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“Ah.” He leaned back.

“Ah?” His grandmother put the other cat down—a sign that things were serious. “Care to elaborate?”

“I would love to, Grandmother, but I am expected.”

James downed his coffee in one gulp, got up, and kissed her on the cheek.

“Expected? Where are you expected?” she almost yelled at his retreating back.

He looked over his shoulder and smirked. “At Westall Estate, of course.”

CHAPTER 6

The Path Ahead

“Lord Crawford calling on you, Lady Diana.”

Diana was glad she was holding a brush instead of a needle this time. Even so, a long line of dark blue completely ruined her beautifully painted garden.

Leave it to Lord Crawford to ruin beautiful things—this painting, her morning, her peace.

She turned to the butler, having decided to turn the Marquess away with an excuse—his well-being, most of all—when a shadow in the hallway made her spine stiffen.

Hestepped inside. Without invitation.

Suddenly, the drawing room shrank as he filled it with his presence. Diana’s fingers tightened around the brush—a lifeline as the air rushed out of her lungs.

Under the candlelight, he was dangerously alluring, but the sweet light softened things that were not soft, like the veneer of a civilized gentleman. Broad daylight offered no such mercy. He almost looked savage, all sharp lines and angles.

But Diana was not ready to back away so easily. His smug smile told her he was there to annoy her, probably bored with his other games. She was going to prove to him that not all games are meant to be won.

“Ah, Lord Crawford,” she greeted, breaking the silence. “What a surprise.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. I was rather hoping that I was relieved of my sentence.”

“Sentence, My Lady?”

“How else would you describe five promenades with you, My Lord?”

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. She had not meant to enjoy the sound of it. But—darn it!—he caught that.

He came closer, just enough, at the edge of propriety. He bowed and took her hand in his gloved one.

Diana’s heart skipped a beat as his breath caressed her skin. Yet, his lips didn’t touch her. Somehow, that was worse. Her fingers twitched—just slightly, just enough for him to notice.

His eyes flicked up, catching the movement, catchingher. His lips curled into a wicked, knowing smile. A challenge.

“Ahem.” Elizabeth cleared her throat, making her presence known.

Thank you!

Diana was grateful for her steadfast chaperone. She could always rely on Elizabeth to keep her safe and sane. As long she was in the room, all was well.

Surely, Elizabeth wouldn’t fall for the Marquess’s parlor tricks.

Betrayal.