“What’s wrong, Diana?” he asked, softer this time.
“There’s a ball tonight, at the Duke of Carrington’s. Hosted by his son, Lord Denninson.”
“And you wish to attend, I assume?” Sebastian asked.
“Well, yes,” Diana said, looking up at him through her eyelashes in an attempt at sweet innocence. “I would dearly like for you to take me. I cannot go without you, of course, but with you… perhaps I would have some chance at finding a husband, and then I could quite leave you alone, to live out your life as you wish.”
The thought of his poor sister, husbandless and stuck in a house she hated, sent his heart crashing through his stomach. He loved her, no matter what, and he hated to see her so saddened.
“Diana, my dear,” he began, getting up from his seat and approaching her. He placed a hand on each of her arms and looked down at her. “You need only ask. You should know that by now. You did not need to attack me quite so fiercely.”
“So we can go?” Diana asked, her voice wistful and girlish now as she smiled at him.
“Yes, we can go. I am always willing to attend such events with you, if only you push me in the right direction occasionally. You know I do not follow the agenda of theton. That doesn’t mean you have to start a fight, though.”
“I know,” she said, chuckling, “I’m sorry.”
“I will escort you, but you must promise me something,” he said.
“What?” she asked, looking up at him. “Anything.”
“You are to utter not a single word of complaint when I go out with my friendsafterthe ball.”
She eyed him for a moment, uncertain, but then she grinned.
“All right,” she said, “I promise.”
“Good. Now go get a gown on and get yourself ready for the ball, My Lady,” he said with a flourish, bowing to her with a playful smile.
She squeaked in excitement and spun around, running out of the room to change. Sebastian sighed and went back to his own room. He would need something a little smarter if he was to attend a ball before the gaming hall, and he supposed he ought to run a comb through his wild brown hair.
He hated balls, just as he despised soirees and luncheons and any other kind of event in which he was forced to mix with the wealthy and the titled…
The utterly judgmental, more like.
He knew he wasn’t well liked, and Diana was quite correct in that he did little to improve his already poor reputation. But he supposed there was not much point. The rumor mongers had already made up their minds, and no amount of good behavior would change that. And besides, he deserved their disfavor, after all he had done in his life.
He slipped off his waistcoat and replaced it for a more understated black one, pushing his cravat aside as he pushed the buttons through the holes. He watched himself carefully in the looking glass, mentally preparing himself for what was to come.
“I’m ready!” Diana called through the door.
Sebastian, wide-eyed with surprise, twisted the brass handle on the big oak door, to find his sister looking sparkling in a pastel-pink gown that was tight in the bodice and with a skirt that was heavily embroidered.
“Goodness,” Sebastian replied, blinking rapidly, “that was awfully quick!”
Diana’s cheeks flushed a deep pink.
“I may have… had the gown out already,” she admitted.
Sebastian chuckled, then quietly closed his chamber door as he followed her down the corridor. It was just like his sister to do such a thing—she was a strong character. He had always thought of her as someone who knew what she wanted and would always, always, find a way to get it.
She had even, so it seemed, informed the coachman of their plans and had the carriage prepared in advance.
“You knew I would agree, didn’t you?” he asked, eyes narrowed in mock annoyance. She shrugged nonchalantly.
“I knew I would get my way, one way or another,” she admitted, examining the perfect ovals of her nails as she spoke. “I guess you cannot say no, given the way you’ve already destroyed my chance at a happy life.”
“I have not destroyed—”
“We both know I am far too old to even be trying to find a husband at this late hour,” Diana said, looking pointedly at him. “And that is thanks to you. But I also cannot sit around and do nothing for the rest of my life.”
