Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Just enough days had passed to warrant a drop-in from Colin. His arms were filled with bunches of flowers for the women, and in his pocket, he had a cigar for the uncle, Mr Dickens. The family welcomed him in with much excitement, but he paid careful attention to how Diana had reacted to him.

"I had a wonderful time at the ball; this is just something to say thank you," Colin said.

It was something his mother had taught him that had always worked for him. If he displayed gratitude of any kind, he would likely be rewarded with friendliness. It worked. The women welcomed him in with happy smiles.

"We're so happy to see you," Mrs Dickens said as she ushered him into the tea room.

Soon, there was tea and cakes for everyone. He kept hoping that Diana would look at him and smile or even let her eyes linger on him a little longer. To his dismay, she paid him little attention at all.

Their conversation was largely about the ball and everything that had happened. It was clear that Jane and Emma had enjoyed it. They spoke excitedly about everything that had happened and how much planning had gone into it.

For a moment, Colin thought he saw Diana roll her eyes. He was desperate to get her alone again and have a second chance at a conversation with her.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt," one of the maids said, quietening them. "There is a Mr Hoover here to see you."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Mrs Dickens said with a smile. "That's just perfect."

Diana's eyes shot up then, and her face paled. She clenched her jaw and gave her aunt a death stare to be afraid of.

"Excuse me, please," she said.

She was out of the room before anybody else could even say a word. Colin looked after her with wonder. Not the good kind. How was it that she always managed to make herself unavailable?

"Just as her potential suitor arrives," Mr Dickens said with a grumble. "What am I supposed to tell him now?"

A suitor? Colin had not even considered that there would be others. He was aware of the Duke of Blackwood's interest in her. He'd seen it in the man's eyes when he glanced at her from across the room.

Now, another man was in competition with him. With Diana out of the room, he had little reason to stay, but he wanted to eye out his competition. That would give him an idea of just how hard he needed to work.

Mr Hoover stepped into the room, and Colin had to work to fight back his laughter. There was truly no competition at all. The man already seemed nervous despite the fact that no conversation had started.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," Mrs Dickens said, ushering him in. "Such poor timing. Diana has just returned to her room. But don't let that deter you. She's interested; she just needs some time to think."

"It's an important decision to make, I suppose," Mr Hoover said. "Are there other suitors to consider?"

"No," Mrs Dickens said with a bursting chuckle.

It was quickly becoming clear to Colin that the Dickens family looked down upon Diana, and he could not understand why. But he knew it was the perfect time for him to make his next move.

"Mr Dickens," Colin said. "If you don't mind, might I have a word with you in private?"

It did not go unnoticed by Colin that Jane and Emma gave each other an excited look. Their reactions were the kind that he wanted from Diana. Mr Dickens gave him a nod, and the two men went out into another room.

"A drink?" Mr Dickens offered.

"No, thank you," Colin said, knowing that it was still fairly early in the morning.

Mr Dickens poured himself a drink anyway and made himself comfortable in a nearby armchair.

"Now, what is it you wish to discuss?" he asked.

Colin cleared his throat and smiled. "I would normally have only brought this up a little later, but Mr Hoover's presence here today has sped things along a little."

"Oh?" Mr Dickens asked with raised eyebrows.

"I am here because I have an interest in courting your niece," Colin explained. "Miss Fairchild caught my attention quite some time ago, and I'm afraid I've not been able to get her out of my mind."

"That is surprising," Mr Dickens said.

"It shouldn't be," Colin answered. "Why exactly is it a surprise?"

He could not understand why her family behaved as if she wasn't as worthy as them. After all, it was her name associated with the manor, not theirs. But he breezed past that, eager not to step on any toes.

"That makes things a little complicated," Mr Dickens said, twirling the glass in his hands.

"In which way?" Colin asked.

"Well, my daughter Jane has shown quite a fair amount of interest in you," Mr Dickens explained.

Yes, that did make it complicated. But it didn't surprise Colin. He had known the first day that he'd bumped into them while they were out shopping that Jane had eyed him closely.

"I'd simply like to get to know Miss Fairchild better," Colin said. "I think that she and I can create a solid alliance. Of course, without a father, you'll be the one to speak to. Maybe we could discuss this further over lunch. I have some people I think you'd be interested in meeting."

Colin hoped he had read Mr Dickens right. Diana's uncle struck her as the kind of man who valued status above all else. That meant that he would jump at the opportunity to join Colin and meet some other men of higher standing in society.

Mr Dickens thought it over and sighed.

"I'll have to discuss this with my wife," he said. "But I understand what you're saying. I'll see if we can all come to some kind of agreement."

