As he took the plates of food from her hands, his fingers brushed against hers. Heat coursed up her arms before spreading through the rest of her body. She didn’t dare yank away from his touch for fear she’d drop the plates and the food would spill on the floor.
Her heart fluttered when she followed him to the table and sat. He took the seat right beside her. Tabitha turned to leave the room, but Diana quickly said, “No, Tabitha. Stay and eat your meal with us.”
The maid’s gaze moved between Diana and Tristan in hesitation.
Tristan nodded. “Indeed, come sit and eat with us.”
Shock registered in Tabitha’s face, her eyes widening. “As you wish.” She fixed her plate then sat at the table.
“Tristan, I must say, you are remarkably chipper this morning,” Diana started the conversation.
“I am, actually.” His smile stretched. “This morning has been extremely pleasant thus far. Not very often does a lovely woman disturb my bath.” His eyebrows rose suggestively.
Fire exploded in Diana’s face.Why did he have to say it like that?“You know it was an accident—”
He held up his hand. “Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.”
She threw him a glare.
Silence spread through the room, giving Diana time to collect her thoughts. Since she’d seen him all tied up in the chair, she hadn’t been able to think of anything but their past. The moment she had heard Tristan fell over the cliff—and the rumors that circulated at the time—was when she’d stopped believing in love. Ludlow had married her a few days after the duel instead of the two weeks as she had been told, mainly because of the rumors. That was when the torture began. By that time, she had already realized there was no such thing as happy endings.
She still didn’t know what had broken her heart more—Tristan’s abandonment or Ludlow’s abuse.
“Diana, my dear,” Tristan said, pulling her out of forlorn thoughts. “Why the sudden frown? Are you not feeling well?”
She looked at him and attempted to smile. “I’m fine, I assure you.” She quickly took another bite of her eggs.
“What are your plans for this morning?” he asked.
She didn’t dare tell him she wanted to sleep since she’d been awake all night rescuing a beaten maid. “Nothing of consequence. Why do you inquire?”
“Because, I think we need to talk about our—”
From outside the thundering of horses’ hooves shook the ground, and they all looked toward the window. Within moments a woman’s shriek blasted from outside. Tabitha jumped up and ran to the kitchen door, pulling it open. The panicked voice of Lady Dashwood finally became recognizable as she called for Diana.
She moved away from the table and darted toward the door. Something was dreadfully wrong to have Claudia in such a dither.
“Oh good Heavens, Diana,” Claudia began breathlessly. “I came as soon as I heard the shocking news.”
Diana clutched Claudia’s shaking hands. Her gut twisted and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear what her friend had to say. “W—what?”
“Lord Elliot Henson was found murdered last night!”
Chapter Seventeen
The statement boomedthrough the room like a canon blast. Tristan sprang do this feet, knocking over the chair he’d just been sitting on. His cousin—Elliot? No, it couldn’t be!
Gasps ricocheted off the walls. Tabitha slapped a hand over her mouth and Diana’s face lost all color. She’d swoon any moment, he just knew it.
Taking long strides, he hurried to her side and touched her elbow. “Diana, I think you need to sit.”
Staring at the wall, she shook her head. “I’ll be all right.”
“Lord Tristan is correct, dear,” Claudia said. “You don’t look well at all. Your face is white.”
“No, I’m fine, really I am. It’s such a shock to hear…” She took a deep breath. “Oh, dear.”
Tristan didn’t wait for Diana to ask for his help. He slipped an arm around her waist and led her back to the table. She followed without hesitation, leaning on him for support.
