The Sweetest Love (Sons of Worthington Series) (8 page)

He stopped in front of her and the Baroness and bowed. “Lady Baldwin. Miss Baldwin.”

“My lord.”
Diana curtsied.

“Will you honor me with the first dance of the evening?” He held out his elbow.

“Of course.”
She hooked her hand around his elbow as he escorted her to the dance floor.

There was no verbal communication between them as they walked through the steps of the country dance, but the gleam in her gaze spoke volumes to him. The rhythm of his heart accelerated the longer he stared into her eyes…eyes that were filled with dreams. He didn’t need to ask her if she wanted to take a walk outside with him, because he could see that she did. He didn’t have to ask her if she would approve of spending some time with him alone, because he knew she was thinking about it now.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t take her outside now. Because there was gossiping going around the party, he must stay inside and dance at least three more dances.
Or two.
Yes, two would be sufficient.

After the dance, he walked her back to her mother then turned to find another dance partner. The quicker he could get these dances over with, the sooner he could get back to Diana.

During the next few dances, he couldn’t stop his gaze from wandering to her. No other man had asked her to dance, but at this point, Tristan didn’t think he would like her being with another man. He didn’t want any other man to look at her the way he does, and especially think about her the way he’d been since last night.

He chuckled to himself. What a strange turn of events. Never had he acted like a love-smitten young pup as he’d been acting since meeting Diana. Yet how else could he explain his foolishness?
Love?
No, he didn’t think he was in love, but he did like her very much, and wanted to spend more time with her. He enjoyed the way she could make him laugh, and he never wanted it to end.

Finally, he’d danced with other women—older matrons, of course—before seeking Diana out again. Just as last night, she found her by the refreshment table. It was almost as if she knew he’d come there for her because when she saw him heading her way, happiness made her face glow.

“Miss Baldwin.” He bowed.

“Lord Tristan.” She curtsied. “You seem out of breath. Have you been dancing too much this evening?”

He leaned into her and lowered his voice. “Actually, I think I was out of breath hurrying over here to see you.”

Her cheeks bloomed with color.
“How shameful.”

He winked. “I’m only being honest.”

“I like that in a man.”

“Just as I want a woman to be honest with me.”
He nodded. “And so that being said, I would like your
honest
opinion.” He straightened. “Would you care to take a walk with me outside?”

“That idea sounds heavenly. I would love to take a walk with you.”

“Splendid.” He offered his arm, and she took it. Walking toward the door with her next to him made him feel like the grandest man on earth. It still surprised him that this woman could make him react in such a way.

Once they were outside, their footsteps slowed as they moved down the pathway lit with outdoor lanterns. The full moon also helped light the way, especially when he would soon take her off the lantern-lit pathway.

“Miss Baldwin, I have to tell you how much I enjoyed spending time with you this afternoon.”

She looked up at him with twinkling eyes.
“As did I.”

“You kept me thoroughly entertained, and I thank you for that.”

“Well, I did try my hardest, my lord.”

“Please, call me Tristan.”

She nodded. “And I give you permission to call me Diana.”

He led her off the pathway and back toward the trees. Many shadows helped to make their walk more private, which was the very thing he was after.

“Will you be staying all day tomorrow? Mother doesn’t have many events planned for tomorrow, but the party goes on all day.”

Diana shrugged. “I don’t know my mother’s plans, but I do believe we will be staying.”

“Splendid.” He patted her hand still around his arm.
“Because I want to spend more time with you.”

“Lord…
er
, Tristan, I hate to confess this, but I do understand how Lady Hastings and her friends feel, because I don’t know why you want to spend so much time with me.”

He gave her a quizzical stare. “What kind of comment is that?”

“Hear me out first.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sure by now you have heard the rumors I’d spoken of about my family, and yet still you are treating me as if I’m the daughter of a grand duchess.”

“I hate to disappoint, but I have not heard any rumors about your family, and I don’t care to listen to rumors, anyway. I have already made up my mind about you, and—”

The sound of his name being called from across the yard made him pause. He gnashed his teeth.
Why can’t Jane leave me be for one night?

Tristan swiped his fingers through his hair, taking in deep breaths as he tried to cool his anger. It surprised him how quickly
that woman
could irritate him. He glanced around them for a place to hide.
Back behind the trees, sat a greenhouse.
This would be the perfect place for them to go without being interrupted, especially when it wasn’t noticeable along the pathway.

He grasped Diana’s hand and tugged. “Come. I know where we can go that nobody will find us.”

“Where?”

“It’s my mother’s pride and joy.”

She nodded and followed. As he led the way, he still kept a sharp eye out for anyone who might see them. Thankfully the area around the greenhouse wasn’t lit as well. Even inside the greenhouse the lights were dimmed.

He tested the handle and it opened. Breathing a relieved sigh, he walked them inside and closed the door.

“Will anyone be able to see inside if they pass by?”

“If we stand away from the lanterns, I’m sure nobody will notice us.”

She nodded and walked around him as if studying each plant. Thankfully, she headed away from the lanterns.

“The Dowager Duchess of Kensington certainly has a lovely greenhouse,” she said.

“Indeed, my mother does.”

“My mother keeps a small one at our country estate, but it’s nowhere as grand as this.”

He walked behind her, trying hard not to touch her because if he did, he’d surely pull her into his arms. “And where exactly is your country estate?”

She grinned at him over her shoulder. “I told you. It’s near Bristol.”

