Once he stepped inside, he felt another presence. The dark corridor didn’t show him anything, but he heard breathing. Seconds later, came the soft steps of a woman.
“Tristan?” Diana whispered.
A relieved sigh escaped his throat. “Yes, it is I.”
A dark shadow moved in front of him and her hand clasped with his.
“Follow me.”
Tristan twined his fingers with hers and followed. Together they tiptoed up the stairs and down another long corridor. When they reached a room, she opened the door. Inside one candle had been lit, which helped him to see slightly better.
Diana still wore a gown, but her hair had been brushed out of the ringlets and the tight coil she usually wore. With very little lighting, he couldn’t see her beautiful eyes like he wanted, but he knew they sparkled green.
“I’m so glad you came,” she said softly as she closed the door.
He moved in front of her and clasped both of her hands. “Nothing could keep me away.” He wanted to take her in his arms so badly right now, but didn’t dare. Being away from her these past few days had been torture, and he feared if he started kissing her, he would never want to stop.
“Your missive sounded urgent.”
She nodded. “What I have to tell you is extremely urgent. It’s about Lord Elliot’s murder.”
Tristan tugged on her hands and led her to the sofa against the wall near the window. He slipped off his cape and rested it over the back of a nearby chair before sitting next to her on the sofa.
“Has the magistrate talked to you?” he inquired.
“Yes, early this afternoon, in fact.”
“Same with me.” He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “And if they said the same thing to you as they did to me, then I certainly know why your note sounded so urgent.”
“Oh, Tristan.” Diana laid her head on his shoulder. “What are we to do? We were not working together to kill Ludlow or Lord Elliot.”
“I know, but proving that to the magistrate might be quite a task for us.”
She tilted her head to meet his stare. “Somehow they know I kidnapped you.”
“Yes, they hinted that to me as well. They wanted me to confess that you were the lady who I was with, but I refused to give your name.” He stroked her cheek. “I have done enough damage to your reputation, and I assure you, I won’t do any more.”
Sighing, she cuddled against his palm. “Oh, Tristan. We cannot go on like this, yet if we are seen together, people will become suspicious. They will think the worst.”
She had been thinking what he had, but that didn’t make it any easier to handle. Truth was, if he had to be without her for very long, he feared he would break down and let everyone know his feelings about this kind and forgiving woman.
“Diana, you might be able to go without seeing me, but I’m not that strong.” He cupped her face and brought his mouth down on hers.
She responded quickly, meeting his kisses with a fierce urgency. Her hands clung to the front of his waistcoat before sliding up to hook around his neck as she pulled him closer.
Groaning with happiness, he wrapped his arms around her, keeping her in place against his chest. Her heartbeat thumped the same quick rhythm as his, and her heavy breaths were just as ragged as well.
It thrilled him to think her feelings mirrored his perfectly right now. Although he enjoyed what they were sharing, panic grew inside him and he wondered if he’d ever get to kiss her like this again. Three years ago when they’d been so passionate, something yanked away his happiness and left him in misery. He prayed that wouldn’t happen again.
Yet somehow… he felt the worst was about to happen.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Oh, Tristan,” Dianawhispered breathlessly against his lips. “I fear if we don’t stop this instant, we might do something very improper.”
Tristan’s body shook with silent laughter, and she withdrew slightly to gaze into his shadowed eyes—eyes that she’d dreamed about for so long now that she still couldn’t believe this was real. Smiling, she fingered the soft hair on his neck.
“My dear, Diana. I’m happy to know your thoughts are as wicked as mine.”
