Chapter Two
Diana
Diana bit back a satisfied grin as Lord Ockham led her from the dance floor, their conversation still fresh in her mind.
The dance with the man had been what she’d hoped.
He was genuinely interested in discussing estate management.
She had planted seeds of her knowledge after she’d heard that his estates may not be performing well after his father’s passing.
When he’d mentioned the challenges he faced, she’d offered insights about crop rotation strategies, and he’d actually listened. It was rare to find a man who would take a woman’s advice on such matters. And for the first time all evening, she’d felt useful.
Other than when she’d rescued Lord Powis. She certainly hadn’t expected him to be as captivating as he was. It was no surprise that he’d be the catch of the season. If he wished to marry, that is.
There had been something genuine about Lord Powis that she hadn’t expected.
Most men of the ton carried themselves with learned arrogance, but he’d seemed almost…
grateful for her intervention. And those green eyes had looked at her as if he truly saw her, not just another eligible lady.
The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.
But Lord Powis was clearly overwhelmed by London society, and she couldn’t build a practical future on fleeting attraction.
“Thank you for the dance, Lady Diana,” Lord Ockham said as they reached the edge of the ballroom where her friends were. “I hope we might continue our conversation, as I have a few more questions. Might I call on you sometime?”
She beamed at the compliment. And how well her plan had come together. He met all of her requirements for a practical match. He was handsome and kind, allowing her to put her knowledge into practice.
She’d read every book on agriculture and modern farming practices she could find after she’d been replaced as the lady of their household.
Her brother had unexpectedly married for love, and that meant Lydia was responsible for their household.
A responsibility that had fallen to Diana from an early age.
She wanted to remain useful, and embroidery would never be enough to occupy her time or her mind.
“I would enjoy that very much, my lord.”
“I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. I believe I might take in a bit of fresh air.”
As he bowed and took his leave, Diana watched him disappear into the crowd. She would enjoy the conversation very much, but she wasn’t certain she overly enjoyed the company of that particular man. There certainly wasn’t any measurable attraction beyond the superficial nature.
It was unlike the unexpected flutter she’d felt when Lord Powis had leaned close enough for her to catch the scent of his cologne and spot the gold flecks in his green eyes.
But Ockham could offer her what she wanted.
Notions of love and unrelenting attraction just weren’t on her list of requirements.
“Diana!” Hannah exclaimed, clasping her arm and pulling her closer. “How did it go with Lord Ockham?”
Diana glanced at the four women who had become her closest friends who were more like family, truth be told.
Hannah Brooks had been her closest friend since childhood and knew everything there was to know about her.
Then there was the sharp-witted gossip, Tabitha Parker, whose auburn curls never seemed to stay properly pinned.
Juliana Gordon—now Viscountess Gordon after her marriage last season—was the most kind and generous person Diana had ever met, while one could tell what Marina Osborne was thinking from the moment they looked at her.
And currently, Marina was fanning herself with obvious irritation.
“It was perfectly pleasant,” Diana said, accepting a glass of lemonade from a passing footman.
“Pleasant?” Tabitha raised an eyebrow. “That’s all?”
Diana shrugged. “We discussed estate management, and he actually listened to my suggestions about how he could improve crop yields.”
Marina snapped her fan shut. “And you believe this to be an indicator that you should encourage a courtship with the man?”
“Marina,” Hannah chided gently, though her eyes held concern. “Diana, are you certain Lord Ockham is really for you?”
Diana bit her lip. “What do you mean? He’s perfectly respectable. Handsome, titled, and clearly in need of a wife who could assist with his estates.”
“Diana, do you truly want a marriage focused on crops and livestock instead of love or even friendship?”
The question stung more than Diana cared to admit. “I must marry someday. And if I can be useful—”
“But what about happiness?” Marina interrupted. “What about feeling your heart race when you lay eyes on the man, or longing to hear his voice?”
Diana glanced around the ballroom, spying Lord Powis again. She had watched him when she was dancing with Ockham, too. There was just something about the man.
He stood near the refreshment table with Lord Wilton, and even from across the room, she could see the tension in his shoulders. There was a vulnerability to him that made her want to smooth away his worries.
Then she forced herself to look away. “Love is a luxury for those who have the time to wait for it. I need to make a good match this season. I’m twenty years old, and even Elias managed to marry before I did. None of us ever thought that would happen. I’m just wasting time.”
“Wasting time?” Hannah’s voice rose slightly. “Diana, you’re hardly on the shelf.”
“Perhaps not. But Elias and Papa have no need of my help, and neither does Lydia. I want to be useful. Where my presence matters.”
“You matter to us,” Tabitha said softly.
“Of course, but that’s different. And eventually, we’re all going to marry.”
Diana touched her mother’s diamond necklace, wishing that she were there to guide her. “I am tired of waiting for something that may never be. And if I can find a comfortable marriage where I can focus my time on something I enjoy, that seems better than what is afforded to most.”
