Alexander muttered under his breath, “That does sound like the ton.”
Lady Salford ignored him.
“But instead,” she said, tapping the table lightly, “I find a young woman who reads at breakfast, who thanks the footmen by name, and who manages to endure my grandson’s temper with admirable patience.”
Diana felt her blush deepen again. “I assure you, he has not been so terrible.”
At that, Alexander finally looked directly at her. The movement was subtle, almost careless, yet Diana felt it immediately. His gaze settled on her face with a quiet intensity that made her stomach tighten.
“You are generous,” he said.
The words were spoken in his usual calm tone, but something about them lingered. Something warmer. Diana had to look away first.
Lady Salford clapped her hands together lightly. “There you see!” she said triumphantly. “Even he agrees.”
Alexander leaned back in his chair. “I agreed to nothing.”
“You did not object either,” she shot back.
He sighed faintly. “I am outnumbered.”
Diana smiled despite herself. It still felt strange sometimes to watch this side of him, the quieter exchanges, the dry humor that surfaced when he was relaxed. Before his accident, she could scarcely imagine the Duke of Rosewood sitting at a breakfast table, trading teasing remarks with anyone. Least of all her.
Her gaze drifted toward him again before she could stop herself.
He had rolled his sleeves slightly that morning. The linen shirt clung faintly to the breadth of his shoulders, and the movement of his forearm as he reached for his cup drew her attention in a way that felt entirely inappropriate for a respectable breakfast table.
Her mind betrayed her with sudden clarity. Those same hands had been on her waist during their dance rehearsal. Those same hands had lifted her chin before he kissed her.
“Lady Salford.” The quiet voice from the doorway startled her.
Diana looked up quickly.
The butler stood just inside the breakfast room, his posture perfectly straight, a small silver tray balanced in his hands. A folded note rested upon it, sealed with dark wax.
“For you, madam.”
The dowager’s eyes brightened immediately. “Well, that looks promising,” she said with cheerful interest.
The butler approached the table and held the tray toward her. Lady Salford accepted the note at once, her curiosity so open and unguarded that Diana could not help smiling faintly.
She unfolded the paper with brisk efficiency and began to read. For a moment, her expression remained perfectly neutral. Her sharp eyes moved quickly across the page, her lips pursing slightly as she followed the lines.
Then, a smile spread across her face. “Oh.”
Alexander leaned back in his chair. “That sounds promising.”
Lady Salford folded the letter again and placed it beside her teacup as though the contents were already settled in her mind.
“Well,” she said lightly, brushing an imaginary crumb from the tablecloth, “it appears an old friend of mine has decided she misses me terribly.”
Diana tilted her head, curiosity stirring. “An old friend?”
“Lady Harrowby.” Lady Salford waved one hand dismissively, as though the explanation required no further detail. Her gaze moved slowly between Diana and Alexander, eyes sparkling, before she added with innocent sweetness, “But I have suddenly realized something.”
Alexander narrowed his eyes slightly. “That you miss your friend terribly?”
“That I have been terribly selfish.” She placed the note neatly beside her plate. “After all, I have been occupying your home and interrupting your mornings.”
