The three men moved a bit off to the side, discussing what, Diana could not imagine. Manly things, she supposed, her lips curling slightly with amusement. There was no doubt that Lyon was a manly man, she thought, flushing slightly as she pictured him naked as a pagan walking toward her.
"Well, you are home," said Deborah.
"Yes, and it is marvelous to be here, at last. Although our week on that island was most amusing. I didn't realize we were on Calypso Island. I was all turned around, you see. But here I am chattering on too much. I suppose we are going to Savarol Island?"
"That is what your father wishes," said Deborah. "I do not have an extra bonnet with me. Don't you have something in your trunks? You did not lose your trunks, did you?"
"No, they'll be unloaded in a moment, I imagine. But I don't want a bonnet. To be warm again, it is something I dreamed about in London."
"And you are married. Your father was very surprised when Captain Carstairs told him."
Diana was relieved to no end that Rafael had protected them. He'd said to them, a wicked twinkle in his dark eyes, "Never would I face a father and tell him his daughter seduced a man and that man wasn't her husband."
"He is an earl, I understand."
"Yes, Lyonel Ashton, Earl of Saint Leven. He probably has quite a few other Christian names, but I don't know what they are. The English peers seem to dote on names. The more names the more consequence, I suppose."
"He is very handsome," said Patricia.
"How odd," said Deborah.
Diana didn't know what her stepmother was referring to, so she said nothing. She wasn't certain yet what to make of her new stepmother and sister-in-law. Deborah was small, pleasingly plump, her blue eyes intelligent, her light-brown hair pulled in a severe knot at the nape of her neck. Her pale-green muslin gown was fashionable. As for Patricia, she couldn't seem to take her eyes off Lyon. She was as small as her mother-in-law, but very slender. Her eyes were a dark blue, her hair a very light brown. Her chin was pointed, making Diana think of a fox. She brought her attention back to her new stepmother.
"You are nineteen," said Deborah.
"Yes, I will be twenty at the end of the year."
"Goodness," said Patricia, "it is fortunate that you could marry! I married Daniel three months ago and I am just turned eighteen."
Diana grinned at this guileless pronouncement. "I never felt like I was on the shelf, as the English put it so quaintly, if that is what you mean. Indeed, I am surprised myself that I am married." She snapped her mouth closed on that ambiguous bit of information.
She wished the men would leave off their talk. "Is everyone well?" she asked.
"Who? Oh, my son, you mean. Daniel is an amazing young man, never ill, always so charming and helpful. Yes, he is of great assistance to your father. Lucien is most fond of him, yes, most fond."
"And the servants? Dido? Has she missed me?"
Deborah slapped a fly off her sleeve. "That miserable old woman! I have had nothing but problems with her. One more and I'll have her whipped."
"I beg your pardon?" Diana's voice was icy, her body suddenly very quiet.
"It's quite true, you know," said Patricia. "For a slave she is much above herself."
Deborah looked Diana over, her nose elevated. "She is a slave, Diana, nothing more, just as Patricia said. She was allowed far too much license. There was no mistress in the house and she took advantage and ---"
"I was the mistress."
"You? Hardly. An unmarried girl can hardly be considered a mistress."
If Diana weren't so furious, she would have laughed. Not considered a mistress, was she? Deborah could speak to Lyon about that! She said calmly, "Dido, Leah, Tania, Moira, all of them are my friends. Dido raised me after my mother died. She is loyal, intelligent, and loving."
Deborah shrugged. She didn't want to get into an argument with her stepdaughter, at least not now. Thank God the girl was married. She should be rid of her soon enough. She hoped the earl was rich. Her hopes were for her own son. Dear Daniel had had a rough time of it, what with their expenses these past few years after Brock had died. Now, at least, Daniel would certainly become Lucien's heir, now that his precious daughter was taken care of.
Diana added in a conciliatory tone, seeing that Deborah had retreat
ed, "She is also bossy and strict. Much like mothers everywhere, I suspect."
"We'll see," said Deborah. Diana noticed that her lips were thinned with displeasure. Not at all attractive, she thought. Where had her father met this woman? Why had he married her?