They both turned as the shop bell tinkled again, and every muscle in her body stiffened. The Earl of Raine was entering the tea shop. Her eyes ran over him. She’d not seen him in over ten days and refused to admit how excited she felt about seeing him now.
He wore no jacket, only a waistcoat, which shocked her, and his necktie was in disarray. Was that a stain on his sleeve? She’d never seen him anything but immaculate.
“Tell me you feel something for me, cherie?” She felt Mr. Diard’s lips on her skin once more. Dragging her eyes from the earl, she made herself focus on the man kissing her hand.
“My life has been unsettled of late. You will excuse me if I do not give you the answer you want now, Mr. Diard.”
“I have time on my side, Miss Brown. I can wait.”
The slam of the door had them turning to look at the earl once more. His brows were drawn together in a fierce frown, and his eyes were on them, or more importantly, the hand that Mr. Diard held to his lips. He was angry. She just wasn’t sure why. Surely it was not because she was taking tea with a man?
Dimity watched Lord Raine weave his way through the tables to where they sat.
“Lord Raine.” Mr. Diard regained his feet.
“Diard, Dimity.” The earl’s tone was clipped.
“Lord Raine.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder as she began to rise from her chair. “Stay in your seat, I already know you can curtsey.” His eyes moved back to Mr. Diard.
“Well, I will be off, as I have an appointment,” the Frenchman said, smiling, and clearly oblivious to the tension in the large nobleman. “Good day, my lord. Miss Brown, I shall see you tomorrow,” he said.
“Of course. I shall look forward to it,” Dimity replied.
“Why are you here with him?” Lord Raine asked after the door had closed behind Mr. Diard.
“What concern is that of yours?”
“I was your employer, and my sister is your friend. I have a right to know why you were holding hands with that Frenchman.” He spat out the last word.
“He finds me beautiful. I was exploring the possibility that I may find him handsome also, and you absolutely do not have a right to know why we were holding hands.”
“And do you find him handsome?” His eyes bored into hers. “Surely you can see through that slick facade?”
“You’ve met him once, my lord. That is not enough time to judge his character.”
“I know men like him,” he muttered.
“And now I will ask you a question, Lord Raine. Why are you here in such a location so far from your elegant townhouse?”
His eyes did a sweep of the room and the working-class people seated in it.
“Are you suggesting I am out of place here? Shame on you for your snobbery, Miss Brown.”
“I’m not a snob!”
“Of course you are, but I forgive you.” And just like that, his scowl changed into a smile. “They have excellent sandwiches and cakes here.”
Her eyes ran over his shirt sleeves. “You are a long way from home, my lord.”
“It is not a long way by horse. Besides, the distance to yours is greater.”
“But unlike you, I am of the working classes, Lord Raine. Why are you in your shirt sleeves?”
“Am I?” He looked at his arms in mock surprise. “I had not realized.”
“Extremely amusing.”
