Page 38 of Anything But a Duke
Diana weighed it all in a moment. “I agree, Mr. Iverson.”
He offered her his ungloved hand and she laid her palm against his. His skin was deliciously warm.
“When do we begin?” he asked quietly.
Diana’s head began to throb. She had no experience playing matchmaker but she knew at least one of her school friends well enough to know where she might be on a Tuesday morning.
“Can you meet me in Regent’s Park tomorrow at ten?”
“I can.”
“That’s when we will begin.”
“Very good, Miss Ashby.” He held her hand a moment longer, keeping his gaze fixed on hers. Finally, he pulled away.
Diana curled her hand into a fist to hold on to his heat.
The hint of a smile tilted the edge of his mouth. “You don’t negotiate much, do you?”
There was no mockery in his tone, just amusement. Still, Diana couldn’t help but bristle.
“No, but I was successful with this one.”
“There’s one essential element we’ve yet to address.” He ducked his head and looked up at her through thick auburn lashes. “We’ve yet to discuss an amount.”
Diana let out a gust of breath and a blush warmed her cheeks.
“My investment in your invention, Miss Ashby? At the Den, we generally begin at one hundred pounds.”
“Then I’d prefer two hundred.” She was trembling inside and prayed whatever her expression, it gave none of her uncertainty away.
Rather than challenge her or negotiate any further, Iverson simply smiled. His grin took her breath away. It softened his square jaw and drew creases at the corners of his green eyes.
“We have a deal.” He glanced down at her hand but didn’t reach for her again. “I’ll bring a check tomorrow. Until then, Miss Ashby.”
Chapter Twelve
“Tell me again. More slowly this time. What precisely have you agreed to, Di?” Dom’s question echoed in the confines of the brougham, but Diana refused to let her brother’s early morning churlishness quash her joy.
Leaning toward the carriage window, she closed her eyes and soaked in a bit of the sun’s warmth.
Dominick slouched in the center of his bench, yanked his collar up, and did his best to avoid the light streaming in from either side.
“Mr. Iverson is going to fund my pneumatic device.” She’d been up most of the night, sick with excitement and trepidation. Everything she’d dreamed of achieving was in front of her. She could taste victory and knew precisely how success would feel.
She breathed in the prospect like fresh morning air.
“I don’t understand, and it’s not because I’m awake on three hours of sleep.” Dominick pressed a thumb to his brow and winced. “Why is he now doing what he refused to do a week ago?”
“People change their minds.” Diana turned her gaze out the carriage window and prayed her brother couldn’t see through her as he often did.
She’d rushed through her explanation for their morning outing. Convincing him to accompany her as chaperone had been quite the challenge. Early hours didn’t suit her brother.
“There’s a great deal you’re not telling me,” he said accusingly. “I can see all of it churning in your head.”
“Good. Then you don’t need me to explain.”
“Diana.Why are we headed to Rotten Row when you’ve never given a toss about promenading with London’s debutantes?”
