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“I am unsure. Something must be keeping him because he is quite a punctual fellow,” Albert replied.
Diana blushed, remembering how early he had been to their picnic. Her eyes found Emma in the distance, and Diana suddenly remembered what she had told her about Crawford being charming. “May I request something from you, Mr. Kingsley?”
He turned to look at her. “Of course, and please call me Albert.”
She already did in her thoughts but she nodded nevertheless. “Can you discourage Emma from accepting Crawford’s suit if he ever attempts to court her?”
Albert’s dark brows drew over his eyes. “That is a rather odd request.”
She understood the question between his words. “I do not believe he is a man to be trusted,” she answered, and Albert did not look surprised to hear that.
“I will not allow him to court Emma. I promise,” he assured her. “I am happy Emma has a friend who earnestly cares for her.”
“I believe I am fortunate to have met her.” Her chest tightened as she said that, and she breathed slowly.
“Ah, he is here,” Albert said, causing the breath she was trying to gather to escape her.
She followed his gaze to see Matthew standing in a wooden archway that led into the house. The smile that lit his features lay a soft kiss on her heart and broke it at the same time. He walked up to them, drawing and dominating the attention of the guests around him.
“I was about to tell Miss Pearson to demand compensation from you for being late,” Albert jested.
Matthew threw him a lopsided grin before taking Diana’s hand and kissing it. “Forgive me for being late, and do not listen to anything Albert tells you. He is the devil on a man’s shoulder.”
Diana laughed. “And you are the angel?”
“Hardly,” he chuckled. “The devil on the other shoulder perhaps. Will you promenade the garden with me?”
She stood and took his arm, her insides fluttering uncontrollably. “Yes.” She turned to Albert, and said, “Thank you for keeping me company.”
He inclined his head cordially. “It was my pleasure.”
When Matthew led her well away from the other guests, she said, “I have something to tell you. Can we find a place where we can be alone?”
He seemed to think for a moment. “Do you remember what the front hall looks like?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“There is a narrow hallway on the right after the stairs. Enter the last room down the hall, and I will join you shortly.” He kissed her hand before releasing her.
She went into the house, found the front hall, then followed the directions Matthew had given her, the sound of her heart pounding being the only thing she could hear. She let herself into the room, a small salon of some sort, and sat in a chair to wait for him.
Five minutes passed and she began to grow very anxious. She stood and started to pace.You cannot change your mind, Diana,she told herself. This was the best thing she could do, as painful as it was.
Seven minutes had gone when she glanced at the clock again, and she played with the beads on the strap of her reticule. Reluctantly, she checked the clock again after some minutes and thought that if he had not come in ten minutes, then he might not be coming at all.
Diana was not offended because he was a duke, and could have been stopped by anyone seeking his attention. However, she could not continue to wait for him here. Perhaps she could meet him at the lake later. She went to the door, and as she turned the handle, it was pushed open from the other side, causing her to quickly step back.
Matthew walked in and closed the door, turning the lock. “Nearly everyone I encountered on my way sought to delay me,” he explained. “I am sorry.”
“I suspected that,” she said.
His expression softened, and he took her hand to draw her close, then wrapped an arm around her waist. “The moments have been long without you,” he whispered, his head coming down until their lips were very close.
“Matth—"
Her words were stolen by a passionate kiss that figuratively lifted her off her feet. His mouth was as warm and sweet as she remembered, and his touch soft and gentle. How could she bring herself to leave him when he was kissing her in this manner, making her feel as though she was the most precious thing in his life?
He pulled away and brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “What did you want to tell me?”
