“I’ll wait here, then.”

Everton groaned. He leaned forward to Diana’s ear. “Should I relieve him of his position?” His breath tickled her neck.

“No, I like him.”

“Of course you do. He does everything you ask of him.” He kissed her cheek with a quick swipe. “In his defense, I have yet to see a person deny a request from you.” He pulled away and turned to face his butler.

“You may see Miss Barton out.”

Nelson gave a brief nod. “Thank you, sir.”

Diana stepped forward, but her hand had somehow found its way back into Everton’s, and he didn’t follow her forward. With no choice but to stop, she turned back to him. He eyed their entwined hands as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. She gave him a tug, and he followed her silently toward the door.

“I’m going to have to say something to Nate,” Diana said, “to warn him.”

Everton nodded. He still seemed to be in a sort of a fog.

Nelson opened the door for her, and she reluctantly dropped Everton’s hand.

He watched his fingers for a moment before looking up at her. “I will see you in Parliament tomorrow. We will get your act approved once and for all.”

She would finally know if her plan to save Mrs. Richardson was a success or a complete failure. “Until tomorrow, then,” she said. Nelson still stood at attention by the door, waiting for her to take her leave. “Thank you, Nelson,” she said.

“Thank you, miss.” A brief smile transformed his otherwise serious face. “I trust this won’t be the last we see of you.”

“I should hope not.” She flashed a brilliant smile at Everton and gave him a wink. “Lord Bryant is one of my investors. It would mean bad news, indeed, if I weren’t to hear from him.”

Diana took the opportunity of Nelson’s stunned surprise to slip out the door and into the open air. Everton’s laughter caused a spring in her step. It was a sound of joy, and that joy blossomed in her own chest as she climbed the steps into the carriage. Each step squeaked out music as she sprang off it. She could spend her whole life making that man laugh.

After what had just occurred, she was quite certain she would get the chance. She simply needed to convince Nate of that.

Chapter 24

Nelson had never been the type of servant to stand on ceremony, not when they were alone. So when Nelson didn’t speak after Diana left, it wasn’t out of respect to his employer.

If he wasn’t going to ask, Everton wasn’t going to explain. “I’m going to bed.”

“Not to your study?”

“No.”

“Should I bring your brandy to your bedroom, then?”

“No, I’m going to sleep. Tonight I’m going to dream, and I’d like to get started on those dreams as soon as possible.”

Nelson eyed his bare neck and rolled-up sleeves. “Are we to expect changes here?”