“I couldn’t help but come. Not when I found out . . .”

“What did you find out?” he asked with a shake of his head.

“You’ve been helping women.” She tucked the chair into the desk and stepped forward. “All these scandals weren’t improper at all. You were using your reputation to either raise or lower a woman’s prospects to the point that she could marry the man she chose.”

He was going to end up backed against the window again if he didn’t stand his ground. “Don’t get any ideas. I’m no saint. It was quite diverting to help those women. And, at times, I was definitely improper.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“Do not turn into another woman who wants to save me, Diana. I have plenty of those.”

“You don’t need saving.”

“Then what exactly are you doing here?”

“I thought I was here to help you with Lady Emily.”

“Lady Emily no longer needs our help.” Our. Why had he said our? He and Diana were not partners.

“No, she doesn’t. I believe you.”

“Then why are you still here?”

A soft laugh escaped her parted lips. “That is a good question.” She shook her head as if surprised by something pleasant. “You were right. Of course you were right. I didn’t think I needed anything from you, but it turns out that I do.”

“What?” The word was like a puff of smoke. He could manage no more syllables.

“You are in the business of helping women get what they want. I’ve come to get what I want.”

His chest expanded. “And what is that?”

Her impish smile softened into a wide, open, serious expression. “You.”

This time he did step back. Not only did he step back, but he turned away and walked around the desk. He wouldn’t be trapped by her. Diana didn’t know who he was. She didn’t know what kind of person he was, what kind of husband he had been.

“Why did I ask you—of all the men in London—to help me with this scandal?” Her voice was strong and insistent. It was her voice, after all.

He didn’t look behind him, but he could hear her following him. Her steps were slow and steady but following nonetheless.

“Because you knew I didn’t mind a scandal.”

“That is true, but honestly, I wanted to see you again. I had been in London for nearly a year and only stumbled upon you once. I liked to tell myself I was no longer the young girl that was infatuated with you at Nate’s wedding, but when I had an excuse—when I needed help—you were the first man to whom I ran. It wasn’t an accident.” Everton had reached the door, but he couldn’t bring himself to open it and step out of the room. Her words were breaking something deep inside him, and he was a glutton for pain. “You are the only man who has ever fascinated me. Since the moment I saw you, I’ve been on a train hurtling down a track that always leads to you. I used to try to derail that train. I knew you were a cad and a terrible person, and I couldn’t be as stupid as all those other women who fell for you. But today, Lord Bryant—Everton.” Oh, that was low of her. “I discovered that you aren’t actually a terrible person. And now I’m left wondering why, exactly, I’m still trying to talk myself out of loving you.”