Page 46 of An Earl Unmasked
Muting her inward groan, Diana pasted a smile on her face and took Kent’s offered arm. “I’ve been an utter fool all my life, believing you actually cared for my welfare.”
“It is because I care that we are here this eve.”
“I beg to disagree. Marrying me off before Minerva and Isadora is wrong.”
“Then you shouldn’t have allowed Chestwick to kiss you.”
“I was giving the man air.”
Ha.She managed to befuddle her eldest brother. It was rather satisfying. Kent slowed his stride. “Air? Explain.”
“I found Randal laying prone on the path. I recalled Greg’s instructions to place my ear next to the person’s mouth to determine if they were breathing, and then the next thing I know, the man’s lips were upon mine.”
“Sister, mine, from the shade of pink coloring your cheeks, I can tell you are not telling me the whole story.”
She opened her mouth, but there was no humor in Kent’s gaze.
Moving forward, Kent said, “Regardless of how you feel about the earl, you belong here, at Chestwick Hall.”
“I do love its library.”
“Then you shall be very happy.”
Kent was a scientist like their papa; he focused only on the facts and data.
Behind her parents, Diana mounted the last step leading up to the front door. She mumbled, “At least I’ll be within riding distance.”
The butler opened the door, and Diana was happy to be greeted with smiles from the staff. Randal, dressed in evening wear, descended the stairs. She almost forgot to breathe.
“Good eve, Lord Wallace, Lady Wallace.” Randal turned and greeted them. “Kent, Lady Diana, Greg, Lady Isadora.” After performing the perfunctory greeting, Randal said, “I’m famished. Let’s adjourn to the dining room.”
No teasing glances. No warm smile. Just down to business. Crushed, Diana managed to force her legs to move.
Seated at the table between her papa and Kent, Diana focused on the place setting before her. She had let her imagination give her false hope that Randal would make some grand gesture to reassure her that this evening’s dinner was not a forced event.
Her mama’s excited voice filled the room, and Diana glanced at Randal. He was smiling and nodding in response to her mama’s nattering.
*
Lady Wallace’s constantand well-devised questions had Randal questioning if the Frog’s inquisitions were as effective at extracting information. He found himself divulging information he hadn’t believed possible to extract from him by a total stranger. Meanwhile, Lord Wallace remained aloof as if the evening was of no import to him.
Randal resisted the urge to tug at his cravat that he swore Cartwright had tied tighter this eve.
The countess was in the middle of asking yet another prying question when her husband placed his napkin next to his plate and stood. Not once during the entire meal did the man acknowledge his wife. Stepping away from the table, Lord Wallace said, “Chestwick, it is time.”
The fork full of braised beef lodged in Randal’s throat. Pounding on his chest, Randal swallowed and stood. “Excuse us, ladies.”
He glanced down the table at Diana. Her skin was pale and her lips drawn tight. He realized his mistake—he should have attempted to draw her aside and speak to her before speaking with her father. How could he be a master strategist on the battlefield and a blooming idiot when it came to Diana?
He led the Malbury men to the billiards room. Mrs. Humbleworth had made a point earlier to mention that Lord Wallace was partial to playing the game. Entering the room he spent the least amount of time in, Randal gestured for the men to take a seat in front of the fire.
The earl shook his head. “My son has apprised me of the events leading up to this impromptu invitation to supper. I’m not willing to risk the possibility of others discovering my daughter’s harridan ways, or I’ll not be able to marry off the other two. I shall double Diana’s dowry if you agree to marry her as soon as the banns have been read.”
The man spoke as if they were entering a business arrangement, not the future of his own daughter. It was not the conversation Randal had anticipated.
Caught off guard, Randal began with the first thought that had his mind awhirl. “Did you just offer to pay me double?”
A grin appeared on the dour man’s features. “I had heard of your ruthless stratagems.” The earl’s gaze flickered to Kent and then back to Randal. “However, no one warned me you were also skilled at negotiations.”
