‘And down the aisle.’
‘That could eventually happen.’
Usually, Meridith never questioned Diana about Walter because it was a taboo subject. No one in the family talked about it, at least not with her. Everyone just pretended that all was well, when it seemed obvious to Meridith that it truly wasn’t. ‘Was it only Walter who changed after you got married, or did you, too, and I just don’t remember?’
Diana’s eyes widened, and she quickly turned about, carried the dress to the wardrobe. ‘I’ll find you something else to wear.’
‘No, I’m not going to the theatre, and I want to know the truth. Did you want to marry Walter, or were you forced to because Peter had introduced the two of you?’
Continuing to filter through dresses, Diana said, ‘You must go with us tonight. It’s the opening of a new performance.’
‘Why is that important?’
‘Because everyone attends the opening night of a new performance. It’s expected.’
‘Only for those who want to be seen there. That’s where all the acting takes place. People acting like they didn’t expect to see each other, yet knew they would. It’s all so fictitious.’
‘It’s the society that we live in and expected from a family of our stature.’ Diana turned from the wardrobe with the green rosebush gown in her hand. ‘How about this one?’
‘That’s the one I wore to the Montgomery ball.’ Meridith almost cracked a smile at the memory of cutting off the bustle in Drake’s coach. Almost, but she couldn’t muster it up. She was missing him too much for that.
‘Yes, it is,’ Diana said. ‘I’d forgotten.’
‘Probably because you were too busy pretending all was well between you and your husband that night, which it clearly wasn’t and isn’t. Hasn’t been for years.’
‘What’s gotten into you?’ Diana asked, putting the gown back in the wardrobe. ‘Have you forgotten all of your manners?’
‘No,’ Meridith replied. ‘I haven’t forgotten my manners. I’m just being honest.’ That was something else she was missing. The way she could say what was on her mind while talking to Drake. No matter what the subject had been, she hadn’t had to hide anything or pretend. She’d been able to be honest. Including when it came to something as uncomfortable as an overly stuffed bustle. ‘Why won’t you just tell me the truth?’
Diana’s shoulders rose and lowered, demonstrating the heavy sigh that she let out. ‘What happens between a husband and wife is private.’
‘So private you can’t even talk to your sister about it?’
‘Yes.’ Diana closed the wardrobe door and turned about. Walking to the bedroom door, she said, ‘I’ll tell Peter that you refuse to go tonight.’
‘I didn’t mean to make you angry,’ Meridith said, feeling both frustrated and regretful. She merely wanted to know the truth, whether everyone changed after they got married. And why.
‘You didn’t make me angry,’ Diana said as she opened the door. ‘But not going to the theatre will probably not sit well with Peter.’
The door closed before Meridith could respond. For a moment, she considered following, but quickly collected herself. She didn’t want to go to the theatre and certainly didn’t want Peter to request that Drake attend with them. There were a number of other things that she didn’t want, too.
She didn’t want to miss Drake.
That was what she was doing. Missing him like mad. For no good reason.
Well, other than the fact that he was so very pleasant to be around and that it had felt good to be so happy. She was no longer surprised that she’d enjoyed his company so much, but instead understood that it was something she needed. She’d needed a life of her own, and he’d given her one, or at least a glimpse of one where she didn’t feel as if she didn’t have a choice in anything. Maybe that was what she’d always wanted and hadn’t realised it until he made it apparent.
It was impossible to see how independent he was and not want some of that for herself.
Letting out a sigh, she admitted that there was much more to him than his independence.
He was charming and handsome and had a serious side to him that was admirable. Like when the children were riding Hugo. He’d made it fun, but had also insisted upon rules so that Hugo wouldn’t be startled or hurt. He’d done it in such a way that everyone knew he was serious and unwavering, but not so stern that any of the children had found it frightening.
Still, she also had to acknowledge that she’d only known Drake a very short time. Perhaps her view of him would change as she got to know him for a longer amount of time.
It was hard to believe that he’d change in any way, but how could she be sure? Especially when she’d changed so much over the past few days.
Had she really changed, or had she just acquired the courage to be herself? She hadn’t ever had that. Not even while at school. There had been rules there, too, that she’d had to abide by.
