“Ballantine, Lord Montgomery is missing. The wedding was to be held on Saturday, but now…”
“I know.” He picked up Artemis’s reins before the mare could stir up the carriage horses and threw them over a bush. Then, taking Diana’s hand, he led her into the trees. Screened from view, he turned to her. “They found his body in the Thames.”
“Oh!”
“Do you mind very much?” His serious, brown eyes searched hers.
“I loathed him. Is it horrid of me to be glad he’s gone from my life? I am sure he spied for the French.”
“He wasn’t a good man, sweetheart.”
She wondered briefly if Ballantine knew more about it, and if he would ever tell her. “Have you come to advise my father of his death?”
“He will have heard it by now. I encountered the magistrate on his way to call on him.”
“You came to see me?” She held her breath.
“I needed to see you first. I know of your preference to go out early. I hoped you’d ride this way again. If not, I would have come tomorrow on horseback. Rode over the estate until I found you. I’ll call on your father, but coming so soon after Montgomery’s death, now is not the right time.” He swept off his hat and wrapped his arms around her, his eyes darkening with emotion. “Diana, I want nothing more than to share my life with you. I no longer work for the government. I love you. I adore you. I simply can’t live without you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, oh, yes,” she said. His familiar smell enveloped her, stirring her to passion. She reached up and pushed a lock of hisdisordered, dark-brown hair back from his broad forehead. “I love you with all my heart and soul, Ballantine. I would marry you tomorrow.”
He kissed her. His lips softened against hers, his tongue seeking hers. She opened her mouth for him, and her knees sagged, her head swimming while her heart pounded with joy. His muscular arms brought their coach ride to mind. Every cherished detail to which she’d clung while her hopes and dreams had died, and her future had looked bleak and without love.
Ballantine drew away. “This is what we must do. After a reasonable period, ask your father if you may return to London for the last few weeks of summer. Many of thetonwill still be in the city, at least until the shooting season begins in autumn. I’m sure he will be happy to oblige you. I’ll court you in the proper manner before asking the duke for your hand.”
Diana stared at him, dismayed. “But that will take weeks or more! Can we not elope?”
He shook his head. “No, my love.”
She recognized that resolute look. Ballantine was, at least in matters concerning her, a conventional man, and very protective of her. It would be impossible to change his mind. “How disappointing,” she couldn’t help saying.
He raised her chin with his finger and smiled into her eyes. “It would cause an uproar, Diana. I refuse to subject you to vicious gossip. We must do this properly.” His gaze implored her. “We have the rest of our lives to be together.”
She sighed and ran her hand regretfully over his waistcoat of gray-and-burgundy-striped silk, and his hard chest beneath. “Very well, Damian.”
He took her hand and led her back to Artemis. With another quick kiss, he assisted her to mount. She sat on her horse, watching as he leaped into the coach. He blew her a kiss throughthe window. The coachman urged the horses on, and the fine carriage raced away along the road.
In a matter of a bare few minutes, her life had changed forever. She laughed and leaned over to stroke her horse’s silky flank. “Am I not the luckiest girl in the world, Artemis?”
*
Before going tosee Diana, Damian had handed the stolen dispatch over to Scovell.
“Excellent. Did you intend Montgomery’s body to be found?” Scovell asked, casting an eye over the document before putting it down.
“No. But it puts an end to the mystery of his disappearance. There will always be speculation as to how and why he died.”
“Yes, but it will die down after a time. There’s always something else to distract the public. What are your plans?”
“I intend to marry Lady Diana Stafford. I’ll live a quiet life from now on.”
Scovell arched an eyebrow. “Ah.” He leaned back in his chair. “Are you sure you can give up this life? Many find it difficult.”
“Very sure.”
“There are others in this spy ring we must find. I’m disappointed you won’t be in on the chase. As will Wellesley be. You’re one of the best.” He smiled. “I hope to receive an invitation to the wedding.”
“I’m not sure when it will be, but I’d be delighted to see you there, sir.”
