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Diana almost denied that but nodded. “Yes, but…”
Emma touched her hand. “Is the scandal preventing you?”
Diana’s eyes snapped up to her face, her heart beating a little faster. “I beg your pardon?”
Chapter 27
“Iknow what happened two years ago,” Emma whispered, even though they were alone, and Diana appreciated it.
“How?” Diana searched her friend’s face to determine what she truly thought of her, but Emma’s features were as soft and welcoming as they had always been. That still did not ease the tension in Diana’s nerves.
“Albert told me after we returned home the night Matthew hosted us all for dinner,” Emma explained. “Your name sounded familiar, and then he remembered a rumor he had heard before he left England. I heard it, too, but I did not know it was you until Albert told me.”
Diana was unable to keep herself from asking, “Does Matthew know?”
Emma shook her head. “I do not believe he does because Albert and I agreed to keep it between us.”
Relief loosened her knotted nerves but her fear and uncertainty did not diminish as she hoped they would. If Emma and Albert had heard about the scandal, then there was a chance that Matthew had, too, but was yet to learn that it was her.
“I did not place myself in that situation,” Diana told Emma when she thought she needed to explain what happened. “I went to the library to admire a painting, and the man found me there…”
“You do not have to explain anything to me, Diana. I never judged you, and I know you are not the woman the tales claimed you were.”
Tears pricked her eyes and she blinked. “Thank you, Emma. You are a true friend.”
“It is what I have hoped to be.” Emma lightly squeezed her hand, comforting her.
“Now do you understand why I cannot marry him? No man wants a fallen woman.”
Emma’s brows furrowed in disagreement. “I do not believe that because Matthew is a different sort of man.”
Diana had wanted to pretend that everything would be well while she was here. A part of her had hoped that she would not have to leave Kent, but reality was waking her from her fantasy-filled slumber, and she must heed it. Matthew might have deep feelings for her, but they could change in the face of the truth.
“Perhaps he is,” Diana said to end the conversation. She picked up the book she had been reading and held it up. “I have started reading it.”
Understanding and respecting Diana’s decision, Emma began. “I finished it in one day,” she giggled. “I did not sleep until four in the morning.”
“We shall see if I can finish it before midnight,” Diana jested, desperately seeking something that would calm her racing thoughts and guide her because she had never felt as lost as she did now.
“Is my dear Diana awake?” Matthew heard Lady Dervin ask Emma as he walked past one of the drawing rooms.
He had sequestered himself in his study to work and allow his ire to calm before facing them again, and although the urge to walk in and confront them about their treatment of Diana was strong, he knew he should not be reckless.
Thus, he made his way toward the stairs as Emma was saying, in a cold tone, “No, she is not, my lady. The physician gave her a strong sleeping draught to take away her pain. She would likely sleep all afternoon, and perhaps through the evening.”
“Well, then I suppose we should not wait,” Lady Dervin said, sounding annoyed.
Matthew climbed the stairs without waiting to hear the rest. He did not need to because Emma was handling them well. When he arrived at Diana’s door, he knocked gently, then waited for Mrs. Ross to answer. It did not take long before the door opened, and the housekeeper’s smiling face poked out.
“Oh, Your Grace!” She beamed.
“Is Miss Pearson awake?” Matthew asked.
“Of course, she is.” Mrs. Ross opened the door wider and stepped away from it.
Diana was sitting on her bed, her back against several pillows, her legs stretched out on the bed with her injured foot on a pillow and a book on her lap. A tender smile curved her lips when she saw him, and Matthew had to remind himself to breathe.
Instead of walking into the room immediately, he stood and inclined his head against the door frame, content to just watch her for a moment. He did not think she knew how beautiful she was or how much she calmed the storm inside him every time he looked at her.
