A Question of Impropriety by Michelle Styles

attention is not to be perceived as a court ship. Marriage does not figure on my horizon.’
    â€˜Am I supposed to swoon at this earth-shattering news, Lord Coltonby? You are not telling me anything that I don’t already know.’ She gestured frantically towards the road. ‘You may drive on, having said your pretty piece. Allow me to reassure your vanity by saying that I have no intention of marrying you.’
    â€˜It is well we understand each other. I would hate for a miscommunication.’
    â€˜As would I.’ She turned her face away.
    He reached out and his hand covered hers. Brett felt it tremble slightly and let it go. He would accept the strictures of their relationship for now, but he intended to have more. There was a passionate woman under her frosty exterior. He was certain of it. Brett silently cursed all who had made her this way. She was like some nervous wild thing, intent on camouflaging herself so that she could escape unnoticed. London gossip had badly scorched her, but he could see the woman inside trying to escape. ‘You are a welcome distraction from the necessary business of sorting out the estate, and I value your friend ship. I enjoy getting your perspective on the problems I face. Biddlestone nearly ran it into the ground.’
    â€˜It was lucky you acquired it, then. It is an estate that begs to be loved.’
    â€˜But seems unlovable to the casual observer.’
    â€˜And are you a casual observer?’
    â€˜I pride myself on my keen eye, Miss Clare.’
    Diana shifted uneasily on the curricle seat, increasing the space between her and Lord Coltonby. With his thigh pressed against her leg, she found it difficult to concentrate on anything but his physique. He was speaking of morethan the estate. It terrified her that he might be speaking of her. ‘I need none of your flummery, Lord Coltonby. If you are going to persist in this sort of behaviour, we will have to return to being the barest of acquaintances. We need to decide which of the cottages you should…’
    â€˜Brett.’ His voice positively purred. And the look he gave her was pure male. A look that sent her pulse racing. The look of a rake, a practised seducer, she reminded her heart. ‘I really must insist you call me by my Christian name, if we are to be intimate. ’
    Intimate. Diana felt her cheeks grow hot at the picture it conjured up in her mind. She banished it, locked the thought away in that little part of her mind where she never permitted herself to go. Forced herself to remember the pain and humiliation she had suffered and to silence the little voice which pro tested that Brett was different. Diana took a deep breath and regained control. She would hold true to her promise. She would never be seduced again. She had learnt her lesson.
    â€˜Acquaintances implies no intimacy.’ She tilted her chin in the air and focused on the horses’ ears. ‘Lord Coltonby or Coltonby will surely suffice. I cannot address you by your Christian name. Think of the scandal.’
    â€˜I must disagree with you. The word said in private will have no effect.’ His eyes danced with an unholy mischief and Diana began to wonder what precisely she had agreed to. She should never have behaved impulsively and agreed to the drive. She should have contained her temper. When would she learn not to give in to temptation? Reason was what was important. Brett’s hand slid down her shoulder and his fingers curled around hers, held them in a light but gentle grasp. Diana resisted the urge to tighten her fingers about his. ‘Try it. Once. Here and now. No one but me will listen.’
    â€˜But I…’ Her tongue became thick in her mouth and she turned her head away. It seemed there were two of her—the lady she had promised over and over again to be on her journey from London to Newcastle, and then her true self, the one who could not resist temptation. She had