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He stopped suddenly and kissed her deeply, his firm yet gentle mouth suckling her bottom lip and coaxing her tongue to play until she could not breathe. “Matthew,” she whispered.
“Yes?” His lips brushed her neck, making her forget the question she had been about to ask, and she felt them moving backward until they were close to a wall. He set her down and made her lean against it before he kissed her again, his hands bunching her skirts up. The cane in her hand fell but neither of them bothered with it.
Matthew raised her left leg and wrapped it around his waist, then tenderly caressed her thighs, teasing a path up to her center with his hand. Diana took a fistful of his hair when he slipped a finger inside her, arching her back and moaning his name.
His strokes were slow and gentle at first, but when he stared into her yearning eyes and heard her plea for more, he touched with more intensity, enflaming every part of her body. She could see her pleasure reflect on his face, and within moments, her insides were clenching. Her breathing ceased and she trembled, waves of euphoria engulfing her very being. He pulled her against him and held her, allowing her body to settle and recover.
Diana touched his cheek as he smiled down at her. She could become aroused again by just looking at him, for he was glorious in everything he did and how he made her feel. Gently, he lowered her leg and smoothed her skirts.
“Now do you see why I think you should not do that?” he murmured.
“Yes.” Diana kissed him again though, wishing they did not have to go down to dinner, and he groaned.
“We might need that special license after all.” He picked up her cane and handed it to her, then scooped her up and continued toward the stairs.
“That is a great notion,” she chuckled.
They descended the stairs and then headed to the drawing-room. As Matthew walked in with her, she felt his body grow rigid. She turned to see Crawford standing in front of the fireplace, conversing amiably with Albert. Matthew had instructed them all to not behave differently toward him. Matthew set her down but placed her hand on his arm to keep her close.
“Your Grace.” Crawford bowed in greeting. He looked at Diana when he straightened, his demeanor the most charming she had ever seen it. “Miss Pearson, I heard you sustained an injury. I hope you are better now.”
“I am much better, my lord,” she said, certain her cheeks would ache later for smiling so falsely.
“Hearing that brings me great relief,” he said affectedly. He looked from Diana to Matthew, a question in his dark eyes.
“I have great news to share with you, Crawford,” Matthew said, leading Diana to sit in a chair and standing beside her.
“What news is that, Your Grace?” Crawford asked, inclining his head as he continued to watch them curiously.
“Diana and I are getting married,” Matthew announced.
Something flickered in his eyes before a wide grin appeared. “This is wonderful news! My felicitations, Your Grace, Miss Pearson.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Diana said cordially, feeling greatly assured by Matthew’s presence.
“I must express my surprise, however,” Crawford continued. “I did not think you would be taking a wife soon, Your Grace.”
“What ever gave you that notion?” Matthew chuckled.
“Well. You have been reluctant to rejoin society.”
“Yes, but I am glad I hosted that ball,” Matthew was looking at Diana as he spoke, “for providence brought Diana to me.” The tenderness in her heart swelled, and she was sure her eyes reflected what she felt.
“Very good,” Crawford muttered. “My felicitations once more.”
Emma arrived then, and Diana saw her trying to school her features when she saw Crawford. Crawford regarded her with keen interest as she took a seat, his dark eyes glinting in a manner that Diana had seen several times before.
“Mr. Kingsley has apprised me of the reason I was unable to see you on the two consecutive afternoons I called upon you.”
Diana’s brows rose at this. “Yes, my lord,” Emma said. “I was here with my dear friend in her time of need.”
“Friendship is a grand thing,” Crawford smirked as the butler came to announce that dinner had been served.
Matthew helped Diana, while Crawford offered to walk Emma to the dining room. Albert followed closely behind, his eyes never leaving his sister. When Matthew set Diana down in her chair, Crawford’s attention was upon them again.
“When is the wedding?” he asked the question Diana expected.
“The parish has posted the banns,” Matthew replied, and Crawford’s eyes glinted again, which made Diana’s hand briefly still as she reached for her wineglass.
