Even as she said the words, Diana wondered why she hadn’t thought of those things when she ran to Lord Bryant’s home in the middle of the night. Why hadn’t she thought to ask for his protection or for more of his money? He had already invested heavily, but he could easily double or even triple the amount he had given her. With all the investments taken care of, she could, in essence, lock the office doors and get her work done in peace.

But she hadn’t asked for his money. She had asked him for the one thing he had given so many other women so easily.

A ruined reputation.

Heavens above, did she still carry some strange torch for the man? She should know better. She had two families counting on her now. She couldn’t get caught up in her foolish dreams of three years ago.

She touched a finger to her lips. Her traitorous mouth already had.

“Did he hire you guards or invest an exorbitant amount of money?”

“No.”

“Then what has he done to help?”

Diana ducked her head and reached for another sugar cube with Charlotte’s tongs. Her tea was too sweet already, but she needed something to do with her hands.

“Diana?”

“Oh, um . . .” She grabbed her spoon and stirred her sugar into the tea. “He has offered to spend time at the office a few times a week or so.”

“Why would he do that?”

“To intimidate the men who have hoped to pursue me.”

“And why would he do that?”

Diana’s spoon froze. Why would Lord Bryant—arguably one of the most selfish men in London—do that? He had made it quite obvious that he didn’t want to. She set her spoon down and took another sip of tea. Her eyes widened at the sweetness of it, but she swallowed. As long as Lord Bryant helped her reach the goal of getting the railroad line act to pass, she didn’t have to understand him. “Perhaps he enjoys intimidating people.”

“You know,” Charlotte said, “he would never take a relationship between the two of you seriously.”

Diana smiled and nodded. “I know. We have no relationship. Do not worry.”

“Mrs. Oliver will be with you whenever he comes?”

Mrs. Oliver had quite easily been persuaded to leave as soon as he had arrived. She supposed that Mrs. Oliver wouldn’t leave the two of them alone for long. Besides, for some strange reason, she didn’t feel fear with Lord Bryant. She wouldn’t put it past him to kiss her again—her heart sped up a bit at the thought—but he wouldn’t do her any real harm. In a strange way, he was protecting her.

“Mrs. Oliver will make certain nothing untoward happens. And I trust Lord Bryant more than I trust the other men who come to the office.”

Charlotte frowned. “Why?”

Diana shrugged. “Because he wants nothing from me, I suppose.”

A twinge of regret pricked the back of her neck. It was ridiculous—she wouldn’t allow the paltry nag of disappointment to weigh her down. Diana smiled at Charlotte broader than she needed to. Diana had chosen the perfect man for her task, and it was a comfort, not a disadvantage, that he saw nothing desirable in her.