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first set eyes on Diana he had known she was for him. He had only planned to spend an hour at the ball before meeting up with friends at a gaming hell.
    And then, there she was. Of their own accord his feet moved toward her. Her silk gown was the same honey shade as her hair. What color were her eyes? He had to know. When he was close enough to see, he remembered sighing. They were dark brown, the color of rich chocolate. He loved chocolate.
    He begged an introduction, and forgot about meeting his friends. Although he had thought he would not marry for years, he’d known he had just met his future wife. Beginning that night, he set about the serious business of courting Lady Diana Cavanaugh, the daughter of the Marquess of Rotharton.
    Michael slipped a hand inside his coat and pressed a finger against the letter. He had planned to give it to her to read, but now decided to wait until they reached Wyburne. He had her agreement to come with him and was hesitant to do anything that would cause further reluctance on her part.
    The subject of his musings entered the cottage and he couldn’t help comparing his memories of her to the woman standing in the middle of the room looking lost. Her hair was still the same rich honey color, but now pulled back in a tight knot low on her neck. Her rich brown eyes no longer sparkled, and her once rose-tinged cheeks were devoid of color.
    Her taller than average height hadn’t changed, of course, but her body had. She was stick thin and he would guess she gave most of her food to James. For that, he didn’t blame her—he would have done the same in her circumstances. He couldn’t undo the past, but he could bloody damn well improve her life. He owed her that much, and more.
    He walked to her and gently touched her arm. She flinched and Leo’s voice laughed in his ear. She can no longer bear the touch of a man.
    “My carriage is just down the road. While I go and collect it, gather what you need, and then we are leaving this poor excuse of a house.”
    Michael strode out of the cottage. He had instructed his coachman to park out of sight so that if she saw it before he found her, she wouldn’t try to run. He walked with long furious strides down the lane, his blood boiling with rage. Damn Leo to hell and pray he burns there for all eternity.
    ****
    Diana hugged the corner inside the carriage, putting as much distance between her and Daventry as possible. He hadn’t touched her since that last time in the cottage and she was thankful for it. If Jamie hadn’t been with them, she didn’t think she could have borne being alone with him. He had mostly talked to Jamie, slowly winning her son over. But every so often, he would address a question or comment to her and she would be forced to pay him attention. Like now.
    “Are you comfortable, Diana?”
    She wished he would ignore her. As for his familiar use of her name, she had given up correcting him hours ago. “Yes.” He smiled and she wanted him to stop doing that, too.
    “We will stop tonight at an inn. Although we are only a few hours from Wyburne, it is growing dark and I think a decent dinner and a rest is in order.”
    “How many pennies will that cost?” Jamie asked. “Mama only has a few left.”
    “Jamie!” Lord, had he just told Daventry how desperate they were?
    Pink stained his cheeks, and tears filled his eyes. “I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean to do wrong.”
    She glanced at Daventry. He rested his head back against the seat watching them from under hooded eyes, his body seemingly in a relaxed state. One would think he wasn’t paying attention, but she knew differently. He didn’t miss a thing. How would he react to Jamie’s misspeak?
    She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from assuring Jamie he had done nothing wrong. She needed to know how the earl would deal with her son. How was a child to know one didn’t discuss personal finances?
    Daventry lazily unfolded his crossed legs, pushed up in his seat, and