She waved back, watching as he rode down the drive. She wished that she could go with him, that night. Unfortunately, there were things which had to be borne, first. He had to ask her father, and then they needed to marry.
“He seems a very kind gentleman,” Aunt Clarabelle said, from behind her. Diana turned toward her.
“He is.” She was fully prepared for a fight.
“He says all of the right things,” Aunt Clarabelle stated flatly. “I can tell that he’s flattering me in an attempt to gain sway over my brother. I will not be cajoled into doing so.”
Diana’s heart sunk. That night had certainly seemed to go well. “He’s not a flatterer,” she told her aunt. “He’s the most sincere gentleman that I’ve ever met.” As she said it, she knew that her aunt would take that statement in the entirely wrong way.
“You say that,” Aunt Clarabelle muttered. “Your poor father. Eleonora wouldn’t have ever said that. Not to my face.”
“I am not my sister,” Diana said. Eleonora, prior to her accident, had been much sweeter than Diana had ever been. Diana was the one who spoke her mind. “I love and respect my father. You know that wasn’t meant as a slight toward him.”
Her aunt gave her a smug smile, raising her eyebrow. “That remains to be seen. I’ve got my eye on you. The both of you.”
“Is that a threat, Aunt Clarabelle?” Diana hissed. Her aunt didn’t reply, which told Diana everything that she needed to know.
She turned and started back toward the parlor, so she could attend to her sister, who was no doubt tired. She could hear her aunt, walking behind her. When they reached the parlor, Eleonora had already gone. Her father stood at the window, staring out of it.
“It is past time when you should have sent for me,” Aunt Clarabelle stated from the doorway. “Eleonora’s accident might not have occurred, had you sent for me then.”
“We did not know that Eleonora was sneaking out to meet a man,” her father said, turning to face them.
“She was meeting with a gentleman,” Diana insisted. Eleonora had told her as much, recently.
“No. Any gentleman worthy of marrying a lady would never have been sneaking about,” her father said. “He would have approached me in the proper manner and requested my permission to court her. Eleonora should never have been put in a position that risked her safety.” He walked over to his armchair and sat down. “A gentleman would have known better. He would have done things properly.”
Diana mulled this over. It made sense. Why hide the courtship, if he was a proper gentleman? But then why did Eleonora refer to him as a gentleman? She had seemed so sure of that. It was, perhaps, the only thing that Eleonora had been sure of.
“Well, at least we haven’t lost her,” Aunt Clarabelle said. “I am going to check if she needs any tea and cakes brought to her, the poor lamb. She didn’t eat a thing, all evening.”
She bustled out. Diana looked over at her father. He sat there, brooding, though there was a smile on his face.
“I don’t understand why you’ve sent for her,” Diana said. “She treats me like I don’t have any sense at all.”
“You need a proper chaperone,” he said. “Not just your lady’s maid. Mary’s not experienced enough, in my opinion. She’s only been in service for a few weeks. How is she to know what is dignified?”
“I see.” She gritted her teeth, meanwhile keeping her face impassive. She was used to her father keeping a strong grip on her. His word was the law at Lutterhall Manor. She wasn’t entirely surprised that he was imposing his tight rein. It would be the last time that he’d be able to.
Once I marry Elijah, I will be free.
“If I had agreed to marry the Duke of Domnall, would you have called her here?” she asked, because she wanted to know that this was not a slight against the gentleman that she was coming to love.
“Naturally, I would have.” He turned his gaze toward her. “I know that you and your aunt clash. But I want to be sure that you do not end up like your sister, or worse.”
“How? Lord Cambolton asked your permission to court me properly. You have no reason to believe that I would sneak out in the middle of the night.” While she understood, she could also feel the slight. Her father didn’t trust her. That smarted.
“I can see how passionate you are about him,” he pointed out. “I don’t want you to do anything reckless. I should have had Clarabelle here years ago. She doesn’t have daughters of her own, and her sons don’t need her. She treats you like you were her own. You’re in the best care that I can think of.”
He got up, going over to her. She stood up, and he placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’m trying to take care of you, my precious daughter,” he said, with feeling. “Let me.”
Diana was touched by his concern. She smiled at him and nodded. He returned the smile, kissing her on the cheek.
“I love you, Father,” she said.
“I love you, dearest Diana. Now, I must get some rest. I have much to do tomorrow. And so do you. Cambolton House is much smaller than Lutterhall Manor. You should consider that.” He turned and left the room. She folded her arms.
Diana had her doubts, though she couldn’t voice them. Not to her father. She would just have to buckle down and persevere. She was going to marry Elijah, no matter what it took to convince her father.
* * *
The next morning, Diana and her aunt took the carriage over to Cambolton House. Diana, despite her suspicions, was still excited. She was going to see her future home, with the knowledge that she would soon be mistress of it.
