Earl of Exile (Lords of Scandal 3)

* * *

She read the note again. Why did he leave? Why didn’t he tell her why he’d left? Then she remembered. She was at the duke’s home. He likely hadn’t wanted to get caught. But then why not wake her?

She climbed from the bed and slipped her chemise back on, ringing for a bath. She tried not to let her thoughts run away with her.

She’d only expected one night. Granted, he had proposed, but she was not going to start doing that girly thing where she second-guessed every decision she’d made.

Still, as she soaked in the tub, doubts plagued her.

What if he’d changed his mind about the marriage? What if he’d lied about his intentions all together? Charles had.

But then she forced herself to stop.

Whatever else she knew, Callum had real feelings for her. He’d saved her from a bullet, for pity’s sake.

She drew in a deep breath. It was time to stop hiding. That wasn’t who she was. Funny, she’d never realized that she used her own strength as a shield.

Climbing from the bath, she dressed and made her way downstairs to breakfast.

Minnie sat at the table alone. “What are you doing here?” she asked, sliding into the seat next to her cousin. “Married women dine in bed.”

“Not today they don’t.” Minnie looked out the window, her eyes puffy. “I couldn’t be in my room any longer.”

“Minnie.” She reached for her cousin’s hand.

Minnie clasped Diana’s fingers. “I know Harry isn’t his and if he were, I’d take the boy in. It’s the secret that hurts.”

Diana nodded. “I understand. But try to see it from his perspective. If he was fairly certain that Harry wasn’t his, why upset you?”

“Is that how we’re viewing it?” Emily asked as she walked in and sat next to her sister. Then she dropped her head in her hands. “I’ve made a terrible mistake marrying Jack, haven’t I?”

Diana drew in a breath. “I don’t think so.”

Emily lifted her head. “Truly? You’ve witnessed the last month, haven’t you?”

Diana reached her other hand out to Emily. “He loves you and you love him.”

Emily shook her head. “I was so wanton. Allowing him liberties. That caused our elopement, aided this mess with Lady Abernath. Exposed secrets and lies…”

Diana’s mouth twisted. What if she had just made the same mistake by letting her desire for Exile cloud her judgment? “We are all weak sometimes.”

“Not you,” Minnie shook her head. “Diana, you are our rock.”

Her insides quaked. “I shouldn’t be. I’ve been wanton too. And not with a man who intended to marry me.”

Emily sucked in her breath. “Exile?”

Diana shook her head, her chin tucking into her chest as her hands shook. “No. Before that.”

“Wait,” Minnie asked. “Before what?”

A flush of heat rose up Diana’s face. “Never mind.” She wasn’t sure she could bear the shame.

Emily began rhythmically patting her hand. “What happened, Diana?”

She swallowed down the lump that had clogged her throat. “I gave my maidenhood to Charles.”

“Oh, Diana,” Minnie moaned softly. “You poor thing.”