“Your cousin has been playing for a long time?” She seemed genuinely curious, and he gave a short nod.
“She has. Since we were children. Though I must confess that when we were children, her playing left a great deal to be desired. Her brother and I would often run for cover each time she would bring out an instrument. And yet she continued to torment us with her wretched playing for years before she finally mastered the art.”
“I believe I like her already,” Lady Diana replied with that same sparkle in her eyes.
“I believe she will like you as well.” There was something about Lady Diana that told him Isabelle would like her a great deal. “They began playing small concerts for family and the staff much later, and they have grown to be quite good. I believe she would be honored to be asked to play for such an occasion.”
“Then I believe you should ask her to play.”
“You do not mind?”
“Not at all. If you believe she is quite good and you are as discerning a person as I believe you to be, I am certain we shall be honored to have her play for us.”
“I will request it of her when I return home,” He replied, surprised that she seemed so … agreeable.
“And shall you be returning soon?”
“To my home? I shall return tonight.”
“You shall not stay even a night to rest?” she asked, her eyes wide in surprise.
“I prefer to be in my own home, And my own cook is expecting me.”
“I see,” she replied. “Well then, perhaps we had best finish our discussion so that you may return before nightfall.”
“Is there much else to discuss?”
“I don’t believe so.”
In fact, just now silence fell over them yet again.
“If that is quite all, I shall take my leave now,” Matthew said finally, though his voice was not quite so formal as usual.
Lady Diana seemed to notice, turning to look at him with a much warmer gaze of her own.
With that, she led him out of the ballroom and back to the study, where everyone else was waiting.
His wife-to-be had a curious habit of ruining his plans. And much to his surprise, quite possibly, he did not entirely hate every bit of it.
Chapter Six
“Diana! Diana! How can you still be abed at this time?” Arabella’s shrill voice cut through the fog of sleep, and Diana blinked her eyes open, glancing about the room.
“Because the first rays of light are barely even out. It is alright for me to still be abed.”
“But it is your wedding day!” Arabella squealed.
Valery entered the room next, her face showing just as much excitement as her sister’s. The fact that Valery was even awake at this time of morning spoke to just how excited she was for the occasion. She was usually the last to wake. This morning, however …
“We have to decorate the ballroom,. And we must coordinate the orchestra and get you dressed and check on the wedding breakfast,” she practically squealed.
“The servants have taken care of the decorating and it has all been complete since yesterday. You know that.”
“I know, but we need to check on everything. We have to make sure that it’s still right.”
Diana laughed but decided that there was no use in trying to sleep any longer.
It was her wedding day.
