“What other things?” Hannah asked once the servant had departed.
Diana set down the teapot and looked at each of her friends. “Days ago, I saw a man leaving Graham’s study. I didn’t get a good look at him, but something about him seemed… off. Not the sort of character that one would typically associate with. And he appeared to be holding his jaw, as if he’d been struck.”
“Struck?” Juliana’s eyes widened. “And you think—”
“I don’t know what to think. When I found Graham afterward, his knuckles were bruised and he seemed off.”
“That does sound concerning,” Hannah said carefully. “Did you ask him about it?”
“Of course I did. But he dismissed it, saying it was nothing important. Then he…” Diana paused, not making eye contact with her friends. “Well, things became quite intense.”
Marina’s eyebrows rose knowingly. “Ah. And you let him distract you?”
“I couldn’t seem to help myself,” Diana admitted. “I have become nothing but a wanton where my husband is concerned, and I lose all sense. It’s maddening.”
“Is there anything else that concerns you about his behavior as of late?” Juliana asked.
Diana released a long audible breath. “I can’t be certain, but I thought I saw some sort of demand to pay. I didn’t see the amount, but it struck me as odd. And when I went to find the correspondence later, it was gone.”
Marina huffed and then set her teacup down on the table. “Diana, I hate to ask this, but I feel I must. Are you absolutely certain Graham’sintentions toward you were honorable from the beginning? I know you don’t believe it to be the case, but it isn’t a new tactic for a man to trap a woman.”
Diana gulped, not ready to face what it would mean if Marina were right.
“I just can’t believe that he would have done so.” She wasn’t certain her voice held the same conviction as her words.
“Of any of us, you are the one to think the most practically,” Marina said, her voice gentle but relentless. “You were compromised quite conveniently for a man who had just inherited a title and it seems very well might have required funds. Now he’s having mysterious meetings with unsavory characters, hiding financial documents, using physical intimacy to distract you from asking questions…”
“Marina!” Juliana protested.
“No, she’s right to voice it,” Diana said quietly, not wanting to believe any of it, but struggling to find another explanation. “I’ve wondered the same thing myself. And now he won’t let me see the very finances I’m supposed to be helping with.”
“But he gave you Luna,” Hannah said, trying to offer comfort. “And he teaches you to ride every day. Surely that shows he cares about you, regardless?”
And that was the problem. He did seem as if he cared about her a great deal. But then why was he acting so strangely? And if he had trapped her and lied to her about it, couldn’t he be capable of lying about other things? It could be the work of a fantastic actor.
“Perhaps,” Diana said, still pondering.
“Have you demanded honesty from him?” Marina asked. “And refusing his… distractions until he explains whatever is going on?”
“I’ve tried,” Diana said miserably. “But when he touches me, I become completely senseless. My resolve crumbles entirely and in those moments, none of it seems to matter.”
“There seems to be much about marriage I don’t understand,”Hannah said, sipping her tea. “When the timing is better, I am going to need you to explain it to me.”
Diana couldn’t help but laugh a bit at that. “I promise I shall do so.” Then her shoulders dropped. “Once I sort out what all of this means.”
Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened and Graham swept in. “Diana, I… Oh, I didn’t realize that you had company.”
He gave a small bow. “Ladies, I apologize for interrupting.”
“Not at all,” Juliana said, rising from her chair. “We were just leaving, weren’t we?”
Hannah squeezed her hand as she passed, whispering to her, “Guard your heart, dearest.”
Her friends each gave him a small nod and took their leave without another word. Once they were alone, Graham moved to her side, his hand finding the small of her back in a way that had become like second nature for them.
“You appear upset,” he said gently. “Were they troubling you about something?”
“No,” Diana replied, turning to face him fully. “They’re concerned about me.”