“Mary,” she said. Her pulse was racing. She had never been so dependent on the good will of another before.
“Yes, My Lady?” she replied, looking up at her curiously.
“I need for you to do something for me,” Diana said, swallowing. “I’m afraid that I’ll be asking a lot of you.”
“What is it, My Lady?” Mary tilted her head to the side curiously.
“I need you to cover for me,” she explained. “I’ll need you to accompany me somewhere, and then I’ll need you to tell my father and my aunt that we went elsewhere.”
“Is it worth the risk, My Lady?” Mary was biting her lip.
She smiled half-heartedly. “Absolutely, Mary.”
“What is it?”
“I need to go and see Lord Cambolton,” Diana explained. “My father has ended our courtship, but I can’t live without him. I need to go and meet with him, to talk about what we plan to do. I need you to keep this from my father and my aunt. They can’t know a thing, even if they ask. Can I trust you to do that?” Diana hated asking Mary to lie for her, but she had been driven to this. She was in an impossible situation, which she didn’t know how to get herself out of.
“I know that we don’t know each other well, My Lady,” Mary said. “But I have the feeling that you don’t have many people that you can trust.”
“Only you and my sister,” she admitted. “And Lord Cambolton.” She would have liked to have trusted that her father had her best interests at heart. But how could she, when he was so dead set against her being with the love of her life? His refusal to see it broke her heart even further.
Mary nodded. “You can count on me, My Lady. And I don’t mind lying—not if it’s for a good cause.” She paused. “I’m sure God will understand.”
Diana felt a surge of relief and gratitude.
“Thank you, Mary.” She took her by the hand. “It means the world to me.”
Mary smiled at her. She looked fearful, but resolute. “I’ll get ready to leave, My Lady.”
* * *
Elijah ate luncheon, then went out to the millhouse to wait for her. He didn’t know what time Diana would show up, or if she would be able to. He waited, listening to the sound of the wheel, turning. To the river as it flowed past.
It was peaceful in here, almost a comfort after all of the upset. He felt like he was in the center of a great storm, which threatened him. There was so much that hung in the balance.
He didn’t want his courtship to be over. He wanted Diana. He wanted a life with her. He sat by the window, watching the river as it flowed by. He let his mind wander, as he often did. Before, though, it was in the anticipation of marrying Diana. His thoughts had been of a happy bent. Now, though, it was with great sadness.
He would arrive home, to find her there, waiting for him. She would smile up at him, and then he would kiss her soundly. They would proceed upstairs, to the bed chamber.
He shook his head, sighing.
That’s all ended, now. It will never happen. And it’s all my fault.
He glanced up at the sun. It was beginning to slip away, down toward the line of trees which separated the Cambolton estate from Lutterhall.
What if she doesn’t show up? What if I never see her again?
It was almost too much to bear. He would wait. Today, tomorrow. If she didn’t show up by the third day, then that meant it was over, beyond repair. He would have the house shut up, and he would go to London.
I can sell the estate. Give up entirely.
What was a Viscount, without an heir? After all, there was no distant relative to inherit. He was the very last of the line. The family ended with him.
Never in his life had he ever felt so hopeless. Yet, he still harbored a small ounce of hope—that by seeing her, speaking with her, that something would be solved. That perhaps, they could go on. Together, they could convince her father to change his mind.
But it was a small sliver, one which would be extinguished forever if she did not show up. He paced back and forth. His skin tingled in anticipation of seeing her.
* * *
Diana crept down to the stables. She had dried her tears, and was now utterly resolute. Despite what her father had said, she was going to see Elijah. She knew that together, they would figure out what to do.
When two people were in love, then nothing could stand in their way. It was when she and Elijah were together that they were better. She found the groom, brushing her father’s horse.
“My Lady,” he said, bowing to her. “What can I do for you?”
“How much can I pay you to keep a secret?” she asked the groom. She took out her purse. She didn’t have much, but she could sell some of her jewelry, in order to get more.
He cocked his head to the side. “My Lady?”
“How much did Lady Eleonora pay you to saddle her horse in secret?” she asked, steeling herself. This was the part which could go horribly awry. Particularly if he refused, and then told her father.
He leaned in, whispering to her. “Her lady’s maid was the one that came, never Lady Eleonora.”
“I see.”
“I didn’t know that it was Lady Eleonora who was leaving Lutterhall,” he explained. “Sarah lied to me. Told me that she needed a horse, saddled, to go into town to see her sweetheart. I could lose my job over it, My Lady.”
