Tides of fate

ely relieving. She had agreed to marry Max von Hoffsten. The words sti

raised to think of the family name above all else, but accepting this marriage felt like abandoning a part of

e was patient, a quality that made him even more enigmatic in Diana's eyes. He never rushed h

en to the cool autumn breeze. The Cantwell estate, which had bee

r own. Her engagement was now public, but there was no joy in the announcement, no spark in her heart

mic between them. But as she sat in the quiet, thinking of the life she had lef

rtled, and smiled as Beatrice entered with a letter in hand. "A visi

sked, her gaze still

ment before responding. "It

ted him to visit soon after their agreement, but now that the mom

d, her voice steady despite the st

in a dark suit, his countenance calm but with an underlying energy that spoke of the excitement he must h

voice warm but formal. "It i

her words polite but distant. She was still adjusting to the change in their relationship,

to Diana that he was as aware of the awkwardness between them as she was. The air between them was thick wit

mplications of our engagement," Max said a

e to speak her mind. "I have," she said softly. "And I've come to

iana couldn't quite place. "I'm glad to hear that," he said. "I know this has

, Mr. von Hoffsten?" She asked, unable to keep the edge from her voice. It wasn't a challenge,

rt you in whatever way I can. This marriage-our engagement-isn't just about power or wea

g a man she barely knew, a man whose family was a mystery to her. Max had been clear about his intentions-he was offer

agined my future this way," she said quietly. "I thought there would be

she could feel the warmth of his body. "Love, Diana, is a beautiful thing," he said softly. "But it

hat love was the foundation of a marriage, that it was something to be built upon and nurtured. But now, standing at the pr

d them. "And what if I cannot learn to love you?" she asked, her voice trembling

ng else, Diana. We will build a partnership based on trust, on the understanding that we both have something to offer. I will never ask you to love me

out all of this; she still wasn't sure that she could ever see Max as more than a man who had become a part o

her voice filled with a mixt

ile that reached his eyes.

ic declarations of love-just a quiet understanding between two people