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Elizabeth did exactly as promised and took her husband’s arm, laughing playfully. Stephen’s eyes were still trained on Diana, and for a moment, she was sure that the Duchess’s efforts were falling on deaf ears. But when Elizabeth leaned in and whispered something in his ear, his green eyes lit up, and any thought of Diana faded into the background.

Huh, perhaps Herbert was right. She indeed has her ways.

Suddenly, she felt a pang in her heart as she watched her brother and his wife in their happy little bubble. There was something in their eyes that made quiet mornings and easy afternoons lose all their appeal—no amount of thread from her beloved embroidery kit would mend the little tear in her heart.

“I only wish for you to be happy, Diana,” Selina said and took her hand, pulling her out of her musings.

There was an added advantage to growing up in a loving family. Knowing that there were people around her who genuinely lovedher no matter how domineering their love might turn. It was unfair of her to protest her siblings’ attentiveness.

“I know, Selina.” Diana placed her hand over her sister’s. “I know what you have done on my behalf. But trust me, I am happy. Truly happy. I enjoy my solitude. You of all people must understand that.”

Selina smiled as she searched for her husband in the crowd.

An almost spinster herself, Selina knew where Diana was coming from.

“I know. It is addictively relaxing and liberating. But my sweet, dear, beautiful sister, falling in love surpasses any other feeling.”

Diana looked away, annoyed. Love. Surely her sister held that value in high regard, and seeing how annoyingly blissful she was in her marriage, Diana could not blame her. Her romance with Richard came as a surprise to everyone but ended in absolute happiness that had radiated on Selina’s face every day for the last four years.

But Diana herself had given up on that pursuit.

Love…

That word haunted her after what had happened. She made sure to steer clear of it. And that elusive emotion seemed to avoid her with the same ardor. There might be a tear in her heart, but shewas a remarkably skilled embroiderer and could not only mend it but also do it with a flair.

“Selina, I am happy for you. You know I am. But this is not for me. I am not as acutely dedicated to finding love as you were. I’d rather enjoy my privacy. My threads, books, charitable endeavors, intellectual discourse—these are the things that bring me contentment. Not the shallow pleasures of a fleeting courtship.”

“You are nothing if not steadfast,” Herbert commented.

“I have decided that I will not wed. I hope that the millionth time I repeat that would be enough to get it through that thick skull of yours.”

Herbert arched an eyebrow and looked at Selina in an openly conspiratorial way.

Those two are up to something.

Diana needed no other evidence on the matter than the mysterious, satisfied smirks on her siblings’ faces. A feeling that was confirmed when they turned to her and said in unison, “We shall see about that.”

What on earth could they possibly mean by that?

She was ready to demand answers when Selina smiled that mock innocent smile and decided that they had dwelled on one subject for too long.

“This is a great turnout? Is it not?”

“That is an understatement, Selina. You’ve really outdone yourself. It is not a surprise that all of the ton is here.” Herbert played along.

“I am happy, too. Who would expect that even the elusive and—let’s be honest—snobbish Earl of Southcott would attend.” Selina pointed at an old man inspecting a set of crystals.

Diana let herself breathe as Herbert and Selina went through the most striking names of attendants, whispering gossip and snickering lightly.

“Did I mention that the Marquess of Crawford is expected to attend tonight?” Selina suddenly added.

Diana welcomed the distraction too and was ready to dive into gossip. She was not fond of that particular sport—one tended to despise such a venture when one was the subject of it—but it was better than nothing.

“Crawford?” she echoed. “Where do I know that name?”

“He’s one of Richard’s closest friends. You may have heard a mention of him.”

“He wasn’t at your wedding?”