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His eyes widened until the whites showed all around his s her aunt to be silent

Bolingbroke’s voice was as cold as a cheerless winter’s dawn “You dare persist in pleading this creature’s case when the stain of her scandal threatens to taint us all? Think of your own children, woman People will talk of this for years to come No matter what ‘proof’ is offered, there will always be the question Even you confessed doubts as to her virtue”

It was all Diana could do to conceal how deeply this revelation wounded her

“But she is our niece, Arthur We cannot—”

“She’s none ofto a bitter line

Dread filled Diana, along with icy cal Aunt Jane had been kind after her parents’ deaths and had loved her as best she could, but Bolingbroke had never warmed toward his wife’s orphaned niece He’d tolerated her, but after assu the title of viscount last year he’d beco her she lived as befitted a lady only because of his charity and sufferance

Puffing out his chest, he continued, relentless “I have a responsibility to this faood name, and I refuse to shirk it You are to leave this

house at once”

“Arthur!” gasped Aunt Jane “You cannot cast her out into the street! Think of—”

“Silence!” he thundered, sending flecks of spittle flying “I will not be prevailed upon to house a wanton trull under my own roof!”

Rejecting the sudden impulse to crumple to the floor, Diana squared her shoulders and stood her tallest She’d rather die than beg thiseven existed in his cold, empty heart “I vow before God I’nity “You accuse ainstto deny them”

Beneath her withering gaze, he shrank a little But it wasn’t enough “I have little choice but to renounce you—for the sake of hters,” he countered, but his tone was less strident than before It weakened further as she continued to stare him down “I do it for my family!”

Unbidden, a strangled chuckle rose up in Diana’s throat “I realize you feel no personal obligation where I’ deliberate emphasis on the familial title, “but despite your fervent wishes otherwise, I am a member of your family”

Vicious glee kindled in his eyes “Not anymore”

Again, Aunt Jane risked censure to do what Diana couldn’t “Arthur, I beg you to be sensible about this If she is innocent…” she trailed off, and for a ht she’d fall silent rather than face his anger But her aunt had ave her credit for “If that is not reason enough, think how others will view us Re considered for the Order of the Garter” This tibroke let it stay “As such, it would be far better to be merciful and be looked upon as overly kind rather than cruel and unfeeling”

The silence stretched taut between theive her three days to settle herself elsewhere Quietly” He turned to again address her “You o, as well as your clothing I want nothing of you to remain in this house”

“I assume that includes my dowry?” Diana heard herself askthe words with her lips Satisfaction seeped into her, ware That’s right, you greedy bastard! I’ve not forgotten “My father’s will made provision for seven thousand pounds for my dowry You’ve held this in trust on my behalf I am still unwed As stipulated by the will, the s to me”

The plurateful little bitch! I have put a roof over your head and food in your mouth for ten damned years!”

But his rage was no er felt any fear, for she had nothing to lose What good were clothes and a few pieces of furniture when one had nowhere to put them and no means to feed oneself? “Perhaps I should seek an audience with the king? I’hter of his dear friend, the late Duke of Avondale,” she reminded him “Perhaps he would award you a fair portion to cover the expense of feeding and clothing a child for ten years—taking into account, of course, that the interest fro in your coffers for the entire duration—but I’m certain he would not ask me to forfeit the entire amount”

His lips hite, slowly followed by the rest of his face Diana knew his accounts would not withstand close scrutiny by the Crown Even so, the man quickly recovered his bluster “Do you truly believe His Majesty would tolerate someone like you in his presence? You can be assured he will have heard of your downfall”

“Naturally, I shall request that the court physician exahtly “And once my name has been cleared of the slander that has besmirched it, I shall protest your undeservedly harsh treat His Majesty to make me a ward of the Crown”