“Lady Diana sent for me,” he said.
All eyes turned toward Diana.
“I had expected that you might send a letter that you were coming before simply arriving,” she replied, still trying to regain her composure.
“It seemed more prudent to simply arrive, as you were expecting a visit, based on the content of your letter.”
“Yes, well… I suppose that is true.” Diana set aside her needlework, glad to have an excuse to be rid of it, and rose. “Margaret, if you could come with me and His Grace to the ballroom?—”
“Nonsense, Diana. We shall have tea first, of course,” her mother interrupted.
Diana pursed her lips in frustration.
Leave it to her mother to delay things, even though she knew that her mother was as anxious to have everything settled for the wedding as she was. But nothing would get in the way of what propriety demanded. Not with the Countess.
“Of course. Forgive me, Your Grace. I am sure you would like a bit of tea and some of Cook’s scones. They are quite lovely.”
The Duke looked like he might refuse, but there was no manner of doing so that would not be rude, and though Diana knew he was abrupt with everyone, he seemed to be making an effort at the moment.
“Very well,” he said finally.
Everyone settled into an uneasy silence while they waited for the servants to bring the tea.
By the time the pleasantries had been dispensed with, Diana could not help but feel unsettled. They hurried off to the ballroom, with Margaret following at a discreet distance behind.
“Now then, we have settled some of the things necessary for the wedding. However, we wanted to ensure that you agree on what had been discussed.” Diana gestured around the room, and at least the Duke glanced around, taking in the size and decoration of the space with a critical eye.
“You may do as you please. It is of no concern to me.”
“The ball shall be for you as well,” Diana added, trying to be as polite and diplomatic as she could, but the blank stare he gave her made that very difficult.
“Choose whatever you like. I do not care for all the fuss If he were to pay for the entire event, she would not need to be concerned about her parents’ financial situation. And she could host the sort of ball she wished for. And since he did not care a whit for what she wanted to do …
“We shall get flowers from the garden here, as well as flowers from our neighbors, who have been gracious enough to offer anything from their gardens as well. That will give us plenty for the church as well as this room.”
“Very well,” he agreed, though his tone said he wasn’t really listening.
“My wedding gown is also being sewn as we speak. The modiste was quite confident that it shall be finished in time.”
The Duke simply nodded in response, but she wasn’t entirely sure he even cared. Still, she continued.
“My sisters shall stand beside me, and I presume you have someone available to stand beside you?”
“Yes,” he replied.
Diana was silent for a long moment, waiting for him to elaborate. But he didn’t say as much as a single word.
“You have already obtained the special license, so there is no need to be concerned about that. We have the priest and church ready.”
He still wasn’t paying attention, and she had the distinct impression that he was thinking about all of the other things he would rather be doing than this.
Her mood soured even more as she thought of the fact that she was about to marry a man who had no concern whatsoever about their wedding or her plans for it. He wanted nothing at all to do with any of it.
“I had thought to send for new travel clothes from London,” she told him, simply to see his reaction, but he merely inclined his head.
“There are new fashions in London, I believe.”
“And perhaps I should arrive in a stagecoach. It’s much larger than a standard carriage. I believe there is one available at the stables in town.”
