Chapter Twelve
Diana
One week later
Diana sat atthe writing desk in her parlor morning room, attempting to focus on her correspondence. She hadn’t written a single letter in the time she’d become the Countess of Powis. Her husband kept her too preoccupied to have the energy to give it much thought. And every time she attempted to write, her thoughts would drift back to Graham and his behavior over the past several days.
He’d been affectionate and attentive, even more so as the days went on. He was even desperate at times in the way he’d take her. And as much as she adored the riding lessons and the physical attention, and the multiple orgasms, she couldn’t help but wonder why.
And then there was that man she had seen leaving Graham’s study. She didn’t get a good look at him, but he appeared to have been rubbing his jaw. As if he were struck.
But what reason would her husband have to strike a man? The idea seemed impossible, but the way he’d taken her against the door was almost feral. And his hand was bruised.
Later, Diana went back to his study to get a look at the papers on his desk, but they weren’t there. She searched through all of his drawers but didn’t find the one that had mentioned something about a payment. And she questioned if she was even certain of what she saw. It was only a quick glimpse, so she couldhave misread the whole matter.
But anytime she asked if they might start implementing her ideas for the estates, she would very soon find herself in the afterglow of passion. He’d suggested that they take a couple weeks to just be a married couple before their lives became focused on their household matters. A small honeymoon of sorts, he’d said.
Diana wanted to believe that. She wanted to believe that it was all it was, a considerate husband wanting to shower her with affection. But deep down, her practical mind believed something was amiss. And the last time she’d ignored her practical mind, she had ended up betrothed to a stranger.
While that had worked out seemingly well, she wasn’t certain she could ignore that voice inside of her again.
She only had time to ponder all of it at present because Graham had left for a meeting with his solicitor. She had half a mind to have Luna saddled and go for a ride in the park alone to clear her head. Her lessons had progressed and they had taken to riding in the park together, which was one of her favorite parts of the day.
The door opened and Hannah swept in, followed closely by Marina and Juliana.
“Mitchell allowed us to come up to surprise you. We’ve come to see how you are with our own eyes,” Hannah announced, settling onto the sofa. “We’ve hardly seen you since the wedding.”
“I am glad to see you all.” Diana set down her pen. “I suppose I have been rather… occupied.”
Marina’s knowing look made Diana look away to avoid acknowledging her meaning. “Yes, we can imagine that your husband is taking up much of your time as you continue to learn all you can about each other.”
“Indeed,” Diana said, giving Marina a pointed look before motioning for them to take their seats in the nearby settee and chairs. “I am so fortunate that you all have called while he is out.”
“And how are you finding married life?” Juliana asked gently. “Youlook radiant, and perhaps a bit tired.”
Her friends were going to be relentless in teasing her.
“Marriage does change many things. I underestimated how much different my life would be.” Diana reached for the bell pull to ring for tea. “It’s all a bit overwhelming at times.”
“Overwhelming?” Hannah leaned forward with concern. “In what way?”
Diana hesitated, twisting her wedding ring. She wanted to confide in them, but how could she voice her fears without sounding foolish? “It’s just… everything happened so fast. I have learned things about my body I never knew. Thanks to Graham, I have become proficient on a horse, which is something I never thought I’d be able to do. And I share my life with someone I have come to care about, but still don’t fully know.”
“That’s perfectly natural,” Juliana said in support. “Marriage is a great adjustment, even under the best circumstances.”
“But you do care for him?” Hannah asked.
Diana felt her skin grow warm. “Yes, I do. Very much so and more than I expected to. But that makes it all the more frustrating when I can’t help but feel that he is hiding things from me.”
“What makes you think he’s hiding something?” Marina asked, already condemning the man given her tone.
“Well…” Diana glanced around at the expectant faces of her closest friends as she tried to decide what she would divulge. And then she finally decided she would tell them. “He asked for my help with estate management before we married. Said he had use for my knowledge and wanted me as a true partner in how things were managed. But now whenever I try to discuss improvements or ask about accounts, he brushes me off.”
“All men think they know better about business,” Marina said, rolling her eyes.
“But that’s not it,” Diana insisted. “He doesn’t act superior. Heacts… evasive. And there are other things that concern me.”
There was a knock at the door and then a maid entered to deliver the tea tray. Diana busied herself with preparing tea while her friends eagerly waited for her to continue.