And Diana stood leaning against the door.
“Diana.” Graham shot to his feet, nearly knocking over his inkwell in the process. “What are you doing here? How did you—”
“I know my way around a townhouse,” Diana said with a mischievous smile. “I just got lucky when I assumed you were in your study.”
Graham raked his fingers through his hair. “You shouldn’t have snuck out without an escort. Anything could have happened.” Even as he said it, he couldn’t help but drink in the sight of her. She was wearing a deep blue walking dress that brought out her eyes, and her cheeks were pink from the morning air.
“I just couldn’t wait any longer,” she said, pushing off from the door and moving further into his study. “I wanted another riding lesson.”
His mind went to an impure place from her words. And it had everything to do with a certain book that he’d spent all of last night examining. He drew a deep breath, doing his best to push that particular mental image aside.
“It’s far too dangerous with your father in town now, too. We shall be married soon enough and we can continue our lessons then.”
Diana waved a dismissive hand. “Elias dragged Papa to their clubwith Hudson. They shall never know I’m gone.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Besides, you already agreed.”
Graham stared at her, realizing that there was likely never a single time in their lives that he would be able to tell her no to anything. “You’re going to be the death of me, aren’t you?”
“I certainly hope not,” Diana said with a grin. “That would make for a very short marriage indeed.”
Despite himself, Graham found his lips twitching with suppressed laughter. “You’re completely mad.”
“Perhaps. But I’m also determined to learn to ride.” She stepped closer still, close enough that he could see the gold flecks in her blue eyes. “Please, Graham? Just a short lesson?”
There was absolutely no way he would ever be able to deny this woman anything.
“A short lesson,” he said finally. “And then I take you straight home.”
Diana clapped her hands together in delight. “Thank you!”
Graham just shook his head, questioning his sanity for allowing himself to be talked into a situation that would only make her father hate him more. “Come then. I actually have a surprise for you.”
“What sort of surprise?” Diana asked, practically bouncing on her toes.
“You’ll see.” Graham couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. He would give her anything she wanted if it kept her smiling at him the way she was.
They made their way to the stables, taking care to avoid anyone in Graham’s household seeing him. With Diana’s hand in his, and her body pressed close to his when they paused before darting around corners, he became far too aware of her. The memory of that damned book’s illustrations kept flashing through his mind, making him sensitive to every gentle touch.
When they reached the stables, they found Luna settled into astall. The mare’s ears pricked forward at their approach, and she nickered softly.
“Oh,” Diana breathed, rushing to the stall. “This is a beautiful horse.”
That she was. She was solid black, almost identical to Midnight, but just a bit smaller.
“She’s yours,” Graham said, running his fingers along the horse’s neck. “I thought she would make a good wedding present. And I trained her myself.”
Diana’s eyes widened. “Mine? Truly?” She beamed at him, and the joy on her face made his chest tighten. “Graham, I… I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything.” He moved closer, watching as Diana tentatively reached out to stroke Luna’s nose. “She’s gentle as a lamb but still quite spirited. Perfect temperament for a lady’s mount.”
“She’s absolutely perfect.” Diana’s voice was soft with wonder. “What’s her name?”
“Luna. She was born on the night of a full moon.” Graham smiled at the memory. “I thought the name suited her.”
Diana turned to face him fully, and there were tears in her eyes. “No one has ever given me anything so wonderful.”
The raw emotion in her voice made Graham’s heart do a little flip in his chest. Without thinking, he reached out to cup her face gently. “You deserve this, Diana. You deserve everything.”
For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the air between them charged. Something that felt dangerously close to losing control again.
