Page 85 of Duke of Diamonds
There was no reason for the fluttering in her chest, nor the way her mind began sorting through arrangements. Linen to be changed, his favorite brandy decanted, a warm fire lit in his study...
She paused at the threshold, glancing down at the letter again.
Why am I so?—
But the thought trailed off as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She couldn’t help it.
Isaac was coming home.
CHAPTER 27
Isaac caught sight of Craton Manor and gave his horse a gentle nudge, quickening the pace for the last stretch.
Fiona.He hadn’t realized how badly he wanted to see her until now.
As he dismounted, one of the younger grooms rushed forward, nearly tripping over his own boots in his eagerness. Isaac handed over the reins, giving the boy a brief nod before turning toward the front steps.
The door opened before he reached it.
“Your Grace.” Mr. Everett stood tall in the entryway, his lined face warming with something between affection and pride. Isaac’s step slowed.
“Everett,” he said with a nod. “Standing guard as always.”
“And I expect to be doing so long after you’ve grown old and grey, Your Grace.”
Isaac gave a quiet chuckle as he stepped inside—and stopped short.
Light flooded the foyer, golden and clean. The marble had been polished to a mirror’s shine, the entry rug replaced with one of finer weave and richer colors. The sconces gleamed, new draperies framed the windows, and the entire space breathed with a freshness he did not remember leaving behind.
“This is not how I left the manor,” he said slowly, eyes sweeping the grand space.
“No, indeed, sir,” Mr. Everett said, clearly pleased. “Her Grace has been very busy while you were away.”
Isaac said nothing at first. He moved forward, his boots echoing softly on the stone floor, and turned toward the drawing room.
The transformation there was even more staggering.
Gone were the somber green walls and heavy velvet curtains. In their place, bold blue wallpaper accented by cream panels drew the eye upward. New drapes in a matching shade framed the tall windows, and the furniture had been reupholstered in rich mahogany leather and light linen, the arrangement fresh and inviting.
If he hadn’t known better, he might have thought himself a guest in someone else’s house.
He let out a low breath. “Well, I’ll be dashed.”
He remembered the night on the terrace when she’d asked about making changes.
I didn’t think she would actually do it.
Not without his permission. Not without even sending word. He had no complaints.
“Isaac?”
He turned at once at the sound of her voice. Clear as a bell. And just like that, the grandeur of the drawing room faded to nothing.
Fiona stood at the threshold, a vision in soft blue muslin, her hands clasped before her and her eyes wide with something between caution and hope.
A smile broke across his face before he could stop it. He closed the distance in quick strides, grasped her hand, and raised it to his lips.
One kiss for her knuckles. Another—slower, lingering—for the inside of her wrist.
