“I see.” Daring’s hand fell back to his side. “But marrying a woman you’ve never even met? What if we could find Fiona a suitable match? Then both women could credit you with providing for their future.”
Exile cocked his head to the side. “Interesting idea. I hadn’t thought of it.” Then he shook his head. “I wish I were smarter like that. The club is the only way my lands even survive and even that wasnnae my design. It was yers.”
Daring slapped him on the back as they began walking again. “Well, on that account, worry not. If you married Diana, she’d be full of ideas on how to make your estate more profitable. That woman is so smart, it frightens me—and I’m married to Minnie.”
Exile drew in a deep breath as he puffed out his chest. Married to Diana? For one moment he allowed himself to dream of that possibility and it was glorious. But could he make that vision a reality?
Diana sat in the music room, shifting her chair as Lord Sinclair gave her another long look. His eyes twinkled with interest as he leaned closer, his shoulder subtly brushing hers. Nearby, Bad and Vice sat talking while Minnie sat herself down at the pianoforte and began to play.
Dear Lord, she should be enjoying the atmosphere but Sinclair’s attention just made her uncomfortable. He was too handsome, too sparkly, too perfect. He almost seemed…fake.
And her body was intensely aware of another man, or at this moment, aware that he wasn’t in the room. That he’d left her alone to flirt with a handsome, eligible earl.
A small sigh escaped Diana’s lips. There was likely nothing wrong with Sinclair. The problem was her. She was flawed and she knew it, even if he didn’t. She’d wondered why she’d allowed emotion to rule her heart when it came to Callum, but, of course, the answer was obvious. He didn’t actually want her. That wasn’t right, he wanted her physically, but he didn’t actually wish to have a real relationship with her.
“Is everything all right, Lady Diana?” Sinclair asked, lightly touching the back of her hand.
She resisted the urge to snatch her hand away. “Fine, my lord. Thank you.” She cleared her throat, trying to clear her feelings as well. “You’ve already asked after my family. Tell me about yours.”
A shadow crossed the man’s face. “I lost my wife, but I have a daughter who is my entire world.”
That she could understand and, in that moment, she softened a bit. “My sisters and my family are more important than anything.”
He gave a short nod, his shoulders straightening away from her as his hands rested on his thighs. “My daughter, Anne, is all the family I currently have and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.”
Diana smiled, relaxing a bit. “I feel the same.”
His eyes snapped to hers, all the twinkle gone. “How much would you risk to keep them safe?”
She cocked her head to the side. His demeanor had changed entirely. He’d gone from light and airy to stoic in a moment. “Odd question. Is she in trouble?”
His breezy smile returned. “Not at all. I guess, only having one family member, I sometimes wonder.”
Diana studied him even as she attempted to return his smile. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t sacrifice to keep them safe.”
He leaned back in toward her. “That’s what I like about you already. We’re of the same mind.”
She didn’t respond. She supposed they were, and yet she didn’t feel any connection to him whatsoever. Diana was spared answering as Callum and Daring entered the room. Her attention snapped to the large and brawny Scot as he filled the doorway.
His gaze narrowed as he stared back, looking from Sinclair back to her.
Minnie stopped playing. “You finally found your way,” she called as she stood. “So glad we’re all here.”
Daring crossed the room, kissing her cheek as if it had been hours not minutes. “Sorry, my dear. What shall we do now that we’re all here?’
“Oh, I think Diana should play for us.” Minnie clapped her hands. “She’s wonderful.”
Diana turned to her cousin. “I’m passable.” She stood, giving Minnie a glare. Her cousin was clearly meddling. “Really, you should play for us.”
Minnie winked. A sure sign she was up to trouble. “Nonsense. Lord Viscount, would you be a dear and turn pages for her?”
“Me?” Vice scoffed. “Is there any scotch involved?”
Minnie let out a huff. “No, there is not.”
“I’d be happy to turn pages for you.” Sinclair stood, holding out his elbow. “Shall we?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Callum called from across the room. “I’ll turn the pages.”
Diana knew one thing for certain. Minnie’s meddling was going to lead to trouble.
Chapter Nine
Exile stomped across the room, making himself as tall as possible. He wanted Sin to know that he was a large man and people generally didn’t tangle with him.
Sin’s brows pushed together as he gave Exile a long look. Exile knew what question the man would ask if Diana wasn’t standing there. He’d say, why are you doing this?
Exile had been clear in the carriage on the ride over that one of the other men needed to trade Chase ladies with him. But that conversation had been for Bad and Vice. They were his longtime friends, they knew the seriousness of the situation, they—and he couldn’t stress this enough—had no interest in Diana beyond their duty to the club and their friends.
But Lord Sinclair was another matter entirely. The man seemed keenly interested in getting attached to an earl’s daughter. Diana was beautiful, and well-heeled, but still something didn’t feel right. Perhaps it was how quickly he’d stationed himself at Diana’s side.
Even when a man was attracted to a woman, he was more likely to observe for a bit, see if her personality suited him. Or perhaps Exile was wrong and only he did that sort of thing?
He ticked back through all his friends. They resisted love and marriage like the plague. And here was Sinclair, practically throwing himself at Diana. He must have some ulterior motive.
Was he in need of funds and looking to tap into Diana’s dowry? Exile’s lips thinned. She wasn’t some prize, she was an amazing woman.
He reached Diana’s side and held out his elbow. Somewhere in his walk across the room, he’d decided it was his duty to protect her from whatever intentions Sin had. Or perhaps he was simply indulging his own jealousy. “Lady Diana.”
She gave him a puzzled look as she placed her hand in his elbow. “Lord Exmouth.”
He ignored the little voice that reminded him he’d come here for the exact opposite reason. Rather than taking on additional protection, he was supposed to be handing her guard off to another man.
They moved to the pianoforte and he helped her onto the bench, stationing himself over her shoulder, leaning close and allowing his breath to blow across the back of her neck.
“What are you doing?” she half hissed, half whispered.
He cocked one of his brows. “What do ye mean?”
“You know what I mean.” Her gaze narrowed. “Tell me what’s the matter with you.”