Damian instructed his coachman as to their direction. They would begin their search at the inn where the ransom had been left, although Damian doubted they would learn much. “We’ll arrive at the Horse and Hounds for afternoon tea,” he said, sitting back and just enjoying looking at her. Was Luke right? Would Lady Diana be his undoing? It should have worried him more than it did, but the inappropriate image of waking to find her in his bed every morning, naked, entered his mind. He could only return her smile.
Chapter Twelve
It was lateafternoon, and they’d traveled for miles in the carriage. Diana tried to ignore the troubling emotions tugging at her. While the chance of finding Anne remained uppermost in her mind, she was very aware of being alone with Ballantine. She’d come to terms with the strength of her feelings for him, although it seemed extraordinary she felt this way when they’d met such a short time ago. And she’d come to the startling conclusion that she’d never felt such desire for any other man. It had been easy in the past to resist those who’d flirted with her, to whom, once they’d been out of her orbit, she’d never gave another thought. But Ballantine. Here was a man she respected, desired, and she could so easily love. In fact, she was half in love with him already. But she also knew if she wasn’t careful, it could end in heartache.
He constantly drew her gaze, his broad shoulders and long, powerful legs in their glossy boots, carefully positioned not to touch hers.
“The afternoon has grown warm.” He shrugged off his coat and sat back in his shirt and olive-green waistcoat with gold buttons. Loosening his cravat, he revealed a tuft of dark hair at the base of his olive-skinned throat.
“It is quite warm.” As Diana shrugged out of her pelisse, Ballantine moved over to her seat to help her.
“Allow me.” While he drew the pelisse off her shoulders, Diana breathed in clean, masculine sweat, starched linens, a fresh cologne scented with citrus, and a hint of boot polish.
“Thank you,” she said primly, not wanting him to know how his proximity affected her. She was conscious of how insignificant a life she had lived compared to his.
He, however, appeared to be unaffected by their nearness. With her pelisse removed, he resumed his seat opposite her. She looked up while folding it to find his dark, thoughtful eyes upon her. What did he think about her? She hated him believing this race across the countryside to be a foolish waste of time. He swallowed, and her breath caught. How would the skin on his throat feel if she pressed her lips there? Would it be smooth or slightly prickly? Did people doitin carriages? The small space suddenly grew too hot. Her chest tight, she coughed.
His eyes became concerned. “My brother’s carriage isn’t well sprung. I shall have to take Luke to task. I hope the bumps and swaying aren’t making you feel unwell.”
She shook her head. Of course Ballantine wouldn’t have arrived in his own coach. He wouldn’t have wished to advertise his presence alone with her, for both their sakes. Who knew which people put up at this inn? Some might know either of them. They could become the subject of gossip, and then her father would hear of it. She suffered a pang of guilt. She’d never seriously considered the imposition she’d placed on Ballantine by begging him to take her.
“We shall be at the inn within the hour. A glass of wine and some supper will make you feel more the thing.”
“You are too kind,” she murmured.
He laughed. “Not at all. How formal you sound, Lady Diana. You’re not regretting your decision to come?”
“Oh, no, absolutely not.” And after supper, she and Ballantine would sleep under the same roof, unchaperoned.Anything could happen! She had little knowledge of what that might entail. Only that she would want Ballantine to instigate it.
When she’d been younger, Diana had had a crush on a groom in her father’s stables. She had sashayed up to him one day and dared him to kiss her. He’d gone purple in the face and backed away. Embarrassed, she’d told Anne, but then they’d laughed about it. The poor man would have been afraid of dismissal.Anne!Diana gasped. Where was Anne? What must she be enduring? Had that horrid man taken advantage of her? Or worse? Killed her, as everyone else seemed to think? She couldn’t bear it. Tears sprung to her eyes.
Ballantine leaned forward and seized her gloved hand. “You seem distressed.”
“I am a little.” Her pulse thudding, she studied how his long-fingered hand had enveloped hers in a comforting grip. She had an overwhelming urge to climb into his lap and sob against his chest. She fought to steady her voice. “I was thinking about Anne, and whether we can discover something helpful at the inn.”
He released her hand, sitting back again. “Don’t get your hopes up too much. After so much time has passed, the trail will probably have gone cold.”
His unwelcome opinion made her more annoyed than sad. She glowered at him. “I won’t accept that until there is no other option.”
He gazed at her approvingly. “Well, that’s more like the Lady Diana I’ve become familiar with. You don’t give up easily, do you?”
“Not until I’m forced to.” So he thought he knew her? It would take him aback should he be privy to her thoughts. Although she doubted he’d be easily shocked. Would it intrigue him to learn of her raging desire for him to become her lover? He’d probably continue to keep her at a distance. Rather like thegroom in her father’s stables, she thought, annoyed. Then there was that kiss. Ballantine was an earl and would not be afraid of her father, but he would be wary of becoming trapped into marriage. It wasn’t flattering, but she was prepared to accept the most obvious reason. He performed vital work for the country. Dangerous work. Had a gunshot caused the wound in his arm?
As he watched her, a smile tugged at his mouth and turned his eyes to warm chocolate. He looked more approachable and exceedingly attractive. She couldn’t help responding while praying she would prove him wrong about Anne. Diana smiled back and, to distract herself, turned to gaze out the window.
The carriage proceeded along a country road where the view was unchanging for miles: trees, meadows, hedges, sheep and cows, the odd horse in a paddock, or a farmhouse in the distance. Toll roads were usually busy with travelers on foot or in vehicles, but few were about today. Heavens, but for his coachman and groom, she and Ballantine were alone. She trusted him implicitly, but what danger did he think could befall them? Gunmen had attacked his carriage before. Who were they? Her father had told her highwaymen were not common in that part of the county. Whether this was true, or he wished to reassure her, she didn’t know. Ballantine had tucked a pistol beneath the seat when they’d first entered the carriage. Remembering it, her shoulders tightened.
“I’m glad you brought your pistol,” she said. “I was tempted to bring Papa’s dueling pistol, too, but he might have missed it.”
“I’m relieved that you didn’t,” he said wryly. “I always travel armed. Surely, the duke would travel with guards?”
He was attempting to put her at her ease, but she knew they might have to deal with some dangerous people. “Yes. Papa never travels without his armed footmen.” It had reassured her after the criminals had abducted Anne.
“Is your arm better?” she asked him.
“Yes. Thank you. Just a graze.”
While annoyed he didn’t trust her with the truth, she admitted spies must, by the very nature of their work, be secretive. Despite that, she had to ask. “Did you find what you sought at Holland House?”
