Chapter 9
The next day, Diana wasn’t feeling quite as confident.
By the time she joined Bethany and Collette in the drawing room for her sister-in-law’s at-home, a good deal of that bravado had abandoned her. Collette eyed Diana suspiciously, likely because Diana was wearing one of her prettier gowns, with her hair curled and pinned up in a more elaborate style than usual. Bethany, however, was all smiles when she glanced up from her book.
“You look beautiful today!” And then her eyes twinkled. “Captain Edgeworth met with Chaswick earlier. He requested permission to court you, and of course, knowing that you fancied him, Chase granted it. The captain promised to return for the at-home today.”
This was good news. It was excellent news. Fidgeting, Diana poofed out one of her puffed sleeves and smiled. “I am so happy.” She shot a significant glance in her sister’s direction.
“But Diana has, unfortunately, already promised to go driving with Lord Greystone.” Collette provided.
“Oh, yes. I forgot about that.” Bethany pursed her lips but then beamed again. “Likely, that’s just as well. This way, the captain will realize he is going to have to work to earn your regard. Chase had his doubts about presenting you to society, but I knew you girls could take.”
It was Diana’s turn to send Collette a not quite admonishing look. “You would take too if only you’d try.”
“Not that I am ungrateful for the opportunity, but I will be quite happy to teach,” Collette affirmed. “Chase says Miss Primm needs someone to teach Latin and French at her ladies’ seminary.”
“That is what you genuinely wish for?” Bethany looked more than a little disappointed. “I was so hoping you’d change your mind.”
It came as no surprise to Diana that Collette would be drawn to such a vocation. She only hated that it would put so much distance between them. She and Collette were more than sisters. They were best friends. Collette had always been more academically minded than Diana—she’d had a quiet air about her, an ability to soothe their mother and Sarah in moments of distress, and many times she had kept their household from falling into chaos.
Diana, on the other hand, tended to stir the pot, rather.
“Collette will make an excellent teacher.” Diana smiled sadly. “And I’ve no doubt she’ll be inundated with respectable offers once she’s had a chance to attend a few of those country assemblies.”
“Teachers don’t marry,” Collette said.
“You don’t have to teach forever.” Bethany pointed out.
Their conversation was interrupted, then, when Mr. Ingles announced the arrival of the first visitors for the at-home. Within ten minutes, the drawing room was filled with both ladies and eligible gentlemen and was bustling with conversation.
Diana had not expected to be on the receiving end of so many bouquets, nor had she expected to feel so overwhelmed by the attentions of not only Lord Edgeworth and the soldiers who accompanied him, but a few other gentlemen as well. None of whom were titled, of course, but bachelors who were related to titles in some way or another, making them quite respectable.
And each time another guest arrived, filling the entrance to the drawing room, Diana checked to see if it was one who might be wearing bright colors and extraordinarily exquisite lace.
She’d been disappointed with each new arrival. Was it possible he’d changed his mind? Surely not! Even if he was swimming in regret after kissing her, he simply wasn’t the sort to break a promise. It would be a breach of honor, and honor motivated these English Lords more than anything.
Not all English Lords, she knew, but certainly the Lords with whom her brother consorted.
“Your eyes are the color of bluebells in spring.” Mr. Tibbons spoke earnestly, but in such a way that it seemed he’d had the compliment memorized. “And your hair, like spun gold weaving through rich English soil.”
Diana raised her brows at that but sipped her tea, smiling at the kind gentleman. Mr. Tibbons, she knew, was a widower with two small children. He was somewhat attractive despite his thinning hair and weak chin.
She glanced to where Captain Edgeworth sat with Miss Mossant and noticed him watching her. After she’d accepted an invitation to go driving with him later that week, manners had compelled her to mingle with the other guests.
The captain smirked as though he knew she was bored with her current companion but then turned his attention back to Miss Mossant.
Before she could summon even the slightest twinge of jealousy, however, Diana forgot all about him when a movement at the door sent a shiver through her.
She did not need to look to see who had arrived. She touched her fingertips to her bodice and steadied her breath.
The fluttering in her chest was all the evidence she required.
Don’t look. She steeled herself to pay attention to Mr. Tibbons’ words. What was he saying? Something about the blush of youth? She nodded and then glanced over her shoulder—the desire to search out Lord Greystone being too strong to resist.
When she captured a glimpse of his dark hair, every inch of her skin came alive.
He wasn’t looking at her, but she could tell by the twitch of his lip that he knew she was watching him.
