“To what?” he asked, pulled sharply from his musing.
“To your impending marriage. To Matthew!” John called out loudly, holding up his pint.
Everyone in the pub turned to look at them, which only caused Matthew to frown in frustration and John to grin. But nearly everyone also raised their cups, not caring what they were drinking to.
“Let us be done with this nonsense,” Matthew admonished, finishing the remainder of his drink and rising immediately.
“Must we?”
“Some of us have work to finish. And then I must return to Waterburry House.”
“Yes, for your wedding plans.” John grinned yet again, and Matthew shook his head.
“The sooner this is over and done with, the better. Within a week, I shall be wed and will not have to bother with it again.”
“No, you’ll not have to bother with finding a wife again. But you shallhavea wife. One who will be there, in your home, for the rest of your life.”
This fact seemed to make John exceedingly happy. Or at least, exceedingly amused.
“That does not endear me to the fact of being married,” was Matthew’s wry response.
John only laughed at him and followed him back out of the pub and to the waiting horses for the ride back home. “Come on then, let us return so you can make your plans to visit your soon-to-be bride. I hope that she will do you good.”
“I hope that she will turn out to be less trouble than she currently seems to be,” Matthew muttered as he turned his horse down the lane to his house.
“I hope that she is every bit as much trouble as she seems to be, and more,” John answered with a grin.
“You would wish such ill fortune on me, of course.”
“I do not believe it will be ill fortune. I believe it shall be excellent fortune. And I am greatly looking forward to it.”
With that, John left him at the front door, wandering off on his own, no doubt to get into some sort of mischief.
Matthew shook his head again and returned to his rooms.
It would be best, he supposed, to answer the summons and return to Waterburry House to speak with Lady Diana. To find out what it was that she wanted to tell him and to be done with this blasted wedding planning entirely.
The sooner it was all behind him, the sooner he could go on with his life. Though John’s words about Lady Diana being in his home for the rest of his life certainly gave him pause. As did the thought that she might change more than just his marriage plans. The woman certainly was… something. And he did not appreciate the thought of his home being turned upside down.
Chapter Five
Diana had expected a response to her letter and had hoped to receive one soon. But it seemed that the Duke had more important things to do than respond to his soon-to-be wife.
She scowled again at the needlework her mother had given her.
“What use is this?” she protested furiously. “When will I need needlework as the wife of a duke?”
“It gives you something to do, so you’re not pacing about the room, wearing holes in the carpets,” her mother admonished.
Diana frowned but tried to turn her attention to her needlework. Perhaps having something to do with her hands wouldhelp. But it did nothing for her mind.
“My Ladies, the Duke of Cardan.”
They all sat up straight, startled by the sudden announcement as the Duke strode into the room, his gaze sweeping over everyone until it landed on Diana.
But, as propriety dictated, he turned to her mother first, executing a polite bow. “Lady Waterburry.”
“Your Grace.” The Countess was startled, that much Diana could tell, but perhaps the Duke could not. “We are pleased to welcome you to our home.”
