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Fitz listened to her as she sighed deeply. It was silent between them for a moment and eventually Fitz stopped and tilted Diana’s head with his free hand up so he could look into her eyes. Running his fingers along her chin only made him want her more so he could touch every inch of her bare skin.
“I will not keep it secret from you because you are soon to be my husband. Therefore, you should know that I was approached by a Lady Gunther today,” Diana said. Hearing Natale’s former name caused all his desire to swiftly leave his body because now he was more worried about Diana than his own personal wants.
“What happened after she approached you?” Fitz asked as he lowered his hand from her face.
“She assumed that I knew her, that you had told me of her. When I explained I was not aware, she finally made herself known and explained that I was doing disservice to her sister’s memory by agreeing to marry you,” Diana explained. Fitz’s temper was quickly rising, thinking that it was a very wrong thing for Natale to do.
“She then offered me five thousand pounds a year to break off our engagement.”
“That is quite a sum of money,” Fitz said, his thoughts racing as he wondered what Diana’s response was. “I wouldn’t blame any woman for accepting such an offer.”
“Rest assured I did not accept the offer,” Diana said as she dropped her hand from his arm and continued walking without him. Fitz hurried to keep up, wondering what else had happened.
“I would not disgrace my family for all the money in the world,” Diana explained. “And after all that you’ve done for me and my family, I couldn’t do that to you, either. You are truly a good man, Fitz. And I …” Fitz was holding his breath as he waited for Diana to continue speaking. She’d stopped again and was looking at the ground. He moved in front of her and tilted her head back up so he could look into her eyes and know the truth of her words.
“And what, Diana?” he softly asked.
“And I think I’m going to enjoy being married to you,” she said with a smile spreading across her face.
Fitz wasn’t sure what came over him at that moment as he lowered his head and captured her lips with his. A burst of passion and desire spread over him as he wrapped both arms around Diana, drawing him closer to her. Once her body was pressed up against his, he let his hands roam over her back and shoulders, his fingers carefully stroking her hair as it hung down her back in curls.
Diana reacted to his kiss and caresses as she deepened their kiss, opening her lips and allowing his tongue to enter. He tasted her essence, a moan escaping his mouth and washing over her. Her hands started to run along his chest, the warmth from her touch causing his desire for her to only increase. He pressed his throbbing manhood against her hips, letting her know fully how much he desired her. She gasped, no doubt feeling him press into her stomach. She lowered her hand and carefully caressed his manhood, making him growl with need as he bit her lower lip.
“If we don’t return quickly inside, I’m afraid I’ll ravage you here in the gardens,” Fitz said in a very husky voice as he broke their kiss and tilted his head up to suck in the cool night air. Diana dropped her hand from his throbbing manhood and instead rested her arms over his shoulders and placed her cheek to his chest.
Fitz rested his head on top of hers, holding her close as they both fought to catch their breath. He couldn’t comprehend why he was so attracted to Diana, but he knew that it wouldn’t be proper to take her purity until they were properly married.
“Come then. Let’s return inside,” Diana said as she pulled away from him. As she dropped her arms from his shoulders, she took his hand and led him back towards the open doors at the back of the manor. He felt comfort in simply feeling her hand in his and allowed her to lead him so. And by the time they reached the door, his manhood had fully calmed down.
“Tell me about the books you like to read,” Diana said as she dropped his hand once they were inside. They walked side-by-side through the hallway. Fitz even folded his hands behind his back because he feared that if he touched Diana, he wouldn’t be able to control himself a second time.
“I read mostly novels,” Fitz admitted as they made their way back to the drawing room. “I find the adventures within the books are very captivating and often help distract my mind for many hours if I need to.”
“I liked to think of myself as a reader myself,” Diana said. “Though I haven’t had much time for reading.”
“Perhaps we shall both enjoy an evening simply reading once we are married,” Fitz suggested.
“I think that would be pleasurable,” Diana said with a bright smile. Fitz had a feeling that she was teasing him and inwardly groaned as they returned to the drawing room. He wondered if Diana would one day become a talented temptress. Already she was tempting him without even trying.
Throughout the dinner, the four of them discussed plans for the wedding. They also talked about the details of the Caseys moving into the manor and that Lord and Lady Casey would make the move a few days after the wedding to give him and Diana time to adjust to one another.
“That is a very kind offer, thank you,” Fitz addressed to Lord Casey.
“That does remind of something that I wanted to discuss,” Diana said as she took a small sip of her wine before setting the glass aside. “I wanted to know what my responsibilities are once I become Duchess.”
Fitz hadn’t been expecting this question. His primary want for having a wife was for him to have children. He was certainly eager to try for children with Diana because his body responded so quickly to her. But perhaps Diana was wondering what else she would do with her time when they weren’t tangled up together in his bedchamber.
“You could oversee the staff each day. You could plan different social functions if that is your desire. If you are asking me if I have any expectations of you, you can be assured that I do not,” Fitz said. If this had been a private conversation, he would have made it known in great detail what he wanted from Diana. But that would have only led him to acting out his words.
“And what about your tenants, Your Grace? Would you mind if I visited them?” Diana asked. Fitz thought for a moment, wondering why she would be concerned about his tenants.
“I can’t think of a reason why I would mind you visiting whomever you choose. Though I am curious why you ask such a thing.”
“I ran into Mrs Daniels this morning in the village. She is a wife to a farmer,” Diana said.
“Indeed, I am familiar with the Daniels family,” Fitz replied.
“She mentioned how you only keep in contact with your tenants through letters and how she would prefer to know you in person. It made me wonder if I should visit the tenants once I am Duchess to make your presence more known to them. I fear they have forgotten you.”
