Billionaire: Billionaire Romance: Billionaire Tiger (A Billionaire New Adult Shifter Contemporary Romance) (36 page)

She paced the drawing-room.

Then she tried to read Jane Austen’s novel ‘Emma’. It usually made her smile to think of the likeness between herself and the fictional character. Austen’s Emma was her own woman, but she didn’t appear to have had the same sexual experiences or appetite. Diana sometimes wondered if her libido was shocking, but she always managed to convince herself that she only did what any other woman would do, given the opportunity. Today she could not settle and kept looking up from the book at the grandfather clock.

A quarter to three chimed. Diana took a deep breath. It was unlikely that the men would be anything other than prompt. Off she went pacing again.

A magpie landed on the terrace. Diana looked at it.
What did the rhyme say? One for sorrow, two for joy…
Not given to superstition, Diana tried to dismiss the omen, but it rankled and wriggled inside her. To her relief, another magpie landed by the first one just as Miller came into the drawing-room in what passed as his butler outfit.

“Are you at home M’lady to Captain William Phillips of the Royal Navy?”

“I am; please show him in.”

Miller stepped out and returned shortly afterwards with William.

Diana looked at him. He’d lost a little weight and there were a few more lines on his face probably burned on him by a tropical sun. Otherwise, he looked just as good as when she had last seen him. He had a gentle smile on his face as he greeted her and it sent butterflies around her tummy.
To think I have lain
with this man.

William gave an elegant bow in his blue Royal Naval Captain’s tunic with gold braid epaulettes. His white breeches and white stockings were immaculate.

Diana had to force herself not to imagine undoing those breeches.

“M’Lady, so good of you to receive me.”

“I think we can dispense with the formalities William. Please be seated.”

Diana pointed with her eyes at a plush red chair. William waited for her to be seated in her winged back chair and then sat down.

“So tell me William, how was your adventure in the South Pacific.”

“My dear Diana, every day was a torment without you.”

“Indeed? Please tell me of the sights you saw on the other side of the world.”

“Many islands. Some of them with cannibals. Beautiful flowers and magnificent jungles. Just like the ones you are embroidering there,” he said looking at her work. “Strange creatures. It is without doubt a mesmerising place.”

“So mesmerising that you may be drawn back there?”

“No, Diana. I have sailed the oceans for the last time. As I said in my letter, I am to take over my family estate as my father has passed away.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your father. It must have been difficult for your mother with you so far away.”

“Indeed Diana. But the family rallied around her and she is now in good spirits.”

“It is very time consuming running an estate. I found that when my husband died. Are you sure you want to take on the burden?”

“Without doubt Diana. And that is why I am here today. All the time I was away I thought about you every day.” He stood up.

Diana took a deep breath. She sensed what was coming.

William went down on one knee before her. “Diana, I love you. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

Diana looked at him. She knew he was an excellent man and would treat her and young Michael well. But she knew she had to keep Eylebourne Hall intact and functioning for her son to inherit. She could not do that from Devon and she was loathe to trust an Estate Manager with the task. But a slight miss of her heart beat told her that she either loved him or was very close to that emotion.

“William, I am honoured that you should ask me. But I am afraid that I would not be able to marry you. I have to run this estate for my son and I could not do that from Devon.”

“Suitable arrangements would ensure we could spend some of the time on your estate and some on mine. There is a good road between the two estates. The distance is only around two hundred miles. Three days, perhaps two would suffice for the journey.”

“William…”

“Please, Diana. Do not make a hasty decision to refuse me. All I ask is that you think about what I have said. If you permit, I shall return in one week or sooner if you wish and you may give me your answer then.”

“You are very kind and understanding William. I promise to give what you have said my full attention.”

The last year she had passed without any sexual encounters. How could she tell him that a tumble in bed or another suitable venue would be perfect whether or not she agreed to marry him? She knew that a direct approach from her may shock him. But then she thought of their previous encounters. Perhaps he too was hoping for a continuance whether or not she accepted his proposal. If he was, she was willing.

