“Open it and see.”
Diana lifted the lid and instantly ran her fingers along the fabric. Inside lay a beautiful deep emerald green riding habit. It was more serviceable than flashy, which was perfect.
“Graham,” she gushed. “Thank you. This is perfect!”
“I want you to feel comfortable as you build your confidence riding your horse.”
Diana placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. “I’m going to dress in it now.”
“Graham shook his head. “I supposed I had better dress, too.”
“Yes,” she exclaimed. “I want my lesson.”
After they dressed, the pair made their way out to the mews, and Diana couldn’t help but blush at the memory of the last time she had been there, before her father practically locked her away until she had married.
Diana immediately went to Luna, who appeared excited to see her. “Ready for another lesson, girl?”
The groom approached and saddled Luna for her, and then saddled Midnight. Graham helped her mount her horse, and then he leaped into his own saddle. For the next hour, Graham instructed her while he rode beside her and Luna. Diana’s confidence grew with each loop they made as Graham coached her through walking, then trotting, then the terrifying joy of her first canter.
“Excellent!” Graham called as she brought Luna back for a walk. Her heart was pounding. “You’re a natural, Diana.”
When he finally helped her dismount, she couldn’t believe that she had just done that. And wasn’t certain how she had gone her whole life without being allowed to do so.
“That was incredible,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck. “I can’t believe I did it!”
“You did wonderfully.” He held her close. “Soon we’ll have you riding in Hyde Park. It’s only a matter of time before your father andbrother find out and have my head.”
“Papa is back in the country.” Diana said, placing a quick kiss on his cheek. “And I don’t care what Elias thinks.”
“It isn’t you that he will be cross with.” Graham released her and motioned toward the house for them to return inside. “Well, perhaps that isn’t true. But he can’t plant you a facer.”
She took his arm and allowed him to lead her back through the garden. Life had become almost perfect. She had a handsome, passionate husband who she hadn’t even realized she needed. And she was learning to ride a horse. All that was to take over the management of their house and advise Graham on the management of their estates and life would be complete. Diana touched her stomach, acknowledging that a babe is what would truly make their life complete. She would have it all. More than most women of thetonwere afforded.
And as unlikely as it was, and as much as she wanted to guard her heart, she was starting to allow the possibility of love to creep in. The more time she spent with Graham, the more that she couldn’t imagine not being with him. How she couldn’t wait for each day of their marriage to build their life together. It went beyond attraction and infatuation. But was it love?
Diana shook off the thought, deciding that she didn’t need to name her feelings at present. They had just married and she needn’t rush things. Either way, they would be married for the rest of their lives.
“Ready for those ledgers now?” Graham asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
“You know the way to a woman’s heart,” Diana teased. “Horses and account books.”
And her heart flipped again. “And the household accounts, too.”
*
After a lightluncheon, they settled in Graham’s study with ledgersspread across the desk. Diana felt eager to dive into everything. This was what she excelled at, what made her feel useful and valued.
“Shall we start with this one?” Diana asked, opening the first ledger.
“Of course,” Graham said. As she looked up, she saw him tuck a few pieces of parchment into his drawer, then he picked up a different ledger.
Diana spread the accompanying documents before her, immediately losing herself in the columns of figures. After a few minutes, she caught Graham’s attention. “The yields are far below what they should be for that acreage.”
“What would you suggest?”
“It’s likely the drainage needs updating, and they should rotate the crops differently.” She made notes on a fresh piece of parchment, organizing them by the name of the property and what plan she had for each one. “If you implemented these changes, you could increase profits by at least thirty percent within two years.”
“You are brilliant,” he said, thumbing through one of the ledgers from the stack.
