Chapter 17
Greys closed the door behind him, extinguishing the morning light, and then released a tired breath. Diana had welcomed his escort home after she’d insisted on walking back to her brother’s house. She’d not wanted to wake his driver because then one more person would know that she’d spent most of the night with him. Greys had agreed, despite trusting his driver not to gossip. Furthermore, It didn’t really matter.
Because he would be meeting with Chaswick, and she would consent to marry him.
Was she playing a game? It wasn’t necessary. He was hers—all of him.
And she was his.
A soft chuckle escaped along with his breath. His sweet Diana had even managed to turn what ought to have been an awkward stroll through the darkness into a refreshing adventure. She’d bounced along beside him, pointing out blossoms growing between the pavers and swinging from the occasional gate. And, of course, she’d laughed at him when he had the audacity to mock-scowl at her for giggling too loudly.
He ought to be exhausted and dreading the meeting he would eventually have to have with Huntly, and then with Chaswick. Although a part of him was anxious to get them over with. Now that he knew what he wanted, Greys looked forward to having both matters resolved.
All in all, he couldn’t help but anticipate the rest of his life with her in it.
Because an unexpected source of light had infused his soul.
Was this only temporary? He dismissed his mistrust of romance and instead allowed himself to enjoy the afterglow of…
Not love. Was it?
Greys rubbed the back of his neck, already working out a handful of new problems he’d brought upon himself rather unexpectedly over the last few hours.
All of them worth it.
He grinned.
Doubting he would sleep, he nonetheless turned to climb the stairs to his bedchamber of a mind to bathe and don a change of clothing. Before he got far, however, he halted with a start at the sight of Blackheart descending, looking more ducal than any self-respecting butler ought to.
Although his old friend appeared to have had a sleepless night as well.
“Trouble belowstairs?” Greys asked, not genuinely concerned as his household was apt always to run smoothly. And, because the duke was coming from above-stairs. Of which he likely had a perfectly reasonable explanation that Greys wasn’t interested in delving into just then.
“It’s nothing.” Blackheart stepped onto the landing and then cocked a brow. “Trouble with Miss Diana.” His wasn’t a question—rather more of an observation.
Was Diana trouble? Greys bit back a grin. She was indeed trouble, but apparently, she was the sort of trouble he needed. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
But his promise not to visit with Chaswick that morning placed him in the same uncomfortable predicament he’d found himself in the day before.
Moving to tug at the lace of his sleeve and finding none at his wrist, Greys realized he wasn’t at all presentable. The night had been warm, and he’d been more concerned with seeing Diana safely home than donning his usual apparel.
“Nice,” Blackheart smirked.
“It isn’t what it appears to be.” It seemed like what an innocent person would say under such circumstances, even though he wasn’t fool enough to imagine the duke would believe him.
“Care to discuss it?” Blackheart stepped across the foyer and opened the door to the small office Greys made available to the male servant overseeing the household. Bouncing one's troubles off of Blackheart was always a good idea, so without hesitation, Greys stepped into the room that was barely larger than a closet.
Blackheart closed the door behind him, for which Greys appreciated. He had no wish for his behavior, his tryst, his—debauchery—with Diana the night before to become fodder for gossip. As it was, Greys was going to have to resolve his and Diana’s situation without provoking her brother into challenging him to a duel.
“You’re going to offer for her.” Blackheart lowered himself into the chair behind the desk. Greys leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.
“Not the match I had intended this spring,” he answered. But the admission wasn’t as solemn as he might have expected.
Greys, in fact, only contained his satisfaction at the outcome out of respect for Diana.
“But youdointend to offer for her?” Blackheart pushed.
“Of course. Although I’ve promised Diana that I won’t go to her brother first thing this morning.” He wouldn’t provide further explanations. Blackheart didn’t need to know the extent to which Greys had ruined one of their best friend’s sisters.
