This time, her cheeks went scarlet, but she did not stand up and walk away, so he hoped he was correct. Naturally, he would never have such a candid conversation with any lady of his acquaintance, but he didn’t think Alice would be so delicate or easily offended. He couldn’t imagine her needing smelling salts or having a fit of hysteria, either. She was made of stronger stuff.
“I understand what you are saying,” she responded in a quiet voice. “You are making a proposition to me to keep company.”
“Keep company,” he repeated.Was that her euphemism for swiving?Because above all, he desired to roll her under him, bare her bountiful breasts, and take them both on a journey of sweat-inducing, tremor-causing pleasure. “Yes,” he said, hoping she agreed as readily, “until such time as I must return to London.”
“While I appreciate your offer,” she said politely, and he knew she was going to turn him down, “I cannot risk my position.”
It was that simple. He could offer payment that would equal her governess’s salary, but he knew enough about her not to make such a crass mistake. Besides, that would leave her in the lurch, without employment, when he left for home.
Thus, the only way to get past her objection due to her station as a governess was to remove the impediment entirely. While he considered that, she chewed another bite.
“Our conversation ought to have remained firmly in the present,” Alice said. “Do you know about Solange Luyon, a young Huguenot refugee and skilled baker? Somehow, she became Sally Lunn after coming to Bath in 1680. The story is that she was escaping persecution in France.”
He shook his head. “Is that true?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Some say these buns are actually named forsol et lune,French forsun and moon.”
“Strangely, I prefer to think of a real person baking these,” he mused, peering into the bag where two buns remained.
Alice chuckled. “Regardless of the name’s origin, my lord, I assure you that a real person baked these.” She rose to her feet. “I should be getting back now, but it has been aninterestingdiversion.”
“I will escort you home,” Adam offered, also rising.
“No, thank you. That would be unwise. I wouldn’t want to run into... anyone.”
He knew she was nervous about being seen with him, and thus, he would respect her wishes, at least for the time being. If only they could have had a moment truly alone.
Not that he was overly confident of his prowess, but she seemed to become more pliable, soften toward him, seem even to understand the depth of their connection whenever he touched her. It certainly reinforced the sense of rightness he felt in pursuing her.
Unfortunately, he had to let her go. After walking beside her for a few yards, he bid Alice good day. The lingering look they exchanged assured him she would welcome seeing him again.
Chapter Nine
Alice couldn’t stop reflecting upon the unexpected yet delightful treat of taking tea with Lord Diamond. She had deflected his questions while answering some as best she could without lying. When they’d parted, she wondered when or how she would see him again, which was a scary spark of hope in her heart.
Try as she might, she couldn’t eradicate it. Moreover, she ought to be insulted by his transparent proposal to begin an affair. She supposed he thought that wholly acceptable to a widowed woman of her class. Any other type of proposal was unthinkable from a man in his position.
And strangely, despite knowing the danger, she had considered it.
Thus, a day later, when Lord Diamond came to the house, her pulse raced, even as she doubted he could have come regarding her. Even more unlikely when Alice learned he had asked to speak with Lord Beasley. The news that he’d requested a meeting with the master of the house spread from the butler to the housemaid. Swiftly, by way of a tea tray and another maid, the tidbit made it all the way up to the salon in which the girls were identifying continents on an atlas while Alice gave them a geography lesson.
“I thought Lord Diamond and Susanne were no longer keeping company,” Pauline said after Leila gave a squeal of excitement.
“But why? They seemed a good a couple as any,” said Pauline pragmatically, pouring the tea for all of them after the maid departed. “Anyway, why else would a man want to speak to Father unless it were to ask for our sister’s hand?”
Alice’s stomach clenched.Was he going to offer for Susanne?If he did, she ought to speak with Lord Beasley to mention her own doubts about his future fidelity. A man who could spend time freely with her while still having an intent toward another woman could not possibly remain faithful. She knew this from experience.
And what of Susanne?Alice couldn’t imagine she would want a husband whom she had witnessed kissing another woman.
“Let us stop speculating, girls,” Alice said, although her own brain continued to do precisely that. “Pauline, please locate Madagascar. That is where our bountiful empire gets most of its vanilla.”
A few minutes later, the same maid who had dashed up with the tea service and the pot of gossip water returned with a request from Lord Beasley that Alice go to his private study.
“Me?” she exclaimed.
“Father wants to speak with our governess?” Leila exclaimed. “Oh dear! I hope you are not sacked.”
With her heart pounding under the speculative looks from Pauline and Leila, Alice touched a hand to her hair and went downstairs.