When the carriage turned down the drive, the trees thinned out to reveal a three-story manor house of a dark stone. The drive was long, looping its way through the trees. There was a good-sized stable, painted a gentle cream color, near the house.
The drive was lined with large oak trees, creating a sort of alley. There were fields, with sleek dark horses, and far off, the river ran alongside the estate. There was a little millhouse in the distance.
“Oh, look!” Diana exclaimed. The house was set into its surroundings like a jewel. The windows were many, clear and sparkling in the sunlight.
“It seems rather small.” Her aunt was squinting nearsightedly. Diana wondered if she, too, needed spectacles.
“But so cozy, for a manor house.” She felt defensive.
I can’t understand why Aunt Clarabelle always has to be so cutting.
Not everyone married a Marquess who could set them up in a castle, like she had. Not everyone wanted that.
Elijah met them in the drive. He was standing so tall. He looked handsome in his cut-away tail coat and cream-colored breeches. He always looked so well to her—his muscular frame was accentuated by the cut of his clothing.
Diana considered his shoulders—she knew from dancing with him that the muscle there was hard and well-formed, likely from riding. She thought of placing her hands on him, while he leaned in to kiss her.
If only Aunt Clarabelle weren’t here. Or we might find a moment to slip off.
He walked up to the carriage, opening the door and holding out his hand to help her down. Diana took it, then stepped down. She had dressed in a purple muslin, which brought out the red of her hair. Her black bonnet had little sprigs of lavender, made of silk, trimming the sides, with a satin violet-colored ribbon which tied beneath her chin.
“Welcome, My Lady,” he said, helping her down out of the carriage. He gave her a special smile—one that was clearly meant for her. He then turned to her aunt, assisting her out of the carriage.
Lord and Lady Albany had arrived already. Aunt Clarabelle went to greet them, which gave Diana a moment alone with Elijah as they slowly followed.
“You have to win over my aunt,” she told him. “Her good opinion may convince my father of your suitability.” She knew that her note the previous night had said as much, but he needed to understand that they were not out of the woods just yet.
“I thought we were getting on w
ell,” he murmured.
“She has her doubts. Also, she doesn’t like me very much. She threatened me last night, after you left.” Diana had a bitter taste in the back of her mouth.
“Noted.” His tone was light. Almost cheerful.
“You don’t seem concerned.” Diana glanced over at him. Inside, she was panicking, if only a little.
“Because I’m not,” he explained. “I’m a likable fellow. I’ve been around the French, who are far more difficult to win over than your father or your aunt will ever be.”
She pursed her lips. He tilted his head to the side.
“Yes. I see the familial resemblance,” he teased.
“You’re wicked,” she told him.
“Yes.” They both laughed. They both turned to find Aunt Clarabelle watching them, with a grim look on her face.
* * *
Elijah smiled at Lady Bolger. He had thought that she was the sort to dissemble. He could see Diana’s concern very clearly. He wanted her to fear for nothing. He wanted her to be blissfully happy.
So, you only pretended to be enjoying my company last night, Lady Bolger. I’ll get you to change your mind.
“Lady Bolger,” he said, bowing to her. “Do come and walk with us.” He winked at Diana, meanwhile offered Aunt Clarabelle his arm.
“Thank you, Lord Cambolton,” she said. “It is not often that an elderly lady is offered a gentleman’s arm. Especially when there are other, younger ladies are about.”
There was tension between the two of them. He glanced over at Diana, to find her smirking. He gently nudged her with an elbow.
They met Lord and Lady Albany, who were standing at the entrance. They had all been close, prior to Lady Bolger’s marriage, back when she had been Lady Clarabelle, of Lutterhall Manor. Elijah led the way, with Diana on his arm.
He glanced over at her, as she looked around. She was smiling with pleasure. He was glad to see it. He had been a nervous wreck, wondering what he would do if she didn’t like the house.
“I’ll take you all on a bit of a tour,” he announced. “And then we can all decide what needs to be done before the ball.”
* * *
Diana looked about her. She was pleased with what she saw of Cambolton House. It was a neatly kept, elegant manor. It was clear that whoever had made the decisions here had done so with care. She could suggest minor changes to suit her own sensibilities in terms of design, and it would not require much in the way of doing.
Elijah took them through the downstairs, and into the ballroom, which had a white marble floor, and a high sloping ceiling. There were French doors at the one end, leading out onto a stone terrace, which overlooked the gardens. Brilliant sunlight spilled through the doors, and into the ballroom.
Diana trailed after Elijah and Lord and Lady Albany. The three of them were headed for the French doors.
“Oh, Lady Diana,” her aunt said in a low voice. “There is much for you to do here.”
“Why do you say that?” Diana asked, her eyes on Lady Albany, who was standing beside the door. The two gentlemen had already walked through. They both stood on the terrace.
