will give me the opportunity to make plans.” She still did not look at them.
“Nonsense!” St. Edmunds frowned. “We all know in what case you stand.”
Sudbury nodded. “Wyn was a very good fellow, but… No sense about money. Always under the hatches. Can you go to your family?”
“I’m sure that I can.” An expression of uncertainty flickered across Diana’s face. “I will write to my cousin immediately.”
Vincent gave that notion some thought. Not bloody likely. When her father had died, the title and estate had gone to a distant cousin—one who had not spoken to her family in years. And Wyn’s older brother was no less profligate than Wyn had been. No, someone was going to have to see to her welfare. Damn Wyn and his charm and his prodigal ways and his horses and his women! Damn him for putting her in this humiliating position.
Damn him for getting himself killed.
With an effort Vincent pushed the ache out of his heart. He would deal with it later. Now he must think. St. Edmunds could not be allowed to take control of Diana and her life. The man might be Corby’s friend, but he was not Vincent’s.
And Diana was wise to be afraid of him. Not only were his intentions highly questionable, St. Edmunds had a certain reputation amongst the libertines of London. Women did not fare well at his hands. Why Corby had let him dangle after Diana…
But that was neither here nor there. He needed to get her out of the room. They could hardly continue to discuss this delicate question before her as though she were a child who did not understand. “Lady Diana, are your children still sleeping? I thought I heard a cry.”
“Surely they are—it is well after midnight—but I should make certain. Meanwhile, you gentlemen will be more comfortable in the parlor. I shall just be a moment.” She left the room in a soft swish of skirts and Vincent turned to the doctor, reaching once more for his purse.
“Sir, I appreciate your assistance this evening. Can you further oblige me by having Mr. Corby made ready for burial?”
“Certainly. I regret that I could not be of better use, but a sliced lung…” The doctor shook his gray head sadly.
“Yes.” Vincent handed him several coins. “If this is not sufficient, send word to me at Lonsdale House, and also apprise me when it is done.”
The doctor bowed and left the room, and the three remaining men pulled themselves into a circle. St. Edmunds cleared his throat. “Now see here, Ingleton. It’s good of you to take care of these matters, but don’t think for a minute that it changes anything. I have told Lady Diana that I shall care for her, and I shall.”
Vincent folded his arms, drawing together his dark eyebrows. “And I have told you that I do not believe that is a suitable course of action.”
St. Edmunds sneered. “And I suppose you believe you are a more suitable guardian—with your reputation?”
“At least I do not have a wife.”
“I say,” Sudbury intervened. “Why don’t we ask Lady Diana? Ought to be able to chose who’s to take care of her. I would but…pockets quite to let, myself.”
Both of the other men favored him with annoyed glances. “You heard what she said,” St. Edmunds snarled. “She’ll insist that she can manage, but we all know she cannot.”
“No.” Sudbury sighed. “Can’t see how she could. Not a feather to fly with. Went through his fortune and hers, too. Four months’ back rent…!” He shook his head in disgust. “A governess, do you think?”
“With two children hanging on her skirts?” St. Edmunds grimaced. “Not likely. That is why I shall send my people…”
“No.” Vincent made no attempt to be conciliating. “If you send your carriage the whole of the ton will immediately draw unflattering conclusions about Lady Diana. I will see to it some other way. And that fact need go no further than this room.” He turned to glare meaningfully at Sudbury.
“No, no,” Sudbury hastily assured him. “Not a word. On my honor.”
St. Edmunds’s broad face had turned an angry red. He took a step toward Vincent. “Damn you, Lonsdale, I know what you really want.”
Vincent stopped him with a cold stare.
Sudbury shuffled his feet uneasily. “Come now, my lords. No way for gentlemen… Great God! His body lies dead in this very room.”
“Very well.” Vincent reached again into his coat pocket. He pulled out his hand and opened it. “We’ll settle it as gentlemen. What do you say to a game of hazard?”
“Throw dice?” St. Edmunds’s eyes took on a crafty look. “For a woman?”
Vincent made no answer. He just stood, his expression hard, and tossed the dice in one hand.
St. Edmunds laughed uneasily. “Well, I suppose gambling is nothing if not a gentleman’s sport.” His eyes narrowed. “But not with your dice.”
“As you wish.” Vincent let the implied insult pass. A mere diversion. St. Edmunds also had a reputation where dice were concerned. Not that anyone ever accused him outright of cheating. He was much too good a shot and much too vindictive to chance a duel. But Vincent’s past had long ago taught him how to deal with cheats.
His mouth crooked up slightly on one corner. “But hazard will take too long. We have only minutes before Lady Diana returns. I suggest one roll of the dice each—high number wins. I will roll with your dice, and you may roll with mine.”
Sudbury nodded sagely. “Bound to be fair.”
Vincent handed his dice to Sudbury. “If you will give these to Lord St. Edmunds…”
St. Edmunds eyes became slits in his face. “What are you about, Lonsdale?”
“Apparently you believe my dice too likely to win. I offer them to you. I will use yours.” Vincent’s crooked smile flickered briefly.
Fury and suspicion strong in his face, St. Edmunds reluctantly reached for the dice in Sudbury’s palm. Vincent held his own open hand between them. “If you will first give me yours, my lord….”
St. Edmunds slapped them into Vincent’s hand and grabbed the pair Sudbury held, speaking between his teeth. “Very well. Roll.”
Vincent nodded and went to one knee on the splintered floor. The others followed him down. He shook the dice and tossed them into the space between them.
Sudbury bent for a closer look. “Six! Two treys.”
St. Edmunds smirked. “Surprised, Lonsdale?” He cast Vincent’s dice and scowled.
“Three!” Sudbury called out. “Lonsdale wins.”
Vincent retrieved his own dice and left St. Edmunds’s on the floor.
“Surprised, St. Edmunds?”
Diana slipped into the room she shared with her children.
