Diana stood as something settled in her belly. Something she didn’t like. Fear began to bloom as her eyes followed Lily. What did she run from? Diana began to shake. She had to hold the chair arm in an effort not to run from the room, from him.
Then Lily gasped and fell to the ground.
With grace, of course.
Diana took a breath and took to her chair, but her heart didn’t slow. She was still shaking.
Lily was unaware as she popped her head up from the ground. “Well?”
“You’re too tense,” Diana said more harshly than she thought. “Your limbs, I can see you are trying to control them, lock them in place.”
“What do you mean?” Lily stood and stared at her patiently. There were no tears at Diana’s cruel tone, just earnest wonder. Had there ever been a more self-assured girl than she?
Diana looked away. “Your… arms and legs should seem as though nothing held them but air even while you use all your strength to keep them that way.”
“I don’t understand,” Lily said.
“Well, I can’t help you.” Helping her meant showing her, and Diana didn’t dance anymore.
“Very well.” Lily went back to the tea tray and reached for a cake.
“You’ll never dance if you continue to eat that way.”
Lily pulled her hand back and glared at Diana. “How would you know? You don’t even dance.”
Diana pressed her lips together. “I…” She stood. “You should go.”
“You’re just jealous.” Lily returned to her feet, her brown eyes challenging her. “Uncle Aaron said other girls will be envious of my moves.”
Diana scoffed. “See here—”
Lily turned away, as though Diana wasn’t even standing in the room, anymore. The cut direct was delivered with the skill of a queen. “This has been a disappointment. Uncle Frank led me to believe you were of the caliber of Diana Banns. Now I see otherwise.”
“I am Diana Banns.”
Lily laughed and managed to give Diana a pitying look at the same time. She was a vicious creature. “And I’m the Queen of England.”
“Your majesty.” Diana dropped into a dramatic curtsy, then, instead of simply straightening, Diana began to dance. She ignored the fear that began to rise, allowing herself to be lost to the music that played in her mind. She thought of the last performance she’d done, the one Lily recalled from the previous year. It was one Monsieur Groux had dared to create, himself. Unusually, the ballet was not full of romance, but Groux had always been a daring man, and he only hired men and women who dared to push the boundaries of the art. Diana pushed herself through the moves until she didn’t have to push anymore, until it was natural and so very different than how she’d performed for the Earl of Dahl. This dance was done without lingering danger or pain.
She spun. Again, and again.
And leaped.
There was no pain.
Only… peace.
She ended in another bow, before her eyes found Lily’s once again.
Lily stood by the door, stunned into speechlessness.
A first.
Then the girl started clapping and her face broke into a smile before she crossed to Diana and wrapped her arms around her. “Oh, Miss Banns. You’re perfect.”
Perfect.
Her?
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13
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
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Frank crossed to the side table and poured himself a drink. Usually, he didn’t partake of anything stronger than wine while working, but at this point, he was out of options. Lily was his last hope.
“I didn’t know ballerinas did so well.” Christin, the Countess of Jeanshire commented; as she glanced round the room from the couch; where she sat with her husband. “You mean she lives here on her own, or does Bancroft own it?”
Aaron, Earl of Jeanshire, waited for a response as well. Frank had known they’d have questions, many he’d be unable to answer, but he trusted his friends more than anyone else, and knew they’d be discreet. “I’m not at liberty to say.” Christin might know of Diana’s connection to Bancroft, but Frank knew it best not the mention that this was his residence. That they knew Diana to be in the house was more than enough. “And though I’m unable to give you more details than what was in my letter, I trust you’ll both be discreet?”
“You know we will, or we’d not have come,” Aaron said. He’d received Frank’s letter yesterday, and though the details had been vague, his friend had still come with his family. Mary and Tina, their other charges, who were both eight, had gone for a walk through the forest with their governess.
He’d not been surprised to find both Aaron and Christin in the foyer a few hours ago. He’d known they’d come, just as they both knew that Frank would always come whenever they called, as well. That was what it meant to be a part of the Men of Nashwood, a secret brotherhood that would never be forsaken.
“Lily will have to remain silent about this visit, as well,”
Frank said.
Christin was a beautiful woman with midnight hair and dark eyes that had an exotic tilt on the ends. He’d seen many cower and grow silent before her whenever she winged a brow, just as Frank did now, in the face of that expression. “Keeping Lily quiet will be quite a feat, especially once she discovers who you’ve invited her to meet.”