“It’s all so plain. The bones of the house are good, but you will need to redo much of this. It’s all out of date. This red and yellow wallpaper throughout is rather unsavory.”
“To me, it’s perfect,” Diana snapped. She was getting tired of her aunt’s constant picking at both herself and Elijah. She wasn’t Eleonora, who before her accident, had had infinite patience for everyone.
Aunt Clarabelle exited the ballroom, leaving Lady Albany and Diana alone. Lady Albany smiled at her sympathetically.
“I disagree,” Diana murmured. “I might change a few things, but not much.”
“I suspected as much,” Lady Albany replied. “I think you and I have similar tastes.” She winked at Diana, then linked her arm in with hers.
“We do.” Diana wished that her father would have called upon Lady Albany to be her chaperone. She was closer to Diana, and they had similar values. She would have been able to relax and enjoy this time.
When they came out and onto the terrace, Lady Bolger was giving Elijah a list.
“We will need several tables set up, for refreshments,” she was saying, ticking things off on her fingers. “And floral arrangements. Can you provide them from the gardens here, or shall I have them sent over from Lutterhall Manor?”
Elijah smiled easily. Diana was grateful for his patience with Aunt Clarabelle. “I believe that the gardens here have sufficient blooms to suit. Perhaps you would like to take a stroll?” He gestured toward the gardens, which from the terrace looked magnificent.
“Indeed,” Lady Albany said. “It is a pleasant morning for a stroll in the garden. My Lady, you must say yes.”
“Lead on, Lord Cambolton,” Diana’s aunt said.
“Of course. Right this way,” he said, offering Diana his arm. She took it. Lady Albany walked beside Lady Bolger, and Lord Albany followed the two of them.
Diana and Elijah found themselves afforded a bit of privacy. They both smiled at each other. She was glad that Lady Albany was engaging Aunt Clarabelle in an in-depth discussion. From this distance, she couldn’t hear what they were discussing. However, her aunt was smiling.
“What do you think of the house?” he asked.
“I find it much to my liking,” she replied. She could see herself living there and being very happy.
Elijah will be there.
She imagined having the whole house, to slip away where they couldn’t be seen. She imagined him, leaning in to kiss her, whenever they pleased.
“I am most pleased to hear it,” he said, jolting her from her thoughts.
The gardens were filled with flowers, lined with lovely oak trees. There was a small pond at the very center of it, which gleamed in the morning sunlight. There was the gentle sound of the wind through the leaves. Birds chirped from the branches.
Here and there, marble benches were situated along the path. They were perfect for sitting and relaxing. In the distance, the millhouse with its large wheel could be seen. There were fields, filled with wheat that could only be seen from the back of the house.
“My mother’s favorite part of the house were the gardens,” Elijah said. “After her death, my father made sure to keep it as she had left it.”
“It’s breathtaking.” She had never found a house more pleasant. Not even Lutterhall Manor, which was baroque and drafty. Diana felt pleased that, should everything work out the way that she hoped, she would be able to call this place home.
“I feel this place, in my bones,” he told her. “Though I have not often been here.”
“I can, too. I think.” It was an interesting way of describing it. Yet, she, too, felt the same. This was where she belonged. Here, at Cambolton House, at Elijah’s side.
I can feel it in my bones.
Chapter 17
After the tour, they all retired to the parlor, where tea and cakes were served. Elijah had planned it all as best as he could. Luckily, the staff all knew what they were doing. He often felt like he was bumbling, when it came to acting as Lord of Cambolton House. He was learning as he went.
The staff had located the very fine china, which was blue and white with a gold rim. It was set out on a small table for them. Elijah looked upon it with relief—his father had been employing a simple set, which was yellow, with much wear from daily use.
“When were you thinking of having the ball?” Lady Bolger asked him. Before he could answer, she glanced over at Diana. “Have you introduced him to everyone?”
“Everyone,” she confirmed. “Except for Lord Fulton, who has been away these past few months.”
“I was planning to hold the ball on the Friday after next,” Elijah said. He wanted there to be enough time to organize it. He wanted it to be a very special evening. It would be his first ball ever. It would be a good way to insinuate himself among the local gentry.
Despite what my fath
er warned.
He wasn’t entirely sure that he was right to do so. Yet, he couldn’t leave Diana behind. If there was someone here, causing harm, then Elijah would find them out. Otherwise, he would fear for her safety.
“That should give enough time to get everything settled,” Lady Albany confirmed. “I know of several musicians in the area who you can hire.”
“Thank you. I appreciate all of your advice and expertise.” His eyes met Diana’s. Her brown ones sparkled with joy. She looked like a painting, sitting there in her purple gown, with auburn curls framing her cheeks.
Sinfully Bound To The Enigmatic Viscount (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 11