sadly. She was raising the idiot's hopes simply to disguise her feelings for Bey.
Lord Randolph had reason to think himself a candidate, after all. He was high born, handsome, and courteous, though he seemed a little too aware of his qualities. His conversation was all of himself, but that was common enough with men. Even if he were perfect, however, she wouldn't want to marry him, and in normal circumstances she would give him no encouragement.
Now, she had to throw up a diversion, and Lord Randolph was her victim. Though sorry for it, she flirted with him, lightly, but sufficiently to encourage him. Sufficiently to be noted by the king and queen, she was sure.
Of course, since they planned to choose her husband if necessary, favoring any one man was dangerous. Perhaps if she seemed to be flitting between a few, it would delay any choice.
Therefore, when Lord Scrope came over to inquire about her welfare, she smiled warmly at him. The viscount was a genuinely kind man, who enjoyed speaking of his children. He also spoke a great deal of his dead wife. Commendable, but Diana felt that his new bride would have a ghost in the bed.
As Bey's bride would lie with the ghosts of his dead mother and sister? She stopped her eyes from seeking him out, and told herself that it would not be so, because he would take no bride as long as those ghosts lingered.
Unless he had to rescue her...
She caught the king's eye on her, and he did not look pleased. Good. She laughed at Lord Randolph's latest foolish sally, and patted Lord Scrape's hand sympathetically. Sir Harry Crumleigh came over and started talking about horses, which was at least an interest she could honestly share.
All three returned her interest warmly, and she ached for it.
She wanted no more broken hearts in the world.
Weakly, she let her eyes slip once again to where Bey chatted with a lively group. He'd clearly said something witty, and Cynthia Hestrop clung to his arm, laughing up at him in a deliberately enticing way. He caught Diana's eye, returned her gaze coolly, then smiled at his wanton admirer.
She made her eyes move on - and saw the king watching her. Had he caught that exchange?
Plague take them all.
Feeling like an animal in a cage, with every movement observed and scrutinized, she turned back to charming and encouraging her wretched suitors.
Chapter 25
The next day, Diana awoke with one pressing question - when would she see Bey again? Ridiculous to feel that he was the watch spring of her life, but a day without the sight of him, without a moment of conversation, seemed worthless.
Then she remembered that she had to continue to pretend that other men were of greater interest. She flopped back on her pillow with a moan. It had become clear last night that they were all taking her encouragement seriously, and beginning to compete.
There was also the matter of the masquerade that Bey was to host only three nights from now. When word of that had spread, the court had bubbled with excitement, and Diana had understood that his grand spectacles were eagerly anticipated. She'd heard of Grecian and Chinese themes, and one at the Abbey which had included medieval jousting.
It all sounded like great fun, except that the king had made it clear that she was to use the occasion to get to know her suitors better, and make up her mind.
Why the devil was he in such a hurry!
With a sigh, she rolled out of bed and took her breakfast while Clara prepared another modest outfit for the day. Perhaps she could put everyone off by looking sickly. She painted her face more densely than before, seriously wondering whether she could construct some of the ugly, pustulant pimples she'd worn last year. Too dangerous, however, for they could smear if touched, and this was not a game.
Thinking that she'd first met the marquess in that guise, she knew it hadn't been a game then, either, but she hadn't realized it. No, though cloaked in silk and smiles, this was a duel between herself and the world, with possibly fatal consequences. She checked her appearance one more time, then went to join the queen in the garden.
Because she was an addition to the queen's circle, there was little for her to do, and many to be jealous of their duties. She sat quietly, therefore, occasionally joining in the conversation, but free most