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"Is everything okay?" I ask.
"It was a lot to take in, okay? But I'm glad you opened up to me."
"I am sorry for how I behaved. I shouldn't have been mad at you," I tell her. She gives me a small smile, and tilts her head just enough so that our lips brush ever so lightly. "And I know that. Thank you for being patient with me."
This time, when we kiss we are slow, soft kisses, gentle, comforting. Diane pulls away after a few moments, and then holds onto me tightly. She buries her head in my neck, arms around my back, holding me close. For a moment I feel like crying; this feels really good. I let go of my own tension by wrapping my arms around her and squeezing just a bit.
"You're welcome," I mumble against her ear.
I inhale her scent. I love the way she smells. The scent reminds me of roses, sweet and light and lovely, the kind only the most pure and caring soul could have produced. I press a soft kiss to her ear.
"Showing emotion isn't weakness," she says. "I'm glad you finally understand that and I'm thankful you have allowed me to see this side of you."
I smile. "Thank you, Diane."
We kiss again, and I put my arm around her waist.
"We will send word to your family tomorrow morning. I hope they will agree. I want nothing more than to know you are happy, Diane," I say.
"I am! I don't think I've ever been so happy. I can't wait to see them. I miss them so much," she says as she looks up to the sky. "It's starting to get dark. I guess we had better get back inside."
"Yes, we should. You should get your rest," I agree.
The sun is setting behind the trees, almost completely disappearing in the horizon. The sky slowly changes from splashes of orange and pink to dark violet as it sets. The cool evening breeze sweeps through her hair, causing it to float all around her. As we walk back towards the house, I look over to see her walking on her toes, as if to seem taller next to me. I watch her hips sway as she walks, and I begin to imagine what it would be like to see her everyday for the rest of my life.
The thought makes me chuckle to myself but suppress the urge, not wanting to upset Diane. She is perfect as she is and I could never ask for more. I just wish I knew she felt the same about me.
"Goodnight, Diane," I whisper as we settle into bed for the night.
"Goodnight," she replies, her voice barely a whisper as she is drifting off to sleep.
My heart swells in a way I've never experienced before and I wonder if she thinks about me the same way.
I wake up early the next day. I can't sleep anymore. My mind won't stop. I lie in bed for hours, thinking about last night, and what to do now. I am hopeful that having her family join her will help her to feel more at home. Perhaps she'll feel more comfortable with me. I hope they'll accept me.
When I look at Diane, I see how lovely she is. She's beautiful, smart, and strong. She's everything I ever wanted. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want to be able to show her that she is loved. I want to protect her from all the hurt and pain she has suffered.
I want to make her happy.
It's time for me to start making some changes in my life. It's time for me to become the person I've always wanted to be.
I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom where I splash cold water on my face. I run a brush through my hair, and after a few minutes I feel refreshed. I dress in the clothes I left out the night before.
19
DIANE
At dinner, I sit with my mother and James, waiting for Duke Carmichael to join us. My mother is trying her hardest not to look disappointed while James keeps giving me a look of concern. When he turns to his brother, the worry in his eyes is obvious. “What’s wrong?” He asks quietly. I give him an exasperated sigh, as if it will ease his fears.
Instead, though, I just smile wryly and shrug noncommittally. I glance down at my empty plate when a server passes by and then look back up at James again. His mouth quirks into a small smirk, like a cat that has caught you staring at the floor rather than your food.
"So where is this Duke of yours?" he asks, looking around the room.
"He will be along shortly," I assure him, nervously glancing around the room as well.
Suddenly, he appears and relief sweeps through my body. I smile politely as he approaches the table, with a satisfied look on his face.
"How is everything?" Duke Carmichael asks as he looks around the table.
