“And that is enough?”
“Yes. That is enough. Well, aside from the fact that I desire you so much I cannot think of anything else most of the time.”
She studied him for a minute. He meant it. He was not marrying her for penance, honor, or to stop gossip. He really wanted to marry her.
“Very well. We can plan the wedding.”
He pulled her in for a satisfying, but short kiss since they had arrived at the park.
“One more thing, Hunt,” she said.
He kissed her hand. “What is that, my love?”
“When do we break into Melrose’s house?”
Hunt dropped his head to his chest and groaned.
16
Diana pulled her black gloves on and stuffed her hair into the black cap she’d borrowed from one of the footmen. She smiled, remembering the argument she’d had with Hunt when she announced she was going with him to search Lord Melrose’s house.
“You are not going with me to search Melrose’s house, Diana,” Hunt had said after she made her intentions known during their carriage ride.
“Why not?”
Hunt squeezed the bridge of his nose. “It’s too dangerous, and there is no need for you to involve yourself in this matter.”
“I was with you when Lord Melrose spoke with Grafton’s footman. In fact, if memory serves, I was the one that brought their conversation to your attention. Therefore, I am already involved.”
He gave her a dismissive wave of the hand. “Perhaps that is so, but it is too dangerous.” He turned to her. “This is government business that I have been doing for years. Sensitive matters. The fewer people involved the better the outcome.”
She sniffed. “Did your contact know that I was the one who discovered the traitorous lord?”
“Yes. It did happen to slip out.”
“And?”
“And he didn’t seemed pleased, although in all honestly I did not receive the reprimand I expected. Again, I must restate this is too dangerous.”
She glared at him. “No more dangerous than it is for you.”
“I am a man.”
Her brows rose. “And?”
“And I can handle myself in a scuffle.” He shook his head. “If I have to worry about your safety, it takes away from my ability to protect myself.”
“Hogwash. I know how careful you are about everything, and if you are planning on entering Melrose’s house, you have it all worked out.” She narrowed her eyes. “Isn’t that so?”
He hesitated. “Something could go wrong. No plans are perfect.” He glanced to the side and waved to a carriage full of women. Thankfully, the women continued and didn’t wave them down. The young girls in the carriage fluttered their eyelashes and twirled their parasols. Hunt ignored them.
He is taken.
Returning to the conversation, she said, “What is the plan?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“Very well.” She raised her chin. “Then I shall wait in my carriage outside your house and follow you wherever you go. I shall probably starve while I await your presence since I dare not leave to eat. People will begin to notice me. Scandal will follow. There will probably be a write-up in the newspaper.”