Page 22 of A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess

“I am wondering,” he continued, undeterred, “if you find my company so deplorable as your expression conveys.”

“I pride myself on keeping my expression neutral.”

“Really? I would have thought otherwise looking at you, My Lady.”

“Everything has a limit, My Lord,” she said matter-of-factly. “Though, I am sure you are delightful company. To yourself.”

“I must say, I do find myself charming and amusing.”

“How about you spend more time with yourself, then?” Diana smiled.

“Where is the fun in that?”

“Where is the fun in this?”

“I beg to differ,” James said. “I find myself the most entertained I have been as of late.”

“And by as of late, I am guessing you mean since last night. I’d be amazed to find that your attention span went further than a day, My Lord.”

James chuckled and nodded at a passing couple who stared at them openly.

Diana was fully aware of what they were staring at. First of all, their height difference was… substantial. Then, their ranks were literal opposites. And if that wasn’t enough, their dispositions were overtly different.

“Now, My Lady, do not spoil the mood,” James murmured as if reading her mind.

“Yourmood, My Lord. I am afraid there is little to be done about mine.”

“I am known to… lighten ladies’ moods.”

The wicked comment earned James a side glance and a huff.

“You are insufferable.”

Diana almost threw her hands up in the air in triumph. He clenched his jaw and looked at her in disbelief. Hewasa rather skilled charmer, but she was proving not to be impressed.

“Insufferable? Is that envy I detect in your voice, My Lady?”

“Envy? It must be so great for one to live in one’s world. Perhaps you are right, My Lord. I do envy you for that.”

“You envy me because I dare to live the way I want, whereas you, My Lady, don’t.”

“How presumptuous of you.”

“You say presumptuous, I say honest. Tell me, My Lady, were you ever tempted to do what you truly wanted?”

Diana was never one to throw a fit, weep, or lash out, but she was close to doing all that.

The gall.

The ease with which he said things no gentleman should ever say…

“Look, squirrels,” she said flatly. “If we can locate a few females, My Lord, we can appease your need to flirt with every breathing, walking being.”

“Not any breathing, walking being. Just you.”

“For the next hour, I presume.”

He scowled. He was sure that using the word ‘tempted’ would rattle her and she would blush. He schooled his expression, but Diana gave him a fake smile that said she knew that this round was hers. Not that she was keeping score, of course.

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