Page 106 of Enslaved
“Claptrap and rubbish!” Prudence declared.
Charles Wentworth summoned all his patience. “We don’t have all the answers, but with time and understanding Lady Diana will recover completely, and surely that is what all of us want.”
“Pack your things. We have taken a house in Queen Square.”
Mark’s black eyes bored into Prudence. “That is entirely unnecessary. Lady Diana may stay here until Dr. Wentworth feels she is recovered.”
Prudence pretended outrage. “That would be highly improper. My niece is an unmarried lady, Lord Bath.”
“Are you suggesting I would compromise her?” Mark Hardwick demanded with cold arrogance.
Diana stood up, suddenly tired of all the arguing. “I shall come to Queen Square as soon as I’ve spoken with Peter. I’m sorry about all of this, Prudence.”
Thinking to smooth over the awkward situation that had arisen, Charles said, “Diana will be just fine. I shall be happy to come to Queen Square to keep an eye on her.”
“Dr. Wentworth, your services are no longer—”
“Prudence, that’s quite enough!” Richard cut in. “Dr. Wentworth has been most helpful.” He shook the doctor’s hand. “I am indebted to you, sir, for the care of my niece. I shall indeed send for you to Queen Square.” With that, Richard and Prudence took their leave, followed by the doctor.
“Why the hell did you cave in to her bullying?” Mark demanded.
“I haven’t the faintest intention of going to Queen Square. I just said that to get rid of her. I had to do something before you came to blows.”
“That is the most odious woman I have ever encountered.”
Diana began to laugh and cast him a sideways glance. “Imagine her insinuating that you would compromise me.”
He closed the space between them in two strides, clasped her firmly about the waist, and lifted her high. “Let me do it now.”
“Absolutely not.”
His dark brows drew together in disappointment. She kissed his frown away. “It’s my turn to compromise you!”
It was long after dark when Peter Hardwick finally arrived. Diana had cajoled Mark into letting her talk to his brother alone, against his better judgment. She sat reading in the library, knowing in her bones that he would come tonight.
Mr. Burke took Peter’s greatcoat and told him Lady Diana awaited him in the library. He swept into the room like an ardent suitor.
“Darling girl, how wonderful to see you recovered.” He lifted both her hands to his lips, then tried to draw her into his arms.
Diana stepped back from him. “Peter, we have to talk.”
He held up his hand. “No confessions, Diana, I insist. What’s done is done, and it really doesn’t matter to me where you have been. All that matters is that you’ve come back to me.”
He was behaving so gallantly, Diana was consumed with guilt. “Peter, I’m withdrawing from the engagement.”
“I shan’t allow you to do any such thing. We will be married immediately.”
“Peter, you are not listening to me! I cannot marry you!”
At her tone, Peter wrenched his high neckcloth from his throat with savage fingers, as though it were choking him.
“Is there someone else?” he demanded.
“Yes,” she said quietly, “there is someone else.”
His lips curled in rage. “I have a written agreement with your guardians that cannot be broken.”
“I know nothing of this,” she told him truthfully.
