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He must have heard it because he drew back and frowned. “Is there something troubling you?”
“No,” she answered quickly, but the emotion rising in her throat would not go down. “There is nothing.”
He searched her face as if he did not believe her. His brows drew over his eyes and his jaw tightened. And in that moment, Diana felt as if he could see into her soul. “Are you certain, Diana?” There was a great measure of concern in his voice, and it sent a sweet ache into her heart.
She nodded silently instead as a lump formed in her throat.
“Please tell me if something is troubling you so I can help you.” His thumb gently passed over her bottom lip and down her chin. She wanted to close her eyes and delight in the tender touch but he was too close to seeing who she was.
She swallowed and stepped away from him. The irony left a bitter taste in her mouth, as she was so close yet so far from having what she always desired. “I have to go.”
“Diana—"
“I do not want anyone to wonder where I am.” She hurried to the door and opened it, then ran out before he could stop her.
Chapter 9
Matthew followed Diana but stopped when he reached the door, deciding to let her leave. He did not want her to run away from him. He wanted her to trust him, and despite her constant denials, she reminded him more of Dee than her cousin, whom he still had not gotten the chance to question. It was not a subject that could be discussed around others.
He left the gallery and found his guests in the library. “My apologies for my absence,” he said as he walked in, his eyes immediately finding Diana. She was standing in front of a bookshelf with Emma and Albert, and Matthew was surprised to see Emma talking and smiling freely. Lady Dervin and Crawford stood not far from them, conversing as if they were good friends.
He thought it was odd but quickly dismissed it. He had changed and forgotten that most people made friends quickly, and Lady Dervin was a rather talkative woman. He did not want to think she was also obsequious and often disregarded propriety because he thought he ought to have a good opinion of Dee’s mother. If Florence was Dee.
“You need not apologize, Your Grace.” Florence came to stand close to him, placing her hand on his arm. “What an excellent library you have.”
They began walking away from the others. “And you are very fond of reading, are you not?” he asked her, knowing that Dee loved to read.
“Yes, of course.” Florence smiled shyly. “Especially books with otherworldly things.”
Matthew narrowed his eyes as an opportunity presented itself. “Have you read a book more than once, Miss Dervin?”
She laughed softly. “I readThe Castle of Otrantofive times.”
Dee’s exact words, he thought. This was the second thing he was discovering that told him Florence was his Dee but something was preventing him from believing it entirely. He glanced at Diana, feeling confused and conflicted.
He looked back at Florence. “The painting of the window you showed me yesterday…"
She sighed and smiled. “Do you still have the miniature, Matthew?”
“It is you, is it not?”
She lowered her eyes, and the corners of her mouth fell. “Forgive me for concealing it from you.”
His heart should leap, he should want to continue what they had begun years ago now that he had found her, but Matthew was uncertain what the hollowness he still felt meant. He led her further away from the guests so he could ask her more questions.
“Why did you stop responding to my letters?”
Her gray eyes misted. “My father died, and my mother and I had to leave London,” she said. “I wanted some time to adapt to how my life had changed.”
Matthew felt deeply sorry. “My condolences, Florence. I wish you would have told me.”
She smiled up at him. “I wanted to but my life changed very suddenly.”
That was a good explanation for her silence, and Matthew accepted it. Gently, he steered her back toward the others. He had a lot to think about before he chose his next course of action. He had dearly wished that Diana was Dee, and he was gravely disappointed.
“Why have you grown quiet?” Florence asked, worry filling her eyes when they were near the others. “Are you disappointed?”
He cleared his throat. “Certainly not. How can I be?” He gave her a smile he hoped was convincing.
