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“How fascinating,” he murmured, adjusting his cuffs, “that you speak with such certainty about what Lady Diana will find amusing.”

Stephen’s jaw tightened.

James smirked and went for the kill. “I am sure you know as well as I do that Lady Diana has a mind of her own.”

Before Stephen could reply, the door flew open with a sharp crack.

“Is there a particular reason my name is being tossed around like a piece of evening gossip?”

Diana walked in, bathed in sunlight and utterly magnificent, her gaze darting between the two men with a mix of suspicion and irritation.

James instantly forgot about Stephen. All that mattered at that moment was how bright her eyes were as she looked at him, making his heart ache to bask in that light. How cute her lips, which he could not wait to see form sharp remarks or let out sighs of pleasure.

“My Lady.” He bowed to her, eyeing her with a wicked look.

He went to her, took her hand, and bowed to kiss it, earning himself a sharp cough from Stephen. But he paid no mind to the Duke. He was truly excited to see her, and somehow she seemed to be even more lovely than he remembered. And the small smile she gave him said that she, too, was happy to see him.

“Diana,” Stephen said warmly.

James heard all he needed to hear in that simple address. The man was not trying to protect the family’s honor and all that. He was genuinely worried about his little sister. James could respect that.

“Tea, My Lord?” Diana asked.

“I think the day is splendid, My Lady!” James smiled a genuine smile. “How about we visit the Chelsea Physic Garden? I am sure Mrs. Bremford would appreciate it, as well.”

Diana’s eyes widened at his open implication. Many distractions there for the impressionable chaperone and many hidden corners for intimate lessons.

She shook her head in that reprimanding way of hers that wasn’t the least bit convincing. “Lead the way, My Lord.”

Gravel crunched beneath their feet as they strolled deeper into the lush, fragrant haven of the Chelsea Physic Garden. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns over the stone pathways, and the air hummed with the scent of blooming lavender and warm earth.

It was a perfect day, and James was determined to make it even more so.

“This is splendid!” Diana was genuinely excited.

James felt proud. He had made her eyes shine so bright and her lips curl into a sincere smile.

What was this strange satisfaction of making her happy? It had nothing to do with physical attraction. Somehow, this simple act made him feel a sense of fulfillment that no other achievement had managed to do.

He looked down at Diana, her delicate arm wrapped around his. His body was on fire—he desperately wanted to touch her. Orteach her how to touch him. The thought hit him hard, and he bit his lip to hold back a deep moan.

“I am glad you enjoy it, My Lady,” he said in that deep voice that he knew made the small hair on the nape of her neck rise. “Though with all these winding paths, I am afraid you will stray away from me.”

Diana smiled, and her fingers brushed the petals of a flower. James followed that gesture and longed to feel that touch on his skin.

“I have yet to determine whether escape is necessary, My Lord.”

James smirked, stepping closer. Not close enough to touch, but close enough that she would feel him there.

“I do enjoy a chase,” he murmured.

Diana turned to him, her eyes gleaming with something deep. But it was not the lustful look James was hoping to see. It was something unreadable.

“What if I don’t want to run?” Diana retorted. “Would it bore you, My Lord? I hate to think that I have to resort to such physical exertion on such a hot day.”

James pulled her even closer while glancing at the chaperone, who was too far back down the path.

“I do have some other kind ofphysical exertionin mind that you might find more pleasurable.”