His sigh was loud, and then much to her surprise he pulled out the chair Mr. Diard had recently vacated and sat.
“I did not ask you to sit.”
“And yet I am.”
“Because you are a pompous earl?”
“Yes, that.” He waved her words away. “If I tell you why I am here, you will have to swear to keep it secret, even from Abby.”
“I am an excellent secret holder.”
“Who told you that?”
“Ask your staff. I kept their secrets.”
“What, all of them?”
“Not all, no, but a few.”
“And did those secrets have anything to do with the household of noblemen they served?”
“It is a secret, therefore I can say nothing further.”
He sat back in his chair and studied her. “You passed the first test then. Are we bad employers, Dimity?”
“No. Your staff love you.” She’d wanted to lie, but that was beneath her, at least in this situation.
“You sound a bit annoyed about that fact.” He smiled, and it made him look younger.
“Why have you got paint on your sleeve? And where is your jacket, Lord Raine?”
A young woman approached to take their order. Before Dimity could open her mouth, he started talking.
“We’ll have tea, and some of those raisin and nut sandwiches with the topping I like. Also, two ginger buns, please. And perhaps two of the lemon ones.”
“You can’t eat all that!” Dimity said as her stomach rumbled.
“No, but we can.”
“I can buy my own tea.”
“But as I have a great deal more money than you, I will.”
Dimity looked left and right, hoping no one heard that arrogant statement. “I can’t believe you said that.”
“I’m an earl. We’re an arrogant bunch.” He shrugged.
“I’m sure most of society is aware of that, however, I have no wish to experience said arrogance firsthand. I will be going and leave you to enjoy your tea.”
“Don’t go.” His fingers wrapped around her wrist. “Please.”
“It is not right.” Her skin felt warm under his fingers.
“What’s not right?”
“This, you and I sitting here taking tea.”
“Do you need a chaperone, Dimity? I did not see evidence of that when Mr. Diard was kissing your hand.”
