“And why not?” he asked. “They are well-written tales of... of...,”Damnation!For the life of him, he couldn’t think whatan Austen novel was about since he normally read stories of adventure, usually older works, such as Defoe or Fielding.
“Lord Diamond is being polite, Mother,” Lady Susanne said, saving him again. “Of course he hasn’t read Miss Austen’s novels of love and manners, but that one is different. Even I know it is set in Bath, and his lordship is immersing himself in our city.”
“I see,” Lady Beasley said slowly. “Nevertheless, this is impossibly improper. Susanne, come with me, and send a maid to find out what is taking our governess so long to bring the book to Lord Diamond.” She turned to him. “I wish we could stay and visit, my lord, but we have a prior engagement. I returned home only to collect my daughter. We are late to a tea party.”
“I apologize for my intrusion without an invitation,” Adam said, thinking it couldn’t have worked out any better. “Good day, ladies. I hope you enjoy your party.”
Lady Susanne gave him a last look that gave him hope she didn’t think too badly of him. And then he waited in the drawing room, hoping someone remembered to speak with Mrs. Malcolm. Otherwise, he might have a very long wait indeed.
As it was, in about two minutes she appeared, dressed in the dress she wore the first time he saw her playing the violin. His entire being sighed with relief at being in her presence once again.
“Lord Diamond,” she greeted, sounding breathless as if she had hurried. “I confess I am confounded by a message delivered to me to bring you this book as quickly as possible.”
She showed him the copy ofNorthanger Abbeyshe held in her hands.
“Moreover, I was interrupted during my French lesson with the younger Beasley daughters and told by the housemaidnotto keep you waiting. I had to run like a mouse with a cat on her tail and dig this out of my trunk.”
He bowed deeply because, despite having kissed her soundly, he felt nothing but the deepest respect. “It was a bit of a ruse, I admit.”
“A ruse?” she asked. “To see how quickly I could make it from the third floor down to the drawing room?”
He smiled. She was enchanting. “No, definitely not that. Lady Susanne and I were caught in here alone.”
“Oh.” Alice’s tone grew serious.
“By her mother,” he added.
“Doing what?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
Was she jealous?On his part, he would be green to the gills if he thought her kissing another man so quickly after their encounter.
“We were talking about the future and how there wasn’t going to be one for the two of us,” he said, hoping that made Alice the tiniest bit happy. “But we were alone. When discovered, I said you had left us to bring me your book.”
“Clever,” she said, although she did not sound overly pleased. “And where are they now?”
“Lady Beasley and Lady Susanne went to a tea party.”
Alice nodded. “Lessons to broaden her thoughts would do that young lady better than a party.”
“It’s admirable how you care for them.”
“The Beasleys have been good to me,” she said, “and I would like to see the three girls happy and fulfilled.”
“And what about yourself?” Adam wanted to know what she wished for her future.
“I am grateful our inappropriate behavior did not cost me my position, although it will be a little awkward around Lady Susanne for the time being. Even worse now I know you are ceasing to court her.”
“I hope it will grow easier soon.”
Silence fell, and they stared at one another. Adam wanted to step forward and sweep her into his arms. The desire was almost painful to resist, as if she were already pledged to him, his woman in truth, and he was being kept from her. Alice was like a princess locked in a tower, and irrationally, he wanted to liberate her as the prince in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
But even if he climbed that tower, he would find a widowed governess.
“You had best take the book,” Alice said, holding it out to him. “Not that I expect Lady Beasley to follow up on such a petty matter.”
As Adam reached out to take it from her, he realized she was gloveless. Quickly, he stripped off his own kidskin gloves, unable to pass up the opportunity to touch her bare hand. Sure enough, he was able to trace the underside of her fingers when he took the slim tome.
Staring at their hands, she visibly shivered, matching the trembling sensation inside him.
