The women blinked. For a brief moment, the carefully rehearsed politeness in their expressions faltered.
Alexander watched the reaction with quiet satisfaction.
“I suppose,” he added calmly, “your husbands do not discuss such matters with you.”
The first woman flushed immediately. “My husband is a very successful man, Your Grace.”
Alexander tilted his head slightly. “Then I am certain he understands the importance of discretion.”
The second woman shifted where she stood, clearly beginning to realize that the conversation had not taken the direction she had expected.
“We meant no offense,” she said quickly.
Alexander’s voice cooled. “No?”
He stepped forward slightly.
The movement was small but determined. His position shifted just enough that he stood subtly between the two women and Diana, his shoulder angled protectively without drawing overt attention to the gesture.
“Then allow me to clarify something.”
Both women froze.
Alexander’s posture remained perfectly calm, despite the fury boiling inside of him. “You will not speak about my wife in that manner again.”
Silence settled over the small space between them. For a moment, neither woman seemed entirely certain how to respond. Then they both nodded quickly.
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“Yes, of course.”
They retreated almost immediately, their composure hastily gathered as they turned and disappeared back into the small clusters of guests scattered across the lawn.
Alexander watched them go for a moment. Then he turned back toward Diana and found she was looking at him with unmistakable surprise.
For a brief second, neither of them spoke.
Alexander felt the faint warmth of her hand still resting against his arm, the small contact suddenly far more noticeable now that the tension had passed.
Then Diana smiled, small but genuine.
“I never expected to say this,” she said quietly.
Alexander raised one brow.
“But I am very glad you are here.”
Something warm settled firmly in his chest. A quiet, steady feeling that felt strangely satisfying in a way he had not quite anticipated when the afternoon began.
“Yes,” he said softly. “So am I.”
CHAPTER 16
“You must forgive my bluntness, my dear, but I have decided something most firmly this morning,” Lady Salford declared.
Her voice rang brightly across the breakfast room, full of the same lively confidence she seemed to bring into every space she occupied. She set down her porcelain teacup with theatrical finality, the delicate clink against the saucer sounding far louder than such a small movement had any right to.
Sunlight poured through the tall windows behind her, filling the room with soft golden light that glimmered against the silver service laid across the table. Outside, the early summer garden stretched into bloom, but inside the room, all attention had very suddenly settled on Diana.
