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“What are you --”

She shot her hand up and covered his mouth. Again, without thinking. She held it there, widening her eyes at the stranger not to speak. She might have felt a tad more... undone by the position she had found herself in, was she not listening to the sound of the marquess calling for hr.

“Miss Goldsmith!” he called as he walked down the path toward them. “Where have you gotten yourself off to!”

Still, she held her hand against the stranger’s mouth. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. She could feel his breathing, the way his chest rose and pressed into her own bodice. And the heat that came from him made her body shudder in ways she did not understand, but that did not mean thoughts of it did not consume her.

Bodies pressed together as one, she could feel his heart beating in his chest… or was that her own? Their faces were so close too, eyes looking in one another’s, she wanted to look away but could not bring herself to do so. She wanted to push the man back, but she might have wept if it was forced.What is this feeling?

“Little bird!” the marquess called as he swept past the alcove, thankfully passing them by. “Come out, come out!”

The marquess’ voice began to soften as he strode down the path and then around the front of the manor. Still, she was careful not to move or even breathe, listening until she was certain they were alone. And then, only once they were, did the reality of the situation dawn on her.

The stranger was all over her. One hand on her waist. The other on her shoulder. His face so close that their eyes were inches apart. And never mind the feel of his wet lips pressed against the inside of her hand. It sent a pulse through her arm, piercing her chest. It made her legs shake, her lips salivate, her inhibitions rebel in ways that had never happened before.

As she looked into his eyes, as she felt him against her, Diana was taken by a sudden urge to drop her hand, grab him by the head and --

“Oh!” she yelped and shoved him back. “I am... that is... that was not what you think!” She couldn’t even look at him, such was her embarrassment.

“And what is it that I think?” At least he didn’t seem too put-out. More amused, than anything.

“I was simply...” She reached for an explanation that was not there. “I tripped and fell. That is all.”

“Is that what happened?”

“And I took you with me by mistake. For that, I am most sorry.”

No need to say that he did not believe her. He frowned as he studied her, a curious smile spread over his thick lips. “No need to apologize. It is just lucky that neither of us were seriously injured.”

“Yes, well...” Since the second this man had appeared, Diana had done nothing but make a fool of herself. She had gone from being mesmerized by him to angered by him to mortified beyond belief. Who he was, she had no idea. Would she ever see him again, she hoped not! And just to be certain... “I should go.” She moved to sweep around him, head down purposefully.

“Wait!” He snatched her by the arm. “I did not get your name.”

She eyed the hand around her arm, the spot where his skin touched her own turning hot and sending goosebumps up her arm. “And why would you want such a thing?”

“Curiosity,” he said.

Her heart raced at his touch. Her excitement piqued at his interest. Did he want her name because she had made such a good impression? Or did he simply need a name to attach to the mockery he was sure to lavish upon her when he told this story later? Personally, she felt it must be three latter.

“Sorry to disappoint you.” She yanked her arm free, careful not to trip this time. “I do not think that is such a good idea.”

“And why is --”

She did not hear what else he had to say. Before he had a chance to press his case, and before she had a chance to make more of a fool of herself than she already had, Diana swept from the little alcove and down the garden path, hurrying to put as much distance between herself and the stranger as she possibly could.

And then, if she was lucky, to put him out of her mind also. That entire interaction. From start to finish. Never had she been so embarrassed. Hopefully, she would never hear from or see him again.

ChapterThree

“Why do I feel as if I am the only one left in this house with any sense!” Diana’s mother cried, wringing her hands in the air as if she was having a fit. “Has the world god mad? Or is it just my daughter who has lost her mind!”

“Perhaps you should look internally,” Diana said with feigned politeness as she continued to read her book. She was just about sick of her mother’s incessant dramatics and wasn’t about to give her the time of day.

“What did you say!”

“I think she was implying that you are the crazy one, Aunty” Evelyn chided from her perch on the couch’s arm, enjoying stoking the flames of the argument.

“I know what she meant!” Diana’s mother snapped at Evelyn before turning her rancor on Diana. “Just tell me this. What did I do to you? What have I done to deserve this!” She threw a hand over her brow as if about to collapse. “All I have ever wanted for you is what is best. I have slaved and toiled. I have crawled through hot coals. And this is my reward! A daughter who spurns me at every chance!”