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“You are safe, my darling,” he murmured, stroking her hair. “Everything is well now.”
She nodded against his chest, but she did not say anything. Matthew held her, his heart that had been pounding ferociously in his chest slowing until a calm surrounded them.
The constable will question Crawford, and Matthew hoped he would lead them to the intruder. He did not want to think the man was unrelated to Crawford, because then they would be dealing with a new enemy, and someone they knew nothing about.
Chapter 34
Diana craned her neck to look out the drawing-room window at noon two days later when she heard the sound of carriage wheels on gravel. “They are here,” she said to Emma, a small flutter in her belly.
Her father had responded to the letter Matthew had sent him, saying he will be arriving today. He had sounded pleased in the letter, but Diana was unsure what to make of it. She stood, able to walk now without a cane, and looked at Emma.
“I do not even know what to say to them.”
Emma gave her an encouraging smile. “You will find what to say, I am sure.”
“I could say, ‘Mother, Father, how glad I am to see you after two years’,” Diana giggled as she began to walk toward the drawing-room door. She was not glad to see them, for it had taken a duke writing to them, telling them that he was marrying their daughter before they decided she was worthy of their time.
McGill was already holding the front door open when she stepped into the hall, and several footmen were carrying boxes into the castle. Her parents were to stay in Kendall until the wedding, and rooms had meticulously been prepared for them.
Matthew owed them no generosity, yet he granted it to them for her sake. She longed for him today more than all the other days because she had not seen much of him since Crawford’s confession. She knew he had much to do, especially with their impending nuptials but she could not help thinking there was more to his absence.
Her father, Jacob, was the first to walk into the castle, and he looked as tall and proud as she remembered, but his hair was balding. His pale blue gaze found hers, and for a moment, neither of them blinked, moved, or said anything. Seeing that he would likely not be the first to react, she took a step toward him.
“Father.”
“Daughter.” He nodded once, then went silent, not that Diana expected him to say anything.
Her mother appeared, more slender than she had been the last time Diana saw her, and she wondered what had brought about the change in her appearance. Helen removed her bonnet before she raised her vacant green eyes to look at Diana. Unlike Jacob, she mustered a smile, albeit an awkward one.
“Mother,” Diana said tentatively, “It is good to see you.”
“You, as well, Diana.” Helen regarded her more. “You have changed.”
“Well, so have you, Mother.” Diana twisted the satin flounce on her dress front.
“I suppose two years is quite some time.”
“It is a long time.” She disliked the vulnerability she heard in her voice. They stood awkwardly in the hall until the silence between them became deafening. “Please come into the drawing-room.” She turned and led the way. Emma set down her embroidery and stood, curtsying politely. “Allow me to introduce my dear friend Miss Emma Kingsley.”
Emma smiled shyly. “My lord, my lady, it is an honor.”
Jacob and Helen returned her greeting with a nod before they sat. Her father quickly occupied himself with admiring the paintings on the vaulted ceiling, while her mother looked from Emma to Diana. An observer who was not acquainted with them would think she was meeting Diana for the first time, and vice versa.
Slowly, Emma stood and curtsied. “I will ring for tea.”
Instead of going to the bellpull near the door, she left the room altogether, and Diana could understand how barely tolerable all of this was for her. Besides, Emma was excusing herself so Diana could be alone with her parents.
“This is a grand castle,” Jacob said.
“Yes, it is,” Diana said, glancing around the drawing-room, too.
Her father turned his eyes to her. “I do not see the duke anywhere.”
“He is out on business,” Diana replied.
Her father nodded. And then he inclined his head and looked at her as if he was studying her. “Diana, why are you not at your aunt’s house?”
She looked away, a sigh expanding her chest. “I no longer live there.”
