.”

“Do not break my heart,” Theodore said.

“Theodore!” Magnus barked as he stumbled across the room. “And you!” he then barked at the poor woman. “Your name. Out with it.”

“Oh!” she yelped. “Sorry, Your Grace. My name is Miss Evelyn Goldsmith, I am Diana’s cousin.”

The room turned suddenly, such was the effect of hearing his wife’s name. Magnus stumbled and grabbed for something to hold onto, his savior being Theordore who was under his arm in a second.

“Your Grace!” Miss Goldsmith cried. “Is he sick?”

“In the head, yes?” Theodore joked. “But nothing contagious.”

“Wh -- what do you want?” Magnus growled as he found his footing. “Why are you here?” The news could only be bad. Was she here to finalize the annulment? To collect Diana’s things? To rub salt into the wound for reasons of her own amusement? What?! “Did Diana send you!”

“No, Your Grace,” she squeaked. “She does not know I am here. She would be furious if she did.”

“Why then? Out with it!”

She hesitated, brow scrunched, worry painted across her visage. Whatever this was, to come here and speak to Magnus was clearly causing her great concern.

“Well?” he pushed.

“It is Diana,” she began carefully. “I... I worry for her. And I know that you do too.”

He snorted. “Clearly, you do not know as much as you think.”

“More than you, I am sure,” she said sharply, which had Theodore chuckling. Magnus reared up angrily, but Miss Goldsmith stood her ground. “You may not know this, but the reason Diana asked for an annulment has nothing to do with how she feels for you. In fact, as far as I can gather, she still cares for you deeply.”

Magnus balked. “Wh... what? No. Lies. You have come here to trick me.”

“I have not,” she said. “Diana did not want to annul her marriage with you. She was forced into it – blackmailed! She had no choice, for she feared for the safety of your nieces if she did not agree.”

“She feared for...” Magnus shook his head, wishing now he had not drunk so much. “What are you saying, woman? Speak plainly!”

“It is Lord Herrod, Your Grace. You will not have heard, as the plans are yet to be announced, but one the annulment is finalized, they are to be wed.”

“What?!”

“It was forced upon her,” Miss Goldsmith continued as Magnus grappled with information he did not understand. “He told her that if she did not agree to his terms, that he would hurt your nieces. He is deranged, she claims, and she feared for their lives.”

“She...” Magnus’ head began to clear. Or perhaps that was his heart soaring? “She did not want to annul our marriage?”

“No!” Miss Goldsmith cried. “Far from it. But your nieces, Your Grace. They were who she feared for.”

---