“Congratulations, My Lady.”
“Thank you, Mary,” she said. “I need to look perfect.”
“Indeed, you do, My Lady.” Mary turned toward her armoire, pulling the gown from its depths.
Diana was nervous. She had never sought her father’s approval in a manner such as this before. Her whole life depended upon the success of his meeting with Lord Cambolton the next day.
Chapter 11
Elijah arrived at Lutterhall Manor the next evening. It was a large stone mansion, which was nearly a castle. It didn’t have the same feel as Cambolton House. It was much grander, by far. Oak trees lined the drive, and there were green fields, full of sleek horses.
He was shown into the parlor, where Lady Diana was waiting for him. Her lady’s maid was seated in an armchair in the corner. The parlor was decorated in dark blue. It was a masculine room, with imposing furniture and dark paintings.
“My father should be down at any moment,” she explained. She was dressed in the champagne silk that she had worn to Aston Manor. It already seemed to be slipping off of her shoulders. It showed off her voluptuous figure—the hourglass shape of her waist, and the swell of her breasts and hips.
“It’s good to see you,” he said, taking her hand and bowing to her. She wore a pair of silk gloves, which went above her elbows. He craved the feel of her skin against his. The tantalizing warmth through the gloves only teased him.
“And you,” she replied, curtsying elegantly. They both sat across from each other. He could feel the distance between them, wanting nothing more than to move closer. He reached out, and she took his hand. He brushed his thumb against the back of her hand. Their eyes met, and he felt like he’d been struck.
The door opened, and they both let go. A maid peered inside. “My Lady, My Lord,” she said, curtsying. “Lady Eleonora is indisposed, and will not be attending this evening.”
“Thank you, Sarah.” Lady Diana looked sad.
“Who is Lady Eleonora?” Elijah asked.
“My sister,” Lady Diana explained. “She was in an accident, several months ago.”
“How?”
“She had snuck out. She was then thrown from the horse that she had been riding, and hit her head on a rock. She had a massive head injury, and almost died of it. She’s not been herself, though she still lives.”
Lady Diana’s eyes were faraway, tears sparkling in them. She swallowed, then went on.
“She says that she remembers going to meet someone, but not who or why.”
“I’m so sorry to hear of it.” He truly was. He knew what it was like to lose a loved one.
“Thank you,” she said, looking at him with a small, sad smile. “I worry for her. I worry that she’ll never be well again.” The tears were still in her eyes. He wished that he could hold her. He wanted to take away her hurt, but knew that there was no way for it to be done.
The door opened and Lord Lutterhall entered. Elijah stood up. He was a tall, slim gentleman, whose only look in common with his daughter was his coloring. He adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. He studied Elijah for a full moment.
“Lord Cambolton,” he said, sternly. “Welcome to my home. My daughter speaks very highly of you.”
“Thank you for hosting me this evening,” Elijah said, bowing to him.
“You’re very welcome here.” Lord Lutterhall’s cool tone suggested otherwise. “Would you like some brandy?”
“Yes, please.”
The butler hurried to pour out two glasses. Lady Diana was given a glass of wine. Lord Lutterhall sat down, and Elijah and Lady Diana followed suit.
“What brings you to the countryside?” Lord Lutterhall asked.
“I’m attending to my father’s estate.”
“Ah, yes.” Lord Lutterhall sniffed. “Will you be here long?”
Elijah glanced at Lady Diana, who smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. He smiled. “For the time being.”
Lord Lutterhall had caught the smile that they had shared, and it looked as though he’d smelled something vile.
Not a good sign.
Luckily, the butler came in and announced dinner. Elijah had never before felt like such an intruder. However, he and Lady Diana had an understanding. He was going to follow through, and ask Lord Lutterhall his permission, no matter what.
* * *
Supper was a full five courses, which Diana had spent the whole of yesterday planning with the cook. She had chosen her father’s favorite dishes, in order to put him in an agreeable mood. The kitchen staff at Lutterhall had outdone themselves.
The quail was done to perfection. The skin was crisp, and covered in rosemary. There were roasted potatoes and root vegetables, as well as chocolate torte and ice cream. Her father was forbiddingly silent. He ate sternly, and it was hard for Diana to tell if he enjoyed his meal. She was starting to worry, something that she hadn’t expected. She had thought that he’d be pleased that she had found a gentleman to marry.
“Since Lord Cambolton is new to the area, I’ve made it my duty to introduce him to all members of the ton,” she said, as they were eating.
“My daughter knows all of the local gentry,” her father said. “I am sure that since she has taken it upon herself, you will be well-known in no time at all.”
