Page 71 of Stealing the Rake's Heart
Up until the last minute, Alexander didn’t really believe that she would touch him. Perhaps she took his stillness and shock as encouragement.
“Diana, really…”
He had no time to say more, because she threw herself at him, would have knocked him over altogether if he hadn’t been leaning against the tree. Her arms wound tightly around his neck, threatening to pull them both over, and Alexander’s arms shot out at his sides, automatically trying to steady them both. Her face was very near to his, and all he could think of was that her breath smelled of coffee.
“Kiss me, Alex,” she breathed, eyelashes fluttering madly.
An instant before Alexander yanked her arms away and fled, she turned, eyes widening theatrically.
“Oh, oh dear! We are not alone, Alex!”
She disentangled herself immediately, smoothing out her cloak. He turned to see what – who – she was looking at, and his blood went cold.
Abigail Atwater was standing at the entrance to the folly, a book in her hand.
The silence seemed to drag on. Then Abigail visibly steeled herself and began to walk the distance between the folly to the shrubbery.
After all, that was the only way back to the house, unless one wanted to circle around for miles.
She didn’t run or even hurry, regardless of the mud squelching around her shoes and the rain wetting her hair and dampening her clothes. She tucked her book close to herself, trying to shelter it. As she got closer, he saw it was the same book she’d used to sketch the crocus.
Before he could say a word, to apologise or explain, Diana spoke up.
“We did not know anyone was here,” she said breathily, eyes fluttering. “Please, don’t say a word, will you?”
Alexander rounded on her, at a loss for words. In just two sentences, she’d implied that this was a clandestine meeting, that it had happened before, that it wasplanned, and that he was part of it. What was worse, she’d said it with such confidence.
Abigail ducked her head. “I won’t,” she said quietly, and dashed past them.
“Wait! Abigail, no! It isn’t what you think!” Alexander shouted desperately, but she picked up her skirts and put her head down, and ran.
Diana made a clucking sound with her tongue. “Well, well, it was to be expected, I think. She’s not for you, dear.”
He rounded on her. “How dare you? Howdareyou? What’s wrong with you, Diana?”
Diana frowned, pouting a little. “I only wanted to make you see, Alexander. It’s you and me. It’s always been you and me.”
“No! No, it hasn’t! I don’t love you like before, and I’m fairly sure you never loved me.”
She seemed genuinely taken aback at this. “Alexander, don’t you understand? I want to marry you. That’s what you’ve always wanted.”
“You have no idea what I want, Diana. What I want right now is for you to leave. Today.”
This seemed to baffle her even more. She shook her head.
“This is not how it’s meant to be. Besides, I’m invited.”
“Do you think your invitation will still stand when I tell my brother, theduke, what you’ve done?”
At the mention of William, she paled a little. “Alex, please…”
He turned his back on her. “Leave me alone, Diana. I don’t want to see you again. Ever.”
He hurried off down the path, and she didn’t follow him.
***
Abigail nudged open the door to her aunt’s room without knocking.
