Page 27 of Unmasking the Diamond
“Mine does,” he replied. “It means I am fascinated by you.” Another wink.
“And mine means I find you intolerable.” Wink. Wink.
Jane’s laugh tinkled behind her gloved hand. “You two are being utterly ridiculous.”
“It is not me—it is him,” Charlotte insisted.
Jane turned to Luca, amusement bright in her eyes. “Would you care to join us for supper?”
Charlotte nearly choked at her sister-in-law’s invitation. “That is impossible. Lord Luca has a meeting tonight.”
His brow quirked. “Do I?”
“Yes,” she said firmly, pinning him with a warning look. “A very important meeting.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “Ah, yes—the important meeting.” He paused dramatically. “It was cancelled.”
Her patience frayed. “But surely it was of the utmost importance?”
He pressed a hand to his chest. “Nothing is more important than you, Miss Winslow.” He turned gallantly to Jane. “I would be honored to dine with you.”
“What wonderful news,” Charlotte muttered.
“Isn’t it, though?” he replied, maddeningly cheerful as he addressed Charlotte. “But I do wish for a word in private, if you’ll permit me.”
His tone held an unexpected sincerity that gave her pause. Reluctantly, she rose. “Very well. We can take a turn about the gardens.”
“Thank you, Diamond,” he said, his smile back on his lips.
She spun on her heel, refusing to wait for him, though she could feel his gaze at her back—smug, amused, and altogether too aware of her reluctant relief.
Luca easily caught up to Charlotte. Her pace was brisk, her chin tilted upward at that imperious angle that told him—without a word—that she was thoroughly annoyed with him. No surprise there. He seemed to have an uncanny knack for vexing her, needling her with remarks he could not stop himself from making. He told himself it was for his own amusement, but the truth was more complicated: he liked seeing her spark.
They descended to the veranda and she spun on her heel to face him. “What is so important that I must endure your presence three times in one day?”
Luca smiled, savoring her ire. “It is good to see you, too, Diamond.”
She stiffened. “Stop calling me that, you jackanapes.”
Her insult only widened his grin. “I see you are resorting to name calling. My day just improved.”
She folded her arms. “Just tell me what you wish to say so we can end this tiresome song and dance.”
His humor faded. This was not a jesting matter. “Someone threatened me earlier.”
Her arms fell at once. Her eyes widened, genuine alarm chasing away her annoyance. “Are you all right?”
The concern in her voice startled him. It was not feigned. “I am,” he said carefully, “but the man also threatened you.”
She reared back. “Why me?”
“That is what I intend to find out. He said if I did not cease looking into The Chelmsford Asylum that I would regret it.”
“Then you are on to something. Something tangible, if you are being threatened.”
“That is my thought as well,” Luca admitted, “but it leaves me conflicted. I can handle my own risk, but I do not want anything to happen to you.”
Unimpressed, she narrowed her eyes. “Nothing will happen to me. I am surrounded by servants, and I will exercise caution when I go about Town.”
