Diana simply smiled in response. “I know it is perhaps a bit much, but I am excited about it. I cannot wait for the day of the party. Everything is ready, and I have informed him so that he may be prepared. And I have worked with Ms. Willten to ensure that everything will be ready just the way I want it.”
And in fact, the day of the party dawned just as beautiful as she could have imagined. Everything was going exactly as she had hoped.
“You look lovely, My Lady,” Margaret told her, smiling as she arranged the last of Diana’s hair just so. “And perfect for the party.”
As she gazed at her reflection in the looking glass Diana could not help but feel that perhaps she was right.
What would Mathew think?
The thought darted across her mind, unbidden, and she could not help the flush to her cheeks at the thought.
Still, it was foolish to think such a thing and so she pushed the thought aside and stood, smoothing the soft muslin of her new dress made of and making her way to the staircase.
As she placed one hand on the smooth wood of the banister and began to slowly make her way down it took her a moment to realize that Mathew himself waited at the bottom and then it suddenly became difficult to keep her feet moving down the stairs.
He looked even more handsome than normal.
The thought made her blush slightly, as she realized that she reallydidthink him quite handsome.
The suit he wore was, of course, tailored perfectly, but even the most perfect suit could only do so much for a man. In Matthew’s case, however, it made him look … well, she had not the words for what she felt in that moment. But even more than that was the intensity of his gaze as he stared up at her.
There was no smile there, but something about the way those eyes seemed to bore straight into her … it certainly made her feel … well, she feltsomethingstirring in her heart as she gazed back at him.
Her breath seemed to catch in her throat and all at once she wanted to hurry down the stairs to his arms and also wanted to draw this moment out to last for a lifetime.
“Diana,” he murmured her name softly as she drew closer, his hand reaching out to take her own and draw her down those last few steps. “You look … lovely.”
It was the same word Margaret had used, but from his lips the compliment sounded even more real. Making her flush and smile in pleasure.
“And you, Your Grace,” she returned with a teasing formality and a slight curtsy, “Look quite . handsome.”
He gave a smile and a slight bow, making a show of leaning over to kiss the back of her hand and she couldn’t help but laugh at his own teasing. There was something … easy about this moment. And she never wanted it to end.
Judging by the way that his eyes suddenly narrowed in intensity, and the way that he did not release her hand following that gentle kiss … he did not want it to end either.
“Shall we …” he began, but he made no move to lead her away. Instead, he simply stared at her, still holding her hand in his own. And then the other hand rose toward the side of her face, gently brushing against her cheek and causing her heart to patter more frantically.
Was she truly falling for this man? This man who she would only a short time ago have felt she had no reason to regard at all let alone truly care for?
But the feel of his hand on her cheek, and the way that he brought her other hand to his lips once more … It was all entirely too much. Too overwhelming. And she wondered just what it could all mean as the moment stretched on.
Finally, reluctantly, he stepped back, releasing her hand so he could take her arm instead, preparing to lead her toward the guests who they could hear outside the doors.
“Is everything the way you had hoped?” he asked.
Diana studied him carefully. He did not look as at ease as she would have wished, but she at least understood why. This was not something he was truly comfortable with, and yet he was doing it for her.
The thought of it made her flush even more.
She was about to speak when she heard a sound behind her, and she and Matthew both turned toward it.
“Ah, there you are, Matthew. It is about time you allowed us back into your home,” John drawled as he strode through the door, Isabelle at his heels. “And for a party, no less. Why, I don’t believe I’ve been to a party hosted by you in… well, ever.”
“Speak with my wife. It is Diana who has planned this party, not me.” But Matthew did not look upset as he said it. Instead, he looked pleasant. And as he looked at Diana, there was something about his expression that made her blush yet again.
“Your Grace, it is a pleasure to see you as well.” John bowed over Diana’s hand in an almost exaggerated fashion and gave a big smile that she returned instinctively. She bobbed a polite curtsey in response.
Isabelle grasped her hand tightly and beamed at her as if they were already best friends, and Diana wondered if perhaps that was truly how Isabelle felt.
