Chapter Fourteen
Diana
Diana adjusted hergloves as she stepped out of the carriage onto Bond Street, grateful for the crisp morning air while she left Graham at home to spend some time with his mother. Lydia followed, then Hannah and Marina, to browse a few shops. She hadn’t had a shopping trip with her friends since she married.
“The modiste first,” Marina declared. “I would like to find a new pair of gloves for the next ball.”
“And I need ribbon,” Hannah added. “The blue silk at Madame’s would be perfect.”
Diana enjoyed the opportunity to spend a bit of time with her friends, though her mind kept drifting to Graham. He’d come home exhausted last night. And it had been the first night of their marriage that they hadn’t been intimate before bed.
“Diana, you’re wool-gathering,” Lydia said gently, linking their arms. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes, of course.” Diana forced a jovial tone.
“We have missed having you at the balls with us,” Hannah said from behind her.
Diana surprisingly hadn’t missed attending such events at all. “After the gossip surrounding our marriage, we are enjoying this time together. We are planning to depart for a honeymoon soon to tour our estates.”
“So things are going well then?” Marina asked, an edge to her question.
“Yes,” Diana replied, but she wasn’t certain it was the truth. She had been satisfied with the answers from Graham after she’d questioned him, but something still didn’t seem quite right.
“Lady Powis.”
There was a man standing before her. He was in his thirties with dark hair and eyes that didn’t quite match his pleasant smile. Something about him made her uncomfortable, particularly the bruising all over his face and nose.
“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” she said carefully.
“Forgive me. Silas Rothwell, at your service.” He bowed elegantly. “I’m an associate of your husband’s.”
Associate?She had never heard the man’s name before. But he appeared somewhat familiar to her.
“I see,” Diana said, attempting to move past him, but he shifted slightly, blocking her path.
“Indeed. Your husband and I just concluded some rather significant business yesterday. Quite profitable for both of us, I’d say.”
Lydia, Marina, and Hannah, stepped closer to Diana, as if they were protecting her.
“Is everything all right, Diana?” Marina asked.
“Perfectly,” Diana said, raising her chin. “Mr. Rothwell was just leaving.”
“Not quite yet.” Rothwell’s smile widened, and she stared at the bruising on his jaw. Could it be the same man she had seen leaving their home? “I simply wanted to congratulate you on your marriage. Your husband is a fortunate man.”
“Thank you,” Diana said stiffly.
“Very fortunate for Powis, indeed.” Rothwell pretended to examine his gloves. “Your dowry was particularly helpful in settling certain… obligations.”
Diana wobbled a bit, but Hannah gripped her arm. “I beg your pardon?”
“Oh dear, did he not tell you?” Rothwell’s eyes lit up. “Your husband owed me quite a substantial sum. Well, his cousin did, but debts pass with titles, don’t they? Powis was quite creative in gathering the funds through property sales and I suspect your dowry contribution. But you will be glad to know what he has paid in full.”
“You’re lying.” The words came out as a whisper.
“Am I? Why don’t you ask him? And when you do, be sure to tell him that he should be more careful when he decides to strike a man.”
Diana’s vision blurred. She heard Marina’s sharp intake of breath before she threatened the man if he didn’t get away from them.