Page 27 of An Earl Most Inconvenient (Regency Mishaps #2)
CHAPTER 27
“ P erhaps we could move that chair by the window, My Lady?”
Diana’s reverie was broken by the voice of her maid, Clara, and she looked up to see which chair that she meant.
“Yes, indeed,” Diana said, a little absently. “It would allow more light to come in.”
She got up from her seat and crossed the room, to help Clara with the task, then stood back and surveyed the scene. They were in the sitting room at the front of the house – Arlington Court, a small but cozy house that belonged to her father, which had not been much used in recent years. Grace and Diana had spent some time there during their childhood, but now, those times felt like a distant memory. The house had once been filled with warmth and joy, but that had all faded now, and Diana had to start again, rebuilding the house and its surroundings from scratch.
But rebuild it she would, she thought, as she stood in the middle of the room, hands on hips. The walls, painted a dull cream, needed freshening, and the old furniture, though sturdy, had seen better days. She had spent the past few days trying to settle in, to make this estate feel like home again, but each corner seemed to echo with the absence of the life she once knew. She was resolute, though; this is where her future lay, and she would not allow herself to dwell on the past.
She turned to Clara and forced a smile, determined to be cheerful. “What other changes do you think we should make?”
They chatted and set about the task in hand. Diana wanted to immerse herself in the changes she was making. It was a small house, but it could be transformed into a cozy refuge, a sanctuary where she could find peace away from the chaos of her recent life.
As they rearranged the furniture and dusted off the surfaces, Diana tried hard not to think about Tristan. It was a futile effort, however. His image lingered in her mind: the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed, the warmth of his smile. It seemed that no matter what she did, he popped into her thoughts with an annoying regularity, even when there was nothing specific to remind her of him. But she knew that she had to forget him. He had made his choice, and she had to learn to live with it, even though every memory of him was laced with heartache.
“My Lady, are you quite well?” Clara asked, her gentle voice breaking through Diana’s thoughts. “You seem far away.”
“I am well, Clara,” Diana replied, forcing cheer into her tone. “Just…thinking.”
“About Lord Silvermere?” Clara ventured cautiously, glancing at her mistress with concern. Clara had been with Diana for many years, and was more of a companion than a maid at times, so she knew some of what had happened between them over the last weeks and months, although she did not know every detail.
Diana felt her heart skip a beat at the mention of his name. “No,” she insisted, though even she could hear the tremor in her own voice. “I’m not thinking about him. I’m just trying to make this place feel like home again.”
Clara nodded but remained silent. Diana knew that her turmoil was probably visible, despite her attempts to remain composed on the outside, and she was grateful to Clara for not asking any more questions. They continued their work, and as midday approached and the sun rose high in the sky, casting a golden hue through the windows, Diana felt a strange mix of hope and sadness.
Just as Diana was placing a vase of freshly picked wildflowers which Clara had gathered from the garden on the mantelpiece, a firm knock echoed through the hallway, causing her heart to leap into her throat. She froze, exchanging a worried glance with Clara.
“Who could that be?” Diana whispered, her pulse quickening. “I was not expecting anyone. In fact, I did not think that anyone even knew I was here.”
“I will go and see, My Lady,” Clara replied, moving to the door. As she opened it, Diana’s heart raced, an instinctive sense of dread washing over her.
“Lady Diana,” came an unmistakable voice from the other side of the door. The voice was rich and warm, and Diana could not help but respond to it, her heart racing as she realized who it was. “It’s Tristan.”
Diana’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t seen him since the day they left the house party. And in fact, she had thought that she might never see him again. But here he was, and she did not know what to do. Should she send him away? It was overwhelming. “I…I’m not ready to see anyone,” she called back, her voice trembling slightly.
“Please,” he implored, his tone earnest. “Just let me in for a moment. I need to speak with you.”
“Tristan, I - ” she hesitated, torn between her longing for him and the rational part of her that warned against opening that door. If she let him into the room, she was letting him into her heart again, and she could not take that risk.
“Please, Diana,” he said again, and this time his voice was laced with desperation. “I cannot leave without speaking to you. Not now.”
Diana exchanged a glance with Clara, who looked equally apprehensive. “My Lady,” Clara whispered, “perhaps you should let him in. What harm could it do? Do you not want to hear what he has to say?”
With a shaky breath, Diana opened the door, bracing herself for the flood of emotions that would undoubtedly wash over her. Tristan stood there, looking slightly disheveled but undeniably handsome, his dark hair tousled by the wind and his eyes ablaze with determination.
“Tristan,” she said softly, but her heart raced as she took in his presence. “You look as if you have been riding all night.”
“I have,” he said, with a wry smile.
She gasped. It was reckless, even for Tristan.
“Diana, may I come in?” he asked, his gaze steady but imploring.
She hesitated, but the intensity of his expression compelled her to step aside, allowing him to enter. As he crossed the threshold, the air between them crackled with unspoken tension.
“Thank you,” he said, closing the door behind him. “I know this is unexpected, but I needed to see you.”
“Why?” Diana asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why did you come here?”
“I had to come,” he said simply, staring into her eyes.
Diana’s heart was pounding. “You should not have come here,” she said, her voice cracking under the intensity of his gaze. “I left because I could not bear to see you, and you will not leave me alone. I came here for peace, and you are ruining it all. How did you even find me?”
