Page 57 of A Lady's Past
She looked into Jacques’s eyes with something warm and full of emotion. He wanted to call it love, but that would have to wait for her to decide. For now, the beauty of that expression could hold him for years.
“Either one of you might draw the attention of Caron and cause him to make a misstep.” Lynds slapped his knees and stood. “Let us finish our search. We may get lucky and find the blackguard before any danger comes to either of you.”
Diana rose. “That would be preferable, of course.”
“You don’t think I can find him?” Alex folded his arms and looked down his crooked nose at her.
Outside, the gardens were awash with snow. Diana walked to the window and stared out. “Victor Caron was not my first jailer. Pierre Menard captured my family. Victor worked for him, and while he was there when we were taken, it was Menard who imprisoned us. Because he could not get Father to comply, Menard was removed from our dungeon and Victor was promoted. Menard was mean and brutal, but Victor is worse. He takes pleasure from inflicting pain. He is clever and conniving. I don’t think he will be easy to find.”
Alex bowed. “We will do our best.”
“Thank you.” She nodded.
He walked to the large double doors. “Feel free to borrow any books you like. I know there is not much to do in winter here at Buckrose, but we have quite a few tomes about scientific study that might interest you.”
Diana strolled to the shelf to the right of the windows below the stairs and ran her hand along the book spines. “He’s a puzzle, isn’t he?”
Following along like a lost pup, Jacques watched her. “Yes. He keeps his own counsel and does not share much.”
“Do you think I can trust him?” She continued along the shelves.
“I believe he is sincere in his statement that he will protect you, but not to the detriment of his main goal.”
She rounded the stairs from behind and started her ascent. “I meant what I said. I want to do what is best for England. Besides, with Victor near and me being kept here at Buckrose, I have little choice.”
Jacques followed her to the catwalk. “We are at the mercy of the Horsemen, but I feel certain it will all work out.”
With a short laugh, she pulled a heavy tome from the shelf. “Are you always so optimistic, Jacques?”
He drew closer, but she moved away with the book in hand. Stopping to feign interest in a book on geography of the African continent, he kept watch as she leaned against a pillar and opened the book. “Not always, but in this case, I can accept no other outcome.”
Making another attempt to get close to her, he rounded a small table.
Diana’s eyes widened and she scampered around the southeast corner of the catwalk. “So you can choose when and if you are accepting of a particular circumstance?”
He stopped at the corner. “I do not like to leave anything to fate. I rarely gamble, and I only risk what I am willing to lose. Diana, while I’m enjoying this game of cat and mouse, I’m beginning to wonder if you are afraid of me or flirting.”
She stopped moving and faced him. “I could never fear you. How could you think such a thing after last night?”
As he walked along the tall shelves of books, he admired her curves and how well the blue dress accentuated her slim waist. Since she stayed in place, he stopped when he was directly in front of her. “Last night you were tired and in a new place. You drank wine at dinner and perhaps this morning regretted your request.”
Meeting his gaze, she licked her lips. “I do not regret any time I’ve spent with you. I only worry for your safety when you are near me.”
Everything about her lured him in; her keen mind, pure, warm heart and her stunning beauty. But the way she cared about him and the people around her was the sweetest thing of all. He ran his knuckles along her jaw. Her skin was soft and warm to his touch as she leaned her cheek into the caress. “You shall have to accept that I am not going anywhere, and am capable of taking care of myself.”
“I would think after being betrayed by that woman in France, you would prefer a less complicated life than one with me offers.”
“One would think that, but it is not so.” Leaning in, he pressed his lips to hers.
A long sigh, then she stepped into his embrace, molding her body to his.
From a woman who had no reason to trust, gaining hers left him breathless. The door to the study was ajar and anyone could walk in and see them. Still he ran his hand down her back to her waist and cupped her cheek with his other hand. He shook with need as he ran his tongue along the crease of her lips, begging entry.
On a gasp, she opened to him and touched her tongue to his.
Being struck by lightning could not have been more shocking. The kiss thrilled him from head to toe. The little sounds she made low in her throat were like a drug he couldn’t get enough of.
He pressed small kisses to her cheek and jaw. “You may slap me and tell me to stop, Diana.”
