Chapter Fifteen
Later that evening
Sammerson House
St. James’s Place
Mayfair, London
Diana hummed to herself as she made her way upstairs to the drawing room of her parents’ townhouse.
No doubt William would move into it within weeks from his modest townhouse across Mayfair.
After all, this building had been the home of the Earls of Northfield since their grandfather had been alive.
But that was an issue for another day. Tonight, she would take dinner with her family, and was content to do so, for suddenly everything in her life felt… magical.
All because of Nathaniel.
It was odd, this being hopeful in life, feeling as if her feet rarely touched the ground.
She’d only known him for just over three weeks but hadn’t even spent some of that time with him.
However, the time she did have with him had been like lifetimes, and the connection between them had only strengthened.
Interesting how two men could affect her so differently.
Where Atterbury had placed her firmly in second place behind his mistress and treated her as an afterthought, Nathaniel put her front and center in his life.
He would do anything for her, would fetch the moon for her if she asked, and they were night and day opposites from each other.
In him, because of him, she’d found an inner strength she hadn’t known she possessed, and thanks to him, she had learned that she was valued for who she was alone. He’d swept away the cobwebs from her soul and had given her a new outlook in all aspects of her life.
There was such freedom in the knowledge.
Now, as she and her family gathered in the drawing room ahead of dinner, she wondered how life would change again.
How long would her affair with Nathaniel last?
Eliza was scheduled to return to her finishing school to complete the last term of the year since her time away for mourning was at an end.
Would Percy return to the Surrey property, or would he finally feel comfortable settling into London?
She’d need to ask. However, if he did move permanently into her townhouse—which had belonged to his father in any event—her relationship with Nathaniel would need to be even more discreet.
To be fair, she didn’t take issue in being at his home more than hers, but it would have been easier not to need plan heavily merely to be with him.
But that was a part of life at times. The way things were, she was headed for dowager territory, and would definitely be that once Percy took a bride.
Dear heavens, she hoped that wouldn’t be for a few years yet since he was still in university, but that was a good thing.
He would be away from London out of necessity due to schooling, so a sudden upheaval probably wouldn’t occur soon.
Just thinking of the possibilities in the offing with Nathaniel made her both happy but sad, for she knew she ultimately wasn’t the woman he needed in his life for the long term.
For now, she would enjoy him at whatever capacity he would give her.
When she entered the drawing room, she smiled at the people she loved best in the world. Everyone was there, with the exception of her sister and her sister’s family. Going over to her mother, she bussed her parent’s cheek.
“Perhaps this isn’t the time, but that black crepe is becoming on you, Mama.” The gown was simple in lines and designs, but she had accepted the shoulders and bodice with a dark-gray tulle.
Her mother inclined her head with a faint smile. “Thank you, and I’m glad you wore the lavender. It’s not fair to plunge you back in mourning when you’ve barely gotten out of it.”
“Oh, I just haven’t had time to select gowns for dyeing.” But she was secretly pleased because her gown was a favorite.
Made of a lavender silk blend, it featured soft ivory lace around the bodice and the slightly off-the-shoulder neckline.
As a concession to her father’s death, she’d tied a black satin sash about her waist. Though it featured long sleeves, they were quite thin and had been gathered in increments reminiscent of a medieval style.
Matching lace lined the edge of the sleeve at her wrist. Since it was still spring and she was in such an uplifted mood, she’d pinned small silk daisies into her loose chignon.
Around her neck, she wore the rope of pearls Nathaniel had given her.
The two loops sat cool against her skin, and with every brush of her fingertips, she remembered what he’d said when he gave her the necklace and that coupling they’d indulged in directly afterward.
Her mother shook her head. “Lavender is still acceptable for mourning, and we’re staying in, so it doesn’t fully matter.”
William nodded. “You are quite striking tonight, Sis. Good show. Quite fitting of your age and status.”
“My age?”
He coughed. “What I meant was that all too often, women try to wear styles that don’t suit them. But then, you have always had a tasteful way of dressing.”
While her children snickered, and before Diana could respond, someone else entered the drawing room, and when she lifted her head to see why her daughter was suddenly quite excited, her own heart skipped a beat.
