Earl of Exile (Lords of Scandal 3)

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.