“You can create all manner of attractive scenarios, Luke, but I shall not return engaged.”
“How long will this…gallant undertaking of yours take? Will I expect you back this month?”
“Only a week at most.”
After a day, or two at the most, Damian would drive back to Bath and deliver Lady Diana to her friend’s home. That would be the limit to his endurance. Putting up overnight at an inn would prove incredibly difficult to keep Lady Diana’s reputation intact, not to mention the strain on his self-control. He admitted he had humored her, believing this a lost cause. But she was a game girl. If he didn’t take her, she’d attempt it with someone else, or worse, alone. And if something bad happened to her, he’d never forgive himself.
At the sideboard, Luke sighed. “At least this doesn’t sound dangerous.” He poured them both a cognac. “Well, not life-threatening.”
Damian smiled as he took it. He swirled the golden liquid in the balloon glass. “Nothing like it. I would tell you the whole, but discretion…”
Luke nodded. “Is the better part of valor? I agree with the bard.”
“I’d trust you with my life, Luke, and might one day have the lady’s consent to tell you all of it.” Perhaps Lady Diana wouldn’t object, but revealing his plan to Luke would either result in setting the fox among the chickens when he’d advise him of not undertaking something so rash, or have his brother chortling over Damian’s dashed foolishness. And he would agree with him.
Luke raised his glass. “I must admit, I’m intrigued. You excel at getting yourself out of tricky situations, but maybe you’ll meet your match with the lady.”
Damian shook his head. “Not until the end of this infernal war, and I’m ready to wed.”
“I’ll see you off in the morning.”
“A game of chess or billiards before we retire?”
“Billiards,” Luke said quickly. “A farmer needs his sleep, and I can defeat you faster at that than chess.”
Damian cocked an eyebrow, then laughed. “You’re on.”
The next morning after breakfast, Damian traveled to Bath in his brother’s carriage. He rested his feet on the opposite seat, folded his arms, and fought boredom. He disliked coach travel and avoided it where he could, much preferring to ride or drive his curricle. Damian’s coach with the crest on the door panel would alert people to who he was and stir up considerable interest. And that was the last thing he wanted.
It was close to one o’clock when the carriage entered Bath and drove down Milsom street. Damian watched the busy thoroughfare while searching for a familiar slim figure. Approaching Green Street, there she was, huddled in a hooded cape and clutching a portmanteau. A little amused, he tapped on the roof with his cane, and they pulled up beside her. Lady Diana saw the carriage and hurried over, pleased to see him. She seemed to relish an adventure and this chance to discover news of Lady Anne. He would hate to see her disappointed.
When his groom escorted her inside the carriage, Damian breathed in her scent as he lowered the blinds. When Damian turned back to her, his heart gave a leap at her lovely face, her dark-blue eyes wide, her delectable lips slightly open. Eager for adventure.Dear Lord, give me strength, he silently prayed. “Where is your maid?”
“I left Tims at her parents’ house in Combe Down. I must fetch her before I return to Bath. A slight detour. Will that be all right?”
He nodded, uneasy about having Lady Diana to himself. While it was pleasurable, it was also dangerous. “Your father was happy for you to make the journey?”
“Yes.” Lady Diana pushed back the hood of her green cape and undid the frog fastenings, easing it off her shoulders. She wore a pale gray carriage gown beneath it, the high neck trimmed with lace. Putting the cape aside, she pulled off her gloves. “But a visitor called just as I was leaving…”
Her pause made him wary. He raised his eyebrows. “Who?”
“It was Lord Montgomery. He came to see Papa.”
“Montgomery?” Apprehension and an annoying stab of jealousy ratcheted through him. “What would he want with your father? Did he come to claim your hand?”
“No,” she blurted out. “I made sure he understood I wasn’t interested. But, Ballantine…” She sat forward on the seat. “Hesaw us together in the summerhouse and threatened to tell Papa. I fear that might be his aim.”
“That was unfortunate,” he murmured. Was all about to come crashing down on their heads? By Montgomery? He wouldn’t trust the fellow an inch. But would he have another reason to call on the duke?
“I should take you to Miss Howard’s townhouse and leave you there,” he said, biting off a curse.
Lady Diana looked horrified. “Oh, no, please don’t, Ballantine. Even should Lord Montgomery reveal what he saw, and even if he should embellish it, there’s no reason for Papa to come to Bath and remove me from the Howards’.” She reached over and slipped her slim, warm hand in his. “If we don’t find Anne soon, it will be too late. I cannot let her down.”
It was unwise to continue, but her pleading gaze was his undoing. He supposed if Montgomery carried out his threat and this mad escapade fell apart, angering her father, it hardly mattered if they continued on their quest or not.
He gazed down at that small, gloved hand and gave it a slight squeeze, releasing it. “If we uncover nothing by tomorrow afternoon, I’ll take you to the Howards.”
Her eyes brightened. “Well, what are we waiting for?”
