Page 67 of Anything But a Duke
“What’s this one?” he asked, pointing to a word he’d never seen before.
Diana leaned closer and he caught her rich rose perfume and something deeper, earthier, her own unique scent.
“Lepidopterology is the study of moths and butterflies,” she told him very seriously, her brow furrowed as if his lack of knowledge on the topic appalled her.
Aidan pressed his lips together to stifle a smile.
“She’s fond of other bugs too, but her mother has dissuaded her from collecting any more of them.”
“Is there nothing people won’t study?”
“I don’t think there is.” She walked behind him to collect a wrap that had been laid out on a table near the front door. “Everything is worth study, Mr. Iverson. All mysteries are worth solving.”
“Didn’t we agree you’d call me Aidan?”
“You asked.” She dipped her head, almost shyly, then looked up with a devastating smile. “I didn’t agree.”
“Details of a negotiation are important.”
“They are.” Looking up toward the top of the stairs, she added more quietly, “My mother is ailing upstairs, but she has a very keen sense of hearing.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“Thank you for being concerned. It’s just a cold. My mother is very strong. She would refuse a doctor, even if she needed one.”
Aidan suspected she was speaking of herself as much as her mother.
“She approves of me escorting you this evening?”
Diana swallowed and notched her chin up an inch. “I didn’t ask her. I’m practically a spinster, and I loathe asking Dominick to chaperone.”
Spinster, she was not. But Aidan decided not to argue her out of the claim. At least not now.
“Shall we depart?” He offered her his arm, and she stared a moment as if wary of touching him.
After much hesitation, she laid her hand against his sleeve and let him lead her to the carriage. He’d brought his own and liked settling inside with Diana on the opposite bench. A strange rush of possessiveness washed over him. He’d never imagined the simple act of sharing a carriage ride with a woman would bring him pleasure.
They rode in silence and he studied her profile as she gazed out the window. He wanted to trace his fingers along the lush curve of her lips, the tip of her nose, even her furrowed brow.
What worried her this evening? Was it the same stew of dread and anticipation he’d been struggling with all day?
The deal they’d made had once made sense to him. As logical and practical as any exchange he’d ever agreed to, but now all that made sense was this. Him. Her. Together and feeling the undeniable pull between them.
She’d worn gloves, and the fabric was stretched taut as she gripped her reticule like a drowning man grips a tow rope.
“I take it you reviewed my notes?” she asked quietly. “About Bess. She’s very clever and has more interests than any of us.”
“When will you provide me a list of your interests?”
She finally looked at him, her expression unreadable. “You know mine. I like taking things apart and creating something new from the pieces.”
“And solving mysteries?”
“Are you asking me to help you with yours?”
“You know I can’t do that. I won’t embroil you in my history when I don’t even know it myself.”
The corner of her mouth tipped up. “I’m the one who chased off two thugs with the tip of my umbrella. You needn’t protect me, Aidan.”
