Page 10 of An Earl Most Inconvenient (Regency Mishaps #2)
CHAPTER 10
“ O h my goodness,” Grace breathed as she gazed out of the window. “Look at the house!”
The carriage rattled along, its wheels creaking against the pitted road as Diana, Grace, and their father approached the Windgrave Estate, the ancestral seat of the Earl of Silvermere.
Like Grace, Diana could not help but admire the elegant facade of the house as they drew near. But even so, a sense of disquiet was rooted within her, simmering just beneath the surface, at the thought of what might happen over the days to come.
It had been the right thing to do to accept the earl’s invitation, Diana reflected as the carriage drew up outside. Cecilia would be there, along with Alistair, and many others of their acquaintance, and Diana tried to allow herself to look forward to it. But of course there would be no escape from the earl. And she suspected that his sole purpose in arranging the party was to spend more time with Grace.
“Do you think there will be dancing?” Grace asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she adjusted her bonnet and prepared to dismount from the carriage.
In spite of her anxiety about the whole situation, Diana could not help but smile at her sister’s enthusiasm. She was young, and of course she would be excited about the prospect of a party. She could not quite make out her sister’s feelings when it came to their host, though; her behavior when it came to the earl had been rather strange.
“I am sure there will be dancing at some point,” Diana replied. “But you must be careful, Grace.”
Grace huffed. “I am quite capable of managing it all myself.”
Diana frowned, then glanced at her father, who clambered out of the carriage then offered Grace his hand. As always, he added nothing of any value to the conversation, and Diana knew that it would be down to her, and her alone, to protect Grace from the attentions of the wrong type of gentleman throughout the house party. And the host himself, of course, fitted into that category. The thought of him made her stomach twist with both annoyance and a strange thrill. It was maddening how one man could evoke such a range of emotions.
Upon entering the grand hall, they were greeted by the earl himself.
“What a pleasure to see you all,” he said with a broad smile, his gaze falling first on Grace, then Diana.
Diana looked away, not wanting to meet his eye. The memory of his behavior only a few days ago, when they were alone in the parlor, had not left her, and she did not trust herself to look at him.
“Thank you for the invitation, My Lord,” Grace said, smiling demurely. “I have been very much looking forward to it.”
“And I have been looking forward to spending more time with you, Lady Grace,” the earl replied smoothly. “Now, do come into the drawing room. Some of the other guests have arrived and we are having tea. The staff will take your luggage to your rooms, and you can go up shortly to prepare for dinner.”
The drawing room was filled with the buzz of conversation, and Diana scanned the crowd, searching for Cecilia’s familiar face. She saw her at last, standing near the fireplace, and made her way over immediately.
“Ah, you are here at last!” Cecilia said. “I am glad of it.”
Diana smiled, trying to feign some enthusiasm. “Indeed, we are here.” She glanced across the room and saw that Alistair was also present, standing by the window with two gentlemen who Diana did not know. She felt no regret now about what had passed between them, but his presence always made her feel a little uneasy.
Cecilia chuckled. “You do not look very pleased about it, if I might venture to say so.”
Diana frowned and lowered her voice. “I cannot explain it but every time I am in the earl’s presence, I feel that something bad is going to happen.”
“You must try not to think of him so poorly, Diana,” Cecilia said. “Come, now, you know his family, myself and our brother Nathaniel too. We are not such awful people, are we? Surely you must see that Tristan is from a good family, that he is respectable.”
Diana felt her cheeks redden a little. She did not want to offend her friend. “I am sorry, Cecilia. Of course I know that you are all respectable, I would not want you to believe for a moment that I thought otherwise. But there is something about Tristan that makes me nervous, that is all.”
She looked away nervously, keen to change the subject, and scanned the room. “Nathaniel is not here, I think? Nor Evie?”
Cecilia shook her head. “They are off on their travels again. I believe they are in Italy at the moment,” she replied. “I think that this must be their third honeymoon! You know that they both have such a thirst for adventure, and do so enjoy seeing the world together.”
Diana nodded, remembering that their marriage had been another love match. She felt a pang of envy in her chest at the thought of finding someone to explore the world and share adventures with. But there was no use in dwelling on such things. It would never be a reality for her. She would focus her attentions on Grace instead, and ensure that she made a suitable and happy match. That was her role now.
“I am sure that they will be having a marvelous time together,” Diana replied. She looked around again, keen to see who Grace was talking to. She saw her immediately, standing next to a low table where the tea things were laid out. Tristan was standing next to her, and the pair were chatting animatedly. His hair fell elegantly over his forehead, and when he looked up and caught her gaze, a smile broke out across his face.
Diana looked away, infuriated.
Cecilia seemed to have observed the whole exchange. “You really do not approve of him as a match for Grace, do you?” she asked.
Diana chewed her lip. She did not want to seem rude in speaking of Cecilia’s brother, but she also knew that she could not conceal her feelings in front of her friend. “I am worried, as you know,” she replied. “I do not think he will make her happy.”
“I think he is quite determined to win her over,” Cecilia replied. “And you, as well. Perhaps you should give him a chance over the next few days, try to see the best in him?”
Diana shrugged. “I will try to keep an open mind.”
But as the party dispersed and made their way up to their rooms to prepare for dinner, Diana could not shake her sense of unease. Tristan had shown her his true colors, more than once. She did not think that there was anything he could do to convince her that he was a suitable match for her sister, no matter how hard he tried. He was a rogue, there was no doubt about it in Diana’s mind. And she was not intending to let him succeed in winning the affections of her innocent sister.
