That gave her just enough time to make sure her gown was straight, her hair in place, and her cheeks pinched sufficiently enough to pinken them. Thankfully, her courses were over. She’d always been blessed with courses that lasted only a few days. Then he was there before her, and she lost the power of speech.
He looked magnificent in a brown coat and light blue trousers, with a cravat that couldn’t have been any more starched or masterfully tied. If they did ever marry, she would make sure he never got rid of his valet. The man was well worth his salary.
But she was getting ahead of herself. “You look well.”
“You look beautiful,” he said in a tone of such seriousness that she knew he was here for more reason than just to pay them or some such. “Then again, you always do.”
The way he was looking at her made her nervous. “Have you had breakfast? You’re welcome to join me with mine.”
“I could eat something, I daresay.”
She laughed. “I do believe you could always eat something. Indeed, I would assume you were ill if you couldn’t.”
“You know me well. Better than I expected, actually.”
They took seats at the table, and Diana sent Norris for more food, mostly just to gain a few moments alone with Geoffrey. She had to tell him one thing privately.
“I thought you should know,” she murmured, “I am definitely not with child.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I had my monthly visitor, if you know what that means.”
“Ah. But you do want children,” he said, taking her by surprise. “I mean, if we marry. You want them, don’t you?”
Her heart in her throat, she nodded. “Children would be lovely.”
“Yes. I agree.”
When he lapsed into silence, she asked, “Has anything changed with regard to your . . . willingness to marry?”
“So much has changed.” With a glance at the door Norris would come through, he scooted his chair a bit closer so he could take her hand. “I’ve discovered that my family was more aware of Father’s machinations than I realized. But that’s not why I’m here. I wanted to tell you that—” He straightened and said in a more formal tone, “I am here to pay you the doubled fee I promised.”
Thrown a bit off guard by that, she frowned. Then she realized Norris had reentered the room. “Are you? But we’re only up to the fourth day, by my calculation.”
“Ah, but Rosy has had thirty young men pay her visits. And now she insists that because thirty visits divided by six days is five visits a day, the terms have been met.”
“That’s very kind of her,” Diana said, already trying to figure out what lengthy errand to send Norris on so they could have privacy.
“You’re not going to question the six days?” he asked.
“No. That’s perfectly clear. No one pays visits on Sunday. I always assumed we would not count Sunday.”
He laughed. “You and my sister are clearly of one mind. Perhaps you should marry Rosy.”
She was about to say she’d rather marry Rosy’s brother when Norris approached her with an envelope. “I was told to put the note in your hand myself, my lady.” He bent to whisper, “It’s from Lady Rosabel, and I was told to make sure you were alone when I gave it to you.”
Diana’s attention immediately shifted to the envelope. “Did she say why?”
“He, the servant, said only that you would understand when you read it.”
She unsealed it at once, but as she read, her heart sank.
Dear Diana,
I have a favor to ask. By the time you receive this, your cousin and I will be on our way to Gretna Green. So if my brother or mother come looking for me, will you please instruct Norris to say I am out shopping with you? It will gain us enough time to get away. Your cousin says you will understand and help us, but I ask that you do it for me as a friend. If you do, I promise I won’t tell Geoffrey the part you played.
Gratefully,