“That sounds delightful,” Diana said. “I’d love to know more.”
Isaac smiled, the memories flooding back.
“I remember how much I wanted a friend like Father’s, and I dearly wished to know what was so special about their brandy.” He went silent for a moment and then said, “I suspect that might be where my Brother gets his own brandy habit from. But alas, he will not listen to me when I tell him he drinks too much—he only reminds me that Father taught him to appreciate it.”
“It seems as though you have as many problems with your Brother as I do with my Father,” Diana said. “Did they see each other often, our Fathers?”
“Often enough,” Isaac said. “In fact, he was there the day my Father died.”
“Oh, my goodness,” Diana said, a hand to her chest as she turned to look at him. “I’m so sorry, Isaac. I did not know.”
“No,” he said, looking down at the floor. “I can’t imagine you did.”
“Do you mind my asking what happened?” Diana asked.
“It was…I would rather not talk of the details, but it was not a pleasant experience, I can tell you that much. He had a rather violent death.”
“Oh, Isaac,” Diana said. She put a hand out and let it rest of his arm as they walked “I am so dreadfully sorry.”
“I wonder,” Isaac said with an attempt at nonchalance, “if it is that which has made your Father turn in on himself?”
“Perhaps,” she said, shrugging. “But I cannot imagine why. As tragic as I am sure it was, my Father has always been a strong man and he has handled many awful situations in his time.”
“Indeed,” Isaac said, his brow creased, “it was a foolish thought.”
He didn’t know what to think. He hadn’t intended to bring this topic up with Diana, but once he had mentioned his father, it seemed natural to continue. Now, he was unsure of her reaction, at the words she had said. Her father was most definitely reacting to something, and his own father’s death seemed a likely reason, but in truth he could not be certain. Not when he loved Diana so very much.
“Any way,” he said after an awkward moment. “Perhaps we should talk of something lighter.”
“Like what?” she said, turning to him with a teasing smile. “Like how much of a romantic you have become?”
“I have not,” he said.
“Are you trying to tell me you are not romantic?” she asked, looking at him incredulously. “Because if you are, Isaac, Your Grace, I have some news for you.”
“You think I am romantic?” he asked, genuinely interested in her answer. He had never thought of himself as romantic before, but Diana had turned him into a different man, one with passion and desire instead of single-minded revenge.
“Yes!” she cried, stepping ahead of him and turning to look him directly into his face, all the while walking backwards. “You are one of the most romantic people I have ever known. What was it you wrote to me? Your beauty is imprinted on my mind?”
“Oh,” he said, eyebrows raised, “so, you have memorized the letter, have you? And you say it is me who is the romantic.”
Her cheeks colored but she pushed her lips together in suppressed laughter.
“I did not ever say I was not a romantic,” she said, turning and falling back into step with Isaac. “And neither did I memorize it, but when there is a line as lovely as that, it is hard not to remember it.”
“All right,” he said, again forcing his lips into a line. “I believe you.”
“Look,” she said, pointing over to the cast iron bench ahead of them. “That’s my favorite reading spot. Shall we sit awhile?”
“Let’s,” he said.
“Diana, I must talk to you.”
Diana turned to look at her sister in surprise. She had burst into her chambers with quite an energy, and her face looked dreadfully serious. Diana closed her book gently and looked up at Celine.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes,” Celine said, nodding slowly. “Yes, it’s more than all right. I’m just…I’m still trying to get my head around it.”
“Around what, Dear? Come, sit with me for a moment.”
“It’s Lord Percy.” Celine sat next to her sister, still shaking her head in bewilderment.
“What about him? Goodness, Celine, don’t keep me waiting like this. You tease me too often like that.”
“It’s…he wrote to me, and—”
“And what!”
“He has written to Father.” Celine turned to look at Diana properly, and Diana was pleased to see joy rather than misery in her sister’s eyes.
“And what did he say?”
“They have made arrangements,” Celine said, “for our betrothal. Diana—Lord Percy and I are to marry!”
Chapter 24
Diana had changed for dinner that evening, putting on a gown that was perhaps too grand for the occasion, but she felt so happy she couldn’t resist the bright-blue gown that she knew accentuated the curves of her breast. The silk draped over her, sensual and delicate, and she had paired it with a simple sapphire necklace that glimmered in the light.
She was purposely late for dinner, wanting—to her own embarrassment—to make an entrance and impress Isaac. It worked, for when she entered the room, he was already seated, and he gasped at the sight of her. Try as she might, she could not stop herself from grinning, his mouth hung open and desire registering in his eyes. It was Celine who spoke first, though.
