For whatever reason, Miss Barton wasn’t intimidated by him. That had to stop tonight or who knew where she would turn up next. It was bad enough having Lady Yolten and Lady Emily in the same room. Now he had to deal with a third woman? Perhaps Nelson was right, and it was time he gave up on all this nonsense. Soon he wouldn’t be able to go anywhere.

He followed the reticent servant to the drawing room. So help him, if Miss Barton was haughtily raising her chin when he got to that room . . .

“What exactly did she say about my nose?” he asked.

“I didn’t really understand it, sir.”

Everton took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “Just tell me what she said.”

“She said if you didn’t come, she would improve your nose for you.” The servant shook his head. “I didn’t understand her, though. Nothing is wrong with your nose.”

Everton wished, for the fifteenth time, that everyone was out of his home. He wanted nothing more than to tear off his cravat and stamp on it. “Frankly, I don’t understand her either, but after today, I’ll make certain she understands me.”

Chapter 9

Diana did her best to appear calm. She and Lord Bryant were in a supposed relationship together. It wouldn’t do to look worried or unsure of herself. She kept her head lifted and her shoulders back as she waited for Lord Bryant to walk through the drawing room door. Mrs. Oliver looked as pleased as punch. She was as certain of Lord Bryant’s love for Diana as she was that the sun would rise tomorrow morning. Mr. Broadcreek looked as he always did: as if he had just swallowed vinegar. Loathsome man.

Blast Mr. Broadcreek and his interfering ways.

He had known about this ball when he had so persistently asked her to accompany him to Lord Bryant’s home. He wasn’t even clever enough to cover up his knowledge once they had arrived.

As soon as Lord Bryant’s home—lit up like a chandelier—had come into view, he had turned to her with a smile on his face. “Weren’t you invited?” Mr. Broadcreek asked. “If Lord Bryant was truly interested in you, as you seem to believe he is, one would think you would have been invited to a ball that he was hosting. And word has it he is hosting it at the request of a certain titled young lady.”

Diana’s pride hadn’t allowed her to answer truthfully. “Lord Bryant understands my need to work. He knows I wouldn’t take time away for something so frivolous.”

“So you weren’t invited?”

“Of course Lord Bryant invited her,” Mrs. Oliver had chimed in. “Our Miss Barton doesn’t enjoy these types of things is all. She would rather be in the office, and Lord Bryant understands that.”

Mrs. Oliver’s words stung, despite their truth. She would rather be in the office, and yet . . . Diana pushed her feelings aside and nodded, grateful that Mrs. Oliver had so much faith in Lord Bryant and could save Diana from outright lying to Mr. Broadcreek.