Hunt walked up to her and took her hand in his. Turning her hand, he kissed the sensitive skin on the inside of her wrist. She flushed at the reaction her body had to tha
t intimate contact.
“You look lovely, Diana.”
“Thank you.” She’d been quite pleased with the reflection in her mirror before she’d left her room. The yellow chiné was one of her favorites. The neckline was higher than one would expect to wear to an evening event, but quite appropriate for a ride in the park.
The deeper yellow flowered embroidery lining the long sleeves and bottom of the gown gave it a more elegant look than a normal carriage dress. The gown hugged her waist and stomach with the back drawn into a fashionable bow on her lower back. The lovely yellow satin hat with netting tied under her chin was set off by a daisy trim along the edging of the piece.
Fumbling slightly with the raw admiration in Hunt’s eyes, she pulled on her gloves. The heat in her face was unnerving. “I am ready,” she said.
They left the house and made their way down to Hunt’s open-air carriage. “I decided to bring a driver along today so we can freely converse.” Hunt helped her up into the vehicle where they sat side by side. The lovely scent of bay rum drifted to her nose from Hunt’s close proximity.
Diana snapped open her parasol and rested the shaft on her shoulder. “It’s truly a beautiful day for a drive, Hunt. I’m so glad you suggested it.”
He studied her so carefully, she grew uncomfortable. “What?”
Hunt shook his head. “Nothing. I was just thinking how very beautiful you are, Diana. I don’t think I say it often enough.”
She waved her hand, feeling the rising of another blush to her face. “Oh, please. I am no more than ordinary.” She’d never been vain but was certainly aware of her appeal to the male species. For some reason, however, Hunt’s very sincere comment both pleased and disquieted her.
He took her hand in his and linked their fingers. “There is nothing ordinary about you, sweeting.”
Wishing to move the subject off herself, she said, “I believe you were to meet with your Home Office contact after our return from Grafton Manor. With all that happened, I’ve forgotten to ask you about it. Did you pass your information along?”
Hunt shifted to rest his foot on his knee, giving Diana much needed breathing space. “I did. Sir Phillip was quite pleased with the information I was able to pass along to him.”
“What next? Did he say what he would do?”
He placed his arm across the back of the seat and leaned in close. “Yes. Sir Phillip has commissioned me to search Melrose’s house for documentation he can take to the Prime Minister.”
Diana’s eyes grew wide. “How very exciting. How do you plan to do that?”
He sat back. “Arrangements that you need not concern yourself with are in play. I hope to have it all finished and be done with the entire matter by next week. We do have a wedding to plan.”
“Um, just a minute. We are not planning a wedding. I accepted this ring with the condition that we would court for a while and see if we suited.”
“We are courting. We’ve been to the theater and now on a drive through Hyde Park.”
“Two events does not a courtship make.”
“Darling, we have been friends most of our lives. The purpose of courtship is for the man and woman to learn about each other. I doubt there is anything about you I don’t know, and vice versa.”
She shifted so she could share her displeasure by glaring at him. “Are you going back on our deal, my lord?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know. I keep hearing rumors and comments, and I don’t like what I’m hearing. I hate to revisit the subject again, Diana, but we have very little choice in this matter.” He placed his knuckle under her chin and tilted her head up. “What are your reservations? Truly. I want to hear them.”
Diana looked out the side of the carriage. They were growing close to Hyde Park and no conversation would be private once they arrived. “I don’t want to be a man’s penance. I don’t want to be married to someone who is always waiting to see what trouble I will get into next. I don’t want a marriage where I am considered a fumbling, troublesome woman. Someone who will never be a true partner because she has to be watched and guarded at all times, lest she lose one of the children, or burn down the house.”
“We will have a nanny to watch the children.”
She turned back to him. “This is not funny, Hunt. You know deep in your heart you never wanted to marry me. I will not be a wife, but an albatross.”
“Stop. And wait just a minute. I’ve let you go a bit too far with this. You are not my penance or an albatross. I agree that marrying you was not in my original plans, but plans change.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward him. “I want this, Diana. Not because I’m being forced, but because I want you. You with all your faults, foibles and propensity for getting into trouble.”
“Why?” She was genuinely confused.
“Because I have come to realize the type of woman I thought I wanted bores me to death. One thing I can say about you, sweetheart, is there will never be a boring moment in my life.”