“How much is your silence worth?” she asked, her heart racing. She could sell her jewels, to pay for it. He studied her, squinting a little. He seemed to decide something.
“Why do you need to go?”
“I can sell my jewels,” she went on. “I can make it worth your time.”
He sighed, shaking his head.
“No, My Lady. I’ll just have the horse ready. She’ll be in her stall. You just send word.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
Ultimately, he had taught her something—Eleonora had sent Sarah. Which meant that Diana should do the same. No one was watching for a lady’s maid. But her father would be keeping an eye on Diana.
Chapter 23
It was late in the afternoon when Diana snuck out, using the servants’ back hallway, like her sister had.
Her heart was racing as she walked down to the end of the garden. She paused, pretending that she was checking the flowers, when she was really making sure that no one had followed her out.
She stopped, leaning down. She glanced back. Her father stood in the window of his study. She glanced back down. When she looked again, he had disappeared, the curtains fluttering.
Diana moved fast, disappearing behind the hedgerow. She broke into a run, until she reached the garden wall. In the very center of the great stone wall, there was a wooden door. She stuck the key into the lock, turning it. She went through, locking it again behind her.
Mary stood waiting for her, holding the reins of two horses. One was an older gray pony, which belonged to Lutterhall Manor for the servants’ use. The other was Diana’s black mare, Delilah.
“Did anyone follow you?” Diana asked.
“No, My Lady. No one paid me any mind,” Mary replied. “We’ve been out here for a long while, and no one’s come along.”
“Good.”
Quietly, they both mounted. Then, Diana urged her mare into a canter, heading into the woods. She felt better once they were under the cover of the trees.
Overhead, birds flitted among the branches. She was tense, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be out there. Her pulse soared as they rode along the forest path. Anyone could come along, and figure out where they were headed. They would surely tell her father. After all, Diana didn’t often go riding in the woods. After Eleonora’s accident, she largely avoided them.
When her horse rounded the bend, into the drive of Cambolton House, she pulled Delilah to a halt. She had to make sure that she wasn’t seen. She dismounted, then looked up at Mary.
“Wait here,” she said. “I’ll be back as soon as I’ve had a moment to speak to him.”
<
br /> “Very good, My Lady.”
“Thank you, Mary.” She handed Delilah’s reins to Mary, who had dismounted her own horse.
Before leaving the woods, Diana looked about. She could see several servants, milling about Cambolton House. No one was paying any attention. She made her way to the millhouse.
She entered, and he turned toward her. They both stared at each other for a moment. She was so relieved that he was there. She ran to him. He wrapped his arms around her, and she held him close. There was a lump in her throat. She looked up at him, tears blurring the image of him.
He kissed her. She could feel tears streaming down her cheeks. She pulled away.
“What are we going to do?” she asked, devastated.
“Do you think we could convince him otherwise?” he asked. “What did he say?”
“My father says that I can do better. But I know that you love me, as I do you. I will never find another gentleman who cares for me as you do.”
“I love you, Diana. No matter what happens, I will always love you.”
“I cannot marry another,” she promised him. “Not when I know you’re right here.”
He beamed at her, leaning in to kiss her again. The kiss lengthened, becoming desperate. She ached for him, even though he was there.
“If this is the last time that we’re going to be together,” she told him, breathlessly, “then I want to make it count.”
“This can’t be,” he said, reaching up to wipe away her tears.
“Please,” she whispered. “Love me.”
Their eyes met. He placed his hands on her waist, picking her up, and setting her on the table. His lips found hers. Diana grabbed fistfuls of his jacket. His hands slipped up, beneath her skirts, over the outsides of her thighs.
“I won’t ruin you,” he promised, his breath hot against her neck. She opened her legs for him, though he used his fingers. She had never been touched there, nor had she ever thought to touch herself in the way that he was.
The forbidden delight of it was overwhelming. She felt herself warm, at his touch. She stiffened, crying out as her core began to pulse. It felt like she was filled with butterflies, the same time a crackling rush of pleasure accompanied it.
She panted, falling into his arms. She clung to him, as if they were at the very center of a storm. He kissed her, tenderly.
“I am yours,” he said. “No matter what happens.”
“And I am yours. I will fight my father, if I have to.” She leaned back, to look at him. Now they were even closer than they had been before. There was no going back for her. She was bound to Elijah.
* * *
After their fevered, hungry kissing, he clung to her. The storm that he had believed himself to be alone in, had swept the both of them along together. He wanted her, more than ever. He knew that she wanted him, just the same.
