Page 12 of An Earl Unmasked
Randal shifted his gaze back to Diana, who had intruded both into his home and his every thought. Head bent, eyes closed, and fingers pressed to her temples, Diana’s lips were moving, but he couldn’t hear a syllable. She was either mumbling to herself or praying for divine intervention, he didn’t know which. However, it was clear she was unhappy. His heart, hardened after years of observing his men in pain and on the brink of death, began to ache at the sight of the strain on Diana’s features. He had to rectify the situation. “Lady Minerva, I’m certain if we take a moment, we can come to some sort of arrangement that will suit everyone.”
Lady Minerva studied Diana for a moment before returning her attention to him. “If we were to agree upon terms, it would have to ensure both that my sister’s reputation remains intact, and she will have full unrestricted access to your library.”
Diana’s face lit up like a child given a box of sweets. She had warned him that her eldest sister was an excellent strategist. He was no dunce and was renowned for his stratagems at war. Would those assist him now? Before he could devise a plan, he’d first need to make a full assessment of the situation and garner all the pertinent details and access his opponent’s skills. And Lady Minerva was suddenly the enemy—she was definitely a threat, except it wasn’t Lady Minerva who threatened his peace of mind and solitude. No, it was the woman staring intently from the settee that rattled his every nerve from head to toe. He was trained to keep all parties within sight, and even from his peripheral vision, Lady Diana was playing havoc with his normally even-rhythmed pulse.
Randal placed his hands squarely behind his back. “You made mention of Diana’s reputation…”
“You mean…LadyDiana. That is unless in the span of one afternoon you have decided to wed my sister.”
Lord Kent took a step closer and whispered, “Minerva, what the devil are you doing?”
It was obvious the family was close and well aware of each other’s strengths and limitations. Ignoring her brother, Lady Minerva’s gaze never wavered. The woman was issuing him a dare of some sort.
Bells of alarm rang in his ears. What was the chit up to? “GivenLadyDiana has been deemed immobile for a period of time, I don’t see the need to grant her access to the Chestwick library.”
“I don’t recall specifying the period of access to be granted.”
Lady Minerva’s smile faded as Lord Kent muttered, “Stop toying with the man. Out with your plan.”
“Diana and I humbly agree to accept your hospitality until the other guests arrive.”
“What other guests?” Randal pierced Minerva with a gaze that had his enemies on the battlefield confessing all their secrets.
The insolent woman didn’t even blink. She retorted, “Your friends and our neighbors, of course. For the house party.”
Diana had made mention of a house party earlier.
“No house party.” He shifted his attention back to Minerva and continued. “All of you may stay for three days, and I shall grant Lady Diana access to the library for a week once she is fully healed.”
Minerva countered, “Three weeks.”
“Seven days.” He faced Minerva, who was proving to be a worthy opponent.
“My lord, you offend me.”
“Two weeks, and that is my final offer.”
Lord Kent interjected, “Agreed. I shall take my leave now and return to Malbury Manor to see to it that our parents do not interfere.” He turned Minerva by the shoulders and gave her a quick hug before pulling back and saying sternly, “I shall expect you all home three days hence.”
Mr. Malbury said, “You’re giving orders to the wrong sister.”
Peering over Lady Minerva’s shoulder, Lord Kent said, “Diana, you best hope Gregory is correct in his estimation of your recovery.”
“I promise to be a good patient, brother.”
The familial interactions increased Randal’s ire at himself for allowing the Malburys to disturb his peace. He had loved his brother, but they had not been close like the Malbury siblings crowding his drawing room. For a split second, he wondered what it would be like to have such a close bond. The familiar feeling of once again being an outsider in his own home spurred him to spin on his heels and head out of the room without a word.
He’d managed to reach the threshold when Lord Kent slapped a hand on his shoulder and said, “My thanks for letting my family reside with you while Diana recovers. Send word if you need any assistance.” The man continued on ahead of him, and Randall watched as Lord Kent strode through the foyer and climbed into the Malbury coach.
The urge to run away as he had years ago when he joined the army was upon him once more. Only this time, as the sole living member of his family, he was required to stay put. He was stuck with the monstrosity of an estate that never felt like home and guests he had no idea what to do with.
Chapter Seven
Wringing her handsin her lap, Diana waited for her siblings to lecture her on her perils of sneaking into a stranger’s home.
“Pray explainexactlyhow you injured your ankle?” Minerva demanded.
Minerva must feel somewhat sympathetic, for she was inquiring after her physical health and not her mental soundness. Diana shifted her gaze between her sister and Gregory. “I fell off a ladder.”
