A Question of Impropriety by Michelle Styles

dress.’ Diana stood up, hoping against hope that her meaning would not be twisted. The rent in the cap had been too great to be quickly repaired and she had hoped no one would remark on it as her status as an ape-leader was widely known. And how could she begin to explain the cir cum stances in which it had been ruined?
    â€˜But Lord Coltonby remembered the acquaintance and he sought you out, practically the day he arrived in the neighbourhood.’
    â€˜There are reasons for it.’ Diana shifted from one foot to the other. She wanted to avoid mentioning the encounter in the lane. It would only add fuel to the fire. ‘Simple reasons. Reasons that have nothing to do with Lord Coltonby.’
    Charlotte leant forward. Her eyes gleamed. ‘He is the most excitingly attractive man to come into the neighbourhood for ages. Not only titled, single and pleasing to the eye, but with sufficient income to support a wife. Is it any wonder you are tempted?’
    â€˜I have no plans to marry. Ever.’ Diana pasted a smile on her face. ‘I have no wish to join the circling hordes. Your mama’s matrimonial plans are safe.’
    â€˜Oh, is that how it is?’ Charlotte gave a coy little smile. ‘You are full of secrets, Miss Clare. I shall have to tell Miranda that she has a rival. You are planning on going to the ball, aren’t you?’
    â€˜I believe, Miss Ortner, that my time here is at an end. It would be impolite to stay longer.’
    However, Diana noticed with a sinking heart that Charlotte had already turned from their conversation and was whispering in excited tones to one of her newly arrived friends.
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    â€˜And will that be all, Miss Clare?’ The shop keeper stood with his quill poised.
    â€˜I believe it will be sufficient.’ Diana gave her head a shake. She should have behaved more rationally at the Ortners. The sensible thing would have been to nod and exclaim about the audacity of Miss Bolt. She should never have tried to put the story right. Miranda didn’t need Diana’s protection.
    It was most disconcerting. Normally, she had more control. She did not add to the gossip. But today it seemed to her that everyone was staring and whispering behind their hands. She had made a fool of herself. Their gazes remained friendly, but she knew how quickly such looks narrowed in disapproval…
    â€˜Miss Clare?’ the shop keeper said again, bringing her back to the present. Her cheeks burnt slightly. ‘I need to know how much of the green velvet you want. Sufficient is a very expansive word.’
    â€˜Two lengths will be more than enough.’
    â€˜Very well, Miss Clare.’ The shop keeper retrieved his scissors and began cutting the material.
    Diana breathed more easily, and studiously ignored the slight jangle of the bell behind her. She refused to turn around and see who had entered the shop. Refused to see if it was him. Life would return to normal now. This instant. She was a mature sensible woman, not given to flights of fancy. She behaved with decorum at all times. She had learnt the value of restraint.
    â€˜Here you go, Miss Clare.’ The shop keeper held out her packages.
    She gathered up her brown-paper parcels and narrowly missed colliding with Lord Coltonby. His face appeared as black as thunder. His large hands reached out and steadied her, closing around her forearms. A tide of heat washed through her body and her fingers grew lax on the parcels. She forced them to curl back around them, and her body began to regain its composure. She stepped away from Lord Coltonby and nearly tumbled over a bucket. His fingers came very firmly under her elbow.
    â€˜You appear flustered, Miss Clare,’ he said as he led her out of the shop. His eyes twinkled down at her. ‘Something I have done, I hope?’
    â€˜No, not flustered, Lord Coltonby, merely in a hurry.’ Diana reached up one hand to straighten her bonnet. She longed