Page 66 of A Lady's Past
“That is a wonderful idea.” Jacques couldn’t wait to introduce Diana to Mother and Father. They were going to love her.
* * *
As promised, Christmas dinner was spectacular. The bitter cold weather meant that they had been cooped up in the house all day, but the feast was magnificent.
Mrs. Fallcraft joined them, making for a lively meal. “Thank you for inviting me to dine with you all, Lady Chervil.”
Honoria waved away the thanks. “It was Mr. Lynds’s idea. I only wrote the note.”
Remarkably, Alex actually blushed.
Jacques couldn’t help laughing. “You look as if you’ve been caught in the act of kindness, Lynds.”
Raising his glass, Alex toasted, “Merry Christmas. I am pleased to have such a merry group around the table.”
“Hear, hear,” came the reply from everyone.
Diana cleared her throat. “Mrs. Fallcraft, perhaps you will play for us this evening. I assume the pianoforte in the large parlor we never use is in working order.”
Tapping his crystal glass with a fork, Sebastian gave enthusiastic agreement. “It is, and that is an excellent idea, Miss MacLeod. I haven’t heard you play in many years, ma’am. It would be a treat.”
“I am not as good as I once was, but I will play for you.” Mrs. Fallcraft rubbed her hands together as if trying to warm them.
The pudding was a triumph, and both Cook and Honoria smiled with pleasure. The entire table erupted with applause.
Diana sat across from Jacques. Perhaps it was the Christmas spirit or just the sense of family around the table, but she bloomed with smiles and joy. She laughed and chatted with Sebastian and Oliver, her dinner partners. Her wine-colored gown was trimmed in white lace and fell from just above her breasts, showing off her lovely figure. She was a confection, and he longed to taste every inch of her.
Jacques had a moment of jealousy, but quickly realized her banter with her neighbors was more like brothers and sisters, and held none of the flirtation and warm gazes she shared with him. Her special regard for only him coiled around his heart and tugged, until he wished everyone in the room would suddenly disappear and he could have her to himself.
When the pudding was properly devoured, they retired to the grand parlor. As Diana had said, the room was rarely used. An ornate pianoforte with gold filigree and curved legs sat in the corner.
Mrs. Fallcraft went directly to the instrument, and Sebastian assisted her, while Oliver and Nathaniel shifted furniture from the center of the room. Following a series of descending notes, Mrs. Fallcraft played a festive array of music.
Taking Diana’s hand, Jacques led her to the center of the room, where they were joined by Sebastian and Honoria, and the dancing began.
They managed every country dance they knew, and Jacques even withdrew his hold on Diana a few times to allow the others to dance.
After an hour, Mrs. Fallcraft broke from the festive tunes and played a waltz.
Alex bowed to Honoria and offered his hand, and the two settled into a steady turn around the room.
With Diana only a breath away at his right, he reached for her hand. Even through the gloves, her warmth infused him. Once she turned toward him, she stepped into his arms as if they had each been born for this moment, dancing around a parlor in Yorkshire staring into each other’s eyes.
“I enjoyed seeing you this evening.” He loved the way her eyes shined in the candlelight. Smitten was what he was, and it was remarkable that he didn’t mind one bit.
“You have seen me every evening for almost two weeks.”
Each step in the dance brought her closer and further away, like an intimate torture designed to drive him to madness. “Tonight, you were different. You enjoyed yourself far more. It is the first time I have seen you in public when I did not detect worry.”
“I suppose I am feeling more at ease. Perhaps your optimism is wearing off on me.” The way her delicious mouth turned up in a pretty bow undid him.
“You will have to stop looking at me as if I am the only man that exists, or I will embarrass myself here in the parlor in front of all these people.”
Eyes wide, she missed a step but recovered. Her cheeks burned bright red. “I’m not at all sure I know what you mean, but perhaps I do.”
“Are you horrified by what you think you know?” Jacques held his breath, waiting for her answer.
“No.”
