“You didn’t stay long at the Diamond. I was hoping to encounter you downstairs.”
Dragging his attention back where it belonged, he affected a mournful look. “Were you? Oh dear, if only I’d stayed.”
“Yes. If only.”
Again that ironical tone. Mrs Reynolds painted a picture of herself, and without him having to ask a single thing. Smith had been wrong. She would not be difficult at all. He couldn’t wait to tell Smith all about it. In detail. “Well, I have a mind to enjoy the singular pleasures available within your establishment tomorrow evening, should that be agreeable to you.”
“The Diamond would be glad to have you, and any other you would bring. You have a companion, don’t you?”
His gaze snapped to her. She wore a serene expression, with only the hint of a smile about her full lips. Christ, how had she discovered that? Smith and he had arrived in Ironwood on separate occasions, and only met occasionally in the dining room. This morning, it had seemed more they needed to share a table than an organised meet. “Mrs Reynolds?”
“You travel with a companion, don’t you? A Mr Smith?”
Surprise held him speechless. Quickly, he forced himself to recover. “Oh, Smith! My manservant, yes. If I were pressed, I should call him a companion, but only in the way one calls a hound or a horse such.” Silently, he offered an apology to Smith for such a description.
“Ah.” Again, her eyes held that knowing gleam. “You will be alone in your visit to the Diamond, then?”
“I regret it must be so, dear lady.” He glanced down at her, absently noting she was three and one quarter inches shorter than him. Not too short.
At the thought, he pulled himself up. Not too short? Not too short for what? Abruptly, he could smell violet water and musk, and knew it to be the scent of her hair. Her hand on his arm tightened slightly as they manoeuvred a particular bump in their path. A kind of heat flashed through him, and he had an overwhelming desire to feel her bare skin against his.
Bloodyhell. He couldnotbe developing an inappropriate interest in her.
“And what else are you about this fine day?” Damnation. His natural accent had slipped out for half a second there, the last three words flavoured with a Welsh bent.Pull yourself together, man.
“As it happens, nothing. The telegram was the sum total of my errands, and as we have arrived back at the Diamond, I’ll take my leave.”
Surprised, he looked around them. They indeed stood before the Diamond. First his accent had slipped and now he’d not noticed their passage along Main Street. Castigating himself silently, he placed his hand over hers. Patting her, he made it awkward, fumbling with his cane to really sell it. “Our time together is over so soon. I am devastated, Mrs Reynolds. Gladden my heart and say we will share a drink together this evening.”
A flickering of her eye showed her impatience, though she never lost her smile. “There is always hope.” She extracted herself from his bungled grip. “The Diamond will be glad to welcome you when your steps again turn towards her door. Thank you for the stroll, but I reckon it is we should part ways.”
“Mrs Reynolds, please, a moment more.” He could have sworn annoyance flittered about on her features for half a second. “You are certain you will not reconsider? My offer, I mean.”
She seemed surprised at his sudden change of subject, but the man she knew him to be would not have let her go without reiterating his offer. “We have discussed this—”
“Yes, yes, ’tis only… You do not require the funds?” He knew perfectly well she didn’t need them, but she certainly should want them. The opulence of the Diamond spoke much of her ambitions.
A hint of uncertainty lit her pale amber eyes, but she quickly disguised it. “I thought it was vulgar to talk of such things?”
He gave a lopsided grin. “You are correct, madam. Am I to take your answer as being in the negative?”
Again, that level stare. “No. I do not require the funds.” Here she almost imitated his English accent.
He turned his grin into a moue of displeasure. “Really? Oh, such a shame. I was so looking forward to writing home and signing my letters,Salooner. That is what one calls the owner of a saloon, is it not?”
Her lips twitched. Ah, good. His buffoonery amused her, and if you amused someone, it could be they underestimated you. “It sure is. However, I’m awful sorry, but I must be on my way.”
“Of course, dear lady. I would not dream of detaining you.”
With a smile and a nod, she made to depart.
He couldn’t resist. “One more thing, only.”
This time, her smile was strained. “Yes?”
In return, he gave his sunniest grin. “Your Spectacular, the one I keep hearing about. It is soon, is it not?”
Clearly wanting to be on her way, she nodded. “Eight days.”