A loud thump made them both look up.
“What do you think they’re doing upstairs?” she asked. “Perhaps, I should go check on them. I thought I heard something fall.”
“It was likely Lily dancing,” Aaron replied.
They sat in the corner of the room. The earl’s arm rested behind his wife, holding her close. Frank’s friends had never seen the point of hiding their affection for their wives, so only sought to restrain themselves, when they were amongst those members of the beau monde who would care.
Frank wanted that and hadn’t recalled being drawn to any woman more than Diana. He could barely go a few minutes without recalling the way she’d crawled into his lap, her small hand firmly against his hard cock. He had to grip the sideboard to stop himself from trembling.
And then she’d come into his room the other day, and all he’d been able to do was think of crossing to her, tossing her on the bed, and finishing what they’d begun in the kitchens. He was surprised when Bancroft didn’t arrive that night. He’d have sworn the servants would have gossiped, or even written their employer a detailed letter.
Nothing, and yet Frank still worried. Diana was fragile. He was a wretch for thinking of her as anything more than a patient. She needed him. Not a man who wanted to help himself to anything, and everything, she offered.
He had to stay away. So, he sent in someone he thought might be able to help her. Someone who’d likely been like Diana, a young girl who’d lost everything, but held on to a dream of dancing. And Frank knew of no one who loved the subject more than Lily.
And even better, Lily didn’t need the other party’s participation in order to have a conversation. She had an unwavering strength in herself, that Frank knew came with being raised by Aaron, a man who was just as sure of himself.
He needed that confidence to grow within Diana once more. He needed his goddess to bloom again.
Aaron grinned. “You know how she likes to end her performance in the throes of death.” His blond head bent to her darker one. “She can be quite theatrical.”
How like Lily to take no issue with showing off a skill she was sure she possessed.
And theatrics didn’t begin to describe Lily. Frank’s niece was…. Well, when she came of age, Frank knew she’d be in no way a docile woman. He prayed for the man who thought to marry her for the dowry that Aaron had put upon her. Or worse, the poor gentleman who actually fell for her. If not a man of will, with the strength of steel, he’d soon
find himself questioning his decision.
Frank took a sip of his drink, just as Lily breezed through the open door. Her cheeks were reddened, seeming to prove Aaron’s theory that the noise had come from her dancing.
She sighed in a pleasant manner and then crossed to Frank. Those large brown eyes danced with merriment and her arms came around him. Tightly. She came no higher than his ribs. “Oh, thank you, Uncle Frank. You’re the best uncle in all of England.”
Aaron grunted his offense, though he and his wife grinned.
Frank returned the embrace, growing wary of what had taken place upstairs. Lifting her into his arms, he hoisted her upon the desk, took a step back, and crossed his arms. “What happened?”
“Oh, we had a wondrous time, and she’s a marvelous dancer. No one would ever believe that Miss Diana Banns did a solo performance for my eyes alone. ” Lily seemed enchanted as she kicked her legs, transforming into a girl almost half her age. She was excited, and though it could be quite easy to make Lily happy, she seemed even more so at the moment.
And why wouldn’t she be? Frank could hardly believe what she was telling him. Diana had danced for her? He narrowed his eyes at the girl. Lily could be mischievous at times, but he’d never known her to be a liar. More than anyone cared for, the child could be quite blunt.
“She danced for you,” Frank said, simply for clarification.
“Yes, and she plans to do it again tomorrow. She’s requested to tutor me.” Lily hopped off the desk and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Frank asked.
She smiled at the room. “To tell Mary and Tina my news!” Then the child sprinted away before anyone could stop her.
Frank turned to Aaron and Christin and found them to be looking at one another.
Then Christin turned to Frank. “We didn’t expect this outcome, though I know how unwise it would be to take back such a gift. Miss Banns is likely one of this era’s greatest dancers. We’d be foolish to turn her offer down.”
Frank’s mind was running, pacing in ways his feet never could, thinking of the situation from every angle. Had his plan truly returned Diana to her feet? He’d been here less than a week.
“Hello, you must be the Earl of Jeanshire and Lady Jeanshire.” Diana stood by the door and bowed before coming fully into the room.
He’d not seen her that morning but was sure he’d never quite seen her like this. She had danced. Her skin looked warm and alluring. Her eyes held some hesitation, and her fingers were in small fists, but she seemed… stronger.
