Page 24 of The Lyon’s Paw

“I would not miss the treat, my dear.” His eyes darkened from their normal sapphire blue as she passed by him, their gaze focused on her.

Shivering as though a goose had walked over her grave, Diana nodded hastily and followed the others out the door and down the hall to the drawing room. Once there she ordered tea and sat on the comfortable sofa in front of the fire. The night was chilly. Diana drew her shawl tighter around her shoulders. That was likely why she’d shivered before. “This is a wonderful ending to a wonderful day, my dears. Thank you both so much for making it so much fun.”

“Shopping for clothes is always pleasurable, Diana.” Joanna came and sat beside her. “Tomorrow will be just as much fun, you wait and see.”

“I am so very happy for you, my dear.” Aunt Frances sat opposite them, smiling broadly. “So happy that your life with Lord Longford has begun to be enjoyable for you.”

“Well, I am not certain I would say that yet, aunt.” The door opened and the footman brought in the tea. When he’d gone, she poured her aunt’s cup and dropped in two lumps of sugar. “Although he has seemed much more agreeable of late.”

“More than just agreeable from what I’ve observed.” Joanna took her cup and poured milk into it. “Did you notice him watching you at dinner tonight?”

Diana fumbled with her cup, the tea splashing into the saucer. “Drat.” Taking up another cup and saucer, she carefully poured her tea. “He did seem to pay me more attention than usual.” She glanced up at her sister-in-law. “I thought he might be admiring my new gown. He’s only ever seen me in my old clothes.”

“Except for last summer, Diana.” Aunt Frances spoke up. “You were most fashionably dressed when you first met Lord Longford.”

Heat seared Diana’s cheeks and she hastily sipped her tea, hoping the pinkness in them could be attributed to the warm beverage. “Yes, aunt. I remember.”

And she was certain her husband did as well.

Joanna set her cup down and turned toward Diana, her body tense and excited. “I know there was that unfortunate incident at the pond in June, Diana. The whole ton knows of it.”

If Diana could have sunk into the sofa, she would have.

“However, I suspect my brother has put that out of his mind. Or at the very least, has dismissed it as simply a regrettable scrape.”

“Why would you say that?” Diana was more than puzzled by her sister-in-law’s words.

Joanna’s face lit up. “Because I think Geoffrey’s falling in love with you.”

“What?” Diana’s hand jerked so violently her tea splashed onto the saucer and dripped down onto her new gown.

“Diana! Your gown!” Her aunt sprang into action, blotting the velvet fabric with her handkerchief. “There, you don’t want it to stain.”

Oblivious to the crisis, Diana could only stare at Joanna, uncomprehending. “What are you talking about?”

“My dear sister-in-law,” Joanna started out primly, “you cannot tell me you have not noticed Geoffrey’s manner toward you has changed in the past few days.” She gave Diana a speaking look. “You yourself said tonight you think he was paying you more attention.”

Cornered, Diana carefully set her cup and saucer down. “As…as I said, I think it’s only the new gown.”

“Nonsense.” Joanna took up her tea again. “You didn’t have on a new gown last night, and I saw him watching you just as intently.”

“He was?” Diana cast her mind back over the dinner, the early evening because they were tired from the journey. Had he been watching her? She hadn’t noticed.

Nodding, Joanna tilted her head and gave Diana a wicked smile. “Trust me, he was. Gazing at you as though he was…well, not besotted with you. But a good deal more interested than he was just last week, when you first came to Longford.” She sipped her tea thoughtfully. “I suppose he’s begun to get used to the idea of having a wife. Of having you for a wife.” Joanna’s eyes flashed with merriment. “And I think he’s come to like the idea very much.”

“Oh, Joanna.” Diana didn’t know where to look. The thought that Lord Longford might be coming to admire her would have thrilled her back in June. But could they ever agree to put thoughts of that awful embarrassment behind them? Perhaps Lord Longford had already done so. Diana gasped and sat very still. If he were coming to care for her, that would explain his sudden reluctance to go to America and seek a divorce. “Do you truly believe that?”

“Believe what?”

Diana jumped as Lord Longford entered the drawing room. Dear lord, she prayed he hadn’t heard what his sister had just said.

“Believe that we should have some music this evening, Geoffrey.” Joanna rose gracefully and headed toward the pianoforte in the corner. “I haven’t played a note in two days. I shall forget all my best pieces if I don’t practice.”

“Somehow I don’t believe that at all, sister.” Lord Longford chuckled as he took his seat. “Would you pour me a cup of tea, my dear. I need something to warm me up.” He grinned at her and Diana’s pulse began to beat a tattoo.

“Of…of course.” Altogether too aware of his dark eyes on her, Diana made herself concentrate on pouring out the tea and nothing else. “You take one lump of sugar only, don’t you, my lord?”

“Yes, I do. Thank you, my dear.” His voice had a pleasantly low timbre to it. He accepted the cup and sipped avidly. “That is perfect. I am so pleased you remembered how I like it.”