“Good,” the marquess replied, his demeanor softening slightly. “Then I trust you will keep your promise.”
Tristan could not help but smile at the marquess’s words. “I am sure that my father would have said exactly the same thing, if he had been around when my sister Cecilia became engaged,” he said. “I quite understand your position, My Lord.”
Lord Kingsman smiled. “I know that I have come across as severe, Tristan, but it is only because I want what’s best for Diana. And if her mother was here, then I am sure she would say the same.”
“It is rather sad, is it not, that all our parents are not here with us, to celebrate,” Diana said, biting her lip.
Tristan took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Perhaps they are looking down on us now,” he said softly. “I am sure that if they are, then they would be happy for us.”
Diana nodded, but did not speak. Tristan could sense the strong emotions that she was feeling. “Shall we sit a while, and talk?” he said, leading her towards a sofa on the other side of the room.
She nodded, and they all sat down together. Lord Kingsman called for tea, and the atmosphere became peaceful between them all again, after the drama and momentous events of the morning.
“I have been thinking about your mother a great deal these last few days,” Lord Kingsman said at last, setting his teacup and saucer down on a small table next to his chair.
“You have?” Diana said, looking at him curiously.
“Yes, I have been wondering how she would have helped you and your sister to navigate everything that has happened over the last few weeks and months,” Lord Kingsman said.
“I think perhaps she would have done a better job of it than me,” Diana said softly.
Her father frowned. “Not at all!” he insisted. “You have done your best, in a difficult situation, and I have every respect for you.” He paused and looked at her closely. “But I admit, now, that I have left too much to you to deal with alone.”
Diana shook her head. “No, Father, that is not true.”
“It is true,” her father said. “And I am ashamed of it. I have been so preoccupied with other things, Diana, with my studies and my interests. But I never meant to burden you with so many responsibilities. You are young, and you should have had more freedom to enjoy yourself.”
“I did not mind, Father,” Diana said softly.
Tristan looked at her and felt a surge of pride. She had taken on so much for her father, and even now, when he was admitting that he should not have burdened her with it all, she would not allow him to blame himself. She really was a remarkable woman, and he was lucky that she had agreed to marry him, especially after the way he had behaved. He promised to himself in that moment that he would never let her down, and that he would do everything in his power to make sure that she had a comfortable and easy life from this moment onwards. As a countess, she would want for nothing, and he intended to provide her with a life of luxury, if that was what she wanted.
“From now on, you will have other things to worry about,” Lord Kingsman said. “You will have a family of your own soon, I am sure.”
Diana blushed at his words, and glanced shyly at Tristan. “I hope that we do, soon,” she replied. “But I will always be here to help and support you, Father, just as I always have done. And Grace too, of course.”
Her father frowned for a moment. “I am worried about our estate, I must confess. But I do not want you to worry about it anymore, Diana. I should never have burdened you with it in the first place.”
“You did what you thought was best, Father,” Diana replied. “And I want you to know that you don’t have to carry it all alone, even now. We can face these challenges together. And I am sure Tristan will help us, too.”
“Of course,” Tristan said, nodding fervently. “I would be delighted to help, in any way I can.”
“Thank you, Tristan,” Lord Kingsman said, then reached forward, and took Diana’s hands in his. “I appreciate your strength and your willingness to help, my dear. But I wish things had been different. I wish I could have shielded you from all of this.”
Diana smiled softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “We can honor Mother’s memory by supporting one another. She would want us all to be happy.”
Her father nodded, his expression filled with pride. “You have grown into a remarkable young woman, Diana. I am proud of you.”
“Thank you, Father,” she said, her heart swelling with affection. “And I’m grateful for your support as I embark on this new chapter with Tristan.”
“And what shall we do about Grace?” Lord Kingsman said, a hint of worry crossing his face at the thought of his younger daughter. “Do you think that she will be upset by this news of your engagement?”
“I will speak to her,” Diana said. “But I think that she will be happy for us. She never truly loved Tristan – she simply went along with things out of stubbornness, and to prove a point to me.”
Tristan chuckled. “How very flattering!”
Diana nudged him playfully. “I know that you do not mind the truth, not really.”
He shook his head. “Of course not. I am glad that this will not cause her pain. And she will find someone much more suitable soon, I am sure of it.”
