Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

" T he house is beautiful!" Valery gushed, staring around her in amazement. "Such a lovely décor in the garden and all of those windows."

"My, but how dreary it looks inside," Arabella added, and their parents immediately scowled at her.

"Do not insult the Duke by disparaging his home," the Earl admonished.

Diana laughed. "You would not insult him. He does not care for decorative things in his home. This is the way he likes it. And actually, the flowers and watercolors are my own doing. He would much rather they be gone as well."

"That one is actually my own doing," Valery teased.

The sisters smiled, though their parents still seemed frustrated with them.

"Indeed. There are few that I actually made," Diana admitted. "But that is because you all know how poor my watercolors are in comparison to yours."

"Yours would be much better if you had spent nearly as much time on your painting as you did in that garden," her mother replied.

The Earl turned toward Diana with a frown. "In the garden? I thought I had put a stop to that rubbish when you were young."

"Father, I am wed now. There is no need for you to admonish me on my habits when they have done me no harm," Diana replied calmly.

Her father still looked unhappy, but he also knew that there was no reason to be upset with her—at least not like this.

"You seem so happy, Diana," Marigold observed.

Diana could only smile even wider at that. "I believe that I am. Much happier than I would have expected," she admitted.

Things seemed to be going quite well, and since the day they had spent searching for a new home, it seemed they had only continued to get better.

Diana and Matthew had supper together every night, and they would generally have at least something to say to one another during the meal. Though Matthew was not the sort to chatter endlessly or share a great deal, he truly seemed to be trying.

The cook prepared more of Diana's favorite dishes. Matthew listened or tried to when she spoke about inane things and when she spoke about the household as well.

"And is your husband happy?" the Countess asked, as though that was the most important thing of all.

"I believe that he may be happy," Diana replied, trying her best to be polite toward her mother.

It was difficult, however, when her mother seemed not to care about her happiness but rather that of a man who was virtually a stranger to her.

"That is wonderful news. Such a wonderful match!" the Countess gushed.

Diana had to turn away from her. Had to focus on her sisters, who were still gazing around the room in amazement.

It truly was a beautiful house. With the right décor, it could be even more so. And she planned to do everything she could to make that happen. It would just take a little bit of convincing Matthew. Though, she reminded herself, if they managed to find a new home, she would not need to bother with this one.

"Have you missed us?" Marigold asked.

Diana pulled each of her sisters in for a hug. "Of course, I have missed all of you a great deal. Especially when I first moved here. Oh, how I missed you all."

"But your time here has … improved? ?" Marigold seemed hopeful, and Diana was reminded that all of this happened because of her sister.

Diana had stepped in to take Marigold's place, and no doubt Marigold still felt guilty for it.

"I am."

She glanced over at Matthew again, noting the way his suit fit him so well, and once more she was struck by how handsome he was. He looked so… relaxed over there with John and Isabelle. His cousins were clearly his favorite people, and she wondered why he had not had them over before now. At least, not officially, she thought, remembering Isabelle's visit to her and all she had learned from it.

"I am glad to hear it," Marigold told her.

Diana smiled at her. "Now, come, we shall have a wonderful meal, and then there shall be dancing."

It was at that moment that a servant approached Matthew, quietly informing him that dinner was ready, and his eyes met her own.

Even from across the crowded room, Diana could feel his eyes on her. The way they seemed to penetrate deep into her soul. And yet they also caused something to flutter in her chest.

The way his lips turned up slightly as he looked at her only made the sensation more intense, and she quickly averted her eyes before he could read anything in them.

But the way he strode over to her, strong and assured, reaching out for her so he could pull her to the head of their procession and lead her toward the dining room… there was no hiding the almost giddy smile on her face at his touch.

And so the dinner progressed, with exclamations of delight from all of their guests as dish after dish was presented to them. Beautiful dishes that they all loved. Except, perhaps, his uncle.

The uncle who remained silent throughout the entire meal and simply stared at them.

