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she realized that he'd been playing a part as much as she had. Not that he was any less selfish and self-centered, but that he was more so, and shrewd and ruthless with it.

Then the look passed, and he was smiling again. "A week then. But if you decide sooner, my love, I will be waiting anxiously. Every day."

My love. How could two pleasant words sound so slimy?

Diana returned to the Queen's House regarding it more as a refuge than a prison. She knew Lord Randolph couldn't trick or force her into marriage, but having him stalking her with smiling, predatory intent made her skin crawl. What was worse, she'd have to behave warmly toward him until she broke down Bey's dark walls.

At least she didn't have to speak to any of her suitors again that day. The queen demanded a complete description of Diana's purchases, and a viewing of those she had brought back. Later, after dinner, some members of the King's Theater came to give the royal household a private recital. In Diana's honor, it was to consist of selections from Mr. Bach's popular opera, Orione, which featured the goddess Diana.

Diana tried to use the time to think of ways to escape one man and capture another, and within the week, but the lovely music swept away clear thought. She could welcome the release from worry, but it also carried away her defenses.

Since she spoke Italian, she could easily understand the story. Orion wanted to marry the sweet maid, Candiope, but the goddess wanted him for herself. It was based on a classical myth, and in that myth the goddess Diana eventually killed the man she desired.

For the first time, she wondered if her battle of wills with Bey could lead to such disaster. Listening to the singers, however, she saw herself and Bey more in Orion and his beloved Candiope, with the king and queen as the angry god.

But then, the king wanted her to marry Bey, and was likely to wreak havoc if she didn't! Lord Randolph was the jealous, grasping lover, but he had no godlike properties at all.

As usual in this mad time of her life, no one was playing their correct role.

Then Candiope sang: "We must obey the will of the gods and never see each other again. But alas! without thee my days must be spent in sorrow. "

Orion replied: "Cruel parting that tears from me all I treasure, yet does not put an end to a wretched existence!"

The words cut too close to reality, and coupled with the swell of lovely music, they brought tears to Diana's eyes. The end of Orion's aria on lost love, found her swallowing in a desperate attempt to hide them.

"Now, now, Lady Arradale," said the king, coming over to her afterward, and even offering his own handkerchief, "we cannot have you unhappy, what?"

She blew her nose. "The music was just so lovely, sire."

"Very fine, is it not? But I think your tears come from your unsettled situation, what? Like all women, you find it hard to make up your mind, and you are making yourself miserable over it. Time to make your choice, what?"

Cloaking panic, Diana gazed up at the king. "It is such a hard choice, sire. So many kind men, all with their virtues."

"And thus all suitable, what? Come, come, we can't have you falling into a melancholy, and the uncertainty is distressing to the queen. You must make up your mind."

"In a few weeks, sire..."

"No, no! You are overset. I could swear you have grown paler since you came here. A person could sicken, even go mad, under this indecision..."

Diana stared at him, sure that that mention of madness had not been accidental. "But, sire," she said desperately, "you said I should have the masquerade to help me decide!"

"After the masquerade, then," the king said firmly, patting her hand. "Your suitors may have that final opportunity to win your heart. But if you still cannot decide, we will settle your mind."

There was nothing to say but, "Thank you, sire."

He retired with the queen then, and Diana could flee to her room. Oh, but she needed to speak to Bey. Had there been any way to avoid this latest twist? If so, she couldn't see it. The king was determined, and his choice would be Bey.

This left her with only two days, however. Two days to change Bey's mind, one of them Sunday, when the court was quiet. The prospect of disaster hovered.

No,