“What are we going to do?” he asked. He was covered in the scent of her. He craved her, even more. He looked at her, his eyes going to her kiss-swollen lips.
“I don’t know,” she said. “We’ll figure out something.”
“I was considering going to London,” he said. “But I can’t. Not if you think that there’s hope for us.”
“There’s always hope,” she said.
They were both silent. Elijah wanted her to come to him like this, every day. It might be too much to ask, but he had to ask her. It was safe for her to travel the woods during the day.
“Will you meet me here?” he asked. “Every day?”
“Yes,” she agreed immediately. “We’ll come up with a solution. I can’t stay away from you, no matter what my father says.”
He nodded, feeling that small sliver of hope widen. If they both worked together, then they would solve this. He trusted in them, in her. That’s what two people who loved each other did.
“Diana,” he said, remembering the other thing that he needed to ask her about. He couldn’t believe that he had almost forgotten about it entirely.
“Yes?” she asked. He could see himself mirrored back at him in her brown eyes. He took her hand in his.
“What day was Eleonora’s accident?” he asked her.
“February fifth,” she said. “Why?”
Elijah exhaled.
Just what I suspected.
“That was the day that my father was last seen alive,” he told her. “He was noticed missing the next morning, then discovered dead in the cottage several days later.”
She exhaled, seeming to deflate. He held her hand, allowing her a few moments to acclimate. It was a horrifying revelation. That two people that they loved had gone into the woods that night, and then were never the same again.
“I wonder—if we show Eleonora a picture of your father…” She looked up him. “Do you have a miniature of your father? I would bring her here, to look at a painting, but…”
“I can look for one,” he said, wondering if there were any. It would certainly be difficult to bring Lady Eleonora there. Especially since their father was so set against Elijah.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she promised, raising his hand to her lips. His skin tingled at the touch of her lips.
“Yes,” he replied. “Be careful, going through the woods.” He feared for her safety, and wished that there was any other way.
“They met at night,” Diana pointed out. “When everything is infinitely more dangerous. I doubt that I’ll be attacked in broad daylight. I’ll have Mary with me.”
“True,” he said. “But I can’t live without you, so please take care.”
He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was fierce. It spoke of their passion for each other. The love that they shared ran deep. He couldn’t let her go, but had no other choice.
“I will be here,” he promised. “Waiting for you.”
“Good.” She looked down at their clasped hands, then looked up at him.
“Come,” he said, tucking her hand into the bend of his elbow. “I’ll accompany you to your horse.”
He walked with her, to the edge of the woods, where her lady’s maid waited. He was glad that she hadn’t come alone. That was smart. All too soon, they vanished into the woods. Elijah turned back toward his home.
Chapter 24
When Diana returned home, she found her aunt and father, sitting in the parlor. In the course of an hour, she felt changed. She had never been so certain of something than she was in the love that she shared with Elijah. She composed herself as she studied them.
“Good afternoon,” she said. Her aunt looked bored as she worked on a cross-stitch pattern. Her father looked pleased, which put Diana on her guard.
“Where were you, Diana?” her father asked.
“I took a walk. I needed to clear my mind.”
“How was it?”
“It was very pleasant,” she replied, sitting down.
She wondered if she should tell him, about the coinciding of Eleonora’s accident and the late Lord Cambolton’s death. She decided not to. Not before she had fully thought it through.
And not in front of Aunt Clarabelle.
“Good to hear,” he said. “I have written to the Duke of Morrow. I’ve asked him to come and hunt with me.”
She froze. They would be in the woods, when she was racing off to go and meet with Lord Cambolton. “Oh.” She knew exactly why the Duke of Morrow was suddenly welcome there.
“Barnabas,” Aunt Clarabelle said disapprovingly. “Can you not give Diana some time to grieve? She’s just had her courtship ended.”
“I would like for her to be married, as soon as possible.”
“I would marry Lord Cambolton this evening,” Diana said.
“Out of the question!” Her father grimaced.
“Very well. Excuse me. I am very tired.” she got up and left the room. As she walked out, she heard her aunt speak.
“I don’t understand why you persist in this manner,” she muttered. “Lord Cambolton would have made you a very fine son-i
n-law.”
The door closed after her. She paused outside of it, to listen. Her aunt’s defense of Elijah was a bit of a relief.
“It isn’t up to you, Clarabelle,” her father said.
What followed then was silence. Diana walked down the hallway. She felt as though all of her energy had been sapped. The idea of having to play hostess to the Duke of Morrow was like salt in a wound.
Sinfully Bound To The Enigmatic Viscount (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 16
