Cartwright nodded once, his expression already settling into focused composure. “I will begin immediately, Your Grace.”
Alexander rose from his chair, the movement signaling that the meeting had come to its natural end. Cartwright followed suit at once, pushing himself to his feet with the help of his cane and moving toward the door.
He paused and turned back. “I will send word as soon as I learn anything.”
“Do so.”
The door closed quietly behind him.
Alexander remained alone in the study for several moments before moving slowly toward the window. He rested one hand against the cool glass and stared out over the gardens ofRosewood House, where the sun spread across the trimmed hedges and winding gravel paths.
CHAPTER 10
“Good heavens, child, you look as though you have been sentenced to the gallows rather than invited to breakfast.”
Diana froze halfway down the last step.
Lady Salford sat at the breakfast table like a small but determined general commanding her post, a silver teapot in one hand and a plate of toast in the other. Her bright eyes immediately fixed upon Diana with unmistakable amusement.
Diana forced a polite smile as she approached the table. “Good morning, Lady Salford.”
“Grandmother,” the older woman corrected immediately. “You are my granddaughter, and I refuse to be addressed like a distant acquaintance.”
Diana hesitated for a brief moment before sitting. “Good morning… Grandmother.”
Lady Salford beamed at her with such bright approval that Diana had the strange sensation of having accomplished something far greater than merely addressing her correctly. For a fleeting moment, Diana felt almost as though Lady Salford had presented her with a medal rather than a simple greeting.
“There,” Lady Salford said with satisfaction. “Much better.”
Diana lowered herself into the chair and reached for the teacup waiting beside her plate, curling her fingers around the warm porcelain in the quiet hope that the heat might steady the restless flutter that had taken hold somewhere in her chest. It had been there since the previous night—a strange, unsettled awareness that refused to quiet itself no matter how firmly she tried to focus on other things.
It was impossible to pretend she did not know the cause.
She could still feel the warmth of Alexander’s mouth against hers, the firm pressure of his lips, the low intimacy of his voice as he leaned over her in the library with nowhere for her to retreat.
Tell me how you would prefer your husband to behave.
The recollection struck her with such force that Diana nearly dropped the teacup.
She managed to catch it before it slipped from her fingers, though the porcelain rattled faintly against the saucer. Clearing her throat quickly, she lifted the cup and took a careful sip of tea, hoping the simple action might conceal the sudden rush of warmth climbing into her cheeks.
Across the table, Lady Salford was watching her with unmistakable interest, her sharp eyes gleaming with the unmistakable curiosity of someone who missed very little.
“Has my grandson already ruined your morning before even appearing?” she asked.
Diana’s breath caught. “No!” The answer came too quickly.
Lady Salford’s eyes narrowed slightly in delighted suspicion. “Oh my.”
Diana looked down at her plate, determined to focus on the harmless slice of bread before her rather than the dangerous memory of Alexander in the library.
“Alexander is occupied this morning,” Lady Salford continued cheerfully. “He informed me he has some business meeting with the estate manager.”
Diana nodded faintly. “Yes. Mr. Cartwright.”
“Exactly so.” Lady Salford poured more tea into her own cup. “Which leaves us with a perfectly pleasant morning to ourselves.”
Diana stiffened slightly. “Oh, I would not wish to impose on your time?—”