Even as she said the words, though, there was a sense of tension in her feelings. She wanted him to leave, but at the same time, she wanted to know what he had to say. But she could not allow herself to hope. He had broken her heart once already.
“I asked everyone I could think of where you might be. I could not rest until I had found you. And I came because I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you,” he said, stepping closer. “I’ve spent days trying to convince myself that I could let you go, but the truth is…I can’t. I love you, Diana.”
Her heart raced at his confession, but a wave of confusion washed over her. “You shouldn’t have come here,” she said again, trying to maintain composure. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me. And what about Grace?”
“Grace does not want to marry me, as you well know, and I do not want to marry her.”
Diana nodded. It was exactly as Grace had told her, and she was relieved, in a way, that everything was settled between them. But Tristan saying that he loved her? It made no sense.
“Tristan, this isn’t fair,” she replied, her voice trembling. “You can’t just waltz back into my life, after everything that’s happened. I don’t think you know what you’re doing, not really.”
“I know exactly what I’m doing,” he insisted, his voice firm yet tender. “I’m risking everything to be here with you. I cannot imagine a life without you in it.”
She stared at him, so full of emotion that she was unable to speak.
“I know I hurt you,” he said, his eyes filled with regret. “But I’ve realized that I can’t marry anyone else. I cannot commit myself to a woman I don’t truly love. Diana, you are the only one I want, the only one I can envision a future with.”
Diana felt her heart swell with longing, but she also felt a deep sense of fear. “You say this now, but what happens when the reality of it sets in? What happens if you change your mind, if you leave again? I don’t think I can bear it a second time.”
“I won’t leave,” he vowed, stepping closer until the air between them felt charged with possibility. “I want to stay. I want to build a life with you.”
“Tristan - ” she began, but his expression shifted, and before she could finish, he fell to one knee before her, taking her hand in his.
“Diana,” he said, his voice steady and filled with sincerity, “will you marry me?”
Her breath caught in her throat, surprise flooding her senses as she stared down at him in shock. This was not how she had imagined a proposal - if she had dared to imagine one at all. “You can’t be serious,” she managed to say, her heart racing.
“I am serious,” he replied earnestly, his eyes searching hers. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. I want to spend every day with you, to love you and cherish you. Please, say you’ll be mine.”
Diana’s heart raced as she processed his words. She felt a rush of emotions - love, hope, fear - all colliding within her. She took a step closer, her heart pounding, and before she could think, she leaned down and kissed him, feeling the warmth of his lips against hers.
Just then, the door swung open, and Clara walked in, her eyes widening in shock at the sight before her. “My Lady!” she exclaimed, scandalized. “What are you doing?”
Diana pulled away from Tristan, cheeks flushed as she turned to Clara, who looked utterly horrified. “Clara, it’s- ”
“You – you must not allow this!” Clara stammered, her eyes darting between them.
“Clara, please, it’s not what you think!” Diana insisted, feeling embarrassed but defiant all at the same time. “We’re engaged!”
Clara’s jaw dropped, and she quickly closed the door, her face a mask of shock. Diana turned back to Tristan, who was chuckling softly, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“Engaged, are we?” he said, his voice low and teasing. “I missed the part where you said yes, but I suppose that should have been a private moment.”
“Shh!” Diana laughed, her cheeks still burning. “You’ll scandalize her even more!”
“Then perhaps we should be more discreet,” he whispered, leaning closer, his breath warm against her ear. “But I can’t help it. I’m too happy to care.”
Diana beamed at him, feeling a rush of joy that was both exhilarating and terrifying. “What now?” she asked, her heart racing with anticipation.
“Now, we must face the world together,” he replied, his gaze unwavering. “Together, we can navigate whatever comes our way.”
“Together,” she echoed, feeling hope blossom within her. With a newfound sense of purpose, she took his hand, feeling the warmth and strength of his grip.
“Let’s go and find Clara,” she said, determination in her voice. “We can’t leave her in shock forever.”
As they stepped toward the door, Diana felt a flutter of excitement course through her. Clara stood just outside, her eyes wide with astonishment.
“My Lady, forgive me, but you must reconsider, after everything that has happened…”
“Clara,” Diana said firmly but kindly, “I love him, and he loves me. We are engaged, and I will not allow you to dismiss my happiness.”
Clara opened her mouth to protest, but Diana held up a hand, silencing her. “You have always been my supporter, my friend. You must understand that this is what I want.”
Tristan stepped forward, his presence solid and reassuring. “I promise to take care of her, Clara. I will not let her down.”
Clara's expression softened as she took in the sincerity in Tristan's eyes. “I just don’t want you to be hurt again, My Lady,” she said quietly, her concern evident.
“I appreciate your loyalty, Clara,” Diana replied. “But I need to follow my heart. I cannot let fear dictate my choices any longer.”
Clara nodded slowly, her shoulders relaxing as she sighed. “Very well, My Lady. If this is what you truly want, then I will support you. But I will be watching closely.”
Tristan chuckled again, the tension in the air lightening. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from a devoted maid. You’ll be our protector, Clara.”
Diana smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. With Clara’s reluctant acceptance, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders. “Thank you, Clara. It means the world to me that you are with us.”
“Just promise me you’ll be careful,” Clara replied, a hint of sincerity returning to her tone.
“Of course,” Diana assured her, glancing at Tristan, who looked more elated than ever. “Now, there are things to do, and people to speak to, but first, let’s celebrate this new chapter.”