Lord Bryant barely gave Mr. Broadcreek a nod. “Mr. Broadcreek and I know of each other even if we haven’t met. And that is a situation I’m not trying to change. There is no reason for you to come find me here, especially not tonight.”

“Lord Bryant,” Mr. Broadcreek started, but he was immediately silenced by a glare.

“Mr. Broadcreek, I have no desire to speak to you. You have dragged two young ladies to seek me out, late into the night, under the false pretenses that I would have any interest in meeting you. I have no desire to associate with you.”

“But, Lord Bryant, are you aware of what Miss Barton is saying about you?” Mr. Broadcreek’s neck was turning a deep red and the hollows under his eyes a dark shade of purple. Lord Bryant, on the other hand, appeared to be in complete control of his composure.

The stare Lord Bryant gave Mr. Broadcreek was icy and cold. “If I say I am not, are you going to repeat unfounded rumors about a gentlewoman here in my drawing room?”

“Well . . .”

“Mr. Broadcreek, leave.”

Mr. Broadcreek sputtered. “How can they be called unfounded when I personally—”

“Mr. Broadcreek.” Lord Bryant’s elegant frame was still, like a cat ready to pounce. “Now.”

“Should I go too?” Mrs. Oliver jumped up from her chair. “Would you like to speak to Diana alone?”

Mrs. Oliver would be the death of her.

“What could he possibly have to speak with her about?” Mr. Broadcreek’s sputtering finally formed words. “Everyone knows Lord Bryant has an aversion to marriage. To think that he would stoop so low as to actually be honorable with Miss Barton, a working woman who spends all of her time with men. You shouldn’t leave a young lady alone with such a man, Mrs. Oliver.”

“Oh, posh.” Mrs. Oliver hit Mr. Broadcreek with her glove. “Love knows nothing of Society and position. They are practically engaged. I’m not going to begrudge them a few minutes alone.”

Diana leaned forward against the settee. The last thing in the world she wanted was to be left alone with Lord Bryant right now. His jaw was still clenched in that way it was when he was angry. No, it wouldn’t be a good idea to be left alone with him now at all.

“I’m sorry we troubled you, dear.” A quirk of his jaw. Also not the right word. “We will be going. If you have need to speak with me, please come to the office tomorrow.”

Mr. Broadcreek motioned for her to leave before him. Diana stepped around the settee toward the door.

Lord Bryant slid in front of her path. “Since you have come so far, I don’t think you should leave without having a private word with me.”

Diana took another step toward the door. “Now is perhaps not the best time for a conversation.”

“Then perhaps I won’t say anything at all.” Lord Bryant’s eyes narrowed toward Mr. Broadcreek, and his jaw clenched again. Could it be too much to hope that Lord Bryant was upset with Mr. Broadcreek and not her? “Mr. Broadcreek has obviously come here because he doesn’t believe the rumors about us are true, and I see no better way to prove him wrong.” Lord Bryant’s hand went to her waist. “Or we could prove him wrong while he is still in the room. Which would you prefer?”