“Why do you do that?” He shook his head. “I have watched you closely these past two days—just as I know you have watched me—and I can tell you’re a secretive woman. Your half-answered remarks are one of the reasons I want to get to know you better.”

“Tristan, I assure you I’m not an intriguing person.” She trailed her fingers across the table near the potted plants.

“You are wrong.” He caught her hand. She stopped and met his gaze. “In fact, you have kept me enthralled all day today and most of the evening yesterday, and I would like to know why.”

“I fear I don’t know how to answer that.”

He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across her knuckles. “I’m happy to know that you are nothing like Lady Jane, but I want to know why. What makes you so different?”

There was a stretch of silence before the corners of her mouth lifted. “I would think it’s a good thing I’m not like her. I can tell you don’t approve of her, either.”

Her comment caught him off guard and he chuckled. “How do you know that?”

“You forget, I have been watching you, and I noticed your subtle refusal when Lady Jane tried to speak with you. Tell me, Lord Tristan, was that my imagination?”

He took a step closer to her, and thankfully she didn’t withdraw. “No, that wasn’t your imagination. Her family and mine are close. Because of that, she thinks she needs to be seen with me during
ton
functions, which I refuse
to
do. When she sees me paying attention to another woman, she tries to stop it. Not only that, I cannot tolerate the way she thinks she’s better than others. Since the party started, I’ve caught her glaring at you, and I don’t like it. I can only assume she’s jealous of your beauty.”

“Tristan,” she whispered, “you couldn’t be more wrong.”

“About what?”

“Lady Jane is not jealous of my beauty.”

“She should be.” He moved close—scandalously
close
.

From outside the greenhouse, women’s voices were heard. He groaned, knowing exactly who had come looking for him. He pulled away from Diana, hurried to the door and locked it. From out the front windows, Ladies Jane and Margaret, and Miss Lilly walked by. He flattened himself against the door then motioned Diana to hide. She crouched low.

When the door handle jiggled, Diana’s eyes widened. She released a small gasp but then quickly covered her mouth. He held his breath, hoping Jane and her friends would not become suspicious.

After a couple of minutes, Jane and the other two finally left. Tristan crept away from the door. When he reached Diana, he grabbed her hand and pulled her deeper into the greenhouse, farther away from the lanterns and stopped them by a thick wooden beam.

“That was close,” he said.

“I know.”

She sighed and relaxed her back against the girder, then chuckled. “Tristan, being with you has certainly been an adventure.”

He smiled. “Shall I assume you are enjoying yourself, then?”

“Very much.”

“Splendid. I’m certainly enjoying the evening.”

A fly buzzed by her head, and he moved it away with his hand. The only discouraging thing about being this far in the shadows was he couldn’t see the color of her eyes.
But if he stepped closer…
He followed his thoughts.

Her chest moved with quick breaths. She licked her lips, and he couldn’t tear his eyes from that spot—except when the fly buzzed between their faces, pestering him once again. Just as he was ready to knock it aside, an idea hit him, making him grin. “Why don’t you blow away the fly like you did the bee yesterday?”

She laughed and shook her head. “I fear if I do, you may get the wrong impression of my intentions.”

“But my dear, sweet Diana.
I’m led to believe your intentions are as wicked as my own.” He arched an eyebrow. “Or am I misreading you?”

Even in the dim lighting, he detected a blush on her cheeks. He swept his knuckle across her heated skin to get his answer.

“Tristan,” she said as she fingered one of the gold buttons on his over jacket. “I don’t know why I’m here with you now. If we were caught, my reputation would be ruined.”

“Then I’ll make certain we are not caught.”

The fly darted by his face again, and he tried to swat it. Soon, her hands were trying to make the insect go away as well. After missing their target, they started laughing.

“Hold still,” he instructed, keeping his eyes on the fly. When it neared her hair, he batted his hand. Instead of knocking the fly away, he bumped her styled hair, making the pins fall out. Her locks tumbled out of the coil and hung around her shoulders.

“Oh, dear,” she gasped and tried to fix it.

Mesmerized, he stopped her hands, lowering them to his chest as he held her palms against him. “Don’t,” he spoke in a deep voice. “I’ve never seen hair so beautiful before.”

“Tristan…this is indecent.” Her voice cracked.

“Please, allow me this one thing.” He caressed her hair, running his fingers from the top of the curls all the way to the bottom where they rested against her arms. She inhaled sharply but didn’t remove herself from his touch. “Your hair is so silky.”

Her chest heaved with quick breaths. He ran the tip of his fingers up her hair once again, until it reached the curve of her neck before sliding his touch to her skin. Creamy, just as he’d imagined it would be. In slow circles, he rubbed his fingers along her collarbone. Her breaths grew quicker, as did his own.

“Tristan, I fear this is
very
improper.” Her voice was abnormally low and so very soft.

“Diana, I want to hold you so bad it’s killing me.”

Closing her eyes, she sighed heavily. That’s all the encouragement he needed. Cupping her face, he pressed his mouth against hers. Softly, he kissed her lips, gently urging them to part.

“Diana,” he muttered, “your lips are like wine, so pleasing to taste.”

Another moan rattled through her chest as she clung to his shirt. He pushed his body against her, pinning her to the wooden beam. Diana slid her palms up his chest and linked her hands around his neck. Suddenly he craved her touch like nothing he’d ever experienced before.

Tristan didn’t need to tell her what he wanted. It was like she could read his mind. She rubbed her hands over his shoulders, then around his back, pulling him closer.

“Oh, Tristan,” she muttered against his lips, “I have never done this before.”