Page 52 of A Lady's Past
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Dinner with only two women and so many men was something new. She wore a blue dress with a modest collar and skipped meeting with everyone in the parlor beforehand. These men were not her friends, with the exception of Jacques and perhaps the Duke of Middleton. The rest wanted information, at the very least.
When she arrived in the dining room, everyone was already seated. She curtsied and took the empty chair between Sebastian Turril and Oliver Graham. The two Horsemen who had met them halfway to Buckrose.
Sebastian was the kind of man women swooned over. Lean and tall, with fair skin, dark eyes and a smile that muddled one’s mind. His dark hair was pulled back in a queue, and he bowed as he held her chair. “Good evening, Miss MacLeod. I trust you have everything you need.”
Avoiding meeting his gaze, she nodded. “Yes. The staff has been very accommodating. Thank you.”
Oliver smiled, and despite the fact that he looked as if he could break a person in half with his huge arms and broad back, the effect was charming. “If there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you. You are most kind.”
Across the table, Honoria tapped her fork on her plate. She studied the delicate flowers around the edge of the fine china and the polish on the crystal. “What manner of place is this? Who were all those children we saw playing as we drove up?”
Like all the men, Alex had dressed in a suit for dinner. He was no less formidable than he had been in traveling clothes. “Most of Buckrose Castle is a school run by Mrs. Jessica Fallcraft.”
Intrigued, Diana said, “A school. Are you four teachers of some sort?”
Michael laughed. “Hardly. They can only teach you to roughhouse and defy authority.”
The soup was served, and Honoria sipped, then regarded Michael a long while. “Did you attend this school, Your Grace?”
“I went to Eton, my lady. However, Middleton’s father attended here, as did Laurent’s.”
She turned to Jacques. “Your father was schooled here in Yorkshire?”
Somehow Jacques’s smile sent a warm balm over Diana’s world. She could see his face for ten thousand days and never tire of it. He looked at her as if he could read her thoughts before answering Honoria. “My father and Preston’s met here. It is why the Horsemen saved me when I was scheduled for the guillotine.”
Oliver interrupted. His deep voice and sharp blue eyes left no room for debate. “I hope you both paid your respects to Mrs. Fallcraft.”
Swallowing a spoonful of soup, Preston grinned. “Before we even settled into our rooms, Oliver. Never fear, we know what is important here at Buckrose.”
Sebastian leaned in to speak to Diana. “Mrs. Fallcraft is a remarkable lady. If you can find the time, you will enjoy meeting her. Everyone who meets her falls just a little bit in love with her, as well as learns a healthy fear of a dressing down.”
“Goodness, I’m sure Lady Chervil and I will make it a point to get to know her. If she has all of you on your toes, she must be something.” Diana left half of the bland soup in the fine china bowl and avoided Jacques’s gaze.
The rest of the meal was well cooked and adequate, but nothing tasted good to Diana. She decided it must be her, since Honoria raved about each course.
Pudding was placed on the table. Oliver turned in his chair to face Diana. “Tell us about yourself, Miss MacLeod.”
Even though she expected questions, her heart sank when the kindly pretense was over. “What would you like to know, Mr. Graham?”
“Start at the beginning.” He frowned.
She sighed. “The beginning of my life or just from where French spies carried us off? You’ll have to be more specific. I’m nearly six and twenty. Are you interested in all those years or just these last three?”
Sebastian laughed. “She has a point, Oli. You should just ask what you want to know.”
“All right. Are you working or have you ever worked for the French government or any organization that might harm England or the crown?”
“Well, that was direct,” Nathaniel said.
“Is this necessary?” Eyes filled with anger, Jacques stared the Horsemen down.
Alex said, “If she wants our help, it is.”
Preferring the direct question, Diana held up her hand to stop Jacques from mounting a defense. “It’s all right. I’ll answer.” She took a breath. “My family was captured and tortured. If you want to know about when my mother’s fingers were chopped off, I will be happy to give you a detailed account. No. I have never worked for the French or anyone else besides the Everton Domestic Society. My father was forced to assist, but gave them next to nothing when he could have built their rocket with ease. He protected this country, which is more than England did for him.”
