A Devil Named DeVere (The Devil DeVere)(72)

Polly had already begun packing her trunk for her return home when Vesta bound into her chamber. "We missed you at breakfast, Aunt Di."

"I was exhausted after last night," she offered her excuse. "It was a truly lovely party, Vesta."

"Wasn't it, though?" the younger woman gushed, dreamy-eyed. "And now it's official. Hew and I are to be wed in a fortnight."

"So soon? A fortnight is scarce long enough to arrange everything. Shall I stay to help? Poor Phoebe is barely accustomed to the household. To plan a wedding would surely be overwhelming for her."

"Poor Phoebe?" Vesta repeated.

"Yes, Vesta. Upon closer acquaintance, I think I am guilty of misjudging her. She has all the marks of genteel breeding and is not at all the strumpet I had presumed her to be."

"Then you will be friends?"

"I don't know, but I refuse to be her adversary any longer. You might reconsider your own feelings in the matter."

"Actually, Aunt Di, I already have, for a woman in love sees all things in quite a different light."

Diana arched a brow. "Does she, indeed?"

"But of course!" Vesta grinned. "I am now brimming with happiness so it only seems fair that Papa should be happy too. And she will be his companion when I am gone. So it seems nothing is quite what we thought. Nothing except for you, Aunt Di. What shall you do when Hew and I are wed?"

"I haven't yet decided. Mayhap I'll just move in with you and become nanny to your children."

"Lackaday! You jest! Everyone knows nannies are plump and wrinkled." She furrowed her brow. "You know, I quite think Polly might suit."

The maid gave a loud snort.

"I thought you and Polly nigh despised one another."

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Vesta's grin broadened. "Polly and I have a perfect understanding of each other. But that's not what I came to tell you. You missed the big announcement at breakfast. You and Phoebe will not have to attend to a thing, because Hew and I are to be wed at Woodcote Park, my godfather's estate at Epsom."

"What?" Diana shook her head. "Why?"

"Because the setting is lovely, and everyone who's anyone will already be there for the Derby. Hew and I love the races. This way we can attend without any delay in the nuptials. Uncle Vic is taking care of all the wedding arrangements. So you see, it's perfect." She beamed.

Diana's gaze narrowed. "Perfect for DeVere, you mean. That's the truth of it. The selfish cad simply wasn't willing to sacrifice a horse race for your wedding."

"But you know how he is about his racing stud, Aunt Di. It's one of the only things he cares about. Besides, his stallion won all his matches save one at Doncaster this week, and he feels certain of a win in the two-thousand-guineas race."

"Really? Did he happen to say which race he lost?"

"I'm sure he did, but I paid little heed. If you really wish to know, Papa could surely tell you. Why do you ask?"

"Because I have a young mare in training at Doncaster. I did not attend her maiden race because of your party, but I received a message from my groom this morning that she won me fifty guineas."

"Did she, indeed?" Vesta squealed. "Then you must take her to run at Epsom!"

"But Woodcote Park." Diana shook her head. "You must know after all that happened there, I have no wish ever to return."

"But it's all in the past now, Aunt Di. Please say you will come. I would be so very disappointed if you did not stand up with us. Besides, wouldn't it be a delight to see your mare beat Uncle Vic's stallion?" Vesta gave Diana a wicked grin.

Diana hesitated for a long moment. There were so many very good reasons not to go, but the temptation to do so was overpowering. "I confess the only thing I would love more in this world than to see Lord DeVere taken down a notch, would be to be the one to do it. Yes, Vesta," Diana replied, "I will go to Epsom with you, and my mare will race."





Chapter Twenty-three


Woodcote Park, Epsom, two weeks later



The excursion from Doncaster to Epsom was nothing like the melancholy journey Diana remembered from four years prior. Wishing to banish all unhappy remembrances, she had made certain it would be so. Instead of riding in the carriage with Phoebe and the maids, she and Vesta had cajoled Hew and Sir Edward to allow them to travel most of the trip on horseback. Joining the gentlemen and small army of outriders and grooms, their pace had been brisk and their spirits high, perhaps elevated even more so by the frequent stops at the better taverns and posting houses along the way.

When they finally arrived at DeVere's country house, Vesta was bubbling over with excitement. "Isn't it lovely here!" she exclaimed.

"I'll take you over the grounds shortly," said Hew as he lifted his fiancée from the saddle and handed the horses off to the grooms. "This expanse of park surrounding the house abuts the Epsom racecourse."

"How delightful! I am so happy to be arrived at last. Only two more days, Hew."Vesta sighed. "It's been an interminable torture to be in each other's company and not be permitted five minutes alone."

"Your father is right to enforce the rules of propriety," Hew remarked.