Yes. She trusted him, and she would always trust him.

She raised a hand so the other Lords could search her out.

“Ah, yes, there she is. Since she is the subject of this conversation, which has turned so personal for her, I would like to ask her a few questions.”

Lord Rayleigh snorted. “I don’t think—”

Lord Bryant silenced him with a look that was quite theatrical, indeed.

Diana stood. If she was going to speak before Parliament, she refused to be seen as sheepish or hesitant. Nate reached for her hand, and she squeezed it tightly. “Prepare yourself, Nate,” she said under her breath.

His only response was to squeeze her hand tighter. For the first time since his return, she was extremely grateful to have him nearby.

Lord Bryant looked up at her. “Miss Barton, have you been following these proceedings?”

“Yes.”

“Despite the absolutely ridiculous notion that Parliament is trying to dictate such a personal part of your life, I would like to ask whether you believe my idea has merit. Would you be willing to marry a man who is completely uninterested in running a railroad company?”

The thrumming of her heart in her ears softened as she focused solely on Everton. “I most certainly would.” A murmur went through the crowd. What, exactly, were these men saying about her? Her chin went up in defiance. If she was going to be talked about, she would be in control of the conversation. “Provided he was handsome.”

The murmur turned to a roar as people around her gasped, then laughed, turning to their neighbors to ascertain they had also heard what she’d said.

When the crowd quieted, Lord Bryant looked at his fellow members of Parliament. “I think we can guarantee that he’ll be handsome.”

Lord Rayleigh blubbered for a moment. “Lord Bryant, how can we guarantee something like that? This is the House of Lords. We don’t manage such trifles as a man’s looks.”

Lord Bryant leveled his eyes at Lord Rayleigh. “We were managing trifles when I came in the room, so I believe we can strike that as an argument. You had already established the fact that, as a body, we can be quite ridiculous. Today I am going to see exactly how ridiculous we can be.”

The murmurs turned lower, with a hint of anger. It was one thing to offer up a conflicting option to Lord Rayleigh’s, but it was quite another to insult the whole body of Parliament.

“Now, Miss Barton, you would wish him to be handsome, and I would wish he didn’t meddle in your business affairs. Have you any other conditions before we settle this dispute and start looking for a husband for you?”

Diana smiled. The room about her faded away, and all she could see was Everton, standing in front of the world, asking her what she wanted. “Yes.”

“Please, do tell. Today Parliament has joined the matchmaking business. We would like to do a good job of it.”