Chapter Twelve #2
“Exactly, which means I’m a bit protective of her, but neither does her life concern you.
She can make her own choices.” Though to be fair, an earl’s daughter had more in common with a marquess than a viscount.
“Isn’t it time she does that for her own benefit?
Have you even asked her what she wants?”
“Why do you care?” William stood and crossed his arms at his chest. “You’re behaving as if you’ve gone mad.”
Perhaps he had. “Someone has to protect her since her first marriage was rubbish. Where were you when that occurred?”
“In the military, you great nodcock. You knew that.” Then he narrowed his eyes. “Did Diana tell you about her union?”
Heat sneaked up the back of his neck. “She did.”
“When?”
“It doesn’t matter.” And he certainly would tell his best friend that he’d done unspeakable things to his older sister. “We are friends, after all.”
“That makes no sense. Why the hell are you suddenly overprotective of her, a woman older than you? A woman you hadn’t seen in over twenty years up until three weeks ago?”
And he definitely wasn’t going to answer that question. “What does that matter?”
The other man shook his head. “I find it odd, is all.”
“I am allowed to care for people other than you. Hell, I’m concerned over your mother’s health just now, too.
Will you come the crab about that, too?” When William said nothing, Nathaniel huffed.
In danger of saying far too much and showing his hand prematurely, he shook his head.
“If you will excuse me, I’m going to get some air. ”
“But I don’t understand what upset you. The fact Diana might marry or the fact I won’t?”
What the devil did that even mean? He blinked rapidly.
Was that truly what William thought? He shook his head.
“I’m not upset. I merely need to clear my head before I say something stupid, and now is not the time for you to pick a fight.
Grief controls your thoughts and emotions right now.
We can revisit this conversation at a later date. ”
“Fair enough.” William glared. “Dinner will be called in half an hour. Don’t go far.”
How can I when I’m caught in Diana’s gravitational pull?
“Of course I won’t.” Out of sorts with his best friend, Nathaniel stormed downstairs, passing Diana’s son and daughter on the stairs.
They both glanced at him with cheerful, welcoming expressions, and not wishing to stop and talk, he mumbled greetings, then he continued to the main level, pausing only when he reached the library.
Damnation.
Of course Diana was there, reading quietly in a shadowy corner. He almost didn’t see her, dressed as she was in a black gown with glittering jet beads that lined the bodice. The silver in her hair almost sparkled in the dim illumination.
Immediately, he felt better. “You’ll ruin your eyes. Come nearer to the candlelight,” he said, as he came further into the room.
She glanced over at him with a ready smile. “I’m happy here, though.”
“No doubt you are.” With a glance to the door, he crept over the floor to her location.
Because he needed to touch her, he silently, he took her hand and brought her swiftly to her feet, then he snuck an arm about her waist and claimed her lips in a kiss he’d been wanting since she left his carriage last night.
“Oh…” She fairly melted into his hold. The book fell to the carpet as she looped her arms around him and kissed him back with a low-grade hunger that he felt in his bones.
Briefly, their tongues thrust and parried in a duel as old as time, but seconds later, she planted a palm on his chest and pushed him away.
“As lovely as this interlude is, we should stop.”
Heat and desire prowled through his insides. “Why?” All he wanted to do was lead her further into the shadows and have his wicked way with her.
Those highly kissable lips curved into a smile while amusement danced in her eyes.
“Because we can easily be discovered, and I’m not of a mind to listen to a lecture from either William or my son.
” When he stared, she chuckled, and he would pay any amount of coin to hear that sound again.
“Apparently, the men in my life believe I can’t build my own future. ”
At least she would fight William’s plans. “You don’t think they know best?” Nathaniel stepped backward and put copious amounts of space between them, merely so he wouldn’t be tempted by her.
“I do not. I want what I want, regardless of what they think.”
Relief slid down his spine. “Uh, when can I see you again? And I don’t mean at dinner,” he whispered, as he edged to the middle of the room just to make certain that he wouldn’t go back on his own word.
She met his gaze, and he swore he almost dove into those sapphire depths. “Call tomorrow afternoon. My son has an appointment out. My daughter is going shopping and visiting with her friends. That means I’ll be free until dinner.”
“I look forward to it.” Then he winked because his heart felt all too light to know she wasn’t going along with her brother’s plans. “I need to go outside for some air. Which is what I told William to begin with.”
“Why? It’s raining.”
“I’m aware of that, but becoming slightly damp is much better than going back to that drawing room with a cockstand.” He snickered. “That is one conversation I refuse to have with your brother.” Or even her son.
“Oh.” When she giggled, she trailed her gaze down his body to rest briefly at the front of his evening breeches. “Too bad we are out of time.”
“Indeed.” Then, he fled the library to the soft sound of Diana’s chuckle, which had his world tilting.
Shit, I’ve nearly tossed my hat over the windmill.
And it wasn’t as bad as he’d feared. In fact, it left him quite… hopeful, and he hadn’t had that in far too many years.