Chapter Three
Graham
Graham’s pulse hammered as he gripped Diana’s gloved hand, pulling her through the sudden downpour toward a white gazebo. Thunder crashed overhead, and her fingers tightened around his—a simple touch that sent warmth racing through him despite the cold rain soaking through his evening coat.
What the devil am I doing? Following her into the garden had been madness.
He should have turned back the moment they’d entered the maze of shrubs and flowers.
Being alone with her was far too dangerous.
But watching her flee the ballroom, imagining her caught in this storm, had overridden every rational thought.
They reached the gazebo just as the rain turned violent, but not before they were both completely soaked.
Graham released her hand only to place his palm against the small of her back, guiding her up the steps.
Even through layers of silk and stays, the contact made him acutely far too aware of her.
“There,” he panted, more breathless than their short run warranted. “We should be safe from the worst of it.”
Diana turned to face him, and Graham’s chest tightened. Rain had loosened wet golden locks that framed her face. Water droplets ran down her neck and then further, causing him to stare at her chest for just a bit too long. The sight of her was enough to make a man forget his own name.
“Thank you.” She tucked a damp curl behind her ear. “Though I must say, this wasn’t my intention for a garden stroll. I must look a dreadful fright.”
“Dreadful?” Graham’s voice came out rougher than intended. He couldn’t look away from her. “You look…” Beautiful. Tempting. Like everything I never knew I wanted. “You look quite the opposite of dreadful.”
Color rose in her cheeks despite the cool air. “You’re very kind, my lord, but I’m hardly at my best as a drowned rat.”
“Then I fear for the safety of every gentleman in London when you are at your best.” The words escaped before he could stop them, and Graham felt his own face warm. “Forgive me. That was too forward.”
Diana’s eyes sparkled as she released a stream of giggles. “No forgiveness necessary. I rather enjoyed the compliment.”
“I fear I’m terrible at all of this,” Graham admitted, running a hand through his damp hair. “I’m still learning the art of polite conversation.”
“You are much better than you believe yourself to be.” Diana’s voice was so soft and caring that he believed she meant it.
And then he noticed the way that she shivered.
“You’re cold.” Without thinking, Graham shrugged out of his evening coat, even though it was also soaked. He stepped closer to drape it around her shoulders. The gesture brought him within inches of her, close enough to see the way her lips parted slightly at his proximity.
“My lord?” Her soft whisper was almost lost in the thunder.
“Yes?” He let his hands linger on her shoulders where he’d settled his coat, unwilling to step away.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you.” Her eyes searched his face, and he saw curiosity there, want, the same attraction that was consuming him. At least he preferred to believe it was there.
“Diana.” He couldn’t look away from her mouth, but he could feel her in his grasp. “You’re shivering again.”
“Yet I don’t believe I feel the cold.”
His cock twitched at the suggestion in her tone. She was his every temptation and desire, and they were far too alone.
“This is dangerous,” he murmured, but his hands were already moving to frame her face, his thumbs tracing the line of her cheekbones. He’d never even kissed someone before, but with her it felt like the most natural, right thing in the world to do.
“I know.” Her hands came up to rest against his chest, and he wondered if she could feel the way his heart pounded. “But I find I don’t much care at the moment.”
The confession undid him completely. Graham lowered his head slowly, giving her every opportunity to pull away, to come to her senses, to remember all the reasons this was madness. Or perhaps to convince himself of the very same, but he feared that he was too far gone.
But instead, Diana rose up on her toes to close the distance between them.
Their lips met in a kiss that was nothing like he could have ever imagined. This was heat and need and wanting. When Diana’s lips parted beneath his with a soft sigh, Graham felt everything else fade away.
She kissed him back with an eagerness that stunned him, her hands fisting in his waistcoat as if she needed something to anchor herself. He deepened the kiss, lost in the taste of her, the way she fit in his arms, and the soft sounds she made against his mouth.
His hands tangled in her damp hair, and he pressed her closer. Their tongues collided in something that overtook every single one of his senses. His cock was painful against the confines of his breeches. This was everything he’d been afraid to want—
“This is too perfect!” A sharp voice pierced the storm. “What have we here?”
Graham jerked back from Diana, his stomach dropping as Lady Theodosia and Lady Rebecca appeared at the gazebo entrance, their eyes bright with malicious delight as they took in the compromising scene. Matt had warned him about the vipers and their notoriety as the most vicious gossips of the ton.
Diana’s hair was thoroughly mussed, her lips swollen from his kisses, and his coat draped around her shoulders. There was no hope of convincing the ladies that any intentions were honorable.
“Lady Diana,” Lady Theodosia purred, her voice dripping with false concern. “I am certain your brother is going to have plenty to say about this.”
Horror washed over Graham. In his selfish desire, he had done the unthinkable after he’d sworn he’d maintain control over himself that his father couldn’t. And his first night in society and he has compromised an innocent woman. They both skirted a thin line toward scandal and ruin.
“Ladies,” he said, moving protectively in front of Diana, though he knew it was far too late. “This isn’t what it appears—”
“Oh, I think it’s exactly what it appears,” Lady Rebecca interrupted.
Graham watched Diana’s face pale as the full implications hit her. Her family’s reputation, her sisters’ prospects, her own future—all hanging in the balance because of his weakness.
I’m exactly like my father after all, he thought bitterly.
But even as self-loathing flooded through him, Graham knew one thing with absolute clarity: he would do whatever was necessary to protect Diana from the consequences of his actions.
He had wanted to marry for love, and because his wife loved him in return.
Graham’s chest burned with shame as he looked at a distraught Diana. Diana’s wide eyes met his, with fear and confusion lingering there.
He knew what he must do to protect her, and that was far more important than how he had envisioned his future.
“You both can be the first to congratulate us,” Graham said as calmly as he could. “Lady Diana had just accepted my marriage proposal.”
Diana stiffened beside him. Her fingers trembled where they clutched his coat, and her lips parted as if she intended to speak, yet no words came. Her silence cut deep as the gravity of the situation set in.
Graham straightened his shoulders. Whether she wanted him or not, this lie had already become their truth.
They would marry.