“I am grateful to her,” Lord Cambolton said, smiling. Diana grinned back at him, though her stomach was doing nervous flips. Her father’s mood didn’t bode well.
“Why have you not been in the area? Surely, you had breaks from school?” He placed a bite in his mouth and chewed, his brow raised.
“I did. They were spent mostly in London. My father was adamant about it.”
“How odd,” her father remarked. “From what I know of him, he loved it in the countryside.”
“Did you know my father well?”
“As much as one can know a neighbor, I suppose,” he said. “I remember that there were vicious rumors about him and the death of your mother.”
Diana wondered why her father would bring such a thing up. It was as though he was interrogating Lord Cambolton. He had done no such thing with the Duke of Domnall…which led her to believe that the title mattered more to her father than he’d ever said.
“He was always plagued by rumors that he had been the one who had murdered my mother. It strained our relationship. He wanted me to be free of the rumors. London and the Continent were the best places for it.”
Diana was proud of Lord Cambolton for sticking up for his father. It showed loyalty, something that she valued.
I hope Father will see that he’s perfect for me, in every way.
Her father nodded, slowly, then returned his attention to his food. Diana wondered if they should ask her father about the ball at Albany Manor. Both of her parents would have been guests there. She decided that this wasn’t the time. Lord Cambolton planned to ask him if he could court her.
When they finished, they all stood up. Diana’s heart was racing. She felt like she stood on the edge of a knife. Things could go either way.
She glanced over at Lord Cambolton, who smiled at her, then turned toward her father.
“I was wondering if I might have a private word with you, My Lord,” he said, causing butterflies to awaken in Diana’s stomach. She folded her hands to hide that they shook from nerves.
“Of course,” her father said, though his face was impassive. “We can speak in my study.”
“I will await the two of you in the parlor,” Diana said, curtsying to them both. Her eyes met with Lord Cambolton’s. The two gentlemen walked out of the dining room. She breathed in deeply, then let it out.
She was hopeful. She had never been so certain of a gentleman before. She knew that her future happiness depended upon Lord Cambolton, and her father’s approbation of him. She went to the parlor, where she began to pace.
Mary entered, not long after. She sat quietly working on a piece of embroidery in the corner. Diana sat down on the settee, and then waited.
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* * *
The Earl of Lutterhall’s study was in the same baroque style as the rest of the house. The walls were papered in dark green, and the furniture was large, dark.
Elijah’s heart was knocking about in his chest nervously. The Earl gestured for him to take the seat on the other side of the desk. Elijah sat, watching as the Earl composed himself.
“What is it that you would like to speak with me about?” he asked, cutting to the chase. So Elijah said exactly what he was there to do.
“I would like to ask your permission to court Lady Diana.”
The Earl of Lutterhall blinked at him. “So soon? Did you not meet her just this past week?”
“She has told me that she finds the prospect pleasing to her.”
The Earl seemed shocked. “Truly? My daughter?”
“We are both in agreement, My Lord,” Elijah said. For the first time, he had begun to doubt that he would be successful. He had noted the Earl’s frosty demeanor, and thought that he was merely stern. However, it might be that he did not want Elijah to court his daughter. Though, Elijah didn’t know why.
“She has received offers of marriage, from a Duke and an Earl, and she has turned them down. What makes you so sure that she will accept you, if and when you propose?”
“Because I am falling in love with your daughter.” He said it calmly, though he felt it very strongly.
“Love,” the Earl scoffed. “What have you to offer her?”
“I am expanding my father’s businesses to improve my already substantial income. I can offer her a comfortable life. I will provide for her. She will never want for anything.”
The Earl was facing the window. Outside, it had grown dark. Elijah waited as patiently as he could. He wasn’t entirely sure that the Earl was convinced.
“Well, I suppose I can’t say no to a courtship,” he said at last. “I will have to consider your suit at length, however.” He turned back toward him. “You will have to show me the improvements have been successful, and that you are worthy of marrying the daughter of an Earl.”
“I will, My Lord. Thank you.” Elijah was angry—so he wasn’t a Duke. He was still a gentleman, with a title and all that came with it. He knew better than to be confrontational about it at the moment. He had received the permission that he had sought.
“You may say goodnight to my daughter,” Lord Lutterhall said. “Do not take too many liberties. I don’t know how I feel about you just yet.”
Elijah knew that he’d been dismissed. He bowed stiffly, then left the study, making his way back to the parlor. He didn’t know what to make of the Earl. He was very abrupt in his demeanor.
He supposed that, for a gentleman who cared about titles, the prospect of a Viscount marrying his daughter was a bit of a disappointment. Particularly since it sounded as though his other daughter was too unwell to ever marry at all.
