The Diamond by Diane Gaston

Amanda spent a sleepless night, thinking about the part of her father's will that had been kept from her. Apparently, Amanda's father feared she would become as independent as her mother had been, unless she married young enough.
Amanda's come-out had been planned at age eighteen, but her mother died in a carriage accident that year. Then, after properly mourning her mother, her father took sick and died. So this was her first Season in Town. Her guardians — men from the Bank of England whom Amanda had never met — had sent Aunt Ellen to act as her chaperone, though Amanda had only seen the woman once or twice before.
Amanda had hardly known her parents, either. Her beautiful and stylish mother had always dashed to one society event or another, while her father followed the races or the hunt. At his death, the only home Amanda had known had gone to a distant cousin, but Amanda had been left a great deal of wealth — or so she had thought.
"I was certain you would marry Greythorne," Ellen explained after the previous night's ball. "Your guardians agreed there was no need to inform you."
How could Amanda find a husband in four weeks' time when the Season was almost at an end?
Ellen joined Amanda in the breakfast parlor, dark circles under her eyes rivaling Amanda's own. They spoke briefly of traveling to Brighton with Lady Catsworth later that day. Ellen begged off going with her.
The butler entered. "Lord Greythorne to see you, Miss Reynolds."
Ellen gave her a pleading look. "If he offers, you must accept him this time, Amanda. I beg you."
Never. No matter if she became a pauper on the street. No matter if she had to become a…a…
She glanced at Ellen, who was entirely dependent upon Amanda for financial support. Amanda's fate would also be Ellen's. Amanda need not marry Greythorne, but she must marry someone.
Captain Ramsford, her handsome hero of the previous evening, flashed through her mind.
She shook her head sadly. The captain may have rescued her from Greythorne, but he did not like her. He had not approached her again at the ball. He'd never before spoken to her without being in the company of his fellow soldier, Lord Devlin —
Devlin! Amanda suddenly thought. Devlin liked her well enough. He needed to marry. Devlin could marry her.
Cheered, Amanda stood. "I will see Greythorne."
Greythorne, pristinely groomed as always, waited for her in the drawing room.
"Amanda, I demand to know why you refused me." He seized her arm as he had done the night before.
She stared at his hand. "You have no permission to use my Christian name, nor to touch me."
He glared. "You will not make a fool of me."
"I will not be manhandled." She stared into his reptilian eyes, determined not to back down. Tense seconds ticked by.
He released her, feigning anguish. "Forgive me. I am mad with desire for you."
"Posh." Amanda did not believe a word of it. Had their match occurred, it would merely have been mutually advantageous. She crossed to the door. "I owe you no explanation. Accept my decision and do not press yourself upon me again."
Amanda opened the door and the butler stood there. "Another gentleman to see you, Miss."
Captain Ramsford stepped forward and bowed. "Good morning, Miss Reynolds."
"Captain." She could not believe her eyes.
He turned to Greythorne. "I thought I recognized your equipage out front, Greythorne."
Greythorne snapped, "What the devil are you doing here?"
The captain arched one brow. "Why, I am keeping an engagement."
Engagement? Amanda's eyes widened. "Lord Greythorne was just leaving."
Greythorne strode out of the room.
Two spots of color rose on Ramsford's cheeks. "I saw his phaeton. Otherwise I would not have presumed…"
Her pulse raced with excitement. "I am grateful once more, Captain. Do sit. I will ring for tea."
He shook his head. "I must not stay."
"You would break our engagement?" She gave him a teasing look.
He averted his gaze. "You know very well that was a ruse."
"Yes, but why?" she asked in a breathless voice.
"I thought you required assistance."
She could depend upon him, she thought. "You would help me?"
A muscle in his face flexed. "I am at your service."
She gave voice to an outrageous plan. "Give me a moment to dress and to pen a message —"
He looked puzzled.
"— then take me to Lord Devlin."