AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, I do, and I appreciate all of you.” Every tear that gathered in her eyes squeezed his heart, but when she smiled at him, he felt as though he could make everything better for her.
“Will you marry me?” he asked suddenly. He had not even thought of the words before they escaped his lips. She stared at him, her bright eyes surprised. “You do not have to give me an answer right away. I will wait.”
She lowered her eyes and stared at her lap for a while. “I shall not keep you waiting for long,” she said at last, inciting him to wish he could read her thoughts. Again, he felt something was preventing her from accepting the figurative hand he was holding out to her. Diana looked as though she was going to say more but only smiled at him.
Matthew picked up one of the books on the nightstand and discovered it wasThe Passionate Pilgrim. “May I read this to you?” he asked, wishing to draw them both back to a place of happiness and comfort.
“I would love that, Matthew,” she murmured, leaning back against her pillows.
“Do you have a favorite poem here?”
“If love make me forsworn,” she said, and he chuckled, opening the book to the fifth poem. He began to read aloud. Now and again, he would look up to find her eyes closed as she listened to him, and sometimes she would recite what he read. The tender feelings in his chest expanded and blossomed.
It was easy for him to envisage reading to her every day, sharing a literary adventure with her. She was perfect in every way that was right for him, and he did not think he could ever let her slip away from him again.
He had read several poems for her when someone knocked on the door. Diana opened her eyes and looked toward it, a tiny form furrowing her brows. Mrs. Ross opened the door, and a maid walked in with a salver that bore Diana’s dinner.
“I hope Miss Pearson’s meal is as I instructed,” Mrs. Ross said to the maid as she took the tray from her and brought it toward Diana.
“Yes, ma’am,” the maid replied, curtsying to both Matthew and Diana. “There is no fish or anything from the sea.”
Matthew closed the book in his hand and sat up, his gaze on Diana. “Fish?” he asked no one in particular, and a flush spread across Diana’s face and neck.
Mrs. Ross answered quickly, “Yes, Your Grace. Miss Pearson is not fond of fish. Just the smell made her uncomfortable this morning when kippers were included in her breakfast.”
“I see,” he murmured, his eyes still holding Diana’s. Here was surely the answer he had sought and then abandoned. Yet it made no difference to him because he loved Diana and no one else.
Chapter 28
Matthew waited until her food tray had been placed on her lap before he rose, settingThe Passionate Pilgrimdown on the nightstand. “I will leave you to eat now,” he mumbled.
He had many questions whirling through his mind related to his discovery of Diana being his old friend but he decided to wait.
“Will you…” she began but paused, reluctant to complete her request.
Smiling, he assured her, taking her hand again and kissing it. “I will return later. With more books.”
“I shall see you then.” She grinned.
Seeing it was time for dinner, Matthew went straight to the dining room after leaving Diana’s bedchamber. Emma was already there, and so was Albert. Thankfully, there was no sign of Lady Dervin and Florence. He did not think he could keep from sending them away if he saw them.
“How is Diana?” Albert asked when Matthew went to the table.
“She is doing much better,” he replied as he sat, turning his gaze to Emma. “Lady Dervin and her daughter?”
“They left an hour ago.” She unfolded her napkin while the first course was brought.
Albert looked from Matthew to Emma. “Is there something happening that I am unaware of?”
Matthew told his friend about Lady Dervin’s cruelty before announcing, “I made Diana an offer. She is yet to accept but I am hoping she does.”
Emma was the first to gasp with sparkling eyes. “I knew it!”
“We all did,” Albert laughed. “I truly hope she accepts.”
“So do I,” Emma followed. They were the closest he had to a family, and he told them of his intentions so they could hope with him, and, if Diana accepted, celebrate together.
After dinner, Emma left them in the dining room, and when Albert was certain they were alone, he said, “I have news.”
