When he didn’t answer, she turned her back to the railing, needing to see his expression. But once she’d twisted around, she found herself closer to him than she’d realized. He kept one hand on the handrail and stepped sideways so she was caught in the bracket of his arms, reminding her of how she’d been pinned against the tree the night before.
He wasn’t even touching her, but her heart raced as though he was.
“Sometimes,” he finally answered.
Diana pinched her lips together and waited.
“But it is more than that,” he added. “Society is watching, yes, but so is history. I am not only responsible for upholding the legacy of the past. I must also forge an honorable legacy for the future.”
“How?” It sounded so complicated. “How does one do all of that?” No wonder the smiles he showed the world were cynical ones. He was too busy mapping out his life, trying to please a bunch of ghosts and people who hadn’t even been born yet.
His personal happiness fell low on his list of priorities—if it fell on the list at all.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, and then a wrinkle formed between his eyes. “One does…” He cleared his throat. “One does what is expected of him.”
“For whom?” Diana parted her mouth and then licked her lips.
“For…” He almost looked lost.
“Not me,” Diana whispered. I don’t expect anything from you.”
He studied her face and then closed the distance between them, barely touching his mouth to hers.
And then, that fleeting touch deepened.
Oh, God.
OhGodohGodohGod.
Diana’s heart swelled, and she came to life in his arms. He needs this.
He needs me.
She was exactly who she was supposed to be, at the right time, at the right place, for all the right reasons.
Most incredible of all—his body trembled beneath her hands—which was nearly as overwhelming as the kiss itself.
He felt this too.
Seconds later—or was it minutes? He dragged himself away, breaking the kiss. “I shouldn’t do this,” he rasped, cradling her face in his hands.
“Youaren’t doing this,” Diana returned. “We are.” She gripped the lace around his wrists to keep him from letting go. “Kiss me again, you idiot.”
And there it was.
That light of laughter he liked to hide. His eyes darkened as he leaned forward and claimed her mouth a second time. “Minx,” he murmured, tasting her.
“Your lordliness,” she countered.
His hands moved from her jaw to her neck, over her shoulder blades, and down the curve of her spine.
Diana tilted her head back.
“Walk away from me.” His mouth was on her neck now. “Damnit.”
“I can’t.” Diana clung to him to keep her knees from giving out, but then in order to keep him from becoming too serious, added, “You drove me here.”
“That’s not what I meant—” he cut himself off and Diana laughed.
