“Athena is a remarkable woman and very likable. Julia and I agree that we are the ones who are lucky to have a new relative that we like.” After a moment he continued thoughtfully, “Though I think it’s interesting that my sisters both married distinguished soldiers, as if they needed defense against my father.”
Diana shook her head, smiling. “I hope they married for love. As I said, I like stories with happy endings.”
“Both my sisters found love matches.” He couldn’t stop himself from looking at Diana, with her lovely face and warm understanding. “They give me hope that such things are possible.”
He caught Diana’s gaze as he said those words. He’d felt very close to her during their ride, but even the hint of marriage caused a flash of panic in her eyes and he sensed her drawing away.
Yet her voice was steady when she said, “I’ve seen happy marriages and I applaud them. But some people simply aren’t suited to marriage. Women in particular tend to marry because they have so few choices. It’s better for everyone if persons unsuited to marriage realize that before they make a devastating mistake.”
The message was clear. “Quite right, though I’ve known people who thought themselves confirmed bachelors or spinsters who changed their minds when they met the right person.” It was time for a strategic retreat. “Would you like to drive to Gunter’s for an ice? Granted it’s a cold day, but they are always delicious.”
“That would be lovely!” she said with relief, obviously glad to change the topic. “What are your plans for Christmas?”
“Athena and her husband have a place in Oxfordshire where the family is gathering for Christmas. Julia and her husband and their children will be there, too. We did the same thing last year and it was very enjoyable.” It had been the best Christmas of his life. “What will you be doing? Staying in town with Lady Aurora and her husband?”
“No, tomorrow they’re heading to Gabriel’s grandparents for the holidays, then they’ll join the Lawrence celebration. I’m staying in London for a few days because I’m expecting a shipment from my partner in India.” She wrinkled her nose. “Then I’ll travel to the Lawrence family seat, where I will be surrounded by countless relatives who will hug me and ask impertinent questions.”
“It sounds quite lovely,” Anthony said.
“It will be,” she said with a smile. “Geoffrey and Sylvia are wonderful hosts. Luckily I’m good at deflecting impertinent questions!”
Yes, she was, but he was good at persistence. The irresistible force and the immovable object? They’d see.
* * *
The ices were indeed delicious even on a cold December day. After, Anthony returned Diana to the Vance home, where she left him with a charming, unreadable smile and best wishes for the holidays.
It had become blindingly clear that she didn’t want to talk about the past, still less any possible future. Perhaps she really was unsuited to marriage. Some people were. But with that mysterious mutual connection that refused to go away, he was sure there was more than she was telling him.
He might never persuade Diana to marry him, but he couldn’t move forward without fully understanding why she’d left. Even more important, he needed to know why she was keeping him at a distance now when the obvious barriers were gone.
She was not unaffected by him; that he was sure of. He needed to understand her reasoning, and the only way to discover that was by full frontal assault.
Chapter 9
Anthony waited three days to be sure the Vances had left for the country and that Diana would be alone in the house. Then he called on her. He hoped it wasn’t a bad omen that a bone-chilling rain was falling.
Despite his dripping multi-caped coachman’s coat, the footman gave him a knowing smile when he arrived. The servants were probably placing bets belowstairs on what was going on between Lady Diana and her distinguished visitor.
Since Anthony might be thrown out very quickly, he kept his coat on when he was escorted to the small drawing room. Diana was writing at her desk, the Panda at her feet. She looked up with an expression of dismay, quickly concealed.
Rising, she said, “How nice to see you again, Castleton. Are you coming to say farewell before leaving for Christmas in the country?”
Her use of his title was not a good sign. “No.”
The Panda ambled over to greet the visitor, rubbing against Anthony’s wet boots and accepting head scratches. Then water dripped from the coat and drove the cat from the room with whiskers twitching indignantly.
Anthony deliberately closed the door. “I’m here for some answers, Diana. The full story of why you left me, and your reasons for skittering away when I try to talk to you now. You owe me that. I understand it will be painful for both of us, but I have to know before I can move on with my life.”
He hoped with her, but if not, so be it. Meeting Diana again had made him realize how emotionally paralyzed he’d been these last years. If he couldn’t persuade her to be his wife, it was time to put that past behind him.
“Yes, I do owe you that,” Diana said quietly. “It won’t surprise you to know that the main reason was your father.” She leaned against the desk, her fingers curling around the edge as she bit her lip and considered what to say.
“We knew he’d be difficult,” Anthony said. “But I had an independent income, and so did you. We could have managed.”
“He was even worse than you know,” she said bleakly. “You and I were living in an enchanted bubble that summer. Anything seemed possible. I was even dreaming that someday we might marry, though I thought we should wait until you were of age. That would make everything easier.”
She had really been willing to consider marriage then? “Simpler, yes, though it would have been a very long wait when we wanted so much to be together,” he pointed out. He’d calculated how long it would take to reach Gretna Green, where they could marry legally even though he was a minor under English law. They would have made it easily even if his father had sent pursuers. “Did you decide you didn’t want to wait for two years?”
