“My lord.” Diana curtsied.
“Will you honor me with the first dance of the evening?” He held out his elbow.
“Of course.” She hooked her hand around his elbow as he escorted her to the dance floor.
There was no verbal communication between them as they walked through the steps of the country dance, but the gleam in her gaze spoke volumes to him. The rhythm of his heart accelerated the longer he stared into her eyes… eyes that were filled with dreams. He didn’t need to ask her if she wanted to take a walk outside with him, because he could see that she did. He didn’t have to ask her if she would approve of spending some time with him alone, because he knew she was thinking about it now.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t take her outside now. Because there was gossiping going around the party, he must stay inside and dance at least three more dances. Or two. Yes, two would be sufficient.
After the dance, he walked her back to her mother then turned to find another dance partner. The quicker he could get these dances over with, the sooner he could get back to Diana.
During the next few dances, he couldn’t stop his gaze from wandering to her. No other man had asked her to dance, but at this point, Tristan didn’t think he would like her being with another man. He didn’t want any other man to look at her the way he does, and especially think about her the way he’d been since last night.
He chuckled to himself. What a strange turn of events. Never had he acted like a love-smitten young pup as he’d been acting since meeting Diana. Yet how else could he explain his foolishness?Love?No, he didn’t think he was in love, but he did like her very much, and wanted to spend more time with her. He enjoyed the way she could make him laugh, and he never wanted it to end.
Finally, he’d danced with other women—older matrons, of course—before seeking Diana out again. Just as last night, he found her by the refreshment table. It was almost as if she knew he’d come there for her because when she saw him heading her way, happiness made her face glow.
“Miss Baldwin.” He bowed.
“Lord Tristan.” She curtsied. “You seem out of breath. Have you been dancing too much this evening?”
He leaned into her and lowered his voice. “Actually, I think I was out of breath hurrying over here to see you.”
Her cheeks bloomed with color. “How shameful.”
He winked. “I’m only being honest.”
“I like that in a man.”
“Just as I want a woman to be honest with me.” He nodded. “And so that being said, I would like yourhonestopinion.” He straightened. “Would you care to take a walk with me outside?”
“That idea sounds heavenly. I would love to take a walk with you.”
“Splendid.” He offered his arm, and she took it. Walking toward the door with her next to him made him feel like the grandest man on earth. It still surprised him that this woman could make him react in such a way.
Once they were outside, their footsteps slowed as they moved down the pathway lit with outdoor lanterns. The full moon also helped light the way, especially when he would soon take her off the lantern-lit path.
“Miss Baldwin, I have to tell you how much I enjoyed spending time with you this afternoon.”
She looked up at him with twinkling eyes. “As did I.”
“You kept me thoroughly entertained, and I thank you for that.”
“Well, I did try my hardest, my lord.”
“Please, call me Tristan.”
She nodded. “And I give you permission to call me Diana.”
He led her off the pathway and back toward the trees. Many shadows helped to make their walk more private, which was the very thing he was after.
“Will you be staying all day tomorrow? Mother doesn’t have many events planned for tomorrow, but the party goes on all day.”
Diana shrugged. “I don’t know my mother’s plans, but I do believe we will be staying.”
“Splendid.” He patted her hand still around his arm. “Because I want to spend more time with you.”
“Lord… er, Tristan, I hate to confess this, but I do understand how Lady Hastings and her friends feel, because I don’t know why you want to spend so much time with me.”
