The words were simple, yet Diana understood immediately what Emma truly meant. Emma had always been the most observant among them, the one most likely to notice the subtle changes others might overlook.
Diana smiled in response, though the warmth rising in her cheeks had very little to do with the pleasant sunlight resting across the gardens of Rosewood House.
It came from the faint sound of footsteps behind her.
They were muffled against the gravel, yet distinct enough that she recognized the rhythm almost immediately. Each step felt steady and controlled in a way that set it apart from the lighter, more careless movements of the others gathered in the garden.
Diana felt her pulse quicken before she had even turned to look.
Alexander. The recognition came to her instinctively, almost before the thought had fully formed in her mind.
She turned slowly just as he stepped onto the garden path.
Alexander moved toward them with the same composed assurance she had begun to associate with him. His expression was calm, his posture straight and effortless, yet something about the quiet certainty of his presence drew her attention immediately.
For a brief moment, the rest of the garden seemed to fade from her awareness. And all she could see was him approaching across the gravel.
Lady Salford appeared beside him, her posture upright and dignified in the way she always carried herself when guests were present. She moved with the confident energy of a woman who fully intended to oversee every moment of the gathering, her expression bright with satisfaction as she surveyed the scene before her.
“My dear children,” Lady Salford declared, her voice bright with unmistakable satisfaction as she stepped forward across the gravel. She extended both hands toward the small group gathered before her as though welcoming them into her own drawing room rather than the open garden. “You are most welcome.”
Emma curtsied at once, her skirts dipping gracefully. Georgina followed, her movement equally polite though accompanied by a cheerful smile.
“It is lovely to see you again, Lady Salford,” Emma said warmly.
“And you as well, my dear,” Lady Salford replied, patting her arm with clear affection before turning her attention toward the others.
Benjamin bowed with easy charm. “The pleasure is entirely ours.”
“Flattery already?” Lady Salford lifted one brow. “You have been here less than a minute.”
Benjamin grinned.
Behind her, Alexander stepped forward.
The subtle shift in movement drew everyone’s attention almost at once.
Though he had said nothing yet, the small gathering seemed to shift around his presence all the same.
For a fleeting moment, Diana felt a strange jolt of recognition. She had not seen that particular composure in him since before the accident. It resembled the man she had first met so closely that the familiarity of it stirred something unexpected inside her chest.
Emma noticed it too. She straightened slightly where she stood, her bright eyes settling upon him with open curiosity as she studied the man before her.
“Your Grace,” she said politely.
Alexander inclined his head in greeting. “Lady Pentbury.”
His tone was calm and even, his voice carrying across the garden with effortless clarity. There was nothing stiff nor overtlyunfriendly in the exchange, yet the quiet formality of his manner carried a faint coolness that made the greeting feel more distant than warm.
Emma did not appear troubled by it. If anything, her smile deepened slightly, the expression on her face suggesting both polite approval and a spark of curiosity as she studied him.
Benjamin stepped forward next.
“Your Grace,” he said, offering a respectful bow.
Alexander shook his hand briefly. “Lord Pentbury.”
The exchange was brief but courteous, and Benjamin stepped back with an approving nod as though satisfied by the encounter.
