“It is too bad he could not make it, then,” Diana spoke up.
John shook his head slightly. “It’s not, really. We’ll have more fun with him at home than if he was here.”
She was not sure what to say to that, but Isabelle laughed, so she smiled. “If you would be so kind as to excuse me, I shall step out for a little fresh air.”
Matthew looked at her curiously for a long moment but then released her so she could make her way to the balcony.
Her dress was beautiful, and she did love the way it made her look, but at the same time… it felt a little overwhelming. And the pearls around her throat were even more so.
As Diana stood on the balcony, looking out over the oh-so-familiar grounds, she wondered just how she was ever going to say goodbye to this place. But perhaps things would not be so bad in her new home. Matthew did not seem as awful as she had expected, at least. And if John and Isabelle were there as often as they implied, it might be… pleasant.
“Oh, Diana, there you are!”
She turned sharply at the sound of that feminine voice, and a smile spread across her face.
It had been a long time since she had seen Alice. Since her wedding, Diana supposed. And Elizabeth and Martha, who were following behind her.
“You look lovely, Diana—Oh, we should call you ‘Your Grace’ now, should we not?” Martha asked, her lips turned up into a bright smile that did not reach her eyes.
“It is Diana, the same as ever,” Diana replied, reaching forward to hug each of her friends in turn.
Once, they had been close. As close as any friends could be. But then each of them had gotten married, and it had become more difficult to remain in touch with them, as they had scattered across England with their new husbands.
“And how have you been, Alice?” Diana asked.
“Oh, I have been doing well, of course. I am quite busy. Edward is quite involved in the House of Lords and so we host quite a few events throughout the Season. I must say, he was quite pleased that my connection to you earned us an invitation to this event.”
“And what about your watercolors?” Diana asked.
Alice laughed lightly, waving her hand as if they were of no significance. “There are a great many things that require a woman’s time rather than watercolors.”
“You were always quite good,” Diana insisted, her brow furrowed at the way Alice seemed so… unconcerned.
“I have more important things to do now. There are a number of events to host when your husband is in politics. And not a lot of time for silly things.”
Diana paused and turned toward Martha. “And you? How have you been getting on?”
“Oh, things are quite wonderful, don’t you know? I never did have an eye for watercolors or anything of the sort, but myhusband is quite often away from home, so I have actually begun to dabble in a number of things.”
“He is away a great deal?” Diana asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Martha nodded and gave her that same bright smile that did not reach her eyes.
“And what about the time when he is home?”
“He is often quite busy, even when he is at home. It is better that way anyway.”
The way she glanced away as she said it implied a great deal more than she was willing to let on, and Diana wondered just how bad things were when her friend’s husband was home and paying attention to her.
Which left…
She turned toward Elizabeth, who seemed to be waiting for the same question. “And your husband? It is Arthur, is it not?”
“It is, and I am sure he will be pleased that you have asked after him,” Elizabeth replied promptly, but there was something in her voice…
“I would much rather hear about you,” Diana said.
Elizabeth forced a smile. “I am well, thank you.”