“Where are you staying?” she said.

“The Black Bear over at Pindleford.”

“For how long?”

“For as long as it takes for you to make up your mind.”

“Did you arrive by carriage?”

“No, on horseback.”

“Splendid. Return tomorrow morning and we shall take a ride in the countryside. We can discuss matters and I shall give you a decision.”

And I know an empty barn where you can plough me!

Miller appeared in the doorway with a mournful and worried look on his face.

“Yes?” said Diana.

“Begging your pardon M’Lady but are you at home to a Mr Richard Devere-Scott?”

Diana looked at William. “I’m sorry. I have other business to attend to. Please come back in the morning.”

She stood up and made a small curtsey.

He stood and bowed. “Until tomorrow then.” He strode towards the door.

Miller looked at Diana for instruction.

“Please show Captain Phillips out and inform Mr Devere-Scott that I am at home.”

Diana sat down. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest. There was no inclination on her part to see what happened when the two men passed each other in the hall.

Miller showed Richard into the drawing-room and then backed out.

Diana stood and curtsied.

Richard, dressed in a well-cut frock coat and breeches, but no wig, bowed to her.

“Your circumstances seemed to have changed considerably since our last meeting, Richard.”

“Indeed so M’Lady. I have had good fortune in India.”

“Please be seated.”

Richard waited for Diana to sit down and then sat on the recently vacated chair.

“So what are you plans then Richard? Are you here to stay or return to India?”

“I shall return to India. My business ventures and commitments are there.”

“Indeed. How do you cope with the heat?”

“It is tolerable when one gets used to it.”

“It is good to see you again Richard. Is this a social visit or do you have something on your mind?”

“News travels even to the far corners of the world. I’m aware that your husband died, please accept my condolences. Of course, I would not have visited you were he still alive.”

“Thank you, Richard.”

“I am also aware that you have a child. It may be presumptuous of me but…”

“Yes, Richard. He’s your son.”

Richard took a deep breath. “May I be allowed to meet him Diana? At some time when it is convenient for you.”

“I think so Richard but I must ask you to be discrete. Nobody knows that Michael is your son; they think he is Reginald’s. If his parentage became common knowledge, it would cause him considerable loss. Reginald’s brother Joseph would inherit this estate instead of Michael. Joseph is already one of the richest men in the country, but he wouldn’t hesitate to stake his claim. I have told you the truth Richard because it is the right thing to do and I trust you.”

“You may rely on my discretion Diana. I would not do anything to cause problems for you or the boy. What is his name?”

“Michael.”

“Michael? I like that name.”

“You shall meet him before you leave today.”

“Diana, I am aware of my responsibilities and I have come here to ask for your hand in marriage. I have a fortune and I can provide for you and Michael in India. An Estate Manager can be appointed to run Eylebourne in your absence until the boy is old enough to return and run it himself.”

Diana picked up on the difference in the two proposals she had received that afternoon. Love was mentioned in the first but not the second. And Richard had said ‘he was aware of his responsibilities’. What did that mean? He wanted to marry her because she bore his child? Diana felt a little confused.

“Why would you want to marry me Richard?”

“I’ve thought about you often Diana. I know we didn’t have long together, but the little time we spent was one of the happiest times of my life.”

One of the happiest times? Not the happiest time!

“And you wish to be involved in the upbringing of your son?”

“”Indeed I do Diana. A boy should have a father. I would teach him how to be a real man.”

“When do you intend to return to India?”

“I am here for two weeks before I sail.”

“Where are you staying?”

“The King’s Head in Tunbridge.”

“Yes, I know it. It’s near the Pantiles. I need to give your proposal some serious thought Richard. Would you please allow me a few days to think it over?”

“Of course, Diana. It is a big decision.”

“Did you come here today by carriage?”

“No, I borrowed a horse from the landlord. Borrowed is probably not the right word. Rented at an exorbitant price I should say.” He laughed, but there was something strange in the laugh. It wasn’t like when she remembered his carefree laugh when she had first made love to him. It worried her.

