Chuckling, he started his trek back to the front of the house. By the time he reached the front door, the idea of proposing to Diana filled him with excitement. The more he fantasized about being married to Diana, the more pleasing it sounded.
*
The next afternoonDiana stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom and stared at the pale-faced, pathetic woman with red, swollen eyes. The last two days had been heaven on earth, and Tristan’s kiss had made all her dreams come true… until early this morning when she was awakened and disaster struck. She should have known something bad would happen to her. It always had. There hadn’t been a time in her life when things had gone her way. For once she would like to see that happen.
Bright and early this morning, her mother had got Diana out of bed with the most dreadful news. Her father had received an offer of marriage and had accepted it. Diana knew it hadn’t been Tristan because her father was still in Bristol and Tristan was here.
Diana hadn’t gotten a chance to say anything to Tristan before their trunks were packed and her mother rushed them out of the house before everyone had awakened.
Now, standing in her bedroom, she hesitated on going downstairs to talk to her father. She wanted to tell him to wait another day or two—that Lord Tristan might make an offer, but she feared her father wouldn’t listen. Perhaps if she told him Tristan compromised her…
She shook her head. She couldn’t lie to her father. Although, if she and Tristan had been caught while in their passionate embrace, her reputation would have been turned to ashes and Tristan would indeed have to marry her.
Oh, why didn’t it happen like that?
Grumbling in distaste, she left the room. There was no enthusiasm in her legs as they carried her down the stairs toward the sitting room. Silence greeted her when she walked in and stood in front of her parents. Both of them wore wide smiles.
“Close the door behind you,” her father said.
She did as she was told, then walked to the sofa and sat beside her mother. The older woman’s eyes sparkled with excitement, which was something Diana didn’t see often on her mother. Even her father’s cheerful expression was foreign.
“Diana, my dear, I’m very happy about the offer that was made to me yesterday while you and your mother were attending the party.”
Taking a deep breath, she slowly released it. “Who made the offer?”
“Viscount Hollingsworth.”
Hearing the lord’s name was like a slap across the face.Lord Hollingsworth?Why on earth would her father accept a marriage proposal for his daughter from a man like that?
Confusion filled her head and made her dizzy, and at the same time, her stomach churned fitfully. She’d met Lord Hollingsworth a few times over the years, and that’s all it took to decide she couldn’t stand the man. It wasn’t his bright red hair or the red freckles splattered across his pasty face that she didn’t like, nor was it that he was a good twenty years older than herself that made her feel this way about him.
In the few times they had conversed, he had never made her feel special—or even important. Instead, he made her feel as if she would be the most fortunate and coveted woman on this earth if she hadhimas her husband. He’d been so rude with his advances, and several times she had to tell him to leave her alone. “F-Father, you must be jesting. Why, the man has not even courted me.”
“I am most serious, daughter. Lord Hollingsworth has been enamored with you for a few years now. He has made an offer for you every Season you have been out, but I have respectfully declined, hoping to find you a loftier match. Your beauty is equal to at least an earldom.”
Panic filled her chest. “Then why did you not decline him this time?”
“Because, my dear, I’m ashamed to admit that I’m in financial ruins. In the last year, I have had a run of back luck with… uh… business decisions.”
“You’ve been gambling again,” Diana said matter-of-factly.
Her father’s face hardened. “Yes. I had one bad stretch at the tables and my markers were called in before I was prepared.” He raked a hand through his hair. For a moment he looked so weary and vulnerable that Diana’s heartbreak faltered a fraction.
“I didn’t know how I was going to pay,” he added with a shrug. “Lord Hollingsworth came to my rescue and paid my debts in exchange for your hand in marriage.”
“What?” Her voice rose as she sprang up from the sofa. “Hepaidyou to marry me?”
“Indeed, and that is why I accepted.”
“But Father…” Her breaths became faster. “At the Dowager Duchess of Kenbridge’s party, I met a wonderful man. Lord Tristan Worthington. We hit it off splendidly, and I feel he is going to talk to you soon.”
Her father flipped his hand in the air. “I’m pleased you had a good time, but unfortunately, I have made my decision. I have signed the contract and you will marry Lord Hollingsworth within a couple of weeks.”
“But Father, Lord Tristan’s father is a duke—”
“The matter is closed,” he snapped as his face growing red with anger. “If Lord Tristan would have talked to me sooner, I would have considered him, but as it is, I cannot go back on my word now. I do not want to hear another word about this. Is that clear?”
Tears built behind her eyes and her throat tightened with sadness. “Yes, Father.”
