Page 55 of Duke of Storme
Diana watched with growing admiration as Finn’s reserved demeanor gradually warmed under her family’s genuine interest. His responses became longer, more detailed; his passion for the estate’s welfare was evident in every word.
“The tenants needed to see changes, not just promises,” he said, carving the roast with precise movements. “I spent the first year visiting every cottage, every farm, listening to their concerns.”
“And now?” Diana asked, joining the conversation..
“Now they trust me to keep my word,” Finn said, meeting her gaze directly. “Trust is earned through actions, not intentions.”
“A philosophy that serves marriage as well as estate management,” Jane observed pointedly, making Diana’s cheeks flush.
“Does it?” Finn’s tone was carefully neutral, but Diana caught the slight tension in his shoulders.
“Certainly,” Lydia said, coming to Diana’s rescue. “Though I imagine Highland marriages have their own unique characteristics compared to London arrangements.”
“Highland marriages tend to be more... practical,” Finn said carefully. “Less concerned with romantic sentiment, more focused on mutual benefit and shared responsibilities.”
“How wonderfully pragmatic,” Jane said dryly. “Though I’ve observed that even the most practical arrangements can develop unexpected... complications.”
Elias smiled slithtly. “In my experience, the most practical arrangements often become the most rewarding.”
Diana felt her pulse quicken at the turn of the conversation. “Jane means that respect and understanding can grow over time, even in marriages that begin as mere alliances.”
“Can they?” Finn’s gaze lingered on her face. “And what do ye think breeds such understanding?”
“Honesty,” Diana said without hesitation. “Being willing to see each other as real people rather than just... roles to be filled.”
“Roles,” Finn repeated thoughtfully. “Aye, ‘tis easy to forget there’s a person beneath the title.”
“Speaking of which,” Lydia interjected with gentle humor, “might we dispense with the formal address? We are family now, after all.”
“If ye wish,” Finn said as something in his expression softened. “Though I confess, I’m not much practiced at... family dinners.”
“Then you’ll learn,” Jane said firmly. “Diana’s already working miracles with this castle. I’m sure she can teach you about family dynamics as well.”
Diana felt a warm glow at her sister’s confidence. “He has been teaching me a great deal about Highland customs. I think we’re both... discovering new aspects of ourselves.”
“Are ye?” Finn asked quietly. His voice carried a note Diana couldn’t quite identify.
“I think so,” she said, meeting his gaze directly. “I’m certainly not the same person who arrived here weeks ago.”
“No,” he agreed, his voice rough. “Ye’re not.”
The remainder of dinner passed with increasingly comfortable conversation. Her sisters and their husbands drew Finn out with skillful questions about Highland history, castle maintenance, and his naval service. Diana found herself observing the interplay with fascination, noting how Finn’s military precision softened into something more genuine under their patient attention.
When Lydia complimented the cook’s excellent pastry during dessert, Finn actually smiled. “She’ll be pleased to hear it. Mrs. Glenwright takes considerable pride in her kitchen.”
“As she should,” Jane said. “Everything has been superb. Diana, you’ve clearly established an excellent household.”
Diana felt a flush of pride at the compliment. “Mrs. Glenwright has been wonderfully patient with my questions about Highland customs. The staff here has been... more welcoming than I expected.”
“They respect ye,” Finn said simply. “That’s not easily earned.”
After dinner, when Finn excused himself to attend to correspondence, the sisters retired to Diana’s sitting room. The men settled in the library with brandy, giving the women the privacy for their reunion. Jane settled into her chair with the satisfied expression of someone who’d successfully completed a reconnaissance mission.
“Well,” Jane said, settling back in her chair with obvious satisfaction. “That was illuminating.”
“Was it?” Diana asked, arranging her skirts as she took her seat by the fire.
“Oh yes,” Lydia agreed, accepting a cup of tea from the service that had been waiting for them. “Your Highland Duke is far more complex than we expected based on our previous… encounter with him.”