Diana wasn't even sure that he had a bite of the food, and her mood soured slightly as she tried to determine just what it was about the party that he did not like.

Had she done something to offend him? To upset him in some way?

"Is this not what you had wished for?" Matthew murmured gently, leaning toward her.

She jumped slightly at the suddenness of his words and turned to look at him. "It is not that. I am having a wonderful time. Only… I wonder if your uncle is doing the same."

Matthew looked up, and his brow furrowed slightly as he, too, noticed his uncle's stiff posture and clenched jaw. "I am sure it is nothing. Do not worry yourself about him. Enjoy your party and your guests. Everyone else seems to be having a wonderful time."

He was right about that. They all did seem to be having a wonderful time, and she managed a small smile before returning to her food and talking with her sisters, who were seated near her.

By the time the meal was finished, everyone was more than full, and she was certain they would be ready for some fresh entertainment. "Now that everyone has finished their meals, we shall move our party to the ballroom for a little entertainment and dancing."

"Shall we really have dancing,?" Valery asked, excitedly, though the others were looking about the room at their assembled group with some uncertainty.

"Indeed," Diana replied. "John and Mathew have agreed to dance with each of the ladies," she added with a sparkle in her eye.

"Oh, wonderful!" Arabella exclaimed and Isabelle laughed.

"You have yet to see either of them dance just yet, perhaps do not be too excited before you do."

Diana could not help but laugh even as John put on a wounded expression and Mathew ruefully shook his head. Her sisters joined in the laughter as the entire party made their way out of the dining room and after her.

Matthew seemed to be enjoying himself well enough, and there was reason to hope that he might allow for a larger party the next time.

"Has it been as bad as you feared?" Diana asked Mathew as he led her from the room.

"Worse," he replied but the slight upturn of his lips as he said it gave voice to his true thoughts on the matter. And seemed to endear him to her even more.

Things were going well.

Quite well, actually.

It was clear that Diana was having a good time. That she was pleased with the way everything had turned out and that she was enjoying the time with her family.

She was even spending some time with John and Isabelle, who seemed to truly like her as well. And Matthew was greatly pleased with that because it meant that his cousins could again be welcomed into his home. Though perhaps he should ask John to send a note rather than simply bursting in whenever he chose. Not that he thought it would do any good.

As for himself… well, it was noisy, and the endless chatter grated somewhat on his nerves, but he was trying to ignore that and have as good of a time as possible as well.

It wasn't quite as difficult as he had thought.

"You seem to be doing quite well," John told him as they gathered for a moment in the ballroom. "I know that these parties have never been your favorite part of being a part of the ton."

"It has been… better than I expected," Matthew admitted.

John grinned at him. "So does this mean we can expect more parties?"

"Be content with this one for now," Matthew retorted.

John sighed, shaking his head. "You truly need to—" But he was cut off as his father strode over to them, barely concealed fury evident on his face.

"Matthew, we have something to discuss."

"Of course, Uncle," Matthew replied immediately, though he was confused as to what was so urgent that needed to be discussed right now. "Shall we go to my study?"

Whatever it was that his uncle wanted, it did not look like it was a pleasant subject. Perhaps it would be best to get out of the way so as not to ruin Diana's party. Matthew wanted it to go exactly the way she had hoped, after all.

His uncle turned on his heel and stalked out of the room, and Matthew glanced after him then over at John.

"Keep the others entertained, would you? And if Diana looks for me, let her know I've stepped out for just a moment with Uncle."

"Of course," John agreed, though he too looked confused as Matthew strode out of the room.

The instant the door to the study had closed behind them, his uncle rounded on him.

"That woman was never meant to be your wife," he snapped.

Matthew was surprised that this was what the anger in his uncle's eyes was all about.

"Diana? She is a much better match than her sister," he replied calmly, attempting to cool his uncle's anger. "I wonder at her being left out of consideration in the first place. She was surely a more eligible young lady."

