Diana often came to Hartform’s, and although she typically saw ladies there, she had never seen quite so many, nor had they ever been gathered together, speaking over one another. The store was clouded in loud, excited conversation. A few customers were browsing books quietly, but most hovered near the geology section in a muddled haze of silks and cottons.

“What in the world—?” Mrs. Oliver had come through the door behind her. Diana turned to shrug her shoulders at Mrs. Oliver when the plethora of dresses parted, and a familiar profile made her jerk her head back. Mrs. Oliver’s face broke into a smile. “Is that Lord Bryant?”

Diana reached for Mrs. Oliver’s hand. They had to remove themselves from the bookstore before Lord Bryant saw either of them. This was no ballroom, but it would still be a breach of her promise not to be near him in Society. She would never have considered Hartform’s a place of high Society, but apparently if Lord Bryant entered any shop, it became the height of fashion. Diana’s hand caught only air. Mrs. Oliver was already striding over to where Lord Bryant—cravat impeccable, without a hair out of place—stood among a gaggle of women.

Diana caught up to Mrs. Oliver and pulled her down a row of bookshelves just before they reached the crowd. Mrs. Oliver especially could not interact with him. She still thought him a faithful and gallant suitor.

“Let’s not bother Lord Bryant while he is out on an errand.”

“Lord Bryant has never seemed bothered by either of us, so I’m certain he won’t mind.”

“But those ladies might.”

“Those ladies should know what they are up against. It is obvious they are all after his title. One glance at the way Lord Bryant looks at you, and they will all know they are defeated. He looks quite uncomfortable. You really ought to go put him out of his misery. What kind of man wants a pile of women stringing along after him while he tries to buy a book?”

What kind of man? Lord Bryant was exactly that type of man. He was sure to be enjoying himself. She peeked around the corner of the dark, wooden shelf to confirm her thoughts.

Lord Bryant smiled at an auburn-haired beauty, but it wasn’t the charismatic one Diana had seen him use in similar circumstances. His eyes shifted to a bookshelf, not unlike the one she was hiding behind, then back to the women who had surrounded him. He didn’t exactly look as though he was enjoying himself. But she couldn’t do as Mrs. Oliver suggested. He wouldn’t want her to interfere.

Just then, Lord Bryant’s eyes slid to her hiding space. She jumped back behind the shelf, but it was too late. He had seen her. Diana grabbed Mrs. Oliver’s hand. “He saw me.”

“Well then, you must go to him. You can’t ignore the man who is nearly your fiancé.” Mrs. Oliver gave her a small nudge in the direction of Lord Bryant. Diana held her ground. She couldn’t be seen with him. She most definitely couldn’t be seen with him here, where Mrs. Oliver was as likely to say something about the two of them as Lord Bryant was to deny it.