Page 32 of Desire and Discipline
The moment Evie opened the door and led Diana into the Marquess’ bedroom, Diana was overwhelmed by the sense of presence emanating from the figure in the bed. Despite the dimness of the room, with its drawn curtains that required candlelight to see, no one walking in the door would miss seeing him where he was propped up against the pillows. No wonder the maids and the housekeeper were having trouble managing him. He had even more confidence and self-assuredness than Evie, which was saying something.
This was no elderly, wiry spider at the center of a web.
His broad shoulders and dark glare made him look more like a Roman centurion, ready to spring forth and do battle… if only he was not so severely injured. He took her breath away in a manner she was unused to, a reaction she was going to need to firmly squash if he was going to be under her care.
“I am not eating that slop,” he admonished Evie by way of greeting, ignoring Diana’s presence altogether, though she did not make the mistake of thinking he had not seen her. This man saweverything. She got the distinct feeling she had been categorized as not a threat, at least for now, so he had prioritized haranguing his niece over a formal introduction. Diana did not mind, as it gave her a moment to catch her bearings. “I need something substantial. Something with flavor. Get that tray out of here, and do not bring it back.”
“Like a cake, perhaps?” Evie asked dryly, walking forward with the tray, clearly undeterred by his stern tone. Diana had to commend her bravery—she also was taking mental notes on what she would have to put up with. Though from the way Evie had spoken, the Marquess was likely to be less rude to someone who was not an immediate family member, Beth’s tears notwithstanding. “You know you are supposed to eat the dessert last, do you not?”
“Life is uncertain. What if I choked on that slop and missed dessert?” He shook his head decisively. Another personage might have sounded petulant with such utterances, but when he said it, he was utterly reasonable and totally assured in his rightness. It was rather impressive, though Diana was determined not to be impressed. “I will not risk it.”
The large four-poster bed he lay in was richly adorned with dark green velvet curtains drawn back and tied with gold cord. The sturdy, ornately carved bedframe was even more imposing than the rest of the furniture in the room, though all of it matched.
There were several chairs on either side of his bed, obviously places for visitors—or a maid assigned to feed him—to sit. The chairs had obviously been brought in from other rooms, as they were the only unmatching furniture.
“You are going to eat your supper.” Evie turned slightly to indicate Diana, which allowed her to see Evie’s brilliant smile. “Miss Rutherford is here to take care of that.”
The Marquess narrowed his eyes at Evie.
“She’s fired.”
“She is not.”
“She cannot stay here. It is not safe.”
“I have fully informed her of the situation and the possible dangers, and she has agreed to stay, anyway.”
The Marquess puffed up before their eyes, righteous anger filling him. He was utterly menacing, despite being injured and bedridden, and Diana had no doubt this was the version of himself that had thrown the doctors and footmen out on their ears. There was even a part of her that quailed.
But he was her patient.
“What do you mean, she has been fully informed? I did not authorize that!”
“Excuse me, Evie,” Diana said serenely, coming forward to take the tray from her. “I believe this is what you hired me for.” She had the satisfaction of watching the Marquess’ jaw drop open in shock that she was not running from the room. Instead, she sat down beside him, trying to ignore the way her heart fluttered at his nearness.
Lingering fear, probably. He really had been quite intimidating before she’d caused him to gape like a fish. Though even with his mouth dropped open, he was far too attractive. Not that she was noticing. At least, she was endeavoring not to note his broad shoulders and chest, the way his salt and pepper hair swept over his brow, and the strong lines of his face. None of that was important.
“Thank you, Evie,” she said, flashing her new employer a smile. Evie beamed back at her, clearly pleased by the turn of events. Diana gave her a nod before turning back to the Marquess. “Now, my lord, are you going to feed yourself, or do you need me to do it for you?”
1
Five MonthsLater
Diana
Surrounded by masked men, Diana had no hope of escape, though not one of them truly appealed to her. Still, she had come to the masquerade this evening for a reason. There was a man she was trying very hard to put out of her mind. The Marquess of Camden hovered at the edges of her thoughts, regardless, the way he often did.
Exasperating man.
“May I fetch you a drink, my lady?” asked one of the masked men, beaming eagerly with dark, worshipful eyes, his hopefulness showing through the mask as if he wasn’t wearing it. The powdered wig he was wearing hid his hair, and his mask covered most of his face.
If he was someone she’d previously met, she had no idea. Though, that was the point of the mask and the reason she was wearing both a wig and a mask as well. She’d also added a beauty mark to her cheek and rouge to her lips to help her look as different from herself as she could.
Though it was not the first time she’d attended a Society of Sin event, she never did so as herself, and she was most comfortable with events where everyone’s identity was hidden. After all, she might one day be hired by one of the attendees, which could make things very awkward for everyone.
“May I fetch you something to eat, my lady?” Another man, wearing only a half mask, revealed him to be the younger son of the Earl of Chesterfield. Having met his very prim and proper mother, who was also a terrible gossip, Diana had to wonder at his choice to be so easily identified. The lack of circumspection on his part had her mentally crossing him off her list of possible partners for the evening.
Not that she was certain of what she intended for the evening. Though her hand itched to pick up a whip, she would only do so if she found a partner she truly felt would be worthwhile. There was always a risk when engaging in such scandalous conduct, especially for a woman making her own way in the world with a profession that relied on thetonbut was outside of it. As much as Diana wanted to satisfy the urgent needs growing inside her, she would not risk her future for them.
