Her face turned a brilliant red. She glanced around them quickly. He did as well, forgetting that other people might overhear them. Thankfully, nobody was close enough to hear their conversation.
“Oh, Lord Tristan, you speak of such romantic notions, and I fear I am not the angel you think I am.”
“Let me be the judge of that.” He winked.
Just then, a few more guests rode closer to them. Diana cleared her throat and straightened a little more in the side-saddle.
“Lord Tristan, you had mentioned earlier that you were visiting relatives in Scotland.”
“Indeed, I had.”
“Where in Scotland?”
“The Lowlands—Edinburgh.”
“Oh how lovely.” She beamed. “You must tell me about your visit. I haven’t been to that part of Scotland since I was a girl visiting my paternal grandfather.”
As he told her about the areas he’d visited, and what new places had been built, her eyes danced with excitement. Once again, he’d forgotten about the rest of the riding party, and focused on Diana. He loved the way her face lit up and the musical tone of her laughter. He loved how her green eyes sparkled one moment before a dreamy expression covered her face, making him want to sigh with happiness.
She listened intently to his story and he felt like what he said was the most important thing in the world. When he was finished, she told him about her visits to Scotland, and as he stared into her exuberant face, he realized he could literally become lost in her eyes.Become?He was already there!
It took him a few seconds to realize she had stopped talking and was peering toward a brook. He switched his attention that way and noticed the other guests of the party had stopped their horses and visited near the water.
“Would you like to join them?” he asked.
“Indeed, I would. The water looks so peaceful over there.”
Just as he and Diana reached the spot, he quickly pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted. After tying the animal to a nearby tree, he hurried over to help Diana down. As he lifted her off the horse, she held onto his shoulders and her body brushed scandalously close to his. A blush covered her face mere seconds before she pulled out of his arms.
Before he could think of anything to say, his name was called from behind him. Inwardly, he groaned. He knew that voice… the shriek of her tone… and especially the way his gut clenched. Lady Jane came to bother him once again.
Was it too much to ask for her to forget about him? He feared if she intruded upon his and Diana’s conversation, he might not be so nice to Jane and her friends. Silently, he prayed that he’d be able to keep a civil tongue.
*
Diana froze. Whyhad she forgotten about those three women? So far this morning, Diana’s day had been a dream-come-true. Yet now Jane and her friends were here to turn the morning into a nightmare. Even the irritated look in Tristan’s eyes let her know he wasn’t too happy about who would be meddling in their conversation.
“Lord Tristan,” Lady Jane began sweetly. “I’m very glad that you stopped to visit with us. This has been the perfect morning for a ride, don’t you agree?”
“Indeed, Lady Hastings.” Tristan glanced at Diana. “The scenery could not be more perfect.”
Heat climbed up Diana’s face. All morning long his words had charmed her completely, but now that they were with mixed company, she didn’t quite know how to act to his compliments.
Jane gave a forced laugh. “Yes, the scenery is most becoming.” She turned her head toward Diana. “And Miss Baldwin, I’m quite surprised at you.”
Panic started building in Diana’s chest. “You are?”
“Of course, and I’m a little put out with you as well.” She pouted and glanced at Tristan. “You have taken all of Lord Tristan’s attention and you’re not sharing him with the other guests.”
Diana licked her suddenly dry lips, not quite knowing how to reply to that. “Well, I—”
“Indeed, you have put a spell on this Worthington brother and he has not found the time to visit with anyone else at the party.” Lady Margaret lifted her chin arrogantly.
“Forgive me, I hadn’t realized—”
“There is nothing to forgive,” Tristan quickly added as he aimed his attention at Jane. “Miss Baldwin and I are getting acquainted. Is that a crime?”
“Of course not,” Jane answered.
