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He guided their conversation back into a lighter path, and when they were both dry and the sun was beginning to set, they packed up the picnic and she straightened her appearance with his help.
“Alas, I cannot do anything about your hair,” he said.
“That is what a bonnet is for.” Diana picked it up and covered her head.
“I thought it was to shield you from the sun.” He raised a brow.
“It is for those who are cautious of the sun.” Smiling, she raised her face toward the setting sun. “It invigorates me.”
He laughed and playfully tweaked her nose. Taking her hand, he led her to her horse. “Let me ride behind you to your aunt’s house. I want to ensure you are safe.”
“I will be safe,” she started to say but he shook his head.
“The sun is setting. If you are afraid of me being seen with you, I will keep a good distance between us, just enough to see you.”
“I’m not afraid,” she defended, “but you may follow me.”
Matthew kissed her cheek, and then helped her mount her horse.
Diana had been reluctant to let Matthew follow her but she was glad he insisted. She glanced behind her when she arrived at her aunt’s house, barely seeing him in the twilight. He waved, and she returned the gesture before proceeding to the stables.
The day had been most extraordinary even though she had nearly revealed herself more than once. She was unwilling to think of what would happen after today, but she had made memories with him that she would always cherish for when she left this world behind.
She entered the house through the servants’ entrance, and she was on her way to find her aunt when she heard what sounded like an argument coming from Margaret’s study. The door was open, and she saw her aunt and Florence inside.
“I cannot understand why you are withholding what you once gave me freely,” Florence shrilled, her hands on her hips, and her stiff curls bouncing with every movement of her head.
“Florence, you have new dresses you are yet to wear. I do not see why you want more,” Margaret said from behind her desk, a pair of spectacles perched on her nose.
“Ineedthem, Mother,” Florence insisted like a petulant child. “You want me to steal the duke’s heart, do you not?”
“Not now, Florence,” Margaret warned. “I will not have you being wasteful.”
“Wasteful, Mother? My, you sound like Lady Miranda’s miserly father!”
Diana covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from being heard. This exchange had just revealed to her that Florence was oblivious to her mother’s financial woes. She wondered what her cousin would do if she found out that some of her dowry had been spent. It would certainly be an upsetting sight.
“What are you doing there?” Margaret’s question was directed at Diana, and she was quite startled by it.
“Nothing,” she said quickly. “I was looking for you to tell you that I have returned.” When her aunt stared at her, she added, “You asked me to report to you the instant I am home.”
“Now that you have, you may go.” Margaret waved a dismissing hand.
“Of course,” Diana murmured and left. She hurried up the stairs so she could change out of her clothes that were still slightly damp, but no sooner had she closed her bedchamber door behind her than Florence barged into the room.
“Are you happy, Diana?” she began.
“I beg your pardon?” Diana asked. She had no patience for her cousin’s histrionics and proceeded to her dressing room.
“You are draining my family’s fortune,” Florence responded, following her. “Because of the burden that you are, Mother is refusing to spend any money on a new dress for me.”
Diana stopped and turned to stare at her cousin in disbelief. She was not going to waste any of her time reminding Florence that her father sent funds every month for her care. She went to her wardrobe to find a dress to wear for the evening. She had no intention of dining with her aunt and cousin. Besides, she was quite full after the lovely picnic she had.
“Are you not going to respond?” Florence yelled. She scrunched her nose when she saw Diana’s dirty hem. “What happened to your dress?”
“A long walk in the mud,” she replied, removing her dress.
“I knew Emma is as odd as you are.” Florence rolled her eyes, then, “I have nothing to wear to the Saville garden party in two days.” After accusing her, it now appeared as though her cousin wanted her to listen to her complain about how woeful her life was.
