‘Almost Jane’s words,’ he said ruefully. ‘I’ve no desire to suffer either, so I’ll do my best.’
His mother had paused, watching him. When he remained silent, she said, ‘Very well. I’ll put it about to my friends that I’ve...reconciled with Diana and offered her my support. I shall even do my best to be civil to her. As for the child, it’s not been all that long since you and your cousins ran wild here. I think I can remember how to entertain a little boy.’
‘Bless you, Mama. What would I do without you?’
She smiled and tapped him on the nose. ‘You’d be desolate. Now, off with you. I must confer with Cook and the housekeeper and make sure we have something to tempt a child’s sweet tooth.’
Giving her another hug, Alastair rose and walked out. He knew she’d hoped to have him confess what his intentions were towards Diana after the battle with Graveston was over. Fortunately, she didn’t press him, because he wasn’t sure himself.
The more time he spent with Diana, the less he could envisage letting her go. Perhaps, once she was safe, he’d feel differently. Perhaps, with her able to pursue a normal life again, like Napoleon on St Helena setting the world at peace, the momentous chapter of his life labelled ‘Diana’ would close, letting him finally move forward.
And perhaps Diana would go her own way.
The mere thought of her leaving made his heart squeeze in protest. Stilling it, he set his jaw. Winning her again—or not winning her—would have to wait. First, he had to protect her.
Chapter Fifteen
That night, as soon as the household retired to bed, Diana slipped along the darkened hallway to her hostess’s room.
Mrs Ransleigh had been surprisingly cordial at dinner. Still, Diana knew it must chafe her extremely to be forced to house the woman who had so wronged her son.
Hopefully, that distress would be relieved after this interview.
Arriving at her destination, she tapped on the door. ‘Mrs Ransleigh!’ she called out softly. ‘It’s Diana...Northcot. May I talk with you for a moment?’
Her enquiry was met by a silence that lasted so long, she was debating how to proceed if her hostess refused her admittance, when suddenly the door opened. In gown and robe, with a frilly cap tied over her curls, Mrs Ransleigh stood on the threshold.
She looked Diana up and down, her expression wary, like someone approaching an unfamiliar dog, not sure if it would wag or bite. ‘I suppose I shall have to hear you out sometime, so you might as well come in now.’
‘Thank you.’ Diana followed her hostess through the bedchamber into the blue-and-rose sitting room beyond.
‘Take the wing chair by the hearth,’ Mrs Ransleigh directed as she reposed herself on the sofa. ‘The fire’s been banked, but there’s still some warmth.’
As Diana hoped there would be, from this woman she’d once thought to embrace as her mother-in-law, for the child that might have been her grandson. Surely, regardless of her feelings for Diana, she would have pity on James!
‘I wanted to thank you first for admitting us to your home. I’m sure Alastair pressed you, but, quite frankly, I wasn’t at all sure you wouldn’t refuse to take us in.’
As her hostess made no reply, merely nodding, Diana continued. ‘I imagine you feel nothing but loathing for me and scorn for the dilemma in which I find myself. Let me assure you, I do not intend to impose upon your forbearance for very long.’
‘Indeed?’ Mrs Ransleigh responded, raising her eyebrows. ‘Has my son exaggerated the menace Graveston poses to your son?’
‘No! Not exaggerated. Or rather, as long as he sees my son as a means to make me suffer, James is in danger. But it’s me upon whom he truly wants revenge. I believe that if he can obtain that, and James is protected by friends powerful enough to make proceeding against him difficult, he will content himself with me and leave James alone.’
Mrs Ransleigh frowned. ‘What do you intend?’
‘I once caused Alastair, and indeed your entire family, great suffering and embarrassment—quite enough for one lifetime, I think! I shall do whatever I can now to ensure that none of you is harmed by Graveston’s anger towards me. I wouldn’t have agreed to come here at all, except I knew Alastair would never bring James without me. But I plan to leave tonight, return to Graveston Court, and confront Blankford.’
‘Return to Graveston Court!’ her hostess echoed, obviously surprised. ‘Are you sure you should do that? Would you not be placing yourself at Blankford’s mercy?’
Diana shook her head. ‘That doesn’t matter. If Blankford wishes to order up an inquiry, or have me bound over to the assizes, let him do so. So long as James is safe, and Alastair’s reputation protected. Before I go, though, may I beg of you one final, but most important favour?’
She couldn’t bear to see Alastair—who would, in any event, try to dissuade her from a course of action of which he was certain to disapprove—but before she left, she would visit her son one last time.
Silently, she ascended the stairs and entered the nursery, setting the portmanteau by the door. Though unused for some years, she’d noted when she’d escorted James there earlier this evening that it was a cheerful place, its large windows overlooking the garden and bathing the room in light for lessons or play. Ranks of toy soldiers, tops, balls and a few precious books were arranged on shelves and a well-used rocking horse stood in the corner. Warm and inviting, it was as different as one could imagine from the formal, artefact-filled room her son had occupied at Graveston Court.
She hoped before long, Mrs Ransleigh would develop a fondness for James. He was a handsome boy with charming manners, who had already reanimated her deadened heart enough that she felt a real sorrow at having to leave him, just as she was finally beginning to know and appreciate him.
Tiptoeing past the sleeping Minnie, she eased herself on to the edge of his bed, careful not to disturb him. For a long moment, she gazed down on his face, cherubic in the moonlight.
‘Be safe, my son,’ she whispered. ‘I know you will wonder why I left you, but some day, when you are old enough to compare Alastair’s character to the Duke’s, you will understand.’