His gaze seemed to physically caress her. “It sounds as if we have quite a bit in common, you and I.”
Lyra’s breath caught. “It appears so, Your Grace.”
Suddenly, his eyes turned somber. “I have something I need to discuss with you. It’s about the cipher we found…”
Unfortunately, his words were cut short as Lady Harville approached them. “Might you escort me to dinner, Your Grace? I fear my husband will not stop crowing about the pheasant we are to enjoy this evening, and the grand hunt the men embarked on to procure it for us. I feel I will need you to help give my poor ears a rest, as you are the only gentleman at present who did not attend.”
Alister smiled as he bowed politely. “It would be an honor, my lady.”
Lyra had a hard time trying to keep her mind on what Lady Easton was saying. Then again, the topic of the new fashion plates that had arrived in London from Paris fell rather short of the mark when compared with what Alister had been about to tell her. Even now, the urge to jump up and pull him away from the table and demand what he knew was so strong that she had to force herself to stay in her chair.
She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten about the items they’d found in Roger’s bedchamber! In true, dramatic fashion, she’d sulked over her bruised heart for so long that she hadn’t been able to think about anything else.
Worrying her lower lip, she considered the best way to get Alister alone, but she had to be careful how she went about it, for she didn’t want anyone to draw any unsavory conclusions. Not to mention that too much time in his company and she began to wish for a different association altogether…
Lyra abruptly dropped her fork, causing it to clatter rather noisily on her plate. Lady Easton glanced at her curiously, though she didn’t say anything as she turned her conversation to Lady Winthorp. Apparently, after realizing that Lyra’s attention was elsewhere, she’d approached a more willing listener.
Lyra felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment—until she happened to glance down the length of the table to where Alister sat to the right of Lord Harville. He was taking a sip of wine and staring directly at her over the rim, as if his thoughts dared to mirror her own.
Instantly, her stomach began to quiver as an insistent pulse beat in her nether regions. The surge of pure desire was so strong that she had to look away, but she could feel his eyes upon her as surely as if he had reached out and physically touched her.
Thankfully, the last course was about to be served, so this eternal meal was almost over. As a burnt cream dessert was placed before her, Lyra temporarily closed her eyes against the enticing assault to her senses. She’d always had a weakness for what the French called crème brulee. It was one of her favorite dishes. Her fork easily cut into the flaky caramel crust, and when she put that first, warm bite in her mouth, she couldn’t help but sigh in appreciation.
Alister thought that he might very well break the stem of his wine glass. The torture Lyra was putting him through at that moment was nearly unbearable. He knew it was the apex of ridiculousness to actually be jealous offood, for God’s sake, but the way she ate…it was as if she was making love to that blasted custard!
“What say you, Your Grace?”
Alister glanced up sharply. He knew his host had addressed him from the expectant expression he wore, but damned if he knew what the man had said. Hoping he didn’t agree to something he might regret, he said slowly, “That sounds ideal, Lord Harville.”
“Capital!” The earl clapped his hands together jovially. “I daresay I’ve heard rumors of your shooting skills. If they are worth any salt, you might be the only one here who can give Sir Peadmont a run for his money when it comes to those blasted birds that roam my property.”
Alister merely grinned. “I will do what I can.”
As the conversation drew him in further, he was glad for the distraction, for when the meal finally concluded and the men stood to enjoy an after dinner cigar and brandy, he didn’t have to try and hide the front of his trousers.
When he started to follow the rest of the men, he was intercepted by a fluttering of white at the edge of his vision. He turned to see that Lyra had excused herself from the table only to drop her handkerchief in her wake.
“Oh, dear! How clumsy of me!” She looked directly at him as he started to pass, and Alister had to hide a smile.
“I believe you dropped something, my lady.” He bent down to pick up the square of linen, but as he handed it to her, he felt a paper being pressed into his palm.
“Yes, I did. Thank you, Your Grace.” The urgency on her face did not go unnoticed.
With a brief nod, he turned to go. It wasn’t until he was out in the hall did he unfold the secret message.
Meet me in the greenhouse at midnight.
— L
Alister’s lips twitched as he quickly tucked the note into his jacket pocket. Seeing as how it was only eight o’clock, four hours was going to feel like a lifetime.
* * *
Lyra hastily made her way outside and across the expansive grounds. She was fifteen minutes late to her own clandestine meeting, but there had been nothing she could do. The ladies had been having so much fun playing whist that they had lost track of time. Lyra wished she could have done the same, for every five minutes that passed she was glancing at the clock and willing it to move faster.
At long last, the men finally coerced their women to retire, since most of them wanted to get an early start in the morning to hunt. Lavinia and Euphemia had been a bit harder to persuade, for other than Lyra, they were the only widows in residence and had no reason to retire so soon.
Salvation had arrived in the form of Sir Bowly, who was the only gentleman that preferred to bow out from the sport the following day. His exact words were, “I prefer the comforts of a warm bed as opposed to freezing my English muffins searching for elusive birds.” So he’d asked the three of them if they wanted to move to the library for some “intellectual discussion.” Lyra’s mother and Lady Franheim had agreed, giving Lyra the perfect chance to plead tiredness and make her escape.