A little while later, the party were all seated at the dinner table. Diana found herself next to a gentleman that she did not know, Lord Pembroke. It seemed to her that perhaps he had already had a little too much to drink in the drawing room before dinner, as his face was rather red, and his voice too loud to be appropriate for the circumstances. There was no escape, though; she would have to put up with him for the duration of the meal.
Lord Pembroke spent the first course loudly talking about hunting to the lady on the other side of him, who seemed entirely disinterested and to be finding the whole situation rather awkward, but Diana was simply grateful to be spared his attentions.
However, when the second course arrived, he turned to face her, taking a large sip of wine before setting the glass down on the table in front of him with a thud.
“And it is Lady Diana Kingsman, I do believe!” he declared.
“Yes, indeed, My Lord,” Diana replied. They had already been introduced, but Lord Pembroke looked as if it was the first time that he had realized who she was. “Have we met before?”
“By Jove, My Lady, am I so forgettable?” he replied, roaring with laughter.
She tried to smile in response. “Forgive me, My Lord. I am not much in society these days, and I think it must be some time ago that we met.”
“Ah, yes, I expect you have given up on all that, now that you are a spinster,” he said.
Diana flinched, but chose not to acknowledge his comment. “Perhaps we met at a ball, during my first season?”
He nodded emphatically. “That was some years ago now, was it not?”
“Yes,” Diana said in a small voice. She sensed the direction this conversation was going to take, and she did not like it at all, but she did not know how to redirect this man’s train of thought. She could sense that people around them were listening in now, and the whole situation was mortifying.
“And there was some talk of you marrying the duke, was there not?” Lord Pembroke went on.
Diana felt her cheeks reddening. It was bad enough for the man to be talking about her like this, but with Alistair, the duke to whom he referred, seated only a little way down the table? She did not think she could bear it much longer. If Alistair heard what Lord Pembroke was saying, it would be beyond mortifying.
“I suppose he found you rather too serious, or bookish,” Lord Pembroke went on. “Well, I must say that it is pleasant to see that you have managed to tear yourself away from your books, and out into society.” He paused and looked at her closely. “Although I am not quite sure why.”
Diana bristled, her cheeks flushing with indignation. “My Lord, I am not quite sure of your meaning?”
“Might I say,” he went on, “that you have a remarkable talent for avoiding the altar. Have you considered a more spirited approach to securing a husband?”
“Perhaps you should consider a more spirited approach to manners, My Lord,” she shot back, her resolve suddenly strengthening as she felt the anger beginning to bubble up inside her. “I have no doubt that you would find them quite beneficial.”
He chuckled, undeterred. “Ah, but I fear it is too late for that for you, in any case. Perhaps spinsterhood suits you, after all. A life of solitude must be quite peaceful.”
“Peaceful, yes,” Diana retorted, trying to keep her composure. “Although not at present, more’s the pity.”
“Indeed, a pity that no one has been foolish enough to claim you,” he continued, his voice dripping with condescension. “But then again, perhaps they have simply seen the truth.”
Diana clenched her jaw, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. She willed herself to remain polite, but his comments were like daggers, each one piercing through her pride. She was not sure how much longer she could put up with it. Just as she was about to deliver a sharp rebuttal, Tristan’s voice cut through the melee.
“Lord Pembroke,” Tristan interjected, from his place on the other side of the table. “I believe that you are speaking out of turn to Lady Diana. Please desist at once.”
Lord Pembroke looked up at him in surprise. “Ah, Everton, always the gallant defender,” he said, a slight smirk on his face. “Do you have some particular reason to wish to come to this lady’s defense?”
Tristan raised an eyebrow. “I do not think that I need a particular reason to object to the way that you are speaking to her.” He stood up a little straighter, his shoulders back and his chest proud. “If you continue, then perhaps you and I will have to go outside.”
Lord Pembroke laughed, a harsh braying sound that cut through the conversation like a knife. Suddenly, everyone was quiet, their attention on the conversation taking place. Diana wished that the ground beneath her would open and swallow her up. She was not sure if she had ever been so embarrassed in her whole life.
“I am sure Lady Diana can speak for herself, can she not?” Lord Pembroke said, taking another swig of wine.
Diana had to marvel, really, at the man’s audacity. She gathered every ounce of courage within her, and opened her mouth to speak, trying to hold her voice steady despite the tumultuous feelings within her. “Indeed, I can, but I would prefer not to engage with someone who has so little regard for decency.”
Tristan’s expression softened, and he turned to her, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “Well said, My Lady. I must commend you for your restraint. It is a quality that will serve you well in this company.” He turned his attention back to Lord Pembroke. “My Lord, while you are in my house, I would ask that you do as I request, and cease this behavior at once.” His voice was firm and commanding, and every single pair of eyes around the table was fixed on him.
Lord Pembroke, sensing the tide turning against him, offered a half-hearted smile. “Very well, I shall hold my peace.”
Diana felt her shoulders drop with relief. The man seemed to have surrendered, at last.
Tristan turned to a nearby footman. “Perhaps some water for Lord Pembroke, if it is not too much trouble?”
The servant nodded and scurried off to do the earl’s bidding. Diana realized that not only had he put Lord Pembroke in his place, but he had also exposed him for his drunken behavior in front of the whole company. It would do his reputation no good, for certain.
Tristan took his seat again and turned to Grace, who was seated next to him. “Now, Lady Grace, tell me again what you were just saying about your horse?”
Diana breathed in deeply and sat back in her seat. The moment of crisis was over, for now at least. She had not expected Tristan, of all people, to come to her rescue. This house party was to be full of surprises, it seemed.