Page 26 of Unmasking the Diamond
Charlotte set her cup down, silently thanking heaven for his departure. But her reprieve was short-lived.
Lord Amner turned back to her with renewed eagerness. “Will you allow me to take you on a carriage ride tomorrow?”
Her entire being screamedno. The very thought made her stomach clench. Yet how could she refuse without sounding ungracious? She searched desperately for an excuse, but nothing arrived. Just as she was about to yield, fate intervened.
“I’m afraid Miss Winslow has already granted me that privilege.”
Charlotte’s head snapped towards the doorway. There stood Lord Luca, one shoulder propped lazily against the frame. A sighof relief almost escaped her lips, but she schooled her features into polite composure.
Lord Amner frowned. “Then I suppose I should have called upon you sooner. May I call upon you tomorrow instead?”
Charlotte inclined her head with practiced grace. “Yes, my lord.”
He rose and bowed. “Good day, Miss Winslow.”
The instant he departed, Lord Luca strode forward, his smile insufferably smug. “I am not surprised to find you surrounded by admirers.”
“I do not have admirers,” Charlotte said quickly, though the denial sounded weak even to her own ears.
He arched a brow. “You are the diamond. Gentlemen write sonnets about you and your beauty.”
“I daresay you exaggerate.”
Without asking, he sank onto the settee across from her. “You need to mask your reactions better,” he murmured. “They are far too easy to decipher.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, I think you do. You looked as if you nearly swallowed a bird whole when Amner asked you for a carriage ride.”
“That is not true,” she responded.
“So you were eager to go, then?” His eyes glinted with challenge.
She pressed her lips together. “Lord Amner is a kind gentleman?—”
“I am not asking about his kindness.” He leaned closer. “Did you want to go? And I should like the truth, if you please.”
“I do not answer to you.”
His smirk deepened. “Which means no.”
“It means I do not have to explain myself to you,” she snapped.
“I would be happy to fetch Lord Amner back and tell him you are available for that carriage ride, after all,” he teased.
She exhaled sharply. “Why are you here?”
“I missed you.”
With an exasperated look, she asked, “Do you ever give a straight answer?”
“Where is the fun in that?” he asked, winking.
She narrowed her eyes. “Do not wink at me.”
“Oh, did I?” He winked again, deliberately.
Fine. Two could play at that game. She winked back. “I can do that, too. It means nothing.”
