The Devil You Know (The Devil DeVere #3)(13)

Victoria Vane

unlike her mother, Diana had found little satisfaction in ordering her extensive household like a well-run regiment and in filling her days with a frenzy of domestic activity while her husband attended to his hounds, horses…and whores. She could only assume the latter. In the past few years, Reggie’s drinking and for-ays to races and hunting events had increased, while his visits to her bedchamber steadily declined, leaving her to imagine the worst. When he was in drink, Diana had learned to bolt her door, and eventually, he had ceased to molest her altogether.

In recent months, they had rarely crossed paths at all and even then, had barely spoken beyond the polite civilities. Now at only eight and twenty, Diana was restless in body, withering in spirit, and growing daily more embittered by disillusionment.

She pondered how her life might have been different, had she never wed at all and if she might one day find the contentment in widowhood that she had never known in marriage. She further speculated on how soon that day might actually come, a thought that shocked her and filled her with guilt.

Of course, she would never wish any actual harm to Reggie.

Yet years ago, she used to lay awake in bed until the wee hours awaiting his stumbling step up the staircase. Now she slept soundly whether he was at home or not. And when she imagined him not coming home at all, the thought no longer disturbed her peace. Try as she might, she could never seem to command any sense of grief or remorse.

She wished things could have been different, but knew the relationship was far beyond hope of repair. She had entered the marriage with quiet optimism that in time, affection, if not love, would develop. But she now questioned whether she still had any capacity for love at all or if her heart had dried up altogether, leaving in its place just a hollow shell.

Unable to sleep, but not desiring to disturb her maid, Diana donned her wrapper. Wondering if a glass of wine and a book might sooth her restlessness, she lit a candle and softly descended the stairs, thinking to seek both of these in DeVere’s library.

DeVere gav

***

e Ned a wolfish smile. “Repique.”

“Blast it all! Ned threw down his hand. “I can never win against you!”

35

The Devil You Know

“Far be it for me to discourage you from trying.” DeVere laughed.

“Well I shan’t try any longer, or I’d be as great an addle-pate as Reggie. You are sure he’s ruined?” Ned asked.

“O’Kelly had his vowels to the tune of three thousand,” said DeVere.

Ned gave a low whistle. “He is surely finished then. While the estate is well-managed—largely due to Diana’s involvement—it is not a vast property. I don’t believe they receive more than sev-en or eight hundred a year income from it. A thousand pounds, tops.”

“A bloody fool and his money…” DeVere shrugged.

“But you know the poor devil never stood a chance amongst that company.”

“Nevertheless, the weakest men doth the greatest fools make.

In truth, I’m amazed such a fine specimen of womanhood married such a buffoon.”

“In her defense, Reginald was hardly Diana’s choice. He was some distant relation on her father’s side, the marriage contrived purely to keep the lands in the family. Reggie’s title even came to him by Diana, secured by a private act of parliament. Yet he has proven a sad husband, especially for such a fine woman as Diana.”

“Yet she maintains fidelity?” DeVere asked with a feigned nonchalance.

“Don’t even think it, my friend.” Ned glowered. “She is Annalee’s cousin, and I won’t see her reputation besmirched.”

“Come now, Ned. She is a woman grown, and I am the very soul of discretion.”

“Is that why you presently flaunt your mistress before your friends?”

DeVere made an exasperated sound. “I didn’t invite Caro. She just took it upon herself to come here, though it’s probably my fault for not delivering her congé before I left London.”

“You have no intentions in that quarter then?”

“Gad, no!” DeVere scoffed. “Marry the slut? She’s little better than Mrs. Hayes’ whores, albeit a loftier one. But since she’s here, I’ll avail myself of Caro...for now.”

“Try as you may, you’ll not debauch Diana, DeVere. She’s a virtuous woman.”

36

Victoria Vane

The corner of DeVere’s lip kicked up. “Damn me if that doesn’t sound like a challenge, Ned. Would you care to strike a wager on it?”

“I’m not about to let you seduce her. I’ll see you hung first.”

“Who said anything about seduction? I swear to you I won’t lay a hand on her...unless of course, she comes to me.”

“You think Diana would come to your bed?” Ned threw his head back and laughed. “You’re mad! First of all, she would never break her marriage vows. Secondly, she’s certainly deduced by now what a whoremonger you are. She wouldn’t touch you with gloves, my friend.”

DeVere felt his interest growing. “Then it’s a safe bet, is it not?

Make it a gentleman’s wager, twenty guineas.”

“It’s not about the money, and you know it. It’s the damned principle of the thing. I refuse to wager on any woman’s virtue.