Slowly, he traced his fingers over her beautiful face, over her creamy skin, her eyebrows, cheek bones, and down to her tempting lips. “I want to thank you for kidnapping me.”
“You forget it was Tabitha who did the deed.”
“True, but she would not have done it if she hadn’t have loved you so much.Youare why she did what she did, which was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I’m so very relieved everything turned out the right way this time. You cannot imagine the relief flowing through me at this moment.”
Tristan arched an eyebrow. “You don’t think I can imagine it? I assure you, I can relate to that perfectly.”
He dropped his lips to hers. The kiss was so very gentle, and yet passionate as it stirred emotions in him he thought he’d lost years ago. The newfound feeling thrilled him completely and gave him hope for a better future with her.
Reluctantly, he pulled away. Kissing her was so perfect he never wanted to stop. “My sweet Diana, I must leave now.”
“I know.”
“Promise we will see each other tomorrow.”
She nodded. “I assure you, we will even if I have to pay you a visit just to make an excuse to be in the same room with you.”
“You will always be welcome at my home.” He kissed her mouth one last time then stepped out of her arms. “Do you have an extra horse for me?”
“I do. Take the black stallion.”
“Until later, my sweet Diana.” He bowed, turned, and quit the room.
It didn’t take him long to get himself ready, saddle the horse, and leave. Diana and Tabitha stepped outside to see him off. Both women waved until he couldn’t see them any longer.
He wasn’t familiar with this part of England, but he knew the direction of Mayfair, so he rode hard searching for anything familiar that would let him know he traveled the right way.
A few hours later, he was home. Already he missed Diana and wanted to return to her grandmother’s cottage. But he must remember he had other responsibilities first. Business first, play later.
He rode to the stable and dismounted. The stable boy rushed out, his eyes wide with surprise.
“Lord Tristan! You have returned.”
“I have, indeed.” He ruffled the boy’s hair. “Is her ladyship still here?”
“Yes.”
“Then I shall go straightway to see her.”
He hurried into the house. As he passed a few young maids, they stopped whatever they were doing and stared agape at him. First he went to his mother’s favorite sitting room, and when she wasn’t there, he took the grand staircase two steps at a time, heading to her chambers. He opened the door and peeked inside. She sat in a cushioned chair by the window as she stared down at her flower garden, her expression laced with sadness. He’d only been gone a few days, but it seemed her hair held more gray streaks, and several new wrinkles marred her complexion.
Slowly, her head turned toward him. A gasp sprang from her as she clutched her hands to her chest, tears filling her eyes quickly. “Tristan? Is that really you?”
“Yes, Mother.” His wide strides ate up the distance between them until he knelt by her chair and hugged her. “I’m back now.”
“Ohhh,” she sobbed and clung to him. “I was so distraught. Nobody knew what happened to you or why you would not come to your own wedding.”
“Forgive me for not saying anything sooner.”
She withdrew and looked at him with confusion in her gaze. “Where were you? I heard you were kidnapped.”
“You did?” He arched an eyebrow. “Pray, who would say such a thing?”
“Nobody knew for certain, but there was a man who’d come forth. Apparently, you’d been drinking with him the night before the wedding. He saw you climb into a carriage before someone chained the door closed and hastily rode off.”
So someone had noticed…“It’s nothing to worry about, Mother.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m back now, and I’ll set things right.”
