The Devil You Know Read Online Free PDF Page A

when he knew
    we were all expected here? ”
    “I only know of him, Diana, and regrettably, nothing good.
    He is a noted turf man and notorious blackleg. He is also the own-
    er of Eclipse.”
    “Then mayhap that explains it. Reggie had entertained
    thoughts of breeding Cartimandua, although I hear the stud fee
    for Eclipse is extortionate.”
    “I cannot answer, but DeVere, Hew, and I shall ride over after
    supper and retrieve your errant spouse.”
    “Why do we not all go?” she asked.
    “Because Clay Hill is no fit place for a lady of good repute.”
    “Oh?” She arched her brow with a frown. “And why is that? I
    would know more of this, Edward.”
    “Then I defer to DeVere.” He offered an arm to each lady.
    “For now I’m famished, so let us descend to supper.”
    ***
    In their brief exchange before repairing to dine, Diana found
    Caroline, Duchess of Beauclerc jealous, possessive, and over-
    weening with her own worth. Toward Annalee, she was warm, if
    a trifle condescending, but the moment she laid eyes on Diana, or
    more aptly, the instant DeVere had, her steely gaze shot daggers.
    Thenceforth, the duchess sought every opportunity to disparage
    her seeming rival.
    “Do you plan another sojourn in town before your return
    to the country, Lady P? It seems you had little time to catch up
    on the latest fashions. I could recommend a number of places to
    you.” The duchess smiled. “A friseur, perhaps?”
    22
    Diana’s hand flew to her hair before she realized she had ris-
    en to the bait. While the duchess was undoubtedly more richly at-
    tired, stylishly coiffed, and extravagantly bejeweled, Diana knew
    that her own simplicity of hair, gown, and pearls showed her off
    to far better advantage. She smoothed back an errant curl and
    flashed—she hoped—a confident smile. “I know ‘tis the fashion
    in London and Paris, but as a taller woman, I do not favor the
    high headdress, Your Grace. Besides, with the daily running of an
    estate, I have not so much leisure to indulge my vanity.”
    Caroline flicked a scathing look over Diana’s gown. “A daring
    cut for a woman of your proportions. I shall have a footman fetch
    you a shawl. One would hate for you to catch a chill.”
    “I am perfectly comfortable,” Diana replied.
    “Nevertheless—”
    “You needn’t trouble yourself, Caroline,” DeVere interjected.
    “As host, my guests’ comfort is my concern.” He turned to Diana
    with a burning look that made her pulse skitter. “Should you later
    grow chilly, dear lady, you need only whisper the word, and I
    shall command every hearth in this monstrosity be lit. I would
    rather set my entire house aflame than cover such a magnifi-
    cent…” His gaze raked over Diana’s bosom with an appreciative
    gleam. “… gown .”
    The duchess looked apoplectic. Though Diana tried at first
    to suppress it, and then to stifle it behind her hand, she simply
    couldn’t contain the ripples, and for the first time in distant mem-
    ory, Diana erupted in full-bodied mirth. Although Annalee had
    warned her of DeVere’s dangerous charm, she never could have
    imagined her own susceptibility to it. His blue eyes glittering
    with devilment, DeVere joined in her gale of laugher and forgo-
    ing protocol, took Diana’s hand to lead her into supper, leaving
    his brother Hewett to escort the fuming duchess.
    The incident did little to endear her to the other woman.
    They supped at a table that could easily have accommodated
    twenty with a liveried footman strategically placed behind each
    person. DeVere commanded the table’s head with the Duchess
    of Beauclerc at his right. Hew took his place on the other side of
    her while Ned, Annalee, and Diana all sat to the left. Furthest
    from DeVere and the duchess, Diana enjoyed the opportunity to
    observe them unobtrusively and stole frequent glances at DeVere.
    Though the duchess seemed to go out of her way to attract his
    23
    The Devil You Know
    attention with frequent