Chapter Eight
Diana
Diana stood beforeher mirror, checking her appearance for the dinner party, though her thoughts were elsewhere entirely. They had been since the moment she’d snuck back into her house after the unexpected encounter with Graham.
Her lips still felt tender from Graham’s kisses. Her skin still hadn’t cooled after the pleasure that he’d introduced her to. Hours had passed, yet she could still feel where his hands had touched her.
She pressed the spot on her throat where he’d kissed her. The memory of the way his lips had moved against her skin brought back that ache between her legs. Somehow, the man she hardly knew had become all could think about.
A soft knock interrupted her reverie. “Come in.”
Hannah slipped inside and hurried to close the door. “I’m dreadfully sorry I didn’t come sooner, but I didn’t see your note in time and then didn’t want to alarm Hudson. But I convinced him to come to supper early.”
Relief flooded through Diana. She’d been wondering why Hannah hadn’t called earlier. “Thank goodness you’re here. I feel as though I might burst if I don’t tell someone. And we don’t have much time before the others arrive.”
Her friends would be joining for a small dinner party that evening. Lydia had arranged it since, in a few days, Diana would be married andhosting her own gatherings. She supposed that was another upside to marriage. Planning events had been something she had enjoyed before Lydia became the lady of the house.
Hannah studied Diana with a concerned expression. “What has happened? Did something happen with the betrothal?”
“I saw Graham this morning. Alone.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Diana—”
“He’s teaching me to ride.” The words spilled out. “He gave me the most beautiful horse—Luna—and we had a couple lessons.”
Hannah’s chin nearly hit the floor. “You went to his home unchaperoned? I beg your pardon…you rode a horse? What if your father were to find out?”
“Papa won’t have a say in such matters once I’m wed.” Diana touched her lips unconsciously, then dropped her hand when she realized what she was doing. “Besides, that wasn’t the most scandalous part.”
Hannah sank into the chair by the window. “Oh, Diana. What happened?”
“After the lesson, when he was helping me down from the saddle…” Diana lowered her voice. “We kissed. And then he touched me in ways that made me feel things I never knew were possible.”
“In what way did he touch you, exactly?”
Color flooded Diana’s cheeks, but she pressed on. “His hands… everywhere. My breasts, and then…” She couldn’t find the words. “Hannah, I had no idea my body could respond that way. The pleasure was so intense I thought I might faint.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Diana, you didn’t let him—”
“Not that. But what we did…” Diana sat heavily on her bed. “I wanted more. I wanted everything. Even now, just thinking about it…” She fanned herself.
Hannah moved to sit beside her, taking her hands. “Are you all right? He didn’t force anything?”
“No, nothing like that. He kept asking if I wanted him to stop.” Diana met her friend’s worried gaze. “And I don’t know why anyone would do anything else but that.”
“Oh, my.” Hannah squeezed her hand. “You must be careful that he doesn’t take advantage of you.”
“It’s hardly taking advantage when we are to be married.” She knew she must look like a silly school girl from the way she grinned. “My intended has proven to be a kind man. He’s promised to show me his estate ledgers and agricultural reports so I can help with management. It’s even more than I had thought I wanted in a marriage.”
“That does sound remarkable,” Hannah admitted. “Most men would never—”
“Exactly. He is going to treat me as a true partner. And I already know that he is going to always be honest with me, based on things he’s already shared.”
Color rose in Diana’s cheeks again as she recalled his personal admission about his experience and how much she couldn’t wait for them to explore more together. She forced herself to push those thoughts away. “And then there’s Luna, she’s the most beautiful creature. I’ve never felt so free as when I was in that saddle. I can hardly wait to ride her again.”
“Still, it sounds like you are already becoming rather attached. You must guard your heart. This all happened so quickly and there is still much to learn about the man.”
Before Diana could respond, a knock sounded at her door.