Page 7 of Unmasking the Diamond
Alistair shrugged, smugness tugging at his mouth. “I cannot help it if I am utterly hilarious.”
“And who told you that?” Charlotte asked. “I daresay you have been lied to. Everyone knows I am the funny one of the family.”
Alistair huffed a laugh. “You, funny? Hardly.”
“It is true,” she said with great dignity. “I say witty things constantly.”
“Then say something witty now,” he challenged.
Charlotte tapped her finger against her chin, considering. At last, she offered, “The pianoforte is rather like a husband. It looks well in the corner, but takes up far too much space once it begins making noise.”
Her brother looked unimpressed. “That was not amusing in the least.”
“It was humorous,” Charlotte countered, “and painfully accurate. I do hope I did not wound your delicate constitution.”
“You could not,” Alistair responded. “Still, it might be best if you left the jokes to me.”
“And where, pray tell, would the fun be in that?”
Before Alistair could respond, the butler appeared in the doorway. Malone inclined his head respectfully. “A Lord Luca Dexter has requested a moment of your time, Miss.”
Charlotte’s smile faltered as she resisted the urge to groan. “Please turn Lord Luca away,” she ordered.
A familiar, teasing voice floated in before the butler could retreat. “That wounds me. It is almost as though you do not treasure my company.”
“What do you want, my lord?” Charlotte asked dryly.
“Only the pleasure of your company,” Lord Luca replied, placing a hand over his heart. “And perhaps a decent cheese joke.”
Her gaze narrowed. “How long have you been eavesdropping?”
“Long enough,” he admitted with a grin, “to learn that your brother is considered the amusing one of the family.”
The audacity of this man! “Why are you even here?” she asked.
Alistair chuckled and gestured towards an empty chair beside Charlotte. “Will you join us for breakfast?”
“With pleasure,” Lord Luca said, already moving.
Charlotte, quick as a flash, dropped her napkin onto the seat. “I am afraid that chair is taken.”
He paused, his brows rising. “By your napkin?”
“Yes. I require two chairs when I dine. Should I feel a draft, I switch seats. Surely you understand.”
He looked entirely too amused as he retrieved her napkin and sat down regardless. “I believe you will be quite safe this morning. The weather is fine.”
Charlotte frowned at him. “If I catch a chill and die, it will be entirely your fault.”
“I shall take my chances,” Lord Luca said, his infuriating smile firmly in place. “Though, for the record, I would prefer you alive.”
“You would?” she asked, suspicion sharpening her tone.
He nodded solemnly. “Indeed. You may despise my company, but I very much enjoy yours, Diamond.”
Charlotte stiffened at the moniker. “Do not call me that.”
“Is it not true?”
