“Anne. I have bad news.” Diana took Anne’s hand in hers as they sat together on the sofa. “Your mother has passed away. Did you know?”
Anne nodded sadly. “Joe found out. Mama discovered she was seriously ill before I left. She knew of our plans after Gerald inherited this farm from an uncle. Knowing she would not live long, she supported us and promised to keep my secret.”
Diana stared at her. “Didn’t she want a fine marriage for you? One that your birthright guarantees?”
“She wanted me to be happy and knew I wouldn’t be with Lord Withnell. If Papa knew of the pregnancy, I would hold no sway in whatever he decided. He would not have let me keep my baby.”
“I can hardly believe it.” Diana still trembled and had to put down her cup. “To find you here, happy and well, when I dreaded…” Overwhelmed, she put her hands to her face and sobbed.
“I’m so sorry, dearest.” Anne moved over to hug her. “If I had told you, it would have been an even worse burden for you to carry. To attend the memorial service and have to continue tolie to my father. I couldn’t ask you to do that. You will keep my secret, I know. But can I trust Lord Ballantine?”
Diana smiled through her tears as she fumbled for her handkerchief. “He is extremely good at keeping secrets. After all, we came here unescorted. Papa believes I am staying with Penny in Bath.”
Anne’s eyes widened, then she giggled, making Diana think sadly of times past. “I thought there was something between you two. It is unmistakable.”
“What is?”
“Why, the way he looks at you. He is smitten.”
Her heart squeezed, but she hurriedly discounted it. “Ballantine does not wish to marry until his hair turns gray.”
Anne took hold of Diana’s hand. “Ah, then it is up to you to change his mind. If anyone can do it, you can. When you wanted something, you never gave up until it was yours.”
Diana gave a watery giggle. “That doesn’t apply so easily to people. And especially not Ballantine.”
She had always thought of Anne as one who would never flaunt society’s rules. She could not have been more wrong. Perhaps it was love alone that had made Anne change her convictions. Could love change Ballantine’s? Diana must not allow herself to think it. “Why not just run away?” she asked. “Why take such a chance and demand a ransom?”
Anne frowned. “Gerald did not want the ransom, but I insisted. The money was a legacy from an aunt and was to be my dowry. Papa always said the handsome dowry would ensure a man of some distinction would wish to marry me. As if I had nothing else to offer.”
Diana sighed. “Am I likely to see you again?”
Tears filled Anne’s eyes. She shook her head. “Letters could be dangerous.”
“But I shan’t find out about your baby.”
“If it’s a girl, I shall call her Diana.”
Diana leaned her head against her friend’s. “I hope the birth goes well.” Relief, shock and confusion dragged her down like a weight had settled on her chest. She had lost her before, and now was to lose her again.
*
When they saidtheir goodbyes and settled in the carriage, Damian took one look at Diana’s tender and tremulous mouth and tear-streaked face and wanted to cradle her close, to tell her she wasn’t alone. It twisted his guts that he couldn’t. Allowing himself some latitude, he moved to sit beside her and placed an arm around her trembling shoulders, feeling the warmth of her body through her clothes. She was tired and emotionally wrought. “I like Lady Anne’s husband. He is a good man.”
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Yes, I thought so.” She dabbed her eyes. “But why didn’t she trust me to keep her secret? She must have known I would stand by her.” She blew her nose. “I thought I knew her. I was the one who never followed rules, while Anne was the obedient one.”
“We don’t always know what people feel deep down in their hearts.”
She swiveled to gaze up at him. “Especially when they keep their secrets close.”
“I’m afraid so,” he admitted sadly.
“I feel as if I’m losing two friends today.”
Her words stabbed at him. “You need to rest. When you arrive at the Howards’, you’ll feel better.”
“I won’t.” She sighed and rested her head against his chest. “Seduce me, Damian.”