Diana almost laughed at that. “I do not believe you for a moment. In fact, I do not believe a single word you say, including the compliments that you pay me.”
He shrugged. “It is true. I find myself drawn to you, disheveled or not. I cannot help it.”
The boldness of his admission shocked Diana, and she struggled to maintain her composure. There was something different in his tone as he spoke now, standing close to her, but she could hardly believe that he meant it.
She blinked and tried to pull herself out of this intense moment. It was not right, and he was simply trying to make fun of her, she was convinced of it. “Will my sister not be expecting you?”
Tristan flashed her a wry smile. “I thought that you never wanted your sister to set eyes on me again?”
“And I do not! But yet you are here anyway, despite my wishes.”
“And what if it is your company that I choose to seek out today instead?”
Diana stared at him. “You say that you are here to pay court to my sister, and then you insist on persevering with this inappropriate conversation with me! I do not know what to think.”
“I think, Lady Diana, that you think too much,” Tristan said softly.
Diana felt her defenses waver. The walls she had built around her heart began to crack under the weight of his gaze and the sincerity she saw reflected in his eyes, even though she kept telling herself not to believe a word that fell from his lips. “My Lord, you must understand?—”
“You are blushing, Lady Diana, so I do not think that you can be entirely oblivious to my charms,” Tristan went on.
“You must stop this,” Diana insisted. The atmosphere between them crackled with energy. Diana felt as if she was losing control of the situation. The danger was real; if they were discovered, then she did not know what she would do. She knew she had to escape somehow, back into safety and away from this impossible man.
He moved even closer. His gaze was smoldering. “Are you quite finished with your protests?”
Diana found herself speechless, caught in the intensity of his gaze. The air between them thickened, and she could feel the heat radiating from his body. Her mind raced. She had to maintain her composure. But as he looked at her, she could sense his eyes on her lips. She was torn between the desire to maintain her composure and the undeniable pull of attraction that left her breathless.
“Do you know,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, “how improper it is to look at a man with such intensity?” His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
Diana’s heart pounded in her chest, a wild rhythm that drowned out every other sound. She felt the world shrink to just the two of them, her breath hitching as she held his gaze. She thought, in that charged moment, that he might kiss her, even though it seemed the most impossible thing imaginable. Surely he would not? Even a rake such as he would not be so bold, so outrageous.
But just as the moment swelled with possibility, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, shattering the fragilespell that held them captive. Panic surged within her. She instinctively pushed Tristan behind the door. Her heart raced as she leaned against it, her breath coming in quick gasps.
“Good evening, my lady,” Bingham greeted her as he entered. His demeanor seemed perfectly composed, but there was a trace of confusion in his eyes to see her standing by the door, no doubt looking flustered. “I am sorry to disturb you, but I was looking for the Earl of Silvermere. His Lordship arrived some time ago, wishing to visit Lady Grace, and I left him in the drawing room.” Bingham frowned for a moment, then returned his face to a neutral expression. “And now he has vanished.”
“Um, no,” Diana stammered, her mind racing to conjure an adequate excuse. “I—I haven’t seen him today. I did not even know that he was here.” The lie slipped from her lips easily; she was almost shocked at herself.
The butler nodded, a hint of curiosity in his expression, but he took his leave without further question. As the door clicked shut, Diana turned to find Tristan’s smirk victorious, his eyes glimmering with mischief.
“Quite the performance,” he teased, emerging from his hiding place. “You nearly had me convinced that you were entirely composed.”
Diana shot him a glare, though her heart raced at the sight of that infuriating yet charming smile. “You are utterly insufferable, My Lord. And you have put us both at risk of a scandal.”
“Ah, but we got away with it,” he replied, stepping closer once more. “I daresay you enjoyed it as much as I did.”
She felt her cheeks heat again, and she glanced away, unable to meet his gaze. His behavior was so outrageous, and the smirk on his face was so infuriating. She could not even look at him.
“My Lord, I think it is time that you left,” she declared.
“But I have not seen Lady Grace yet,” he protested, his eyes wide with mock innocence. “It will seem most strange if I take my leave without seeing her. And besides, I came to ensure that she is coming to my house party next week. And you too, of course.” He paused and grinned. “It would not be the same without you.”
“You must leave at once,” Diana said, forcing herself to be firm. He could not think that she wanted to spend another moment longer in his company, and alone. And she could not allow herself to blush again in his presence.
He raised an eyebrow. “You are very strict with me, Lady Diana.”
She felt her cheeks beginning to burn again. She could not bear it, for him to look at her when her embarrassment was so clear. And yet, she did not want to beg him either.
“Go, now.” She forced the words out through a lump in her throat.