Then, as if realizing it, she released her fists, just as Aaron and Christin stood.
But his gaze remained with her. He told himself that his analysis of her was purely for the sake of science, but he was mildly surprised that when he touched his mouth, there was no hint of drool. She was beautiful.
“Miss Banns, I’m glad to see you are well,” Christin said, with quite some emotion.
Diana smiled, in a way that Frank was sure men in London would remember. “Thank you, and I believe I also owe you a thank you, for sending Dr. Lockwood to my brother.” She finally glanced at him, but only for a second. “His aid has been invaluable.”
“I’ve hardly done anything,” he said.
“You know that’s not true.” Those eyes returned to him, filled with something he couldn’t identify. Then she shook her head and looked at Christin. “Your niece could be a phenomenal dancer if you allow her the opportunity. I’m amazed that she’s had no training before.”
Aaron looked proud. “You’ll never meet a girl more clever or astute.”
Oh, yes, Frank agreed. Lily was astute, sharper than many girls twice her age.
“What would you need from us to begin her training?” Christin turned to Frank. “Does she need her doctor’s permission?”
Diana looked at him and he tried to read her eyes, but couldn’t.
He turned to Christin and Aaron. “Excuse us for a moment.” He directed Diana to proceed him from the room and then guided her down the hall. “How are you feeling?”
Diana’s eyes widened. “I believe this is the first time you’ve asked me that.”
He hadn’t asked before, because there’d been no point. He knew how she’d felt. Broken. Once recognized, what was the point in reminding someone of it over and over again? Frank saw none, and thus, he’d directed their conversations elsewhere.
Diana sighed. “I… I’m unsure of how I feel.” She stared at him then, expectantly.
Frank thought of what he should say, trying to see her as a patient once again, and not a desirable woman. “Uh… How does the thought of teaching Lily make you feel?”
“I don’t know that either, but I do know that if I commit to doing this, I will see it through. I’d never want my actions to hurt her in any way.”
He smiled. She was concerned for Lily’s feelings, and her growing ability. It might be good for her to focus on someone else for a while, but at the same time, she’d also be focused on something she did well. He nodded, more to himself than her. “I think you should do it.”
“You don’t question if I can?” She obviously did. Her brows were lowered. “It was only days ago, when I told you that I was going mad.”
“You thought you were going mad, but you’re not.” He’d seen mad, on many a visit to Bedlam and Newgate. “You can do this.”
She hesitated. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve no doubt.” He wanted to touch her. Just her hands, but he knew that even that amount of connection would be too much for him. He needed to withdraw further, for as she got stronger, and became herself once again, he’d find it even harder to resist her.
She moved closer. “Don’t tell my brother about any of this just yet.” Her voice was just above a whisper. “I… don’t wish him to know. He’d come if he knew, and I’m not ready—”
“Done. Whatever you need.”
Her eyes warmed. She touched his chest, but barely added pressure. “Dr. Lockwood, you should be more mindful of the promises you give a woman.”
He wouldn’t take back his words, though he prayed her question would not be one that asked him to act ungentlemanly. Unethically.
“I amend my comment from yesterday.” She retracted her hand. “A wife would wait patiently for your attention, if this is what she was to expect once she had it.” And then before he could comment on the boldness of her statement, she turned to leave. There was a lift in her steps that hadn’t been there before.
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14
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CHAPTER FOURTEEN
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Diana touched Lily’s shoulders, and found her alignment to be perfect. As the young girl’s arms were stretched out to her sides, Diana tested the muscles. Ballet was all about the strength in one’s body, and without it, one could never expect to accurately complete any of the moves.
Taking a step back, she directed Lily through a series of moves, watching the girl’s footwork as she moved across Bancroft’s ballroom.
This was a part of the house Diana had avoided, until the second day of Lily’s instruction. It had been two months since they’d begun. The season was well over, but the summer heat would cause occasion for many of the season’s participants to retreat to the country.
Lily’s parents were at such a country home. They’d gone to the Duke and Duchess of Cort’s castle, along with a few other powerful men and women that Diana had learned through Lily, were Frank’s friends. It was likely that her doctor had been invited at well, but he’d remained to see to her health.
And Diana had to say that she was improving. Exponentially. Working with Lily had been the best idea, yet. In Lily, she saw so much potential, and the girl was easy to train, because she wanted nothing more than to be the best.
Diana Sensational Spinster's Society (The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 9
