Page 78 of Anything But a Duke
“How did you get away?” Aidan never dreamed it was so easy for unmarried young gentlewomen to escape any kind of chaperone, yet Diana had done it repeatedly since they’d met.
“Oh, I simply left the house and hired a cab. Mama is abed and Dominick ventured out to one of his usual haunts.”
“And you came here.” Aidan approached and indicated the settee. “Would you like to sit?”
“No, I didn’t come to sit.”
He couldn’t hide his smile. “Well, I’m glad you came, whatever the reason. Shall I ring for tea or would you prefer to join me while I partake of something stronger?”
When she didn’t answer, he made his way to a cart near the far bookcase and poured himself two fingers of whiskey. He glanced back at Diana and caught her perusing his body, her gaze finally trailing up to his face.
“I came to tell you that I’m finished with the order for Mr. Repton.”
“That’s wonderful.” A surge of pride bubbled in his chest. “You’re ahead of schedule.” He glanced down at the thumb she’d injured a few days before and marveled at her endless determination and tenacity.
“I still need to do some testing. I have ensured that every model works, but I want to test again and probably once more for good measure before we hand them over to Repton.”
“You know I’m happy to assist you if needed.”
“I know.” She took a step closer to him and then another. “May I?” she asked, staring down at the tumbler in his hands.
“Of course.” Aidan let her take the glass and watched as she sipped.
Her eyes widened and she coughed. “Strong,” she managed on a hoarse whisper.
“Deliciously so,” he said before retrieving the glass and placing his lips precisely where hers had lain against the cut crystal. He swigged down a dram and was tempted to swallow the rest when she reached up for the glass once more.
“Easy,” he told her on a chuckle.
She tipped the tumbler back and swallowed every last drop.
“As soon as I finished the last device, I knew I needed to come tell you. Any success I find with this invention, it wouldn’t have happened without your help.”
“Someone would have invested. Your idea is sound and practical.” He was glad that he’d been the one to help her and proud of what she’d achieved.
“As I told you, I never wanted any other investor. Just you.”
Yes. He was definitely dreaming. That raw desire in Diana’s eyes. He’d seen that in his dreams before. The lady had been coming to him in his dreams since the night he’d met her in Belgravia.
But when she reached for him, one hand braced against the center of his chest, he knew it was real and he didn’t want it to end. Immediately, he clasped his hand over hers. His body hardened even as he marveled at the softness of her skin.
“On the carriage ride here, I told myself I simply wanted to give you the good news. But that was a lie.” She swallowed and stared up at him. “I want more.”
“Tell me what you want, Diana.”
“You.”
She breathed the single syllable once, but it echoed in his ears, sweeter with each reverberation. He was tempted to ask her to say it again.
“I want this night with you,” she said on a husky murmur.
“I—”
Before he could agree, she pressed two fingers to his lips. “I know you’ll tell me about propriety and warn me against ruination.”
Aidan kissed the pads of her fingertips and smiled. When she removed her fingers, he told her, “I fear you give me too much credit. I was only going to agree.” He wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her closer, praying she could feel through the fabric of her skirt and petticoat just how much he wanted to agree to her request.
“I need you to do something that won’t be easy.” Her gaze turned earnest and intense.
