Page 79 of A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess

“Lady Diana.” She heard his voice.

Her heart raced with fear, her nostrils flared with fury. A shiver crawled up her spine.

Pull yourself together, Diana!

She wouldn’t do this. Wouldn’t let him see that he still had this effect on her. She took a deep breath and schooled her features into an indifferent expression.

She turned to him. There he was, in her drawing room as if everything was all right between them. Yet…

She frowned. He seemed different. His cravat was somewhat hastily put together, and his coat was slightly askew as if he’d dressed in a hurry or hadn’t slept. And his face was tired.

Do not overthink this.

She decided that he was probably having late, debauched nights while she yearned for him.

“Lord Crawford,” she greeted flatly.

“I heard that you were feeling better, so I came to visit.”

Did he come to gloat?That insufferable?—

Diana tilted her head in a slow, deliberate motion.

“How thoughtful,” she said lightly. “Though I assure you, my illness was nothing serious.”

James blinked, his jaw tensing. He looked deeply into her eyes, searching.

Nothing here but resentment, My Lord.

Diana made sure to affect her coldest look.

“How fortunate for you. I hope you didn’t suffer much.”

“Not at all,” she said smoothly. “It was fleeting, you see. I imagine you are familiar with such things.”

Her words fell between them like ice shards.

“That is great.” He smiled too broadly. “So, I suppose it would do you good to be out in the fresh air. The weather is splendid.”

He is not proposing to…?

“I think a walk in the Kensington Gardens is warranted. Don’t you think, My Lady?”

Diana shot him a glare. She didn’t even bother to hide how not amusing she was finding this.

“I believe that I am not feeling that well.”

“You just said it was fleeting,” James reminded her.

“That is why I had better avoid any relapse.”

“Come on, Diana,” Elizabeth chimed in. “Fresh air would do you good.”

“After all, it’s our fifth promenade.” James looked at Diana with a strange glint in his blue eyes.

“Ah,” Diana bit out. “I had forgotten about that.”

“I haven’t. Am I not owed one last promenade, My Lady?” James smirked. “I have paid good money for it.”

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