Page 78 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
As his sister appeared from the music room, she complained, "I thought I told you to take your brooding moodiness somewhere else for the afternoon. I wanted a little peace from your moping."
"I wanted peace from your meddling," Noah snapped, meeting his sister in the middle of the room, looking at her with more animosity than she had ever seen from him.
"What are you talking about, brother?" she asked, hoping to placate whatever anger he was feeling.
"I'm talking about the letters. The letters I wrote to Anne that you somehow intercepted," Noah replied.
"I assure you I don't know what you are talking about," Diana said, pointing her nose high in the air and making to walk away, but Noah caught her by the arm.
"You told her of a commitment I had no intention of keeping, and that cut both of us deeply. Then, you somehow managed to prevent my messages from reaching her," he said in a near growl. "She is here in London. I have seen her. Don't lie to me. Where are the letters?"
Diana shook her arm loose of his grip, and Noah released her.
"Fine," Diana said. "They are in the bottom of the grandfather clock there. I figured the clock only needs to be wound every few years. I could burn them in winter without you knowing."
Noah felt hot as if fire burned inside him as he retrieved the letters. He flipped through them. Each one was there, including the first letter where he revealed he retracted the promise his parents had made on his behalf with Juliette's parents.
Diana explained, "I did what I thought was necessary. You are the Duke. You cannot disappear and return wanting to throw away a perfectly good arrangement with Juliette, daughter of an Earl, for some money hungry, country bumpkin, only seeking what she can gain."
"Leave, now," Noah's voice boomed, before she could utter another word against Anne.
She gasped, Then she looked angry and desirous to retaliate.
"Noah," she said trying to assume a commanding tone.
"No, I want you to leave here," he demanded.
Diana's expression quickly changed to confusion and hurt.
"I want you to leave," he repeated. "Go to the estate in Manchester or somewhere but leave London. I don't want to see you around the house. I don't want to bump into you in town. I don't want the least sight of you in my presence."
"But we are just coming into season. I will be ruined if I leave," she said, looking near tears.
"I don't care," Noah replied.
"You are ruining your own social life; must you destroy mine, too? Juliette is my dear friend. Can you not choose from the women of our circle? Of our status?" Diana cried.
"Can you not see that marriage, love, is so much more than that?" Noah asked. "How can your values be so skewed."
"It is not my values that are skewed brother. It is you who have lost your sense of duty to your peers," Diana argued.
"No, it is my duty to serve well by a marriage that is an example of happiness with a wife who exemplifies kindness, grace, and compassion for all. Not a woman who can't see beyond the bubble of her station," Noah said with disappointment in the person Diana had become.
Placating her, he continued, "If all goes well, I will be married to the woman of my choosing and leaving for the main estate soon enough. Then you can return here. I will grant you this as your home, so you never miss a season. However, one day I hope you meet someone who makes you realize there are greater things to hope for."
Diana sniffled some, but she accepted her brother's commands though she begrudged his decision.
Without another word, she left to pack. Noah began preparing to see Anne.
CHAPTER 23
"Did he actually try to send me letters?" Anne wondered aloud. "I wonder what they said."
She paced back and forth in the parlor. Phoebe had encouraged her to give the Viscountess the details that were pertinent, and the two of them pleaded with her to allow Anne and Noah some time to speak privately before making introductions.
"It is highly improper," the Viscountess sniffed, but she added, "However, I don't know how one could refuse a duke, so I will allow it."
Anne had been excited and nervous since she received her aunt's permission. She and Noah had only exchanged a few words in the park, and she was unclear of what he would be calling on her for after the way things ended between them.