“My, Diana, you look wonderful,” she said, her own fingers toying with the pearls at her neck.
“Thank you, Celine dear,” Diana said, smiling at her.
“Yes,” Isaac said, although his voice cracked, and he needed to clear his throat. “Yes,” he said, firmer this time. “You look absolutely—” he trailed off.
“You approve, then?” Diana asked.
“I…yes,” he repeated.
That she had rendered him insensible pleased her. She had so often craved his body, dreamed about touching him, thought of his lips upon hers, upon her. And while she thought he returned the desire, to see him in such a state both amused and reassured her.
“Are you going to take a seat?” Celine asked, and Diana started. She realized she had simply been standing there, basking in his stares.
“Oh, yes,” she said, “of course.”
“Good,” Celine said. “Because I am positively famished and I, for one, would like to eat sooner rather than later.”
“You’re always positively famished,” Diana said. “Perhaps it’s thanks to how much you talk.”
“You are probably right,” Celine said, chuckling. “Your Grace, does she tease you as she does me?”
“I do not believe Lady Diana to have harsh bone in her body,” he replied, although he looked at Diana as he spoke. She felt a shiver run down her spine and she took a deep breath to steady herself. “But yes, she teases me awfully.”
“Well, whatever the case. As you are soon to be my brother-in-law,” Celine said, “I am glad we have this chance to get to know one another.”
“As am I,” Isaac said.
Diana could see the surprise in his eyes. She herself was outspoken enough, but with two confident ladies in the room, she had no doubt Isaac found himself somewhat silenced.
“Excellent. How do you find being Duke?”
“Celine, really,” Diana said, her brows furrowed.
“It’s all right, My Lady,” Isaac said. “I really don’t mind answering your Sister’s questions. She has as much right to ensure my suitability as your Father does.”
“Well, not quite, but thank you for the compliment, Your Grace.” Celine grinned at Diana, and Diana rolled her eyes.
“Very well,” she said, “but be polite, Celine.”
“As I always am,” Celine said. “So, do you like being Duke?”
“It is a very privileged position that I am lucky to be in,” he said. He motioned to Miller to fill up his wine glass then took a large gulp.
<
br /> “That is not what I asked,” Celine said.
“Celine!”
“It’s quite all right,” Isaac said, leaning over in Diana’s direction. Then, to Celine, he said, “Yes. I cannot deny that sometimes it is hard work, but overall, I am glad I am a Duke.”
“And what of your family?” Celine asked.
“Please, Your Grace,” Diana said. “Do not feel you must answer her incessant questioning.”
“Really,” he reiterated, “it’s all right. I am sad to say that both my parents have died. It is just my Brother and I.”
“Oh, I am sorry to hear that,” Celine said. “How is your Brother?”
“He is…let’s just say he is well enough,” Isaac said, and he took another large gulp of his wine.
Diana could see him squirm in his seat and wondered at his reaction. He seemed entirely happy with the questioning until then, but as soon as the topic of his brother was raised, he became uncomfortable.
Perhaps there are difficulties with his Brother that I know nothing of.
The plates were brought out then, and Diana silently thanked them for the interruption. The tension in the room had begun to bristle, and Diana looked cautiously from Isaac to Celine and back again.
As much as she loved her sister for caring so much, she cursed her for her impropriety and lack of manners, too. She wanted only for the three of them to have a pleasant evening together, and for Isaac to feel at peace in her home.
“I hear you have recently become betrothed to the Earl of Wensworth,” Isaac said, picking up his cutlery and cutting into his meat.
“Yes,” Celine gushed. “Isn’t it wonderful?” She looked at the wall and Diana wondered if she did so to better picture her soon-to-be husband.
“It is indeed,” Isaac said. “I offer you my congratulations, and all the best for the future.” He raised his fork to his mouth and ate a piece of pheasant.
“Thank you,” Celine said, finally picking up her own knife and fork.
“Goodness,” Isaac said, wide-eyed. “This bird is perfectly cooked. Please send my compliments to the cook.”
He looked up at Miller, who nodded his understanding. Diana’s heart swelled again. He was such a kind-hearted man, and although he knew how to manage the servants and reprimand them if necessary, she liked that he was kind to them, too.
“We are very lucky here,” Celine said. “Mrs. Moore is an excellent cook.”
“I, myself, have a wonderful cook,” Isaac said, before turning to Diana. “I don’t doubt that you shall be eating her food sooner rather than later.”
“Goodness yes,” Diana said. “I had not thought of that. But isn’t it strange to imagine? I have never lived anywhere but here.”
