She stood from her desk. People of note? He didn’t consider her a person of note? She bit the inside of her cheek. Now was not the time to argue about what the baron thought of her. When was the last time she set foot in a drawing room, let alone a ballroom? “Of course I agree.”

He strode to her desk and placed his portrait back on it, facing out. “And you are certain you want the sliver of a reputation you have to be destroyed?”

“Yes, yes.” Diana walked around to where he stood in front of her desk. Lord Bryant was actually going to help her. The weight of weeks of uncertainty slipped off her chest. “He is almost to the door—what should we do? I could smile and laugh with you a bit, or you could stare at me adoringly or—”

“I know a bit of Mr. Broadcreek, even if we haven’t been introduced. Convincing him will take more than simpering looks.” He stepped so close to her that his legs touched the outside of her full skirt. “I may need to handle you a bit.”

“Of course. Whatever you feel needs to be done.”

“Whatever?” His eyes were on her mouth once again.

“Yes.” Her answer spilled from her lips in a barely audible puff of air.

His hands were about her waist in a flash, and he pulled her to him. Her body was suddenly flush with warmth. Had she made a terrible mistake? Invited a fox into her personal den of snakes? An unpredictable gleam shone in his eyes. The bell behind them rang, announcing that Mr. Broadcreek had arrived in the office. Diana sucked in a breath, but it was stopped by Lord Bryant’s mouth covering her own. His hands slid up her back, and her mind went completely blank.

She was being kissed by a man. Not just any man, but Lord Bryant. Arguably the most desired man in all of London.

She had never been kissed before. What exactly was a woman supposed to do in circumstances such as these?

Nothing, apparently. Lord Bryant seemed to be taking complete control of the situation. His mouth moved in the most interesting way. First kissing her top lip, a soft brush she barely felt, then her bottom, and finally both. Her hands hung limp at her sides as her mind tried to process precisely what was happening. But limp arms were evidently not how kissing was done. Lord Bryant tightened his grip on her with one of his hands at her waist, while the other lifted her arm and slid up to her wrist, placing it at his neck.

Apparently Lord Bryant wanted her to at least pretend to participate.

She hadn’t managed to take over a railroad company in less than six months because she was a slow learner. She lifted her other arm and intertwined her fingers at the back of his neck.

Lord Bryant gave a subtle nod of approval, then slowly and persuasively went to work convincing Mr. Broadcreek that the two of them were involved with one another.