“Diana,” Juliana said quietly, “marriage doesn’t have to immediately be about wild, passionate love. It can be about friendship. But it should be rooted in some measure of mutual affection if you are going to spend the rest of your life with the person. That is what pulled Edward and me together.”
“You see?” Diana said, seizing on Juliana’s words. “A marriage not based on love can work perfectly well.”
“But Edward and I chose each other,” Juliana continued gently. “We knew we suited in temperament and interests. What you’re describing with Lord Ockham sounds more like… employment.”
Marina opened her fan again. “Exactly. You speak of him as if he’s hiring you to manage his estates, not courting you for a wife.”
“And what’s wrong with that?” Diana asked, though even as she spoke, she could hear how defensive she sounded.
And she had a sudden urge to search for Lord Powis again.
She wasn’t even certain if she truly believed the things she said or if she had dug her heels into her plan.
She struggled to move away from something once she set her mind on it.
“Oh, Diana.” Hannah squeezed her arm. “You’ve always been far too stubborn for your own good.”
Her closest friend knew her far too well.
And she might be right. But it didn’t change that she wanted to move her life forward.
She didn’t see Lord Powis, and she took that as a sign.
The man was mesmerizing, but that didn’t mean that there would be a future.
He came from a line of libertine relatives, so it should come as no surprise that he was full of charm.
She was nothing if not practical, and Lord Ockham was practical. And she’d promised herself that she would take action this season. She was done waiting for her time to come.
Lord Ockham mentioned wanting fresh air, and perhaps… Perhaps this was an opportunity. If she could speak with him privately, away from the constraints of the ballroom, she might make her interest more clearly known.
“Ladies,” she said, barely listening to their continued protests, “I find I’m quite warm. I think I’ll step outside for some air.”
“Diana—” Hannah began, recognizing the determined set of her friend’s jaw. “I’m coming with you.”
“No. Please. I’ll only be a moment. And I need you to cover for me with Elias.
” Diana was already moving toward the terrace doors, before Hannah could refuse.
For once in her carefully controlled life, she was going to take a risk.
She was going to throw caution to the wind and see what might happen if she pursued what she wanted.
The cool evening air beckoned through the open doors, carrying with it the scent of early spring flowers. As she stepped onto the moonlit terrace, Diana felt a thrill of anticipation.
Diana descended the stairs of the terrace, searching the grounds for him. It was quiet and she didn’t see anyone else. She moved deeper into the shadows of the garden, following the gravel path and expecting to come across Ockham at any moment.
She turned around in the maze and wasn’t sure which way to go. She heard other footsteps, and picked up her pace toward a turn in the path, hoping that she had caught up to him.
Rounding the corner of a hedge, she ran right into a hard, muscular frame.
Strong hands gripped her arms to steady her, and she looked up to find herself staring into the startled green eyes of Lord Powis.
Her pulse raced as she realized how close they were standing.
Close enough that she could feel his heart beat wildly against her chest. Close enough to catch the scent of sandalwood and something uniquely him.
“Lady Diana,” he said more roughly than usual. “I… forgive me. I didn’t expect anyone else to be out here.”
I should step back, apologize, and return to the ballroom immediately. Instead, she found herself studying the strong line of his jaw, the way his dark hair had been slightly mussed by the evening breeze. Diana wanted to lose all control and allow her fingers to run her fingers through it.
“I was… that is, I came out for air.” The words came out breathier than she intended.
His hands were still on her arms, warm even through the silk of her gloves. Neither of them moved to break the contact.
“As did I. The ballroom was rather overwhelming.” His eyes scanned her face and the rest of her. “Are you quite all right? I didn’t harm you when we collided, did I?”
Her pulse was racing, and she felt as though she couldn’t quite catch her breath. But it had nothing to do with any injury and everything to do with the way he was looking at her with their bodies pressed together.
“I’m perfectly fine,” she managed, though her voice betrayed her. “Just startled.”
“Diana.” The way he said her name, soft and wondering, made her stomach flutter.
Something shifted in his expression. His gaze dropped to her lips, and she found herself wondering what it would be like if he kissed her.
There was no space between them now. Or perhaps she had moved closer. She couldn’t be sure.
“You should go back inside,” he said quietly, but he made no move to release her. And he didn’t sound as if he truly meant the words.
“Should I?” The words came out as barely more than a whisper.
His thumb traced across her arm where he held her. Such a small touch sent shivers through her entire body. “Yes. Before I do something we’ll both regret.”
But she didn’t want to go back inside. She wanted to stay here in this garden with him, wanted to discover what would happen if she threw practicality to the wind, if she rose up on her toes, if she—
A crack of thunder split the air above them, so sudden and loud that Diana jumped. Almost immediately, the skies opened and rain began to pour down in earnest, soaking through her silk gown in seconds.
“Come.” Graham took her hand without hesitation. “We must find shelter.”
As they ran through the garden, her hand in his, Diana knew there would be no returning to practicality.
Whatever happened next would change everything. Because Diana realized the true danger wasn’t the storm.
It was the man leading her through it.