Page 54 of A Lady's Past
Honoria took her arm. She looked full of fire. “I agree. I’ve had enough as well.”
With seven pairs of male eyes watching her, Diana had never experienced such an awkward walk up a staircase.
Instead of going to her own room, Honoria followed Diana into hers. “They say they believe you, but these men have too many secrets. I’m not saying they’ve lied, but I think tomorrow we will go and meet this Mrs. Fallcraft and see if their characters can be discerned.”
Diana sank on the bed and a long sigh pushed out. “What makes you think their teacher will be any more honest?”
“If she is not forthright, we can assume they are not to be trusted. Let’s just see, since we have little choice but to remain here.”
Getting up, Diana pushed down a wave of nausea. “That’s not true, my lady. You could go. You are not required to stay here and would be far safer if you went back to London or to one of your other homes.”
Honoria took a step back and leveled her eyes on Diana. “I’ll not leave you no matter the danger. Do you think I would abandon you to this pack of men? I could never.”
“But your safety is more important than whatever might happen to me,” Diana begged.
“No. You may stop this line of thought, Diana. I will not leave you until I am certain you will be safe and free. Not even the King of England will lay a hand on you while I’m your chaperon.” Like a small lioness, Honoria wouldn’t be swayed.
Diana pulled her into her arms. “I wish you would go, but thank you for being here. I can think of no one I would rather be in danger with.”
Bell-like giggles bubbled out of Honoria. “You are a good girl. I think Jacques will make you a fine husband as soon as the two of you realize there is no other possibility.”
It took Diana a full ten seconds to respond, and all the while Honoria patted her back in a motherly way. “He is smart enough to stay away from a woman who nearly got him killed.”
Honoria shook her head and pushed out of the embrace. “Nonsense. Men are stupid by nature. If you love him, it is my opinion you let him know sooner rather than later.”
It was because her feelings for him were so strong that Diana was going to leave him to his own future. No one wanted a woman who put them in harm’s way at every turn. “I’m sure you’re right, my lady.”
“Of course I am. You should get some rest. It has been a long day.” Honoria sashayed out of the room humming a tune of her own devising.
ChapterThirteen
Jacques was determined to find out what he had done to cause the rift between Diana and him. She’d said she didn’t blame him for her abduction in London, but he couldn’t think what else had gone wrong.
Back in his room after pudding, he’d waved off a very fine brandy. Clouding his mind would not help. He lay in his bed for hours, staring at the ceiling and listening to each member of the group clomp up the stairs and go to bed. When the clock in the foyer chimed one o’clock, he gave up all pretense of sleep.
He pulled on his trousers and blouse before creeping down the hall. She might turn him away, and then he would have to return to his sleepless night. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had made him nervous. Maybe never. Yet standing outside Diana’s door, his stomach was in knots and a bead of sweat dripped from his temple.
Becoming an idiot hadn’t been in Jacques’s plans. He knocked softly enough so no one in the other rooms would hear. It was possible Diana wouldn’t hear the weak rap, either.
“Who’s there?” Her raspy, soft voice filtered through the door.
“Jacques.” It was the only word he could manage before his throat closed.
The bolt slid, and she opened the door. She was an angel in a voluminous white gown with one thick braid that lay in front of her shoulder. “Is everything okay?”
Heart beating like a rabbit on the run, Jacques swallowed his longing. “There is no danger, if that is what you mean. May I come in, Diana?”
Backing in, she fully opened the door. Embers from the dying fire and moonlight reflecting on the snow left enough light to see her standing to the side with wide eyes. She clenched her hands in front of her.
“I’m sorry to come so late, but I could not sleep.” He added a log to the fire and poked at the embers.
“Is something troubling you?”
Placing the poker back in the rack, he took a long breath before turning. “I am troubled by many things these last few months. I had a plan for my life.”
“I am sorry that meeting me has altered your plan.” She inched along the wall toward the fire while keeping her distance from him.
He stepped into her path. “I am not sorry.”
