After he’d lost control in the carriage on the way to the club after the musicale, he’d decided to have one of his employees escort her home. That he didn’t trust himself alone with her almost amused him. He had never lost control with a woman.
They walked back to the table that Miss Evermore and Mr. Williams had vacated and took their seats. Within seconds Lady Emmaline and Miss Thompson slid into the chairs. “I hear there will be boats available tomorrow afternoon. I hope you don’t disappoint me again, Dante. I do love a ride on the lake.” Lady Emmaline offered what he was sure she thought was a sultry look. Instead, she looked desperate.
“I doubt very much if you will be disappointed, my lady. There are many gentlemen here who I am sure would be more than happy to take you out in a boat.”
She leaned closer, pressing her body next to his. Why the devil did women wear those cloying scents that had his nose tickling as if he needed to sneeze? She pouted, looking rather silly, actually. “But I had hoped you would take me out in the boat.”
There seemed to be no reason to deny her, except he would have preferred to row Lydia out onto the lake and maybe find a quiet spot to . . . “Yes, my lady,” he rushed out, “I would be happy to row a boat for you.”
He glanced guiltily at Lydia, which was ridiculous since they had no attachment. They’d made it seem so for purposes of being together to work on the assignment.
Then why did he feel as though he was doing something wrong?
Lady Emmaline preened and looked over at Lydia with glee. Women. They could be so pleasurable and at the same time so annoying.
“How lovely, Lady Emmaline. I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy your boat ride. I, on the other hand prefer to ride horses,” Lydia said.
Dante took the clue. “Miss Sanford, may I ask that you permit me to escort you on a ride in the morning? From what I understand Lord Battenberg has an impressive stable.”
“That would be wonderful. Perhaps when we are finished here, we can take a stroll to the stables and look the animals over.”
“An excellent idea.”
“Greetings, my lady.” The Ambassador’s booming voice reached them. Dante turned to see the man speaking with Lady Battenberg by himself. No companion this time. He glanced over at Lydia who raised her brows. Perhaps the companion was to arrive after him.
Or perhaps the companion they’d been watching was not their man at all.
11
“I feel rather silly, the way I’ve been following the Ambassador around. Clearly he must think I’ve developed a tendre for him,” Lydia groused as she and Dante walked their horses out of the stable for their early ride.
It was the morning of the third day of the house party. So far they’d learned nothing, except the Ambassador had an eye for the ladies, and enjoyed his food and spirits. Lydia had tried to be circumspect in her observance of the Ambassador, but she feared it was becoming obvious that she was seeking him out.
“I have hopes for today. With all of us traveling to the village to do a bit of sight-seeing and a stop at the local inn for lunch, we might have a better chance of learning something.” Dante helped Lydia onto her horse, and then threw his leg over his mount, leading them away from the stable and out into the countryside.
As was their habit, once free of the confines of the immediate property, they raced over the extensive grounds. Lydia loved the freedom of riding in the country. Rarely did she keep her hat on no matter how many pins she used to anchor it to her head. Then the tidy knot at the back of her head came loose and her hair flew behind her like a banner.
Side-by-side they grinned at each other as they flew over the land. They made three jumps in succession and then drew their horses up, with Lydia, Dante and the two horses all gulping for air.
So far the house party had been nothing but a series of frustrations. Lydia had spent the past two days watching Dante try his best to avoid the women looking for a tête-à-tête, while she attempted to sidle up to the Ambassador and hear his conversations without looking obvious. The man had begun to regard her in a strange way and she had the horrible feeling he might show up at her bedchamber door one night in his dressing gown with a bottle of wine in his hand.
To add to her troubles, she’d tried her best to keep her distance from Dante unless they were mingling with other guests. The temptation to encourage the attraction between them had become too strong. By far the best time of the day had been when they were riding. Together, but separate.
She leaned on the pommel and regarded him. “You seem to be enjoying our rides every morning. I thought you were a confirmed Town man.”
Dante grinned at her. “True. I have rarely had a reason to spend time in the country. My father’s estate, which went to Hunt along with the tit
le, is only a three-hour drive from London, but with managing the club, I never have a chance to visit.”
“Is the Rose Room as busy after the Season ends when most peers escape the heat of London and retire to their estates?” Lydia slowly turned her horse to take a slower walk back to the stables.
“It does slow down. That is generally the time Driscoll and I are able to take a few days off. I hadn’t thought much about it, but maybe this year I will join Hunt and Diana in the country for a spell.” He paused for a moment. “What about you? Do you retire to the country when the Season ends?”
“My father does. Most times I join him, unless I’m visiting friends’ homes outside of London.” Lydia took a deep breath, enjoying the air. Perhaps she would join her father and trek to the country after the Season ended.
Then she wouldn’t see Dante.
Why had that foolish thought entered her brain? She’d known practically nothing about the man before they started this assignment, yet she was concerned about not seeing him once the assignment ended?