“Come back in the morning the day after tomorrow and we shall take a ride in the countryside and discuss the matter.”

And I know a barn where you can plough me. That is if you come back to your old self. I’m not sure I like the new Richard.

“Thank you, Diana. I would like a ride with you.”

She thought, she hoped, she saw a twinkle in his eye but was it? Or was it a peevish look. Diana couldn’t be sure and it worried her even more.

Diana lifted a small brass bell from a table beside her chair and shook it. The tinkle was not loud but enough for Miller to appear in the doorway.

“Yes, M’Lady?”

“Please request Jane to bring Michael to the drawing-room to meet my guest.”

“Yes, M’Lady.”

Diana examined Richard while he was distracted looking at the wind swirling up the leaves outside. There was something different about him. She had to admit she didn’t know him well other than carnally. But he had lost much of that carefree air he had before and seemed more serious. Perhaps it was the burden of having a fortune.

Jane came into the drawing-room holding Michael’s hand. She curtsied to Diana and then to Richard.

Michael bowed to Richard. Jane and Michael stood hand in hand awaiting instruction.

“Please leave Michael with us for a few minutes Jane,” said Diana.

“Yes, M’Lady.” Diana curtsied and backed out of the room. She looked at Diana.

Diana nodded.

Jane closed the door after her exit.

“Michael, I would like to present a friend of mine to you. This is Mr Richard Devere-Scott from India.”

Michael bowed to Richard, who returned the compliment.

“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance sir,” said Michael.

“And I yours, sir,” said Richard with a smile. “I have come all the way from India to see your mother. Do you know where India is Michael?”

“Yes, sir. Jane has shown me on the globe.”

“Jane is an excellent teacher, Richard. He can already recite the alphabet and do his times table up to five.”

“I can see he is an intelligent child. He must have inherited it from his mother and father.”

Diana smiled. “Indeed, Richard.”

“Most English boys of his Class go to one of the Public Schools. Is he enrolled for Eton?”

“He isn’t going to a Public School. I couldn’t bear the separation and from what I hear of them, they are not places I would want to send my son.”

“Good for you Diana. I went to Eton and I would not wish that on any child. Tell me Michael, how would you like to live in India?”

“Richard!”

“Sorry,” said Richard.

“If Mama was there, then I do believe it would be tolerable,” said four-year-old Michael.

The two adults looked at him in amazement at his confidence and vocabulary.

Diana picked up the bell and shook it.

Miller opened the door and stood waiting for instructions.

“Please show Mr Devere-Scott out.”

“Yes, M’Lady.”

“Until the day after tomorrow, sir,” said Diana with a smile and curtsey.

Richard bowed to Diana and then to Michael and then strode from the room.

Jane came in and took Michael back upstairs.

Diana sat in her chair and black thoughts crept into her mind.

Chapter Four

Ann helped Diana into her thick brown riding culottes over her silk stockings and crotchless pantaloons. She held her boots while Diana pulled each one on to her long and shapely legs.

The overnight rain had given way to a wan sun that just managed to break through the cloud. She would have preferred to have been more lightly dressed, but Kent in autumn could be cold and today was no exception.

Her warm riding jacket covered her white blouse and the effect finished with a white silk cravat at her neck pinned in place with a cameo brooch. She tied her hair back with a black silk ribbon. Diana picked up her riding crop. It reminded her of the Baron.

“You look lovely, M’Lady.”

“Thank you, Ann.”

Diana descended the stairs to the hall to see Jane and Michael playing hide and seek. Michael had found his Nanny hiding in a cupboard.

“Oh, sorry M’Lady,” said Jane bobbing a curtsey.

Diana laughed. “Don’t worry Jane, please keep him amused. Please inform Cook that I will be back at one with a guest for lunch."

“Yes, M’Lady.”

Miller was still on Butler duty from the previous day and hovered by the front door as instructed. He bowed to Diana as she made her way to the drawing-room.