Meeting his gaze, she unfastened the button at her neck and then pushed her hood back. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were bright, but the smile she flashed was a tentative one.
“You said you would show me your observatory.” Her voice broke the silence, assuring Greys that he wasn’t imagining her unexpected presence.
Blackheart hadn’t moved but was staring at Greys with raised brows. That her appearance caused even the duke to show indecision spoke volumes as to the ambiguous nature of her character.
“My thanks, Mr. Cockfield,” Greys managed, dismissing him.
“Shall I bring around a carriage?” Blackheart asked.
“How did you get here?” Greys demanded of Diana.
“I…” She frowned. “I walked.”
Good God. The deep breath Greys inhaled through his nostrils returned some of his usual calm. She should not be here, and yet, he was reluctant to send her away.
“I’ll call for you when I’m ready to convey Miss Jones back to her brother’s home.”
Pausing for only a moment, Blackheart nodded and then made himself scarce.
Greys went to tug on one of his shirt sleeves before realizing he’d long since rolled them up to his elbows, shortly after he’d shed his jacket and waistcoat.
“You were not at the musicale.” It didn’t sound like an accusation, rather an observation on her part.
Was he insane that rather than being annoyed by her interruption, he was extraordinarily pleased?
More than pleased.
“Are you insane?” he asked her the question he ought to be asking himself.
She shrugged.
Greys exploded. “You walked over here? A woman alone? At—” he glanced toward the clock resting on his mantle “—two-thirty-five in the morning? Dear God, woman! Do you realize what could have happened to you?”
He continued his rant, unable to stop until she all but folded herself into her cape, her bottom lip trembling as she backed toward the door.
“This was a mistake.” But when she actually turned to leave, Greys tore across the room, one hand holding the door closed, his body inches from hers.
Against his better judgment, he rasped out two words.
“Don’t go.” He wasn’t ready.
Besides, she had a reason for coming, and he’d not yet bothered to hear her out.
“Please?” he added, almost afraid to breathe. “Allow me to take your wrap?” He had a few manners left, despite his unexpected surge of temper.
When she finally nodded, her scent floated up, bringing calm to his senses, a calm he’d craved all day.
But the thought of her walking through the dark, alone… His vision had clouded red at the danger she’d put herself in. If something were to happen to her…
A chill shot down his spine.
Her fingers found and then fumbled with her buttons. When he saw that they were shaking, he reached up, intending to help her. But instead, he froze, covering her hands with his.
Greys wanted to be the one to protect her.
She raised her gaze to meet his and then winced. “It was rather frightening. The distance between here and Byrd house seemed much greater in the dark.”
And she’d braved it for…
