Page 95 of Enslaved
Prudence and Richard exchanged swift glances.
“Ah, I thought perhaps it wasn’t,” Peter said affably. “It appears your agreement with me is the lesser of two evils, after all.”
Peter could see that although it was clearly a struggle, both Richard and Prudence knew the only thing for them to do was put the best face on it they could. Richard turned to Peter and said, “I shall come to Bath at once. Did the wretched girl say where she had sloped off to all these months?”
“Actually, no. The earl found her unconscious in an antique shop and carried her to Hardwick Hall in his carriage. Naturally we called a physician. He found no bones broken and expects her to recover without delay.”
“Why didn’t you tell me she was hurt?” Prudence demanded, reverting to the role of caring aunt in the blink of an eye.
“You didn’t bother to ask,” Peter said dryly. “I think it best if we marry in Bath. I shall be returning tomorrow and can take you in my carriage if that would suit?”
“Thank you, but I believe we shall take our own conveyance, Mr. Hardwick,” Richard said decisively.
As soon as Peter had departed for the town house in Jermyn Street, Prudence said, “That was a wise decision to take our own carriage, Richard. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.”
“I thought we’d seen and heard the last of my dearest niece. God damn and blast it all! Everything was going along so smoothly; too smoothly apparently. Prudence, you are right not to trust Peter Hardwick. I believe he could prove to be a very nasty customer. We must go very carefully with him and try not to antagonize him. The very last thing we want is an investigation of Diana’s assets.”
“Richard, he did say Diana was found unconscious. She may not recover, you know.”
“Prudence, you are building castles in the air. The chit is too damned obstinate to conveniently die. I was convinced she had met with foul play, but apparently your suspicions were closer to the mark. She must have run off with some lover, and now that he’s deserted her, she’s come running back.”
“It’s absolutely disgusting! She ought to be put in a home for wayward girls. Perhaps we’re fortunate Hardwick’s still interested. Perhaps the best thing is to get her married off quickly.”
“Well, we shall assess the situation when we arrive at Bath. We are still her legal guardians for the next two months and even the earl himself cannot deny our full authority!”
Chapter 30
At Hardwick Hall a chambermaid put fresh linen on Diana’s bed while Nora ran a bath for her.
“Thank you, Nora. This isn’t your job. I’ll manage just fine.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Who will do for you if I don’t? Mr. Burke likes to think he controls Hardwick Hall, but what good is he in a situation like this where a young female guest is confined to her bed?”
“I’m sorry to be so much trouble.”
“You’re no trouble at all. I’ll just get you a fresh nightgown and you can pop back into bed.”
“Whose nightgown am I wearing?” Diana asked curiously.
“Why mine, of course. I have some lovely ones, all from France. I put you in a plain white one because the doctor was coming, but I have some with lace, and some cambric ones fine as spiderwebs. I’ll pick something pretty and be right back.”
The moment she left, Mr. Burke put in an appearance. He brought her a decanter of wine and glasses. “If there is anything I can do to make you comfortable, Lady Diana, please let me know. It was remiss of me not to have a ladies’ maid on staff, but we have been a household of bachelors for some time.”
“Nora has been very kind to me.”
Mr. Burke didn’t exactly sniff—such behavior was beneath him—but he said, “She’s a Gaul, you know.”
Diana’s eyes widened. Mr. Burke reminded her of Kell. And it suddenly hit her—of course, Nora resembled Nola, the woman of Gaul. Diana shivered. It was all rather uncanny and gave her the most uncomfortable feeling.
Nora returned with the nightdress just as Mr. Burke departed, and handed it to Diana.
“This color matches your eyes.”
“Oh, it’s lovely.” The pale lavender nightdress had lace around its high neck and cuffs, making it look prim, while the sheerness of the material made it alluring. “It’s naughty and nice at the same time.”
“Yes, the French have a knack for such things. Now, into bed with you and I’ll fetch you a tray when dinner’s ready.”
Diana already felt lonely for Mark Hardwick’s company. She hoped he would dine with her. “Does his lordship dine at home tonight?”