“You will adore Gallonon Hall,” he said. “And I already have in mind the perfect spot in the garden where I shall put a bench on which you can read.”
Diana felt a flutter in her heart. That he could be so thoughtful proved, yet again, that she was right in her view of him.
“That is most kind,” she said, smiling up at him, sweet and thankful.
“It really is,” Celine added. “As you know, my Sister lives with her nose in a book.”
“Not always,” Diana said. “I occasionally do other things, too.”
“I do not doubt it,” Isaac said, chuckling. “Although there is nothing at all wrong with being an avid reader.”
“I hope you shall also visit us at Gallonon Hall, once we are married, Lady Celine.”
“I most certainly will, Your Grace,” Celine said. “I shall want to try at least a little fare from this wonderful cook of yours.”
“Celine! Really, you are being far too forward now. Have I taught you nothing?”
Isaac laughed.
“It’s all right. I cannot profess to wonderful food and not expect Lady Celine to wish to try it. Besides, we are almost family now.”
Diana flushed at the thought. As true as it may be, the idea seemed equally unearthly as it did exciting. To be married—and with child in time—was something she had so desperately imagined of for so long that now it was happening seemed as though she was living a dream.
“Family,” Celine said with a smile, “I like the sound of that.”
“Family,” Isaac said with a nod.
“Yes,” Diana said, her cheeks pink and her blue eyes sparkling, “Family.”
Chapter 25
The following day, Isaac had risen early, dreams of his beautiful betrothed having kept him up most of the night. He had dreamed of her, naked and calling his name. She had been lying on his bed, covered initially by a fur blanket, and as she moved, different parts of her body became visible.
A thigh, white and smooth and soft. A nipple, hardening against the fresh air. The gentle curve of her waist, the flash of hair between her legs.
“Isaac,” she had whispered. “I love you. I want you.”
He had gone to her, and just as he had put a hand to her breast, he jolted awake, his sheets soaked with sweat from both the summer heat and from desire.
Now, as he ran his hand down the length of the dappled-gray mare’s neck, whispering sweet words in her ear, he thought of Diana again, and of how lucky he was to have found her.
Thoughts of his brother, of their plan, tried to push their way into his mind but every time, he pushed them back out, blocking them, refusing to let them destroy these happy days. He knew that, ultimately, he would have to deal with the situation one way or another but for now, he would ignore it. He had a lady to love and love her he did.
The mare was already saddled, and she waited patiently for her next instructions, her ears twitching and her tail flicking at the summer flies.
“You’re a good girl,” Isaac whispered. “You’ll carry Lady Diana safely, won’t you?”
He didn’t hear Diana approach until she spoke.
“There is only one horse,” she said, surprised. Isaac grinned at her.
“One is all we need,” he said.
This was a controversial move on his part, and he hoped more than anything that it worked for him. But Diana seemed not to understand his intention—or if she did, she did not mind. He felt a leap of happiness inside him, his heart swelling at the sight of her.
“She’s beautiful,” Diana said, stepping forward to stroke the mare. The horse turned snorted hot air in her face, and Diana laughed, the happy noise filling the air and filling his soul.
“She is that. Your Father has good stock,” Isaac said, patting the horse’s flank.
“I’ve always liked to watch them—such graceful creatures—but to ride? I don’t know, Isaac. I am not sure I can do it alone.”
She did not understand my intention, then.
“Who says you will be doing it alone?” he asked, cocksure and bold-faced, but teasing with it.
“There is only one horse,” she repeated, a little more forcefully this time.
Her voice is music to my soul.
“As I said. We only have need for one.” He looked at her for a long moment, and she looked back questioningly. He didn’t answer her, but merely asked, “Are you ready?”
She stared at him for a moment more, although this time with surprise and fear, and he had the terrifying thought that he had read the situation entirely incorrectly.
Perhaps she does not want this.
But then she licked her lips and smiled broadly at him.
“Yes, all right,” she said. “I am ready.”
He put a hand out for her to step into, and then he hoisted her up onto the horse until she sat with her legs gently crossed on the one side. She let out another ringing laugh, and he laughed with her this time.
“Settled?” he asked. She squirmed forward and leaned over the horse’s neck as though to wrap her arms around him.. He could see her holding on so tight that her knuckles had turned white. She looked at him and nodded.
“All right then,” he said, “hold on.”
With that, he lifted himself
up and over the horse, until he sat behind her, pushing himself close into her.
There were so close, their bodies touching, bare flesh just a gown away. He breathed in her scent, inhaled the aroma around her. Then, slowly, he reached around her waist and took hold of the reins.
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