“How could you when you were the one to put it there?”

His shoulders relaxed. He traced her lower lip with his thumb and then waited, as if afraid she would run away. She bit it softly, and he hissed in surprise.

“You—Diana—never do what I expect.”

“What did you think? That I would run aw—”

He lowered his head, and his mouth covered hers before she could finish the sentence. Diana—young, fanciful Diana—rose fully to the surface, only it wasn’t her young, naive self. This was who she was now—old and new melded together, both surging with a blazing light.

Everton could have any woman in London, and yet, he had chosen her. His first kiss had been about show—hands everywhere, lips moving firmly against hers. This was different. His touch was soft and hesitant. He barely brushed her lips with his own, but it sent waves of longing rushing through her. Heaven help her, she needed to kiss him more forcefully. She reached for the lapel of his vest with her right hand and pulled him closer. He ignored her pull and continued the soft exploration of her lips. She inhaled his scent, expecting at least a bit of brandy after the day he had been through, but there was none. No spirits were clouding his judgment. He knew exactly what he was doing.

She pulled at him again, this time with both hands, and his response was instantaneous. His fingers made their way into her hair, disheveling it as he went.

He had remembered her request.

He stepped in closer, removing the need for her to pull him any longer. He was here. All the way here, with her. She slid her hands around his waist and traced the fabric of his vest up his back.

She would definitely want to do this again.

And again.

Everton seemed to be in agreement.

He pulled away after a few luscious moments and looked at her. If her eyes were as hazy as his, she must have looked like a wanton.

She didn’t care. They were safe in the corridor where anyone could stop by at any moment. They were being as proper as they could be, all things considered.

Everton leaned forward and kissed each of her eyelids. “Those amber eyes of yours have caused me no end of torment.” He then nipped the bottom of each earlobe. “And those ears. They never listen.”

“So you have said.”

“And your throat . . .” Everton’s eyes darkened, and Diana sucked in a breath.

A forced cough echoed in the hall to their left. Everton froze.

“Shall I see the young lady out, then?”

Everton pulled away, his eyes clouded in confusion. He blinked a few times before turning his head back to her.

“In a minute, Nelson.” He bent his head and pushed her softly, causing her to step back until she was pressed against the portrait-lined wall behind her. His parents’ portrait tipped to one side as he made room for her against the panel. Everton’s lips hovered just below her jaw. He did realize Nelson could still see them, didn’t he?