Anthony shook his head. "The bloody bastard."
Diana. "Thankfully, five days after that encounter, Mr. Kingston wrote to my brother and said he no longer wished to be married to me. Apparently I do not fit the qualifications he was seeking in a wife."
Anthony stared at her. "And what bloody qualifications were those?"
Diana rolled her eyes. "He believed that, as his wife, I needed to be silent as a doormat, and produce his children."
Anthony shook his head with disapproval. "The man has no common sense to know exactly how he should treat his wife. I honestly do not have any idea how he is going to treat Lillian, but I do know she is going to adore being ravished with wealth."
Diana nodded. "I'm sure she will be. Quite frankly, I am relieved to not be his wife. I can enjoy my season."
Anthony. "As you should be. You have the right to choose your own husband."
Diana looked at him. "I know, and you have the right to choose your own wife."
Anthony. "I know."
Their eyes remained locked in a magnetic gaze, neither of them able to look away. With a few more inches, they could easily have leaned in and shared their first kiss. They moved a bit closer, their noses brushing, but then quickly came apart as the sound of a carriage could be heard. They smiled as they saw George and Natalia stepping out of the carriage a few minutes later, their fingers intertwined and their eyes brimming with adoration for each other.
Anthony. "It seems the two of them are having just as wonderful of a day as we are."
Diana beamed. "They certainly are."
George. "Shall we go inside for a cup of tea?"
Natalia. "That sounds like a splendid idea."
Diana and Anthony eagerly agreed, rising from the bench and following George and Natalia into the house. The four of them sat down on the dark red plush velvet settee in the drawing room. Within 10 minutes, they were served their tea and cakes.
George took a bite of his vanilla raspberry tea cake. "So, did I hear correctly, or is there going to be a ball held at Claremont Park next week?"
Anthony smiled knowingly at Natalia. "Where did you hear that information?"
George chuckled. "From quite a very reliable source."
Anthony smiled broadly. "Well, as a matter of fact, there is going to be a ball held at Claremont Park next week. It is going to be a private one, which you and Diana are invited to."
Diana smiled. "We would love to be there your grace. Wouldn't we George?"
George smiled, blushing a soft pink. "We certainly would. It would give the four of us the opportunity to spend more time together, just as we did when we were children."
Natalia. "Exactly. And Diana and I will not have gentlemen staring at us as if we are pieces of cake on a pedestal."
Diana exhaled. "That will certainly be a relief, at least until the next public ball."
Natalia took a sip from her teacup. "My thoughts exactly."
Anthony. "The two of you don't need to fret, George and I will make sure that no other gentleman put their hands on you."
George smirked. "We won't even allow them a glance at you."
Diana and Natalia burst into laughter. They knew Anthony and George would protect them at all costs. They were relieved that they would have at least one evening of dancing without having to share their dance card with other gentlemen aside from the ones they desired to be with.
After an hour of having pleasant conversation, the four of them separated. Anthony and Natalia stated that they couldn't wait to see George and Diana at their ball the following week. George and Diana reciprocated those feelings, watching as the Duke of Claremont and his sister exited Azarian Park and climbed into their waiting carriage.
Diana smiled as she watched Anthony drive away. She couldn't wait to dance with him, just him, at the private ball he was hosting at his home. If she played her cards correctly, she would finally be able to admit the feelings she had been harboring for him. She was hoping and praying that he would reciprocate those same feelings.