Chapter Six
Diana
Diana smoothed herpale yellow morning dress over her lap, forcing herself to keep from fidgeting in her seat. Lord Powis—Graham—would be calling within the hour. It was the first time she’d see him since two nights ago when they’d ended up betrothed.
She popped up from the settee and moved about the room. She’d barely slept since it happened, her mind churning over the events in the gazebo. The memory of his hands settling his coat around her shoulders, the way his voice had roughened just before she had pressed her lips so his. The memory did things to her that she could never speak to anyone.
“Diana, you’re pacing again.” Lydia’s voice carried gentle amusement from her seat by the drawing room window. “It’s not going to make him appear any sooner. Besides, all will be well.”
Diana paused mid-step and turned to face her sister-in-law, who was working on her embroidery by the window. “Easy for you to say. You didn’t have to endure Elias’s lecture about maintaining propriety with my ‘fortune-hunting betrothed.’”
“You know your brother.” Lydia’s needle paused. “Let’s hope your father has a more reasonable head.”
Diana’s stomach twisted again. Papa. She could already picture the look of disappointment on his face.
Before Diana could respond, Mitchell appeared in the doorway. “Lord Powis has arrived, my lady.”
Diana’s stomach dropped to her slippers. “Show him in, please.”
She took a steadying breath, then another, but it did little to settle her nerves. When Graham appeared in the doorway, her breath caught completely.
He looked different in the afternoon light. Certainly no less handsome, perhaps even more so. His chestnut hair was perfectly arranged and his form nicely filled out the cut of his fine clothing. But when their eyes met, she caught a flash of the same nervous energy she felt herself.
“Lady Diana.” He bowed precisely. “Lady Snowdon. Thank you for receiving me.”
“Lord Powis,” Diana curtsied, which felt odd to do for her intended. “Please, do sit. Tea?”
“That would be most welcome.” He took the chair across from hers, close enough that she could detect his sandalwood scent.
Lydia remained in her seat across the room by the window, while Diana took to pouring for her and Graham. After she handed him his cup, she picked up her own and stared at it, searching for something intelligent to say. The silence stretched just long enough to become noticeable when Graham cleared his throat.
“I do hope you are faring well after all that has occurred.” His eyes held genuine concern.
“Indeed. Though I fear my poor maid nearly swooned when she saw my dress.” Diana found herself smiling at the memory. She might keep that dress forever.
Graham’s mouth twitched with suppressed amusement. “I don’t see any lemon cakes on your tray. I suppose we bypassed the need for them.”
Diana laughed despite herself. “Yes, it appears that they are wholly unnecessary. But if you are feeling slighted, I can ensure Cook prepares some for you.”
“I quite like lemon.” And when he flashed her a full grin, he almost made her heart stop.
There was something about him that instantly pulled her in. She felt it that night, and it was still alive and well in her drawing room. But that was dangerous. She didn’t know anything about him, nor what he believed the marriage would be.
She set down her teacup, suddenly serious. “Forgive me for speaking directly, I supposed you find out now that it is my usual course, but I know so little about you. And if we’re to be married…”
“You’d like to know who you’re binding yourself to,” Graham finished. “I understand completely. I feel the same.”
“So tell me what I should know about you, then?”
He appeared to contemplate her question. “My given name is Graham Clive, which I give you leave to always use. I owned a business breeding horses before I inherited the title that was in my father’s family for generations. My personal mount is Midnight, and I have him here with me in London.” He fixed his gaze with hers and then leaned closer as if he were going to tell her a secret. “I quite like the color blue, enjoy reading, and detest artichokes.”
Diana stifled a giggle. “That is all quite helpful information.”
“Your turn,” he said, sipping his tea and then setting the saucer to the side.
She tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “Well, I ran our household from around age twelve until last year when Elias married Lydia.”
Diana glanced over to make sure Lydia hadn’t heard her as she didn’t wish to offend her, then continued. “You’ve met Elias, but I also have two younger sisters, Jenny and Grace. I can’t think of a food I don’t like, my favorite color is pink, and I also like to read. Mostly texts on agriculture, livestock, and estate planning. I like to be useful, so I began learning so that I might help Papa…or my future husband.”
