Earl of Exile (Lords of Scandal 3)

Diana already knew what the countess wanted. She’d use that to her advantage now. “I personally admire you, my lady.” She gave a curtsey. “And if you don’t mind me saying so, I fancy myself a bit like you.” Diana nibbled the inside of her cheek. Acceptance and praise. She said a silent prayer they would work.

“Do you?” The countess stepped closer. “Tell me how?” Her head cocked to the side. “You’re not like the other women in your family. Which one married Effington? Lady Emily? She seems only weakened by her affection for that man.”

Diana held her chin higher. Jack and Emily had had a rough start to be certain. Not that Diana didn’t wish the best for them but she’d play their relationship to her advantage now. “I can’t disagree. But Emily isn’t known for her strength of character. I, however, am strong, as has been mentioned, smart enough, and yet still taken advantage of by the very men who should protect me.” It was a gamble on Diana’s part.

“Who took advantage of you?” Lady’s Abernath’s voice had dropped low.

Diana closed her eyes. She was going to reveal her secret in front of Sin but the child needed her. “My last suitor. He…” She licked her lips, “Took liberties that I—”

A hiss from Lady Abernath made her snap open her lids. “Pigs. All of them.” Lady Abernath’s hands trembled. “Even men who are supposed to be your family, your guardians, can use you like a cheap piece of trash.”

Diana gave a tight nod, her stomach lurching. What had happened to this woman? She knew Lady Abernath had done terrible things, but in her heart, Diana knew horrible things had happened to the countess. “Exactly. We can help each other. There’s no need for this.” And she lifted her tied hands from the cloak. “If I help you, will you help me?”

Lady Abernath took two steps forward. “Yes, I—” Diana could see genuine relief in the woman’s eyes. “I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just need the world to know I’m not a bad person. Bad things have happened to me and—” But then she stopped, her eyes travelling over Diana’s shoulder. “Liar!” she yelled and then, “Fire the pistol!”

Exile had crept from the carriage, amazed that Diana seemed to have the situation in hand. No one had even asked who the new driver was. He held in a snort of contempt. Moving to the shadows, he crept along the wall of the building. Vice had slipped behind the carriage, also making himself unseen but close to the action.

He watched as Diana held up her tied hands, lulling Abernath into trust, complacency. What was Diana’s plan? Surely Exile was still going to try and capture the other woman? The driver made that harder with his presence but Vice was creeping along the building on the other side of the alley and he’d nearly reached the driver who had at least dropped the gun.

Skulking past them, Vice moved off the wall to step just behind the other man. Vice nodded. It was time.

Exile stepped from the shadows and Abernath saw him the moment he did. “Liar! Fire!” she yelled.

Exile didn’t think. Instead, he hurtled himself at Diana.

The driver raised the gun and with sickeningly slow motion, pulled the trigger, aiming the barrel directly at her chest. His heart ceased even beating while his body moved, grabbing her and spinning her as they fell so he blocked her body with his own.

He felt the bullet tear through his coat and shirt, then a burning pain as it split his flesh on the outside of his arm. But the pain was of little consequence as he landed on his back, Diana tucked against his chest.

For a moment, he lay still, trying to decide how hurt he was before he came to his senses and rolled so that Diana was under him, tucked safely underneath his much larger body.

She tilted up her head, her eyes wild with fear. “Anne?”

Exile didn’t want to look away, but reluctantly, he tore his gaze from hers. Vice had the driver on the ground, Sin had his child in his arms and Lady Abernath was gone.

Exile let out a groan. “Damn it all to hell.”

“What is it,” Diana asked pushing against his chest.

“We lost her again.” He ground out between clenched teeth.

Diana relaxed underneath him, her arms circling around his neck. “But we’re all safe, right?”

“Right,” he answered dropping his nose to hers. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

“What the bloody hell happened?” Daring said from just above them.

“The driver tried to kill Diana,” Sin said even as he clutched his daughter to his chest. “Vice, did you get the weapon?”

“I did,” Vice called from his right. “And this guy isn’t waking up anytime soon. When he does, it will be from inside a cell.”

He didn’t bother to look up, sure Vice had everything under control. Instead he focused on the woman underneath him. “Diana, are ye all right?”

She nodded. “I’m fine. Thanks to you.” One of her hands slid into his hair. “You know how I keep saying that I don’t need anyone?”

“Yes,” he answered, his voice rougher than usual.

“I lied,” she whispered. “I needed you tonight. I need you still.”