Page 1 of The Lyon’s Paw

Prologue

London

June 1819

Hyde Park at five thirty in the afternoon—the sun lowering in the sky, the smell of newly mown grass, the excitement of the crowds of fashionably dressed members of the ton strolling about—was the last place Miss Diana Edgerton had expected to find herself today. For Diana, dressed in her newest pale blue promenade dress of cambric muslin, trimmed with frilly white lace on both the dress and the matching Spencer and hat, the day had taken on a dreamlike feeling, mostly because she was in the unlikely company of Lord Longford, one of the handsomest gentlemen she’d ever seen. Perhaps her aunt had been correct in saying having a Season would change her life for the better.

Diana hadn’t thought that true until last evening. Not with all the gossiping busy bodies listening to the nasty rumors her own cousins had started about her. But then last evening Lord Longford had begged an introduction so he could ask her for a dance. Fairy tales apparently did come true sometimes.

“I am sorry the sun is still quite warm, Miss Edgerton.” His lordship’s deep voice rumbled pleasantly in her ear. They were walking arm in arm around the Serpentine, accompanied, of course, by her aunt. “Another day perhaps we could ride here instead.”

“Thank you, my lord. That is very kind of you.” She smiled up at him, still awed that he’d asked her for this outing. He looked truly splendid in a dark blue cutaway coat, snowy white shirt and fashionably tied cravat. His fawn-colored breeches and tall Hessian boots made him look very dashing indeed. “I love to ride very much, though I have not been able to do so since the death of my uncle.”

The smile on Lord Longford’s face turned to a more sober mien. “Please accept my condolences, Miss Edgerton.” The tall gentleman patted her hand as it lay comfortably and very naturally in the crook of his elbow. “I understand you and your uncle were very close.”

Diana shot a glance up at Lord Longford, trying to judge if his comment was barbed, a reference to the vile rumors her jealous cousins had put about in Town that she and her uncle had carried on an illicit affair while she was taking care of him in his last years. She’d endured many such remarks in the past months. One look at her escort’s kind visage revealed no judgement, only kind concern.

“We were, my lord. Very close. He depended on me to take care of him. No one else in the family would raise a hand to help him.” Thoughts of her cousins whining that they couldn’t waste their lives taking care of a cranky invalid always made her furious. Uncle George hadn’t been a burden. He’d been frank and outspoken. Gruff, some would say, but that was just his way.

Diana blinked back tears. Almost a year since her uncle’s death and she still mourned him in her heart. Uncle George had always been her favorite uncle, the man who appeared unexpectedly from his travels in distant lands with marvelous stories to tell about places like India and China. She could sit and listen to him spin his tales for hours. She missed that most now that he was gone. He’d doted on Diana all her life and she’d been so grateful, she hadn’t thought twice about taking care of him when he needed her.

“My niece took care of her uncle night and day for over two years, my lord.” Aunt Frances spoke up from behind them.

“Was it your husband, Mrs. Beaumont?” Lord Longford turned toward her, concern in his expressive blue eyes.

“Oh, no, my lord. My husband is living, thank God.” She closed her eyes briefly, and shook her head. “No, he was Diana’s father’s older brother. He always looked out for her after her parents died.” She made a helpless little gesture. “As much as he could, that is. Mr. Edgerton traveled extensively in the Orient. He was a shareholder in the East India Company.”

“Indeed.” Lord Longford’s brows rose. “A fortunate gentleman to be sure.”

“He was, but also kind, my lord. Though I will admit he could seem a bit gruff at times, if you take my meaning.” Diana always felt she had to defend Uncle George, who presented himself to the world as an ornery man, when in truth he wouldn’t have hurt a fly. From what she’d gleaned in her short acquaintance with Lord Longford, he might have a similar demeanor at times.

“I can’t help but believe he was a delightful gentleman, Miss Edgerton, if you saw that in him.” He smiled, kindness in his eyes.

Diana’s heart began to race.

“Shall we turn toward the path by the water now? You will wish to see the ducks in the Serpentine. They make quite a spectacle when they all come together.” His eyes twinkled and his smile broadened to a grin. “The din they make is amazingly like that at the supper tables at Lady Cavendish’s balls.”

Laughing, Diana settled her arm more firmly in the crook of his elbow. Lord Longford was proving to be a delightful companion.

“This way.” He led them around different couples and groups of people all preening themselves and wishing to be seen. Diana hoped they looked right past her. People of the ton had not been overly kind to her—because of those awful rumors. She tried to put on a brave face and Aunt Frances always came to her defense whenever anyone brought the rumors up. Not that she’d had to do such a thing where Lord Longford was concerned. Either he hadn’t heard the terrible things people were saying about her—and she couldn’t quite believe that, as it seemed to be the talk of London—or he simply didn’t believe them. She truly hoped it was the latter, but in any case, he’d been nothing but solicitous toward her. Such a refreshing change from all the curious or accusing stares.

Diana glanced around at the throngs of fashionable people milling about the Serpentine. None of them seemed to be paying any attention to her, thank goodness. She’d had her fill of rude stares and horrible remarks at Lady Brisbane’s ball last night. She’d been on the brink of leaving the ballroom after a so-called gentleman who’d partnered her in a country dance had made lewd remarks—insinuating he’d be happy to play the part of her uncle if she’d treat him as nice as she had Uncle George—when her hostess had appeared with Lord Longford in tow and instantly all the unpleasantness had melted away. Suddenly she’d found herself in his arms in the midst of a waltz. His strong arms had held her gently as he’d led her flawlessly around the ballroom until she wished the dance would never end. Except when it did, Lord Longford had suggested this outing. She truly must relax and enjoy herself today, and cease thinking everyone was pointing at her and whispering—

From the corner of her eye Diana glimpsed a lady’s gloved finger pointing in her direction. Surely, the lady must be pointing out the ducks to her companion, or perhaps some of the flora and fauna the Serpentine had to offer its admirers. She glanced up at Lord Longford who was speaking animatedly with her aunt about flowers. They were one of her aunt’s true passions. She supposed Lord Longford liked them as well by the avid look on his face.

Had he missed seeing the lady pointing at her? Or had the lady actually been indicating the ducks?

Trying to calm herself, reassure herself that no one was gossiping about her, Diana stole another look at the park’s patrons—only to find several knots of people staring directly at her, then putting their heads together and whispering…including the horrid gentleman who’d made lewd remarks to her last evening.

Oh, Lord, was he following her? Did he mean to make the same awful proposals to her again? She had to get away from here and quickly. Diana put her hand to her head, ready to plead a headache. “My lord, I believe I am unwell.” That was putting it mildly. “I fear we will need to leave. My lord?”

Entranced with his conversation, Lord Longford apparently didn’t hear Diana’s pleas.

Very well, she would make him listen.

They had stopped at the edge of the water, near a pretty patch of reeds and water grasses with pink flowers scattered here and there over them and several trees overhanging the water, their branches swaying in the slight breeze. A beautiful setting for a courting couple, just not her and not now. She looked back at the dreadful man, and he leered at her. Dear lord, what was she to do?

She pressed closer to Lord Longford. Perhaps if she could get behind him, the other man wouldn’t continue his pursuit. Glancing over her shoulder, she spied the man actually heading toward them. This couldn’t be happening. She tugged on his sleeve. “My lord, we need to leave.”