Calypso Magic (Magic Trilogy 2)

"Now!"

That was a voice she couldn't bring herself to object to. "Very well, my lord. Ten minutes. Then Miss Savarol must rest."

Diana eyed Lyonel. When Mrs. Bailey had left the room, she said, "I must learn that tone. It is most effective."

She was still very pale, he thought, coming toward the bed. But she looked wonderful. Her thick hair was brushed and plaited in a fat braid over her shoulder. Her eyes were clear, her look baleful.

"I hear you are urgently agitating."

Diana blinked, then laughed, but it came out as a hoarse rasping sound.

"I also hear you are being a complete and utter idiot."

"How could you hear anything? You haven't been here."

"Lucia sent me a message through the ubiquitous Jamison that you were at death's door again, or rather profoundly agitating. So you want to go home, do you?"

The chin went up. "Yes."

"Well, you aren't going anywhere, do you understand me, you silly twit?"

"You have no say in the matter, do you hear me, you damned arrogant dandy?"

"The next time I thrash you I will ensure that you aren't so clumsy that you fall into any water. Indeed, I will make certain that there isn't any water within ten miles."

Lucia, listening at the door, smiled. Had her proud and gentlemanly Lyonel actually thrashed her? Excellent, she thought. Now she just had to keep Mrs. Bailey away.

"You try that again and I shall make you useless to your damned little amour!"

"Oh, yes? You are so weak you couldn't even give a decent showing of yourself. You would probably start weeping and wailing and faint on me. Again."

"I hate you, you miserable ---"

"Don't start that old refrain again, Diana. Leave to go home!" he added in disgust. "haven't you an ounce of sense?"

"I do not weep or wail."

"Well, you surely faint, and you chose your setting with maximum exposure. In the middle of a ballroom."

"I wouldn't have if you hadn't suddenly whirled me about like some stupid dervish."

"I can hear the gossip now," he said, ignoring her. "You are doubtless with child, my child, and your fainting exhibition was due to your condition."

"That is absurd," she said, her teeth clicking together.

"It most certainly is, but your performanceOh, damnation, why couldn't you have collapsed with that Plummer ass?"

Diana didn't reply, and Lyonel, his tongue wrapped about more lovely words, paused and looked at her closely. She had become alarmingly pale. He'd done it again. He said more to himself than to her, "Why must I cut up at you every time I see you?"

"I don't know."

"I'm sorry, Diana. Please, rest now."

"You are leaving again?"

He frowned. "No, I will stay. If I do leave, I promise to come back. You must, I suppose, have someone available to vent your spleen upon."

He leaned down and lightly kissed her pale cheek. "Sleep, you little twit."