“I’ll do so directly, my lady.” The groom tugged a forelock and trotted off.
Diana entered the building that stabled the racehorses in a state of discomposed abstraction. She wandered blindly past the first few empty stalls that housed the mounts currently out on the down seeking that of her own mare, Cartimandua, and would have walked right by had not the mare greeted her with a low nicker. Moving mechanically, Diana entered the mare’s box only to collapse in the straw, face buried in her hands. “He has ruined us,” she cried. “He has gambled away everything! And worse, the fool doesn’t even know what he has in his own stables.”
As if in sympathy, the mare lowered her face to her mistress, tickling her cheek with warm, grass-scented breath. Clutching the mare’s neck, Diana sobbed into the silky mane. The mare snorted and pawed the straw. And suddenly Diana knew what she must do.
***
“What is it, Diana?” Annalee asked, her face full of concern as Diana paced the room.
“Reggie has taken everything and returned to Clay Hill.”
Edward was grim-faced. “I’ll go and get him at once,” he said, already rising to his feet.
“Don’t you see it’s futile?” Diana stifled a sob. “There is no controlling him. Besides, the damage is done. I know he’s already ruined us and has wagered what little we have left on the race.”
Annalee put her arms around her cousin. “But surely there is something that can be done.” She looked plaintively to her husband, who raked a hand through his sandy hair.
“I wish to God I knew what,” he said. “Just how did it come to pass, Diana?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “He has always gamed, but for the past few months, perhaps even the past year, the race meetings, cockfights, and who-knows-what-else have become almost an obsession. I hardly see him anymore. He’s had no care for the estate and doesn’t tell me anything he does.”
Ned and Annalee exchanged glances.
Diana paced the room, wringing her hands. “You think he has a mistress, don’t you? I have suspected as much myself.”
“Perhaps there is another reasonable explanation,” Annalee suggested.
“I can’t imagine what it could be, and to be truthful, I don’t miss his attentions in the least. He can bed every woman in England for all I care,” Diana replied dispassionately. “But the estate—he had no right to do what he’s done.”
“But what can you do?” Annalee asked.
“There’s only one thing, and I would have done it long ago but for my pride and fear of social ostracism.”
Annalee gasped. “You don’t mean to petition for a divorce?”
“Not quite,” Diana said. “I have no proof of adultery and therefore, no legal grounds for divorce. However, given the circumstances, I think I should be able to at least achieve a legal separation. It is the only way I can become free of him. Is it not, Edward?”
Edward looked pensive. “Are you quite sure about this, Diana? Although I can’t blame your desire to take such steps given the present situation, you are not mistaken about becoming a pariah.”
“As long as I can count on the both of you, I have no need of anyone else,” she declared.
“But of course we would stand by you. Always, dearest,” said Annalee.
“But as a woman, you have no property rights. If granted a legal separation, he will get everything.”
“But what if nothing remains to begin with?” Diana laughed bitterly.
“Then how do you propose to live?” he asked.
“I know what I must do, Edward. As ironic as it seems, the race appears my best hope of recovery.”
Edward made an exasperated sound. “You mean to throw good money after bad? What if you lose?”
Annalee gave her husband a reproachful look. “Diana is always welcome in our home.”
Diana laughed. “Never you worry, Edward. I shan’t allow myself to be foisted upon you as a dependent relation. I’ll surely contrive some other way.”
Edward looked dubious.
“How can we help you?” Annalee asked.
“If I’m going to run Cartimandua, I have need of two things—the entry fee and a jockey.”
“You are aware that the entry fee is two hundred fifty pounds?” he asked.
Diana fingered the strand of pearls at her neck. “I was hoping you could make me a loan against these.”
Edward gave her an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, my dear, but I just don’t have that much available to me at such short notice. Had I only a day to send to London…”
“There’s no time.” Her spirits plummeted. “The race is tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll speak to DeVere,” Edward said. “I’ll ask him for a personal loan. He need never know what it is for.”
“No,” Diana protested. “I won’t presume on your friendship like that. If anyone must go to DeVere, let it be me.”
Edward colored. “I don’t know if that is the wisest course, Diana. Although he’s my closest friend, he’s not to be trusted where women are concerned.”