He dropped the eyebrow. She was getting to know him too well to lie. “I dinnae like him.”
“Who?” she asked, suddenly looking away and shuffling through the pages of the book to select a song.
Liar, he thought as he leaned closer, his arm brushing hers. He was beginning to understand her too. “Ye ken who.”
She slapped the book on the stand. “Try to keep up.”
“I’ve been trying to do that since I met ye,” he mumbled back, but she heard him anyway and turned to look at him.
“You have?” There was a question in her eyes and he wanted to answer by kissing her right here in front of everyone, claiming her for his own. He looked over at Daring who was staring longingly at his wife, his gaze unwavering from Minnie. That was how Exile felt about Diana.
She started the notes of the song, and he started in surprise. The piece was a high, clear Highland song that echoed through the room with haunting beauty.
He couldn’t move as the music traveled through him, touching his soul. It was exactly like Diana, so perfect for him. She embodied the same deep, soulful beauty that left him breathless with desire and…. He leaned over to turn the page and his arm brushed hers, making her fingers slip on keys. Rather than ruin the music for him, the sound only amplified his feelings. He had a definite effect on her. He drew in her fresh scent as one of her loose hairs tickled his cheek.
He wished he could pull her into his lap, hold her close, and tell her that he loved her. He was in love with her. The revelation stole his breath as he reached over to turn the page again. Hellfire and damnation, no wonder he couldn’t stand to see Sinclair flirt with her.
Then his heart constricted. It didn’t change the promise he’d made to Fiona or the one he’d made to his aunt to honor Ewan’s life. He’d do well to find Fiona a new match before declaring his affection for Diana. It only seemed right.
He squeezed his eyes shut. What if she moved on before he accomplished his plan for Fiona? How was he going to watch Diana with another man? Yes, he knew her secret and he knew that Diana believed she wouldn’t marry—but she would. She was full of too much life to be passed by.
Perhaps he needed to return to his home and claim his bride.
He looked over at Bad and Vice. Even they’d known he was not going to stay at the club long, that’s why they’d brought in Sinclair in the first place. But it felt as though Sin was taking over his life. His friends, his club, his place next to Diana.
His shoulders straightened. His aunt had often told him that his allegiance to his life in England was a problem. The last visit he’d made two years prior, she’d said to him, “Come home. Live here like ye were meant to.”
He’d disagreed. The money he made in London kept the farms well-stocked and the tenants fed. She’d frowned. “Ewan would have done the same but he’d have provided for them in Scotland, where he could also give them his attention.”
Callum sighed. She was right, she’d always been right. He wasn’t the man Ewan had been and his love for Diana only underscored that fact. She wasn’t the perfect Scottish bride he should want. But he did want Lady Diana Chase with all his heart and soul.
The notes of Diana’s song died slowly, echoing through the music room and his chest. “That was beautiful, lass.”
She turned to him, her mouth soft but pulled down at the corners. “The song made me think of you.”
He brushed her shoulder as he thought of Daring’s words. Was there a way to care for Fiona and still keep Diana for himself? He knew that he was being selfish, but he wanted her for himself. His fingertips tingled with the hope that thought brought. “Have ye ever been to the Highlands?”
She shook her head. “I’d like to. You told me once that I’d make a good Scottish bride. I think I’d like it there.”
“I think ye would too,” he whispered.
But his heart said more. It softly murmured that he was going to take her there and make love to her in a field of heather. “Do ye ride?”
Her breath caught. “It’s my favorite.”
Of course it was. “We’ll go. We’ll ride for hours and take a picnic and ye—”
She drew her brows together, his face spasming with pain. “Now you’re being cruel.”
Was he? He likely was. What he was less certain of was who he was hurting most. Because his aunt had been right about him all along. He was selfish and not half the man Ewan had been. He stood then just as Sin crossed the room.
“That was lovely,” he gushed smiling. “Play another. I’ll turn the pages for you this time.”
Callum puffed out his chest. Whatever the consequences, his mind had been made up. Diana would stay at his side no matter the consequence. He’d find another husband for Fiona. Sin was not getting on this bench.
Diana knew male posturing when she observed it. She’d once had a pair of hounds that had behaved the same way. They had circled and growled, sniffed and nipped, a bone between them.
Diana was no man’s bone.
She stood, stepping in front of Callum. “Thank you, Lord Sinclair. I may play again in a bit. Right now, I’d love to spend time with all of you. It’s not often I have such interesting dinner company.”
Callum rumbled behind her, the sound echoing deep in his throat.
She tried not to grin but one corner of her lip pulled up. He’d hurt her yesterday with his rejection and while she didn’t want him to really suffer, it satisfied her to know he hurt a little too.
“Wonderful idea,” Sinclair said as he held out his elbow.
She reached out her fingers just as a hand came to her back. “I agree,” Callum said, his large fingers spread across the small of her back, filling her with heat. “There’s a settee near the window that is perfect for two.”
Callum swung her around, leaving Sinclair to trail behind. “Or three,” the other man added, not giving up.
Dogs…bone, she thought with a sigh. “Really, shouldn’t we join His Grace?”
“No,” both men said at once. She started in surprise looking back at Sinclair then at Callum. Callum cracked his knuckles while Sin clenched his teeth.
Diana, for her part, attempted to catch Minnie’s eye but she, Daring, Bad, and Vice had their heads bent together in deep discussion.
She craned her neck, trying to attract Minnie’s attention but it was for naught. Minnie never looked up.
They reached the settee and Callum nearly spun her around, like a man might on the dance floor so that she sat with a hip against the arm of the couch, then he took the seat next to her, only leaving room for Sinclair on his other side. But the man walked around, leaning his leg against the arm of the couch and brushing Diana’s shoulder.
“Tell me, Lady Diana, will you participate in the upcoming season? It will begin soon.” Lord Sinclair asked, attempting to speak around Callum’s large frame.
Callum leaned closer, his hip pressing into hers. She was starting to feel imprisoned. “Of course. My sister, Emily, has married the Earl of Effington and my sister, Cordelia, the Marquess of Malicorn. My parents will be anxious for me to come out.”
Callum looked down at her. “You haven’t had a season?”