* * *
Diana had been waiting for Lord Cambolton to return. Mary sat silently in the corner. Diana was full of worry—it felt like the butterflies were madly rioting in her stomach. She sat on the settee, staring into the fireplace, which was empty. She fanned her face with her hand. It was a warm evening in the middle of the summer. Sweat beaded on her upper lip. She had removed her gloves, setting them on the table at her side.
She stared into the candle’s flame, the fire dancing in her eyes. She wanted for her father to approve of Lord Cambolton, but she had seen the disapproving quirk to his eyebrow—the way that his mouth had been a firm line. He had been beaming at the Duke of Domnall. His icy tone when he addressed Lord Cambolton had spoken volumes, and Diana was now in a bit of a panic.
She didn’t know what she would do if her father denied Lord Cambolton the permission to court her. Everything between them had been going so well. Before that evening, she had not foreseen this block. She cursed herself for not expecting it, but now everything seemed impossible. There was a lump in her throat.
I need to prepare myself for the worst.
Her father’s word was law at Lutterhall Manor. He remained firm and resolute, like a benevolent tyrant. It was part of the reason that Eleonora had snuck out—Diana knew that if she had been meeting a gentleman on the sly, it was because her sister had known that their father would never give his approval.
The door opened, and Lord Cambolton entered. She stood, walking toward him, her heart leaping into her throat.
“Well?” she asked, unable to stand waiting any longer. “What did he say?”
He smiled at her, and she felt relief welling inside of her like a new spring. “He’s given us his permission for courting.”
“Excellent.” She sighed, her hand on her breastbone. She closed her eyes, letting herself calm down. She had worked herself into a state.
“Only to a courtship, however,” he said. “He doesn’t seem convinced that we should marry.”
Diana’s heart sank. She had seen her father’s doubtful demeanor. She had worried that Lord Cambolton’s status as a Viscount would be a black mark against him.
“I will talk to him,” she said, resolving to fight for this. If her father could find it within him to allow them to court, then perhaps he could be persuaded that they should marry. “I’ll see if I can convince him otherwise, Lord Cambolton.”
I haven’t gotten a chance to tell Father how certain I am of Lord Cambolton, but I plan to. The first chance I get.
He grinned, taking her hand in his, pressing it with his fingers. “Please. We are now courting. You must call me Elijah.” His green eyes sparkled in the candlelight. She positively melted.
“Then you must call me Diana.”
He brought her hand to his lips, gently kissing her knuckles. His lips were warm against her skin. It filled her with a bright golden feeling—her skin tingled where his lips had touched, as though the ghost of the kiss still lingered.
“I must be on my way,” he said. “It’s getting late.”
“When will I see you again?” She wanted to see him the next day. Every day that week, if possible. She craved his presence.
“Tomorrow, perhaps?” he suggested. “I can call on you whenever you’d like.”
“Indeed, I would like that very much,” she said. “We have much to discuss.”
“We do,” he agreed.
She saw him to the door, Mary trailing after them, as silent as a shadow.
“Good night, Diana,” Elijah said to her, bowing.
She curtsied. “Good night, Elijah.” His name, coming from her lips felt like a prayer, one which had been answered. She was beaming. They both looked at each other for a long moment. Diana was memorizing him, to keep her until she saw him again. She could tell he was doing the same. He put his top hat on, then walked out the door.
“I’ll return in the morning,” he promised.
“I’ll expect you at ten of the clock.”
“Of course, My Lady.”
She watched from the doorway, as he accepted his horse’s reins from the groom, then climbed up into the saddle. Every move that he made was deliberate, done with ease of motion. He touched his heels to the horse’s sides, then rode off, down the drive.
When Diana finally turned, she found her father, standing on the steps, watching her. His face was unreadable. She was desperate to know what he thought.
“What did you think of him?” she asked, her heart pounding.
“I think that you can do better. I would prefer that you marry a Duke.”
“I am coming to love him.”
“He says the same of you.” Her father was utterly nonplussed. He believed that love didn’t exist. He had said as much to her before. His views on matrimony were that it be advantageous on both sides, but preferred that his own daughter be the one to benefit.
“Then why are you attempting to keep us apart? Did you not want me to marry as soon as possible?” She was confused. After all, she knew that Cambolton House was a fine, elegant manor, though it had been a long while since she’
d last been a guest there. Elijah was working to improve and expand a business that was already successful. He was wealthy, even if only a Viscount.
“I am going to keep an eye on him,” her father said, turning away to head back up the stairs. “Perhaps I will change my mind after what I see.”
Diana frowned. That did not sound good. She hadn’t been expecting this. She hadn’t expected this at all. Her heart sank with disappointment.
Sinfully Bound To The Enigmatic Viscount (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 7
