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tell you, lad? Didn’t I tell you? And now you’ve left it till too late.’ “
    Once again the earl’s brittle composure wavered, but he continued stiffly.
    “It was then that I told him I have brought home my affianced bride.”
    “You are very sure of yourself, my lord,” Diana interrupted icily. “I have not agreed to this insane proposal.”
    She may as well not have spoken.
    “My announcement,” continued Lord Burnleigh, “had the desired effect. He was overjoyed, and within minutes was breathing easier. I then let his valet, Fish-perk, in on the deception, since he is one of the few household members who witnessed your entrance last night. I can trust his discretion. When I left, Grandfather had lapsed into a peaceful sleep, the first, I am told, since he fell ill.
    “I next went to my Aunt Amabelle. She is a widow, and, has been our chatelaine since my mother died seventeen years ago, giving birth to my sister. My aunt is not a strong person, and my grandfather’s illness has driven her to a state of near prostration. When I told her what I had done, I was afraid for a moment that she, too, might succumb. However, once her sensibilities were soothed, she realized that since I had already set the plan in motion, there was no choice but to carry it through.”
    Diana reflected that the occasions must be rare when those involved in his lordship’s plans failed to carry them through.
    “We put our heads together and came up with a coherent story—more or less.”
    The earl paced the floor in concentration.
    “I have maintained for years a desultory correspondence with my mother’s old friend Helen, Lady Bavister. She is a widow, and has been living in seclusion in Wales since the death of her husband, an Army general, some fifteen years ago. So far, this is all quite true. Grandfather was acquainted with her, having met her in London, and I believe he knew the general slightly. However, here the fiction begins. Grandfather now believes that I visited Lady Bavister some time ago, while on a walking tour, and there I met her wholly fictitious daughter, whom I have named, in the interest of simplicity, Diana.”
    “Of course,” murmured Diana.
    “In the years since, through further correspondence, Diana and I discovered a mutual attraction, and when you wrote that you and your mother were obliged to travel to Canterbury on family business, I extended an invitation to stay on in Kent for a visit to Stonefield. My invitation, of course, was promptly accepted.”
    “Of course,” repeated Diana.
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “Nothing, my lord. Please continue. Your fabrication is so far quite fascinating.”
    “Thank you,” his lordship said drily. “At the last minute, Lady Bavister became ill and was unable to travel. Such was the urgency of your business that you were forced to make the trip without her, with the understanding that she would join you as soon as she was able.
    “Unfortunately, you met with a coaching accident just outside London, in which both your abigail and footman were severely injured. Since I am the only person in the entire metropolis with whom you are acquainted, it was only natural that you would turn to me in your hour of need. Rather neat, that, don’t you agree?”
    “Quite, except for the fact that I would sooner turn to Attila the Hun in my hour of need. But do go on.”
    The earl’s lips twitched, but he continued as though he had not heard.
    “These are the details that are now being circulated among the household. Kate has been told that it was only through a mix-up in communication, the circumstances of your arrival being somewhat chaotic, that you were lodged last night in the servants’ quarters.” A small, rueful smile appeared on his lips in response to Diana’s lifted eyebrows. “Yes, I know that part is a little shaky. But I believe I can rely on our housekeeper’s iron hand to squelch any untoward supposition on the part of the staff.
    “Of course,”