“Indeed it will.”
It took a few more minutes for Mr. Coggins to finish unloading all of Diana’s trunks, and Tabitha assisted as much as she could. By the disapproving glares from Mr. Coggins, Diana was vastly relieved she wouldn’t have to deal with him much longer.
As she stood just outside the front door watching the man’s departure, a cool wind blew against her. Gathering her cloak together, she glanced up at the sky. Dark clouds threatened overhead, hinting that rain would be coming soon. From the fierce rumbles in the air, she surmised today’s storm would be long and bring plenty of moisture to the land.
She entered the cottage, and immediately, her mind returned to the last time she was here with Tristan. Finally, happiness had found her. She just prayed it would stay.
The stairs creaked and within seconds, Sally hesitantly stepped into view. Diana nodded and motioned with her hand for Sally to come closer. “Mr. Coggins is gone now. You will be all right.”
Sally moved closer, her hands clutched against her middle. “I am very happy to see you again, my lady. Your presence here lightens my heart.”
“What a sweet thing to say.” Diana lifted Sally’s chin with her finger and studied her. “You are looking much healthier, I notice.”
“I feel much better.” Sally smiled. “Soon I will be ready to obtain employment elsewhere.”
Chuckling, Diana shook her head. “Let’s not rush it. For now, you are welcome to stay here and assist Tabitha.”
Diana removed her bonnet and gloves as she strode to the stairs. “But for now, I’m going to retire to my room to rest. I fear the journey—and the turmoil on my mind—have exhausted me greatly.”
“We shall prepare a mid-day meal while you rest,” Tabitha said cheerfully.
“I thank you. I don’t plan on resting for very long, so please wake me when the meal is ready.”
Just as she placed her foot on the first step, thunder boomed through the house, shaking the walls. Within seconds after that, rain pelted the roof, sounding more like rocks were striking the cottage. She groaned. Perhaps she wouldn’t get any rest at all.
Once she walked into her room, she realized the howling wind was in competition with the hard rain to see which one could be nosier. She threw her bonnet and gloves on the vanity before flopping down on her bed. A lamp had been lit, but the dark clouds made the room much darker than Diana had expected.
She stood and went to the lamp to adjust the lighting. As she turned back to the bed and removed her cloak, a tree from outside knocked against the side of the house. Thunder boomed in the air again, but this time it sounded like men’s voices, even Tristan.
Chuckling, Diana rationalized that because she wanted to see Tristan so badly, she could imagine him and actuallyhearhis voice. These next three days were going to pass slowly, she just knew it. She couldn’t wait to be in his arms again, gazing lovingly into his dreamy eyes, and hearing his husky tone.
Another sound ricocheted through the air and she swung toward the door, listening closer. Tabitha’s voice was raised, but not with excitement, nor was it lifted in panic. It was more like she meant to warn…
Quickly, Diana rushed out of her room and to the top of the stairs. The voices were more precise now, and there were definitely visitors in the house. By the tingles running up and down her arms, she knew Tristan was here.
With her heart beating happily, she hurried down the stairs to greet the man she loved, but as soon as she rested her gaze on the people in the room, her feet skid to a halt.Lord Hawthorne? What is he doing here?
Both men were drenched from head to toe and shucking out of their soaked cloaks. Although they had removed their hats, each man’s hair was saturated to their head. The rain pelting against the cottage reminded her of the storm swirling around them.
Diana took a quick survey of who stood in the room, and her heart sank when she noticed Sally still here. The maid stood in the corner of the room, twirling a blonde lock of hair around her finger as she stared at the floor, appearing as if she wanted to crawl in a hole and hide. Tabitha stood next to her—cheeks bright with fury—as she’d been talking, but upon seeing Diana, the young woman’s chatting ceased.
Diana swung her attention back to Tristan. Although he smiled at her, his expression was faux. Distrust coated his gaze. Within a split second, her heart cried out as guilt swept over her like waves of despair.
She wasn’t foolish enough to believe he was here for their secret get-away holiday, especially since he’d brought Lord Hawthorne with him. So then why had Tristan come, and in the rain?
Deep down inside she knew. Tristan was here for answers and nothing less.
Silently, she prayed he would believe her and understand when she confessed the truth.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Taking a deepbreath, Tristan prayed for courage… courage to hold strong and demand to know the truth from Diana. He also needed the courage to keep his heart from melting every time he looked into her fascinating green eyes. Her lovely orbs had always had an enchanting effect on him that made him lose his mind several times since he’d first met her. How could one woman have this kind of control over his senses? If he discovered she was withholding the truth from him, his heart and mind wouldn’t be able to take it.
A shiver ran through him that had nothing to do with the coldness seeping into his drenched limbs.
“Lord Tristan. Lord Hawthorne. What a surprise it is to see you here.” Diana stepped toward them to take their cloaks. Tabitha rushed to help assist.
Tristan peeled his cloak off his shoulders and handed it to Diana while Nic did the same, giving his to the maid. Tristan moved his attention from beautiful Diana, past Tabitha and to the corner of the room.
