Page 22 of One Night for Seduction
He did not have a list of likely candidates prepared. In fact, the thought of her opening her arms to some other man raised the hackles on the back of his neck.
“Not all men are equal,” he muttered. “I have to ensure he’s worthy.”
Eastleigh snorted. “You’re supposed to find her a good match, not hold out for a fairytale prince to come whisk her away to his castle.”
Cole had the sneaking suspicion he wouldn’t care much for the fairy prince, either. Not that it mattered. He’d taken the bet, and was playing to win.
He would find Diana Middleton a match.
Chapter 9
At the Riddings’ soirée the following night, Diana assumed her usual spot along the wall farthest from the dancing. The Jacobean Oak of the Riddings’ wainscoting prevented her from truly blending with the background, but she’d taken care to select a gown whose pale blue color matched the wall hangings perfectly.
Diana prepared for a long evening of protracted invisibility. She was never bored; analyzing the notes in her journal kept her mind happily occupied. Soirées were also splendid opportunities to observe ton exchanges undetected.
At least, they used to be.
To Diana’s surprise, the wainscoting had been digging into her spine for scarcely a quarter hour before a trio of fashionable young ladies headed straight to her refuge, with Felicity Sutton leading the way.
“Donottry the lemonade,” Lady Felicity whispered as she handed Diana a glass of sherry. “Unless you enjoy the shock of undiluted lemon juice without the slightest hint of sugar, that is.”
Diana blinked. “I…”
Lady Felicity gestured to the young lady on her right. “This is Lady Viola Fairfax. Our brothers own the Wicked Duke, but please don’t hold it against us.” Lady Felicity gestured to her left. “This is Miss Priscilla Weatherby. Her parrot can swear in three languages.” She grinned at her friends. “Pris, Vi, this is Miss Diana Middleton. I witnessed her tongue-lash Colehaven and live to tell the tale. She’s one of us.”
Diana’s throat tightened. She’d never had anusto belong to before. The sensation almost made her dizzy.
Although the last thing she needed was an exponential increase in members of high society who could recognize her, Diana could not help a flutter of wistfulness in her belly at the idea of having friends. Of being part of anus.
“How do you do,” she stammered belatedly.
Now that they’d met her, the best thing to do was not to call further attention. She would present herself as ordinary, boring, unremarkable. Within a few days’ time, something more interesting would attract their attention, and Diana would return to her usual wallflowerdom.
“Have you any plans tomorrow afternoon?” Lady Felicity asked. “We’re going to Bond Street for new gloves, then to the park for ice-skating.”
“Unless it rains,” Lady Viola added.
Lady Felicity nodded. “If it rains, I’ll spend the entire afternoon before a fire with a pot of chocolate and my copy ofGlenarvon. I’ve almost deduced the true identities of each of the characters.”
Lady Viola pulled a face. “Bad form to gossip about one’s peers.”
“But delicious reading,” Lady Felicity said with an unrepentant grin. “I once believed myself a hoyden, but I now realize I’ll have to work much harder if I’m to be satirized in a gothic novel someday.”
Miss Weatherby choked on a laugh. “If Colehaven heard you say such a thing—”
“—I would unleash Miss Middleton upon him.” Lady Felicity sent Diana a conspiratorial wink. “He doesn’t scare her one whit.”
A perfect storm of warring emotions battled in Diana’s chest. She longed to be part of such a lively, laughing group. To go ice-skating, to shop together, to exchange books and giggle over private jests.
But that was a different life than the one she had chosen. A different woman. She needed to remain in the background, to be the sort of person one’s eyes might notice but never quitesee.
In such a position, only a fool would spend a moment more than necessary in the company of a young lady who prided herself on her ability to unmask true identities. If Diana’s double life became common knowledge, her reputation would be ruined—and perhaps Thad’s as well, by association.
The best thing for Diana and these smiling young ladies was to go their separate paths.
Yet how was Diana meant to shoo them off without arousing even greater intrigue?
Miss Weatherby glanced over her shoulder. “WhereisColehaven?”
