"No! Rather fast, my dear, means loose."
"Goodness! Loose as in a saddle girth?"
"That is quite enough, Miss Savarol! I am not amused, I assure you. I do not find you at all acceptable."
"I am quite cast down," Diana said, eyeing this gorgeous lady with growing dislike. "Not cast off, as in a horseshoe, of course."
"Or cast off as in what a gentleman does to a loose girl."
Diana chuckled. "Yes, Lyonel told me about Monsieur DuPres. He was most explicit about what that particular gentleman did to the unwary of our sex."
"But of course you are quite familiar with his kind, are you not? There is no society where you are from, no civilization, no refinement, no ---"
"Not much of anything. Quite right, my lady. I cannot wait to return to my sort. Now, if you will excuse me."
Diana turned and walked from the room, knowing she'd made an enemy and not caring. Odious woman! If she had been the one to break off with Lyonel, why was she so concerned about Diana becoming involved with him? She had no reason to be jealous. Diana decided halfway down the wide staircase that Lyonel, whatever his faults, and they did appear to be numerous, didn't deserve that female, even at his most obnoxious.
Lucia informed a nearly comatose Diana that they would leave at three o'clock in the morning. Diana felt as though her feet would crumble and disintegrate, and she said as much.
"You did magnificently, my child," said Lucia. "Perhaps your slippers are a bit small. We will see to it in the morning."
"Morning, Aunt? I doubt I will be alive in the morning. I assure you my feet don't wish to see the light of day."
"Did you not order the largest of slippers for her, Lucia?"
"Lyonel! Mind your tongue."
"Sorry, Lucia. Ladies, shall we go!"
It was Lyonel who was silent on the ride back.
Finally, Lucia said, "My dear boy, whatever is wrong? I trust you are not blown?"
"No," he said, and that short, sharp word woke Diana up abruptly.
"Then what is wrong with you? Have you run short of nasty insults? Your shoes aren't too small, are they?"
"No. It is nothing. Go back to sleep, Diana. I am certain both of us would find that preferable."
"Will your gentlemanly sensibilities be offended if I remove my slippers?"
"There is no need to announce it. Simply do it and we will just trust that you do not have sweaty feet."
"Lyonel!"
"Sorry, Lucia." He sighed, leaned his head back against the soft squabs, and closed his eyes.
"He is in a snit," Diana said, her voice loud enough not only for Lyonel's ears, but also for the horses'.
"Miss --- Diana, shut up!"
"I simply mean that I do not feel comfortable when you are not forthcoming, or rather, more accurate, obnoxious."
Lyon cocked an eye open. "Very well. Charlotte, Lady Danvers, was very busily shredding your character, your morals, or lack thereof, your impertinent mouth, and your lack of respect and deference for your London betters."
"That wretched bi--- person!"
"My sentiments exactly."