“You are always there when I need you,” Lil said once the episode subsided and her features were restored to their usualserenity. “After this latest abomination inThePost,I imagine you are plotting a return to Aunt Penelope in America.”
Diana thought again of her peculiar conversation with Albion. If she were ever to consider such a thing as a practical marriage, she could remain in London. Remain respectable and comfortable besides. Most importantly, remain near her sister.
Such pondering was ridiculous on the face of it. Yet her mind wandered.
A lady and gent headed in their direction, dressed in the finery she associated more with supper parties of thetonthan the modest residents of Bloomsbury. The lanky gentleman wore a black day coat with a prim white linen square peeking from the front pocket. A taffeta parasol obscured the woman’s face, but the man looked familiar. Once they moved closer and recognition took hold, she clasped her sister tighter.
Reginald Addington smiled at Diana, a profoundly unsettling smile that seemed borne not from fondness or even politeness but cruel amusement.
“I thought we were merely taking a stroll,” he told his companion at a volume sufficient for anyone nearby to hear. “I did not realize we would see such famed ladies out and about.”
“What do you mean, famed?” The woman angled her parasol to the side, revealing an elaborately embroidered lace choker around her neck with a silvery-blue Orcan sapphire set in the middle.
“You do not recognize Lillian and Diana Stewart?” Reginald said, near enough now to acknowledge them with a tip of his hat. “Why, I thought everyone in London was familiar with those two. Good afternoon, my dear ladies.”
He held her sister’s gaze longer than appropriate. The glint in his eyes made Diana feel like someone had poured ice water down her back.
“Have I the pleasure of addressing you asReg?” Diana summoned all the false gaiety she could endure. Perhaps that might scare Reginald away or at least minimize their time in his presence. “As Lord Albion did the other night?”
Reginald clicked his tongue between his teeth while the woman’s mouth curved into a perfect cupid’s bow.
“Lord Albion certainly takes liberties with matters of etiquette. I suppose that is the benefit of untold wealth.” He turned slightly, facing Lillian directly. “Perhaps these Orcan fellows have not the constitution to understand the manners of the better classes after all.”
Pressing her lips together to hold back a tart comment, Diana gave Sir Reginald’s companion a pointed look.
“Ah! Forgive me. May I introduce Miss Augusta Driscoll? I am taking her to meet my nephew Nigel and his dear mama.”
“Pleasure,” Miss Augusta said curtly. Like Diana’s, Augusta’s blonde hair was fashioned into an updo with loose ringlets framing her face. Unlike Diana’s, every strand fell perfectly in place.
“I suppose this is a tad awkward, but then I trust you shall also find a new match,” Reginald told Lillian. “Someone more to your taste than my nephew. You fare well enough, I take it? Under your father’s roof?”
“I am in good health,” Lillian murmured, not meeting his eyes.
“Though one can’t be too fastidious, I should think,” Reginald mused. “Not after a broken engagement. Lest Society thinks the problem lies not with the gentleman but the lady in question. Particularly if the gentleman marries well.”
Diana tried to measure her sister’s response. Lillian stared straight ahead, features rigid.
“We shan’t keep you from your appointment, Sir Reginald,” Diana said.
“As you wish.” Reginald tipped his hat once more. “Good day, ladies.”
They resumed walking in the opposite direction as they had before. Once they were a few steps further, Diana looked over her shoulder. Reginald had bent down closer to Miss Driscoll.
“I suppose we should consider it an honor to encounter the notorious Stewart sisters this afternoon.”
“How so?”
“Those two are as sordid as the infamous women of the Roman Empire who wielded their feminine wiles in the most distressing manner. All to ruin honorable gentlemen. But you needn’t worry, my dear. Nigel has long since distanced himself from any touch of scandal. I am so glad he has found a lady whose virtue matches her fine looks.”
Shame scorched Diana’s cheeks. Any dream she harbored of her misstep with Nigel Halman going away died a sudden death.
Quickening her pace, Diana wrapped her hand tightly around Lillian’s upper arm, squeezing the light wool of the Spencer jacket’s puffed sleeve. “Pay them no mind. Sir Reginald is a tiresome sort.”
“The infamous women of the Roman Empire?” Lillian whispered. “Was that meant to referenceThePost?”
“Those with dull lives often invest in tales to amuse themselves. How else could they bear even to rise in the morning?”
Lillian took a sip of tea from the copper mug, trembling fingers betraying her nerves. “You’re right. I’m only sorry we had to overhear it.”
