“Handling things yourself isn’t always the best option though. Not when you have someone willing to help.”

“Nate is in Baimbury; the estate and his wife need him there. I’m perfectly capable of handling this on my own. If I weren’t, Nate wouldn’t have left me in charge.”

Mr. Broadcreek smoothed down his mustache and stepped forward. “I didn’t mean your brother.”

Something snapped deep inside Diana’s chest. It was bad enough that men were coming to her office. This was her home for at least as long as Mrs. Richardson needed her.

“Do you mean like a suitor?”

Mr. Broadcreek paused, his body frozen. “I could mean that.”

She could see the hunger in his eyes. After weeks of wearing her down, he thought he was finally going to win.

Impossible.

Diana smiled. “I have one of those.”

Mr. Broadcreek’s brow furrowed. If he asked any questions, she would have no answers for him. She needed to be out of his presence immediately, but the door to Mrs. Richardson’s home would be barred. She would have to knock before being let in, and she refused to spend another moment in Mr. Broadcreek’s presence.

“And you are right—he has been very helpful. In fact, I have one more thing I need to speak with him about tonight.” Diana spun around and hopped back onto the step of the carriage. The driver looked at her in surprise, but with a glance at Mr. Broadcreek, he gave her a subtle nod.

“Miss Barton,” Mr. Broadcreek called out from behind her, “you cannot possibly be visiting with a man after dark. It would absolutely ruin your reputation.” Diana didn’t pause; she flung herself into the carriage. Better to ruin her reputation than Richardson Rail. “No man in London will want you.” Mr. Broadcreek’s voice was low with warning.

No man in London would want her if her reputation was ruined? She sat down on the upholstered seat, and the driver came behind her to shut the door. Rain still pounded on the carriage, but at least she was away from the noise of Mr. Broadcreek. She leaned back and rested her head on the wall of the carriage. A sort of calm washed over her. The mere idea of not a single man wanting her stilled something inside her. Mr. Broadcreek had thought to issue a warning, but instead, he had offered her a slice of hope.

A ruined reputation wasn’t the end of the world. The men she had met in London so far were all ridiculously pushy. She would like to marry someday. She couldn’t look at Nate and Grace and not want the same happiness for herself. The carriage pulled forward into the night. She rubbed her temples and took a deep, steadying breath. When she wanted to marry, she would simply return to Baimbury. She didn’t need to marry for wealth or status. She could find a nice man and settle down far from London once this railroad business was behind her.