Chapter 28
“Ahem,” The disapproving voice of Mr. Whitley echoed from the shadows of the wings, and Diana reluctantly stepped out of Zeke’s embrace. “Dancers aren’t allowed guests in the theatre. If that’s the way you conduct yourself, Miss Jones then--”
Zeke turned and glared across the stage.
“Lord Greystone! My apologies. I had no idea it was you—"
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.” Diana interrupted the man’s obsequiousness glancing curiously between Zeke and the theatre manager.
“You’ll make an exception in this case, I’m sure.” Zeke surprised Diana by adding. “Mr. Whitley, if I’m not mistaken?”
“Very sorry, my lord. I didn’t realize that was you.” The theatre manager strolled onto the stage, making several bows as he did so. “I didn’t realize…”
“But you recognized the talent in my fiancé, I see,” Greys added, glancing at Diana almost cautiously. Because, of course, she had not had the opportunity to answer him before they were interrupted. “I confess to watching the end of today’s rehearsal. She is a natural.”
Zeke had watched her dance? In the line?
And he wasn’t angry or embarrassed? A sweet tingling swept through Diana.
And he still wants to marry me?
“She is indeed, although I was not aware that Miss Jones was—” the man cut himself off and simply nodded. “I realized she was a lady, but I had no idea she was your...” Mr. Whitley’s gaze slid to the amount of leg exposed by her costume and flew wide. “And I never would have allowed the betrothed of one of our most generous benefactors had I known…. My apologies, my lord.”
“No apology necessary, my good man.” Zeke took hold of Diana’s hand and then turned back to stare at her with the slightest hint of vulnerability. “But if you’d be so kind as to allow us a moment?”
“Of course,” Mr. Whitley bowed, walking backward. “Take all the time you need.”
Diana dragged her gaze away from the shadowed wings where Mr. Whitley disappeared and stared at Zeke again.
“You are a benefactor?” she tilted her head. There was so much she didn’t know about him. So much she wanted to know.
He shrugged. “A patron who saw a need.” But he took hold of her hands again. “How long are you going to torture me?”
And because Diana couldn’t help herself, she said. “For the rest of our lives?”
“Is that a yes?”
“It is a yes.”
“In that case, you’d better get used to this.” He drew her into his arms and bent forward. With her back arched and her hands clutching his shoulders, she was totally at his mercy. He swept a few strands of hair away from her face while staring into her eyes. “And this.” He kissed her softly, his tongue sliding past her lips, sweeping around her teeth, sucking, pulling. And when Diana could finally catch her breath, she cradled his face with her hands.
“That’s perfectly fine with me.”
For the next half an hour,Zeke walked her to the back of the stage so she could gather her belongings and make her goodbyes to those who had been welcoming. But when she apologized to Claudette and Sally and Mr. Whitley for wasting their time, Mr. Whitley was quick to reassure her that she was welcome to return as a guest performer at any time. And Sally nodded, looking utterly in awe of Zeke.
Promising to do just that, Diana couldn’t help but consider what Zeke had said about her—that she didn’t fit in anywhere because she was able to fit in everywhere.
It was an exaggeration, and yet, he’d managed to put the essence of her earlier thoughts into words. Only, he’d turned them into something quite complimentary and poetic, even.
By the time Zeke had walked her outside and assisted her into his carriage, settling into his arms was the most natural thing in the world.
“Are you comfortable?”
She nodded. She was equally as exhausted as she was excited, but she was also… content.
“Do you mind that I asked the driver to circle the park a few times before returning you to your brother’s house? I’m not ready to let you out of my sight just yet.”
“I don’t mind at all.” She stifled a yawn and snuggled into his chest. She’d slept very little the night before, and it had been a very, very long day.
