Page 71 of Her Wicked Highwayman
He’d tried over the years to snare the young Lennox in his usual ways, with debts or obligations that he did not realize led straight back to Andrew. But much to his frustration, the boy had never fallen for those cleverly laid traps.
But now... now he could feel the sweet vibrations of the struggling of his prey, not even realizing it was already too late. He would finally have Rafe Lennox under his power. He would break the man, take his time and bask in every second of his agony.
“We will need to bait our trap. I trust you will see it done?” Andrew asked.
“With pleasure,” said Phelps.
“Good. Get to it. I am no longer willing to wait.” He stood and waved for Phelps to leave. There was much to do. He must prepare his private cellar for Rafe’s arrival and wait. The anticipation almost made him lightheaded.
Finally, he would have what he’d hungered so long for.
Diana hummedto herself as she and Mrs. Ripley carried the vegetables in from the gardens. They’d harvested quite a few carrots and potatoes this week, as the weather had been good for their small crops. Diana could already taste the stew that their cook would make with the beef she’d acquired from the butcher this morning. Although Diana’s arm still twinged, it was more an ache now than an actual pain.
Perhaps it hurt less because she and Rafe were to be married in a month’s time, and that fact seemed to make everythingglowinside her. She wished it could be sooner, but Lord Lennox had insisted upon the banns being read in church and a wedding ceremony with a large breakfast. It seemed most of the Lennox marriages had been hasty matters, and Rafe’s elder brother wished to do the thing properly once Rafe had announced the news to his family.
Rafe had given Ashton a most frustrated glare, which made Diana laugh and kiss Rafe’s cheek. She had whispered that she would make the wait worth it. He had kissed the shell of her ear and whispered back that he wascertainhe would find a way to see to her needs while they waited out the month. His sensual promise had made her legs wobble as much as some of the famous jellies that the Lennox cook made.
She’d written to Rachel straightaway with the news, since she was back in London again for the next few weeks. Rachel would be delighted; Diana could picture her friend smiling as she read the news.
“We must work on your trousseau, Miss Diana,” said Mrs. Ripley. She gave the cook and a scullery maid a grateful smile as the two servants collected the baskets from her and Diana.
“Oh, but I could think of a thousand things that require my attention instead of filling a trunk with fine clothing.” Even as she said this, however, a tiny part of her heart sighed with disappointment.
The housekeeper gave a firm shake of her head. “Nonsense. You will have one, no matter what. Now, come with me and let me show you something.”
Diana followed Mrs. Ripley out of the kitchen and up into the attic above the maids’ and footmen’s rooms. Late-afternoon sunlight crept in through the dirty attic windows, illuminating little trails of dust motes but providing enough light to show them a worn path through the old trunks, paintings, and other belongings of more than two hundred years of Foxes.
Mrs. Ripley stopped in front of an old ivory-colored trunk in a dusty corner. She retrieved the set of keys that hung at her waist and knelt in front of the trunk. Diana joined her, curious as to what this particular trunk contained. They had so little time to spend in the attic when the rest of the estate needed so much attention.
“This was your mother’s trousseau. I believe everything is still quite nearly perfect inside.” The housekeeper unlocked the trunk and lifted the lid. A faint lavender aroma drifted up from the neatly folded garments tucked in thin paper, with a set of letters that had been bound in faded blue ribbon.
“These are love letters from your father,” Mrs. Ripley explained. She delicately moved the faded letters aside and opened the first layer of thin paper about the clothing.
“And this was your mother’s wedding gown.” She held it up so Diana could see. The style was not in the current fashion, but the pearl beading and gold embroidery on the soft icy-blue silk were exquisite and timeless. The gown seemed to shimmer as though some fairy queen had worn it long ago and her magic still clung to the fabric.
Diana’s hands trembled as she touched the watered silk. “I’ve never seen her wedding gown before. It’s so beautiful.” She could imagine herself wearing it, feeling just as beautiful as her mother had been. For a moment, she felt overwhelmed. She’d long givenup hope that she would have a wedding day or a husband. And now... She bit her lip to hide a smile as she thought of Rafe’s face when he saw her in this gown.
Mrs. Ripley gave a soft grin. “With a few adjustments to bring it up to the current fashions, I believe you could wear this and look as magnificent as your mother did on her wedding day.”
Diana bit her lip and nodded. “I wish... I wish she and Eleanor were here.”
“Me too, my dear. But think of your new family. Lady Lennox, Lady Kincade... you will have sisters.”
She would havewonderfulsisters. She scarcely could have imagined that her life could have changed so much for the better so quickly.
“Do you think I’m being hasty, agreeing to marry him so quickly?” she whispered to Mrs. Ripley while they examined some undergarments made of fine satin and Belgian lace.
“If I hadn’t seen you with Mr. Lennox, perhaps I would be worried, but I’ve never seen two people so well suited to each other. The way that man looks at you... That is a man who loves deeply, loves purely.” Mrs. Ripley paused, her smile bittersweet. “But what matters most is his being here and courting you proper... It’s undoing the harm of the last few years.”
Diana felt a sudden flash of anxiety. “Harm?”
Mrs. Ripley set down the nightgown and took Diana’s hands in hers.
“You’ve always been a force of nature, my dear. More so than your sister. Youshoneas a little girl. It’s why that man adores you. You’re such a vibrant soul. But these last few years that shine has dimmed. Life has a way of stealing away one’s inner light when too much happens to break one’s heart.”
Mrs. Ripley was usually a woman quite in control of herself, but now she sniffed and wiped away a tear.
“Whenever you are in Mr. Lennox’s presence youshine, just as you deserve to. Mr. Peele and I have been so relieved and happy to see our little Diana come back to us. You deserve everything good life has to offer, and I believe that man will do anything to give it to you.”
