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Matthew cocked a brow. “Do not look surprised, Bert. I am her knight, and she my queen.” He proceeded toward Diana and took her hand. The kiss he placed on her knuckles was soft and quick but their eyes held in that brief moment, communicating a deeper desire and understanding. “Did you tell them?” he asked her.
She immediately knew what he meant and smiled. “I am yet to. We can tell them now.”
“Did you agree to marry him?” Emma asked, her eyes bright.
“Yes,” Matthew and Diana said at the same time.
“Splendid!” Emma squealed and wrapped Diana in a hug.
“My felicitations to you both,” Albert grinned. “When is the wedding?”
Diana looked up at Matthew, seeming to ask the same question. “There is much to be done but if we have the banns read from this Sunday, we can be married within a month,” he replied before asking Diana, “Does that suit you or would you like to marry sooner?”
“It suits me,” she murmured with a shy smile. “Besides, marrying sooner might require you to travel to London to obtain a special license.” Ever since her revelation, she seemed more cheerful and unburdened. The cold in her eyes had vanished, and she smiled without reservation. He loved it.
“I do not mind the journey,” he said, but he did not want to leave her. Not now. He was yet to tell her about the intruder, but he intended to in time. He crossed the room to pick up a small chair that he brought near her chaise. Sitting, he said, “There is an issue we must deal with immediately, however.”
Albert leaned forward in his seat, while Diana asked, “What is it?” her brows creasing.
Matthew revealed Crawford’s crimes against Diana to Albert and Emma before telling them of his plan. “We will invite him to dinner.” Diana tensed on hearing that and he squeezed her hand to reassure her. “I will not allow him to harm you, ever. He is a cunning man, and it is imperative that he does not suspect we have found him out.” He told them the rest of the plan, and they agreed to cooperate with him.
Diana still seemed uncomfortable but he reassured her again. He was confident in this plan, and it would ensure Crawford never bothered anyone again. He stood after checking his watch and seeing it was almost noon. It was time for him to take some lunch and have a bath, and he was about to excuse himself when he heard voices in the hallway that made his blood pound violently in his veins.
Lady Dervin appeared in the doorway with her daughter. They curtsied deeply before their false smiles were turned to Diana.
“You are downstairs!” Lady Dervin clapped her hands, her delight deepening the frown on Matthew’s brow. “You must be much better, my dear Diana!”
“I am, Aunty,” Diana replied tersely, her face tight. Lady Dervin went to wrap her arms around her, while Florence smiled sweetly from where she stood.
Matthew was reluctant to leave but he knew Diana’s family would maintain their falsehood in Albert and Emma’s presence, which gave him some confidence. Before he left, however, he straightened his posture and called Lady Dervin’s attention.
“Yes, Your Grace?” she answered brightly.
“I have asked Diana to marry me, and she has accepted,” he said.
Her smile froze, then her brightness shattered. Blinking, she asked, “I beg your pardon?”
“I am marrying Diana,” he repeated slowly, making sure every word was drawn.
Lady Dervin blinked again, then she began to laugh. “Oh, this is the best news I have heard in years! I am monumentally joyed!” She hugged Diana again. “My felicitations, my dear niece!”
Matthew glanced at Florence to find her looking puzzled, but she beamed the instant she caught his eyes. Diana was beyond their reach, and he could tell they knew they were powerless now.
“When is the wedding?” Lady Dervin asked.
“Very soon. I shall write to Viscount Edgington this afternoon to inform him.” He was only doing that because Diana was yet to be twenty-one, and his consent was required. Matthew did not want or require any dowry, although he intended to take back what Crawford had collected from her.
“He will be delighted to hear the news, Your Grace,” Lady Dervin said. “I am sure he will travel as soon as he receives it.”
“I am counting upon it,” Matthew muttered. “Now, please excuse me, I have some business to see to.”
“Oh, of course, Your Grace!” Lady Dervin laughed.
He found Diana’s hand and kissed it, smiling to reassure her once more before he strode out of the drawing room. As he ascended the stairs, he stretched his neck, wincing at the stiffness in his shoulder. He had gone days without pain but it would seem his worries and lack of sleep were bringing it back.
Glover was already in his chambers when Matthew entered, and water was being drawn up by several maids for his bath. “My shoulder is being a devil this morning,” he said, removing his coat and walking into his dressing room.
Glover reappeared a moment later with a bottle of the ointment he always prepared for him. “Perhaps you should sleep for a short while. Your body might be stressed, Your Grace.”
