Diana took his arm and as soon as they were in the hall, she leanedclose to him. It reminded her far too much of their kiss and made her wish that he would kiss her again. She got so entranced with the notion that she almost forgot the purpose for his hasty departure.
“Your townhouse is only a couple blocks from here,” she started. I’ll sneak out and meet you at your mews.”
He came to a dead stop. “You shall do no such thing.”
His reaction confused her as she thought they had just agreed to the lessons.
“Meet me behind your house in fifteen minutes and I’ll escort you. I’m not going to have my betrothed putting herself in danger.”
It warmed her heart that he cared so much for her safety. And that he would give her one of the things that she’d always wanted most. The freedom to ride.
“Very well. Fifteen minutes. I’ll be there.”
He cast her a concerned look as if he might go back on the plan, but then continued forward. “I’ll be waiting.”
She nodded excitedly and then released his arm so that he could depart. Then she turned on her heel and went back to the drawing room.
“Did you have a nice time?” Lydia asked, eyeing her curiously.
“I did.” And she meant that. “I think we might suit well.”
Very well, in fact. It might not have been a love match or happened how her family might have liked, but the thought of marrying Graham Clive in less than a week didn’t fill her with dread. And she was taking that as a positive. Besides, it’s not like she had any choice anyway, so she might as well make the most of it.
“I think I’ll go to my chamber and read for a while. All this has been rather overwhelming and we still have more preparations ahead.”
“Of course, dearest. Rest will do you good.”
Diana made her way upstairs, but instead of going to her room, she slipped down the servants’ stairs and out through the kitchen. Herstomach was in knots as she made her way to the alley behind her house.
What am I doing? This is madness.If she were to be caught, she would never hear the end of it and it would only make things more awkward with her family. But as soon as she reached the alley and saw Graham waiting there, all her doubts disappeared.
“Are you certain about this?” he asked as soon as she approached.
“Absolutely.”
Graham took her hand and looked in both directions then led her through the alleys so they stayed off of the main streets. It was very likely that someone might see them, but since they were already betrothed, there wasn’t much else that could be done to them.
Once they finally reached Graham’s mews, he released her hand. “Wait here.”
He went inside and a few moments later he came out walking alongside a huge black horse. She didn’t know much about horses, but this one was massive and positively gorgeous in the way his coat shined in the sunlight.
Diana approached slowly, eyeing the horse. “Is this…?”
“Midnight. He’s very gentle.” Graham held the horse’s lead rope. “Would you like to meet him properly?”
Diana nodded, suddenly nervous. Graham took her hand and guided it to the horse’s neck.
“Just stroke him gently. Like that.”
The horse’s coat was warm and soft under her palm. “He’s beautiful. Hello there, Midnight.”
“Would you like to try sitting on him?”
Diana’s eyes widened. “Now?”
“Just for a moment. So you can see how it feels.”
Before she could lose her nerve, she nodded. Graham led Midnight to a nearby mounting block.