"I'm afraid I'm going to be rather adamant," Colin said with his best smile. "And I know you're the kind of man who can make things happen. You certainly look the part."

"Of course," Mr Dickens said, his feathers sufficiently fluffed.

"Good, we're in agreement then," Colin confirmed.

*

Diana's family had left later than they'd planned, and it had caused her too much stress. Thankfully, they eventually went to run their errands, leaving her to wrap up the final details for her special guest, Evangeline, that day.

She hadn't been that excited for a tea party in a long time. Diana had decorated the parlour with fresh flowers, and she'd weaved flower crowns to offer Evangeline, as well as matching crowns for her and Anna.

It wouldn't be just them, either. Anna was invited, the duke's friend Mr Winterbourne, too, and the duke's aunt would be joining them. Diana knew that she was in for an excellent afternoon and was counting down the minutes.

Anna had already arrived and was checking her hair for the hundredth time when she heard the carriage arrive.

"They're here!" Diana called, rushing to the front door.

First to meet them was Evangeline, who raced to her and gave her a big hug. Everybody was happy to see each other, and soon, laughter filled the home as Diana led them to the parlour.

Soon, they were decorated with flower crowns, and everybody had a warm cup of tea and a small cake to pair with it. Evangeline caught them up on everything that had happened since they'd last seen each other in great detail.

And Diana listened closely to every word of it.

Anna and Mr Winterbourne only had eyes for each other. Whenever Mr Winterbourne laughed, Anna flushed a little. The atmosphere in the house was the best it had been in very many months.

"Now, I believe that you've only shown me some of the art," the duke's aunt said with a smile.

"Yes, you've seen the art in the house," Diana explained. "But there are a few sculptures out in the garden."

"Oh, how marvellous!" the elderly lady said. "I'd love to see them!"

"Anna gives an excellent tour," Mr Winterbourne said, glancing at the duke.

"I'd be happy to give you a tour," Anna said warmly. "The gardens are lovely, and I could do it with a walk anyway."

Evangeline fixed her flower crown. "Can I come?" she pleaded. "I'd like to show her the swans. Could we feed the swans?"

"Of course," Anna said with a chuckle. "We'd be lucky to have you with us."

With that, it was decided, and the room cleared out rather quickly. Neither Diana nor the duke had offered to join in on the tour. With the household staff around, they were perfectly fine to stay there alone.

It got quiet then.

"This is wonderful," the duke said. "Thank you. I'm sure this is going to be Eva's highlight of the month."

"I've been so excited to host you all," Diana said with a wide smile. "It's just the perfect way to spend an afternoon."

After the conversation, they sat side by side in the garden, comfortable around each other. Words flowed easily between them as they caught up with the last few days.

"Miss Dubois and Hugh seem to be getting along just fine," the duke said. "If Hugh can figure out one meaningful compliment, he might get somewhere with her."

Diana chuckled. "She's always so nervous to see him," she explained. "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but her parents are putting pressure on her to find a husband. They have somebody in mind, but she can't stand the man."

"Oh?" the duke asked.

"Yes. They've told her that if she can't find someone suitable soon, they'll start making arrangements," Diana confessed.

There was a reason for her to tell the duke what she knew.

"I will make sure to nudge him on then," the duke said with a chuckle. "Marriage can be a scary thing to think about."

"I suppose," Diana said. "My parents had a really good marriage. They loved each other deeply and were each other's best friends."

"That must have been fantastic to be around," the duke said.

"Gave me high standards, I suppose," she confessed.

There was a pause in the conversation then. The duke tilted his head somewhat as he looked at her. There was so much depth to the look he gave her then that it stirred her.

"I would like to court you, Miss Fairchild," he said suddenly. "If you would be interested, of course. I find myself drawn to you more each time we meet, and I'd really like to get to know all there is to know about you."

Even though it was what she really wanted to hear, it still took her by surprise. She hadn't expected it and wasn't sure she deserved his attention. Her mouth dried from the nerves.

The duke was such a good man, and she was more than interested in courting him. However, faced with it, she wasn't entirely sure if she was ready for it. Her heart raced as she tried to formulate an answer.

"Is it alright if I take some time to think about it?" she asked instead, feeling foolish almost immediately.

"Of course," he said. "I've sort of sprung this on you, haven't I?"

Diana chuckled. "A little."

"Well, it hadn't been my plan today, to be honest," he confessed. "But I found I could not avoid it any longer."

"I do like you a lot," Diana said, offering him the same honesty he had offered her. "But I find that I do not have an answer for you just yet."

And then, as if it hadn't even happened, their conversation continued as if they were old friends. And by the time the rest of the group returned, the pair were laughing again.