He smiled at her. “I had an observatory constructed atop Knight House about eight years ago.” What was it about this information that lifted her heart?
Diana warmed at the passion in his voice. When he mentioned his stars and his math., he didn’t sound annoyed or bored at all. He sounded… human, rather.
“On the roof?”
He grinned. “It wouldn’t do much good in the cellar.” But then he tilted his head. “I can show you sometime, if you’d like.”
He hadn’t meant to issue an actual invitation, she knew, but that didn’t mean Diana wouldn’t take him up on it someday.
Doing so might be tricky, as a proper young woman did not visit a bachelor’s home—not without an entire slew of chaperones, that was.
But Diana might do it anyway.
“I’d like that.”
He glanced around, staring over her head and then into her eyes again. “Edgeworth spoke with your brother,” he said, changing the subject rather abruptly. Perhaps he was hoping she’d forget his impulsive invitation.
That was when she realized why he’d been late. He’d visited with Chase first. Diana appreciated being looked after, cared for, and protected, but good gravy, she’d barely had a chance to learn about Edgeworth’s visit with her brother, herself.
“Does this mean there’s no longer need to pretend an affection for one another?” And why did ending their fake courtship cause her heart to drop into her shoes suddenly? There was no reason for the panic that swept through her.
He twisted his mouth into a not-quite grimace and donned that far away, thoughtful look that was becoming familiar to her. “Let’s wait until he proves his intentions are honorable before we abandon our plan.”
“But you said if he spoke with my brother then…”
“We’ll wait and see.” He always sounded so very sure of himself. “The gossips will have a field day once they see you riding in my curricle today.”
“Bethany said the same thing. I never realized the great significance of riding through the park in a carriage at a specific time with an impressive person. Members that make up theTonare peculiar, don’t you think?”
He didn’t agree, but neither did he disagree. Diana was reasonably confident, though, that she spied a hint of laughter lurking in his eyes.
She shouldn’t feel so pleased that he wasn’t prepared to abandon their scheme yet—a scheme that had barely begun but had already proven more effective than she’d imagined.
End this impossible attachment now, a voice that sounded all too much like her mother’s whispered a warning that sent a chill down her back. She shoved it away and turned to stare across the room at Bethany’s other guests.
Because being with Lord Greystone was…
It was fun!
Could she demote her attraction to him to a mere friendship? Was that even possible between a girl like her and a gentleman like him?
“Can we go now?” she turned back to face him. “Or must we wait until the driving hour?”
He raised a hand to his chin and stared at her as though trying to read her mind.
“We can always return to the park later on…” she added.
Just when she’d decided he was going to deny her request, he nodded.
“Yes!” Diana barely managed to keep herself from hopping up and down on her toes. “Allow me a moment to fetch my bonnet.” And as she turned to rush toward her chamber, a hint of his quiet laughter followed her.
