Chapter 20
“Diana,” Bethany peeked around the door of Collette’s chamber where Diana and Collette were writing letters to Sarah and their mother. They wouldn’t need to prepare for the ball that evening for several hours, but they refused to nap as most debutantes did before a grand event.
“We’ll be finished shortly.” Diana replaced her quill on the table and glanced up. “Did you need help selecting your gown for tonight?”
Even though married and perfectly lovely, Bethany suffered doubts when it came to her wardrobe. She’d admitted that in the past, she’d had a tendency to dress like an elderly lady’s companion, which she’d essentially been to her mother before marrying Chase.
But Bethany swept inside, twin spots of excitement on her cheeks, both hands fluttering.
“Not right now, although I’ll want your opinion later.” She turned to Diana. “You have a visitor—a gentleman visitor.”
As Captain Edgeworth and Lord Major Cockfield had sent a message canceling their proposed drive due to an unexpected meeting at headquarters, Diana could only imagine one person who might be downstairs.
“Lord Greystone,” Bethany announced, confirming Diana’s suspicions.
Warmth blossomed in Diana’s belly. Did he miss her already? Had he come so that he could take her driving again? Or perhaps he merely wished to lay claim to a set with her at the ball tonight.
Before Diana could look to Collette to explore possible reasons, however, Bethany gushed the explanation.
“Chaswick has given him permission to offer for you, and although I’ve always found the marquess to be a pleasant gentleman, I’ve often thought he cared more than most for the opinions of others, and I’ve never considered those mattering to you.” Bethany’s thumb tapped successively at each of her fingers, something she only did when she was feeling distraught or nervous. “But…What I’m trying to say, but failing miserably at saying, is that you needn’t accept him if you don’t wish to. And likewise, if you do wish to accept him, you will, of course, have Chaswick’s and my wholehearted support.”
Diana comprehended what Bethany was saying even as her blood boiled. “He said he wouldn’t come.” But then she recalled the exact promise he’d made.
He’d told her he wouldn’t speak with Chase thatmorning.
And since it was well into the afternoon…
Diana stared up at the ceiling. It was a wonder that her head didn’t explode into his precious universe as she comprehended his betrayal.
Had he told Chaswick what they’d done? There were certain matters a girl wished to keep private from the world, and she wished, even more, to keep them secret from her brother! Heat crept up her neck and she pressed her hands to her cheeks, unable to even speak, and was vaguely aware of Collette staring at her in concern.
“I believe she’s going to need a moment, Bethany,” Collette said. “If you wouldn’t mind asking Lord Greystone to wait.”
“Of course,” Comprehending that this proposal was not the lucky occasion she’d believed it might be, Bethany nodded. “Take all the time you need.”
Diana swallowed hard and dipped her chin. “Thank you.” Yes. Make him wait—an hour—all day—a year.
Her sweet sister-in-law backed out and silently closed the door behind her.
How could he do this to her after last night? She’d thought her opinions mattered to him. Was that the case only when they conveniently lined up with his? And was this the way he would treat her going into the future? Would he tell her what he thought she wanted to hear and then go on to do precisely as he pleased?
Worst of all, if she went downstairs and he dropped onto one knee and stared up at her adoringly, begging her to make him the proudest of men, was it possible she might accept?
Diana covered her face with both hands. “I can’t do this.” Collette had come up beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“I thought he said he wouldn’t go to Chase.” Collette said, offering a consoling squeeze.
“So did I.” Diana felt her chest tighten. “I can’t… I can’t.” Her breaths became more and more shallow.
“Hush, Diana. Sit down. Here. Have a comfit.” Collette popped a mint into Diana’s mouth before she could stop her. Diana bit right through the candy, but with her sister’s hand stroking her arm, her breaths began to ease.
“Simply tell him no.” Collette’s advice sounded perfectly reasonable.
“But… if he kisses me, I’m not sure I can.” Diana burst to her feet. “So, I can’t go down there. I can’t talk to him.”
Her sister raised her brows. “Why not hide in your bedchamber, refuse to meet with him?”
“But what if he comes upstairs anyway?” Was he so stubborn as to do that? “He’s ignored my wishes already.” For which she’d like to strangle him but then might just as likely find herself doing other, less violent but equally inappropriate things to him… Like running her fingers through his short but thick ebony strands of hair or smoothing her palms over his chest. The thought of him breaking into her bedchamber elicited a throbbing between her thighs…