"There was a valid reason for leaving her off the list. Her age may make her suitable, but her temperament does not. Marigold Venton is well known for her beauty and her mild temperament. She is a sweet, innocent young girl who comes from a good family with a solid name."

"And Diana comes from the same family, and she is lovely enough," Matthew countered.

But his uncle was clearly not finished. And not pleased with his summation.

"There are reasons that she was not considered. Her temperament, as I stated. She is known to be headstrong, spirited, and opinionated. She often behaves like a man, speaking her mind when it is not warranted and forcing her will on those around her. She is not suitable as a wife and certainly not to you. How dare you tarnish our family name by marrying such a woman?"

"I would not have you speak of my wife in that way," Matthew warned, his voice sharp and dark.

He never spoke to his uncle like this, but something needed to be done.

While he knew Diana to be many of the things that his uncle had said, the way his uncle stated them made it clear that he did not see them as benefits to Diana or Matthew as her husband. And that he saw Diana more as an embarrassment to the family than anything else.

"You will see that this woman is not good for you. She will bring ruin on this family, and all because you felt that the bride I had selected for you was not good enough?"

"Marigold is too young, not only in age but in temperament, and when I met her, it became clear that she would not do," Matthew argued, still trying to keep his voice even.

"And so you chose another one of the sisters. But not one that would serve you well as a wife. Instead, you chose the sister who is least disposed to be a good wife to you."

"I will not have you insult my wife. And especially not in her own home."

"You mark my words, Matthew, you will regret bringing that woman into your household and giving her your last name. You will regret throwing in your lot with her ."

"And what would you have me do, Uncle? You would have me throw my wife out onto the streets because you do not approve of her? I would think a divorce would be even worse for our family name."

"We would find a way to resolve this… issue. An annulment, perhaps."

But Matthew scoffed and shook his head. "She is my wife, and she has been for nearly a month now. There shall be no divorce, no annulment, no throwing her out onto the street or shutting her away. She is my wife, and she is the mistress of this house. As such, you are the one who is welcome to leave."

His voice was firm, strong, and he stared steadily at his uncle. But then the man simply turned on his heel and strode out of the study, down the stairs, and out the front door while Matthew watched from the doorway.

For a moment, he wondered if he had made a mistake. If perhaps he should have listened a little more to what his uncle had to say. To hear him out before sending him away because of his rudeness. That abrupt way of speaking had never bothered him before.

And then he chanced a look down the stairs and saw her. Diana.

Standing at the bottom of the stairs in her gorgeous gown. Her face bright with a smile that seemed to make her lovelier still. Her body soft and gentle. Her stance confident.

And as his gaze met hers, it was all he could do to keep walking slowly rather than racing to her side, drawn by something he couldn't explain.

But he knew that whatever it was, he could never turn her away.

This woman … whatever it was that he felt for her it seemed to only be growing stronger. Grudging acceptance and admiration at first. Turning into something like regard and now … well, he was not certain what it was that he felt. Only that he greatly enjoyed her company. Far more than he would have expected.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Diana?" He asked, just to be able to say her name once again, and perhaps to have her look at him with that easy smile that he had grown to like so much.

"I am. And have you concluded your business for the evening? Are you free to enjoy yourself now?"

"Perhaps attending to business was the enjoyable part of my evening," he returned, though the conversation he'd just had with his uncle was certainly not pleasant. She did not need to know the topic of any of it.

"Well then, for the next party I shall endeavor to have something better to keep your attention and ensure you are more entertained than you are at business."

"For the next party, you say. And who, pray tell, has given you leave to host another party?"

"I do not believe I shall wait on the formalities, Your Grace," she teased, "Perhaps I shall simply send out the invitations for myself and you shall have to wait and see."

He couldn't help the smile that burst forth at her words. At her manner. At … her.

"We shall see if you are allowed another party," he teased back and saw the way her eyes flashed, but not with anger. There was pleasure there, though he knew not what it was that pleased her so.

"We shall see if you are allowed to stop me," she replied and the laugh that broke through was a surprise to them both.