Page 7 of Romanced By the Orc

At present, however, only one gentleman’s attention concerned her. “Has Father seen it?”

“He is now in the habit of waiting until the evening to read the papers. So that he might leave the house as soon as possible.”

“Naturally,” Diana muttered. Fingers trembling, she withdrew the paper, sheets crumpled and still damp from the morning rain, before returning to her armchair.

“The editorials,” Lillian said.

She located it at once, a piece attributed to an author who provided only the initials B.D. Though the writer referenced the upcoming general election, he soon resorted to personal attacks, particularly about“a certain gentleman of the town” running a campaign for the Lower Chamber of Parliament.

Diana’s senses sharpened as if the words might spring to life and leap from the paper to attack her.

As though the circumstances surrounding his fiancéecrying off weren’t enough to end his aspirations, this same fellow seeks office once more. And what shall his prospective constituents say to one who kept the intimate company of his fiancée’s sister? It seems concubines did not go out of style with the Roman Empire.

Furious, she crunched the paper between her hands. If her father hadn’t limited the fires in the hearths to only the earliest and coldest morning hours, she’d have the pleasure of watching the rag burn to a crisp.

Was the Prince Regent reading the piece at this very moment and laughing over it at his lavish apartments in Carlton House? A sudden ridiculous notion that she could go around the cityand purchase all the copies floated through Diana’s mind. If she hadn’t been lazy and slept in, Diana would have seen the paper earlier. Maybe she could have minimized the damage somewhat. But now it was too late.

Meanwhile, Lillian focused on her handiwork. “I confess I don’t understand how I ever imagined Nigel would make for a trustworthy husband.”

“Father believed the same.”As did I.

Nigel Halman had cut a fine figure at parties. Diana stood in rapt attention while he spoke of the latest arguments put before Parliament. Every so often, he paused and gave her a grateful smile.

For a time, she had thought a littletoohighly of Nigel Halman.

Diana had never uttered a word of her shameful feelings for Nigel aloud. To do so would give them a power she refused to allow. Guilt already scorched her heart, and she would never set her terrible secret free. Lillian would hate her for it, and Lil was the only person left on this earth who loved her, their parents having long since given up on Diana. Were it up to them, she would have been banished to Philadelphia forever.

“But why would an editorialist revisit this dreary tale?” Lillian said. “The Postis hardly a scandal sheet.”

“Nigel is standing for office again. So rumors rear their ugly heads from the sand.”

Lil poked her needle into the petticoat with a ferocity she rarely displayed. “Mother miscalculated. You should have remained in London and kept your head high. Thetonwill not relent until you are married and …”

“You needn’t finish the thought.”

Until she was married and under the protection of a powerful gentleman. Until she was attached to a family with the clout to end this nonsense once and for all. For all that Diana loved hersister, she wished Lil could see past this tiresome matter. How on earth could she wed for naught but convenience?

Not that it mattered. No family in London would allow one of their sons to marry her. She was sure of it. Nothing she did seemed to please theton.

“I require fresh air to cleanse my thoughts.”

“In half-dress?”

Diana had forgotten about her robe. “I’ll change first, of course.”

“It looks as though it might rain again.”

“Did you not just say I should keep my head high? A brisk walk might lessen this blow.”

“You’ll need a companion. I’ll come with you.”

“I shan’t disrupt your work. Izzie can accompany me.”

Diana strode to the cloakroom adjacent to the parlor to fetch the practical wool pelisse she wore in inclement weather. At least Isabel, their newest housemaid, was a boon companion. Far more so than the sour goose Mother had sent with her on her voyage across the ocean. Izzie’s lively chatter would serve as a welcome distraction.

“Stay in Bloomsbury,” Lil said, ever the eldest. “Mind that anyone who sees you would never guess anything is wrong. I daresay the gossip will die after the election. You have every right to be happy, Di.”

Diana fussed with the ribbons on the pelisse’s high collar. Even if she put on such a splendid show for others, how couldsheforget the humiliation prompted by her dishonorable behavior?

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