Page 94 of Duke of Diamonds
But then?—
“We should,” he said.
She blinked.
A slow, unmistakable smile crept onto her lips. “You’ll come?”
He nodded, and at that instant, the heaviness in her chest eased a little.
Well then. Let the sunshine do the rest.
“You never mentioned a full picnic, Fiona.”
Isaac’s brows lifted as he stepped down from the carriage, his gaze on the flurry of movement around the second one. Miss Jameson and the footman were already unloading a generous hamper and a bundle of blankets.
Fiona, who had just alighted herself, tipped her head with a faint, triumphant smile. “And risk you saying no? I’ve learned it’s wiser to keep certain details close until it’s far too late to object.”
He gave a soft chuckle, the first she’d heard all morning. It fluttered in her chest like a prize ribbon.
The sun was warm upon the grass as they made their way toward the lake. Fiona led the way, skirts in hand, carefully choosing a spot beneath a tree that arched just enough to lend shade without blocking the view.
From here, they could see the glimmer of water and the quiet bustle of the park at a distance. Not too far. But far enough to feel like they were alone.
The servants spread the blanket and arranged the basket with efficiency before stepping away to give them privacy.
Fiona sank down to the blanket and drew her knees beneath her. Isaac joined her with an ease that surprised her.
She reached for the grapes, but he beat her to it.
“Dinner last night was most pleasant,” he said as he pulled a small cluster from the stem.
Fiona expected him to eat one.
Instead, he offered one to her.
She blinked, then opened her mouth to accept it, feeling the brush of his fingertips against her lips.
Warmth crept to her cheeks.
“It was nice getting a glimpse into your world,” he added, pulling another grape and handing it to her.
“My world?” she echoed with a smile. “Are we calling my friendships a full society now?”
“It means your little circle of friends are most pleasant company.”
She gave him a mock affronted look. “You might as well say they were tolerable.”
He gave a half smile, not denying it, but she didn’t mind. Because he was here, laughing, reaching for another grape.Whatever this is,she thought,it’s positively effective.
“It wouldn’t kill you to simply agree that my world is entertaining enough,” Fiona said, tossing him a look of mock injury as she folded her arms. “Besides, I hardly see the difference in both our observations.”
Isaac laughed, stretching his legs out over the blanket.
“My compliments don’t come cheap, Fiona.”
“They’re overpriced and sorely lacking in humility,” she replied, nose in the air.
Their laughter mingled and floated out across the grass, soft and unguarded.
