Page 45 of An Earl Unmasked
Kent mumbled. “To hell with women and their logic.” The eldest Malbury ran his hand through his hair before planting his hands on the desk. “I demand you do the honorable thing and propose.”
The Malbury lot were rather protective of each other. If he were in Kent’s position, he would have done the same. “And if Diana refuses?”
Greg replied, “Then it is your duty to convince her.”
“Do you believe I could manage such a feat if her mind is already set?”
“Diana can be reasonable,” Kent answered. “We shall return along with the family and join you for supper tonight. Papa and Mama will be delighted you have finally extended a proper invitation.”
Emptying his brandy glass, Greg placed it upon the desk. “Welcome to the family.”
Knocking back his own drink, Randal leaned back and contemplated the events of the day. He woke up missing Diana, then was crushed by her, and now he couldn’t wait to propose. If he married Diana, would his days be as tumultuous or was the discord due to their separation? Randal wouldn’t force Diana to marry him. But he needed her.
Randal picked up his quill and pulled a blank parchment forward. Dipped in ink, he ran the quill down the middle. He began listing the advantages and disadvantages of marriage, focusing on devising the list from Diana’s perspective.
An hour later, he peered down at the long list of disadvantages. Why did women marry?
Scrunching the parchment into a ball, he tossed it in the air and caught it, then repeated the motion over and over.
The library. He headed for Diana’s favorite room, hoping to gain inspiration and the words necessary to persuade her to marry him.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Diana nervously glancedat her eldest brother, who was steadily avoiding her gaze by looking out the coach window. If her plan was to be a success, she would have to pretend she was being forced to attend this evening’s dinner instead of eagerly waiting for her opportunity to declare her true feelings for Randal. She had chosen to follow her heart. Turning to her left, she was faced with a beaming Isadora. “What are you smiling about?”
“You chose me and not Minerva to accompany you.”
She loved Minerva, and never had she ever feared or felt threatened by her eldest, yet when it came to Randal, she felt inadequate, that if given a choice, Randal may in fact choose Minerva. But to confess such crazy notions was unthinkable. “It wasn’t a choice. With the possibility of Drake being present, Minerva paid me a whole month’s worth of pin money for me to take you instead of her.”
Isadora’s smile turned into a frown. “I’ve been meaning to ask you—what do you think she is planning to do with all the funds she’s extorted from us for the past three years.”
Diana wished she had the courage to pose the question to Minerva directly, but she believed she already knew the answer. “Most likely what you and I both suspect—she plans on running away and never returning.”
“If that is her plan, why hasn’t she done so already?”
“Because we remain unwed. Minerva wouldn’t want to cause a scandal and jeopardize our chances of marriage.” Diana clasped her hands tighter in her lap. If Diana was successful and carried out her plan this eve, Minerva would be one step closer to leaving them.
“Ahh…well, even if you do get yourself engaged this eve, Minerva will have a long wait before I marry.”
Diana leaned in closer to whisper, “Not if you continue your clandestine visits to the ladies’ club in town.”
“How did you find out?”
“I may have my nose in a book most of the time while we are in town, but my hearing is exceptional.” Diana would have been a hypocrite to criticize Isadora for her escapades. She had made excuses for her sister during the Season, just as Isadora had for her during the summers.
Isadora adjusted her skirts and wiggled about. “Then you well know, it is perfectly safe.”
“Safe? You are a member of a gambling consortium. It is rumored you refer to yourselves as the Ladies of Luck.” Diana elbowed her sister. “Miss Mathematics here believes inluck. I nearly didn’t believe it when I found out that you, of all people, were a participant.”
Kent’s head whipped about. “What are you two whispering about?”
In unison, they replied, “Nothing.”
Thankfully the coach rolled to a stop before Kent could quiz them further.
Isadora placed a hand on Diana’s arm. “Has it occurred to you that a life with the Beast of Chestwick sounds exactly the type of story you would want to read about?”
Diana gathered up her skirts, ready to descend. “Reading and living are two very different things.” She waited for Kent, Greg, and Isadora to exit before stepping down. Their mama and papa were in the coach ahead, and Mama was in awe of the size of the manor in front of her. “What a lovely home you will have, Diana.”
