Page 30 of A Lady's Past
Lord in heaven, the idea of her submerged in warm bathwater was too much. “You can do that in just a moment.”
Turning her head up to meet his gaze, she gasped at what she saw in his eyes.
Jacques could no more stop himself than he could stop breathing. Leaning down, he ran his hand along her jaw and tipped her chin up. She breathed in as he breathed out, like one beautiful heart beating. It wasn’t their first kiss, yet as his lips touched hers, it was as if her soul joined with his for that brief moment. He felt her inside him, like the blood pumping through his veins.
Her lips opened against his and moved with him in perfect counterpoint. It was all new, yet an ancient dance. Her hands weren’t soft; light calluses from her work and the trials of the past few years scraped along his neck. She toyed with the hair at his collar before tightening her hold for a deeper kiss. Bold and fragile, she was all things.
The housekeeper spoke from the hallway beyond the door.
Jacques broke the kiss. Regret could not begin to describe his emotion as he separated from her. Dropping a kiss on her sweet nose, he closed his eyes. “Were we not in Francis’s study, it would be impossible to leave you.”
A shy smile tugged at her red lips. Everything about her lured him; lips, eyes, skin, and even her soot-covered dress. “It is unseemly to be in such a state at my place of business.”
Stepping back, he made an effort to pull air back into his lungs. She was right, but he’d be damned if he cared about propriety as much as he wanted to hold her and never let her go. “I will find Bertram and follow you. It concerns me, this explosion with no explanation as to how gunpowder might have gotten into the basement.”
“But Mr. Edgebrook has mishaps all the time. I’m told he is famous for them.” She clutched her hands in front of her.
Running his index finger along her jaw, he couldn’t help the grin, probably a stupid grin, that pulled at his mouth. “Ah, yes, but you do not make those kinds of mistakes, Diana. It is for that reason, I think extra caution will be necessary even here.”
Her eyes widened. “You think they have found me? Dear God, I could have gotten everyone in the house killed. I will suspend my duties until this is resolved.”
It was hard to argue with her logic. They could all be wrong, and the accident was just that, but what if Caron had found her and thought it easier to get rid of her than risk his own exposure by recapturing her. He had been a spy in England for years. He came and went as he pleased. “I think that is a good idea. Hopefully, Michael will have an answer soon and you will be free of all of this in no time.”
“We shall see.” Diana’s doubt was not unfounded.
He had his own doubts as to the outcome, but one thing he was sure of. No harm would come to her, even if he had to hide her away in Scotland or ship her off to Virginia. The idea of her crossing an ocean away from him tightened the knot in his gut. Perhaps it was time for a more pleasant thought. “I have an invitation to deliver to you.”
Adorable as she cocked her head, she waited for more. “What invitation?”
“The Duke and Duchess of Middleton wish for you to attend their dinner party on Wednesday.”
“Is that wise?”
“You will be surrounded by close friends, many of whom are former military. I cannot think of a safer place.” It was true. It was also true that he wanted to see her dressed for a party. Did she flirt? He doubted it, but he would like to try his hand at getting her to flirt with him.
“It is probably a silly risk to take. All those people in danger so that I can get a few hours outside the walls of Everton House.” She sighed deep and long. “I will go, but at the first sign of any trouble, I’m leaving.”
He bowed, grinning on the inside at the knowledge he would see her in just a few days.
ChapterEight
Bertram had done his best to change Diana’s mind about going to the dinner party. But after a full four days of nothing but Everton House and being followed about the gardens by Bertram, Diana was ready to get out, even for a few short hours.
“This is a bad idea, miss. You would be safer to stay at home.” Bertram’s low grumble continued as he handed her up into the Everton carriage.
Honoria climbed up behind her. “All will be well, Bertram. Don’t fret so. It’s still daylight and Mr. Laurent will accompany us home.”
Even his name sent a thrill through Diana. She’d not seen him since the day of the explosion in the laboratory, and couldn’t help hoping it was him each time the door knocker sounded. However, he hadn’t visited. There was no reason for him to.
Diana had sent a note to Francis explaining that she would not be returning for a few days and would let him know when she could continue their work. He responded that he understood, and she would be missed. Such a simple note, but it had warmed her through. She had friends. It was a kind of miracle, and one she’d never expected to have again.
The carriage rolled forward. An uncomfortable shiver ran up her spine and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
Looking out the window, she scanned the street. Nothing unusual, just a few people walking despite the chill of December. A baker pushing a cart with bread along the rutted road now frozen in place after autumn’s damp.
With a sigh, she pulled the shade down.
Bertram rode up top with the driver and two footmen stood on the back. It was overdone, but comforting.
