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“Regrettable,” he sighed. “But necessary, under the circumstances. Alas, I did not think you would come otherwise. And now that you are here...” His smile grew. “My hope is that we can put that sordid business behind us.”

Lord Herrod came within five feet of Diana before stopping. A good thing too, for she might have slapped him if he got much closer. The shock of his being the one who had sent her that letter, paired with how detestable she found the man, caused quite a calamity of emotions to stir within her.

Indeed, the only thing keeping her from turning toward outright abuse was the very real fact that as much as she hated this man, she also sensed he was one to fear. Alone and out here. Nobody knowing she had come to meet him...

I best be careful not to say anything that might set him off. Even if I would very much like to.

“When my husband finds out --”

“Threats already?” Lord Herrod frowned; his expression still playful. “Your Grace, I am disappointed. Even hurt. You assume the worst and yet you have no idea what I have asked to meet with you today. Surely, the urgency and secrecy must suggest that I had good reason?”

Diana balked at that, for a moment wondering if in this instance, he was being sincere. “You should not have threatened the girls.”

“And for that, once again, I apologize. But I could not risk you telling His Grace of this. It is imperative that he never find out.”

“Find out what – why am I here?”

His expression softened, a look of sincerity which Diana did not buy for a second. That was what she had always detested most about Lord Herrod, that everything he did seemed contrived and controlled, done so as to appear one way when she knew deep down that he was as wretched as they came.

“You are here, Your Grace, because I cannot stomach another day without telling you what I think you know we both feel. Lies do not become us, nor does being forced to live them. I have been at pains to deny how I have felt, but no longer will I suffer through such contrivances. And I know you are the same.”

“What... what are you going on about,” she said with bewilderment. “Speaking plainly or I shall leave.”

“You and I, of course,” he said, taking a step closer. And then another. “Being together. That is what this is about. It is time we plan our escape and --”

“What!” Diana cried out. “You and I? Lord Herrod...” She tried not to laugh, even though nothing funny was said. “Surely, this is a joke?”

“It is no joke, and do not sully this moment by suggesting as such. I am in love with you, Your Grace. And I know that are feel the same for me.”

“Lord Herrod...” Diana couldn’t believe what she was hearing! The ramblings of a lunatic, which might have been amusing if it wasn’t so dangerous. “I am with His Grace. We are man and wife. Whatever it is you think you feel, it is irrelevant.”

His eyes widened malevolently. “And so I thought too. But do you remember what I first told you? What I made sure to repeat the last time we spoke.” He took another step toward her. “I always get what I want. And now, what I want, is you.”

Diana took a step back, the hairs on her neck standing up because she could sense that things were about to take a turn for the worst. “I... I appreciate the sentiment, sadly, there is nothing that can be done.”

“On the contrary,” he spoke quickly. “If you and His Grace were to annul your marriage, there is no reason that we cannot --”

“No!” she said before she could stop herself. A flash of anger behind Lord Herrod’s eyes and she forced calmness. “I mean... it is not possible, Lord Herrod. I do not wish to go into details, but an annulment would not be legal. I am...” She tried for a forgiving smile. “I am sorry.”

Lord Herrod shook his head, not at all put out. “Oh, do not let that worry you. I have a team of lawyers at my beck and call, and they assure me that regardless of what you and His Grace have done together, it is still a possibility.” He took two quick steps, putting himself less than three feet from her. “We will be together... Diana.” He purred her name, and it sent a shudder through her spine. “God himself cannot stop us.”

Lord Herrod had lost his mind. That was the only possible explanation. For that reason alone, Diana knew she couldn’t outright deny him, for who knew what the man was capable of.

“Lord Herrod...” Diana spoke slowly and carefully, one hand outstretched as if to calm him. “What of my cousin, Evelyn? The two of you --”

He snorted. “She is not a concern, Diana. A means to an end only, used so that I could get closer to you. I own her family, so you need not worry about how she might react. In fact, I suspect that she will be happy for us.”

“But my husband --”

“Does not deserve you,” he cut through her, a tinge of anger to his voice. “Why do you not see that? And quite frankly, I am getting a little sick of these ridiculous protestations. We will be together, and I intend for it to be as soon as possible.”

She shook her head. “But... but I cannot simply – allow me to speak with Magnus first and make him see. Perhaps I can convince him to leave me? Surely, that will make things easier.”

“He is a proud man. I know the type,” he said with a smirk. “No, it must be you who asks for the annulment. Today.”

“Today?!”

“Oh yes, today. And where I did not want it to come to this...” He sighed as if with regret. “I must implore once again that you think of the safety of the girls. I would hate to think what might happen if they were... if they were not considered when you decide what to do.”