Lord Bryant laughed and slid off the desk into a standing position. “Thank the heavens for that.” A small part of Diana withered at his comment. Of course she didn’t want to fall in love with him, but would it have hurt him so much to appear offended by her declaration? He sauntered behind her and put a hand on the desk on either side of her, making his arms impossible to ignore. When he spoke, his voice was in her ear. “However, my dear Diana, your bold statement feels quite a bit like a challenge, and I do love a challenge.”

“But not enough to help me with my paperwork?”

“Helping you with your paperwork would actually feel more like losing the challenge. You’ve already trapped me into this charade with that portrait; that is one point to you. My doing paperwork would most definitely be another point to you. It is my turn to win some points.”

“So we are playing a game.”

“It would seem so.”

“And for points?”

“Yes.”

“How will we know when one of us has won?”

The bell above the door clanged. Mrs. Oliver walked through the door, looking as pleased as punch to see Lord Bryant hovering over Diana in his shirtsleeves. He pushed off her desk and away from her. Under his breath, he whispered, “When I win, I will be sure to let you know.”

Lord Bryant spent the next twenty minutes ignoring her and making Mrs. Oliver blush like a sunset. Instead of a farewell, he strode by her desk and touched a finger to her chin, and then he was gone.

Now that he had visited, she had no reason to look for him out the window.

And yet, every few moments, she did.

Chapter 8

Everton had nearly forgotten what his ballroom looked like, especially all lit up. The last time it had been in use, his mother had hosted a ball especially for the purpose of introducing him to Rachel. Rachel had been vibrant with a shy innocence that immediately appealed to him. Of all the people his parents could have picked for him, he was surprised they had chosen so well. Here was a woman he felt he could have a happy marriage with. He had been confident, young, and foolish.

Tonight he had the opportunity to change another young, quiet woman’s fate. Here was a chance to show Lord Silverstone that, despite the blessing of Lady Emily’s parents, he should know better than to marry her. If a young man like Everton could be charmed by her, she should be charming enough for anyone.

Lady Emily had no need to settle for an arranged marriage.

If only she would talk.

At the moment, Lady Emily wasn’t doing herself any favors. She sat in the corner of the ballroom, surrounded by some of the older matrons who had given up dancing. Unlike Miss Barton, Lady Emily’s chin was always down, her eyes always lowered. Her pale-blonde hair was stacked expertly atop her head, and her gown was one of the more revealing her family had dressed her in. Every effort they made for the poor girl only made it worse. If they allowed her to wear something plainer with a top that was—well—more of a top, she might actually get up the nerve to speak to some of the attendees.