“Nathaniel,” she said in a choked whisper. “Er, I mean, Lord Holdcraft. Welcome.” She’d had no idea he would attend dinner with them tonight.
“Good evening, Lady Diana,” he said with a wink as he strode into the space, full of the confidence and self-assurance that she so admired.
Oh, but he was so handsome tonight! No matter that there were others in the room, she roved her gaze up and down his person.
Red hair arranged into a popular style, his collar points just so, and the snowy folds of his cravat precisely set, he was every inch a gentleman about Town.
The jacket of sapphire superfine hugged his broad shoulders and chest to perfection, and the silver waistcoat she’d seen on him before highlighted how lean he was beneath the clothing.
The black breeches and recently shined boots set off his powerful legs that were like a dream, and she particularly liked that he hadn’t worn the requisite evening clothing.
I do admire a man willing to defy social traditions upon occasion.
Then he was before her, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. “You are easily the most beautiful woman in Mayfair tonight,” he said in a whisper, before kissing the back of her hand.
“Thank you.” There was a certain light in his eyes and a soft curve to his lips that had her trembling with need. Too bad dinner would be called soon, for she would have liked to pull him aside and kiss him for a few moments.
“Holdcraft!” William’s greeting boomed through the room from the direction of the sideboard, and the surprise on his face was genuine. Clearly, he hadn’t expected his best friend. “I’m glad to see you. Do you join us for dinner?”
Nathaniel glanced his way. “If you’ll have me.
” Then, with a wink at Diana, he crossed the room to where her mother sat on a sofa, took her hand, and then kissed the back, much to her mother’s amusement.
Her giggle was unexpected. Afterward, he gave Eliza’s hand the same treatment, and as her daughter simpered and blushed, Diana’s heart squeezed.
Dear heavens, he is quite a rogue. She fanned her face with a hand as heat crept into her own cheeks.
“Of course!” William grinned as he brought over a cut-crystal glass of brandy for his friend.
“You are always welcome here.” When he pressed the vessel into Nathaniel’s hand, he peered into his face.
“You have the look of a changed man. What has occurred since the last time we spoke? You seem as if you’ve had an epiphany. ”
Diana glanced at him as she sank into a chair nearby. He did, indeed, have an air of one who has a jolly secret.
“Ha! I have wrestled with some thoughts in my mind, but because of this, I have come to a decision.” With a glance at her son, who gave him a small nod, Nathaniel grinned.
He moved over the floor to sit in the chair beside hers.
He rested his glass on the low table in front of them.
“And that decision has brought me to you, Lady Diana.”
“Me?” Her heartbeat accelerated as she met his gaze. “Why?” What was happening?
“It’s true.” He nodded as if she might misunderstand him. “It’s fitting that I’ll ask this of you while in the midst of your family, for I have long felt a part of it as well, and in lieu of my own, I’ve been quite at home here, and welcomed as well.”
None of it made sense, but flutters went through her lower belly all the same. And why was Percy looking on with anticipation in his expression? “What are you going on about?”
“Yes, Holdcraft, you’re acting quite odd,” William said, then took a sip of his brandy.
“Perhaps I am, but there’s a reason for that.
” With secrets and emotions in his eyes, Nathaniel took her hand.
“Diana, I never thought I would find myself feeling the way I do for you now. In fact, I’ve always thought I would remain alone for a good portion of my life.
Yet you came back into my life and caught me by surprise with all the force as if you landed me a facer. ”
“Oh, goodness…” Her whispered words faded away on the heels of a gasp.
“What is this, then? She’s the woman you told me about?” William asked, but their mother told him to hush.
Nathaniel nodded. “I can save a longer speech for when we’re alone, but suffice it to say, I have unexpectedly fallen in love with you. If you can see your way toward a future today, will you make me the happiest of men by marrying me?”
A girlish sigh from Eliza punctuated the silence that followed the question.
Before Diana could answer, William loudly objected.
“Absolutely not!” Her brother strode over to yank Nathaniel from his chair as he glared at him. “Our friendship notwithstanding, there are far too many reasons why I will not allow my sister—my older sister—to marry you.”