Earl of Exile

Diana gave the large Scot next to her a sidelong glance. The man
was interesting, she’d give him that. He was large, not fat, but tall and
thickly muscled. He had broad features that would never work for a woman but looked handsome on a man. His square jaw and heavily corded neck gave him an
air of power and physical presence.

He was the sort of man a weaker woman might want to hide behind.
Diana didn’t hide from anything.

“The question, now that we’ve decided I’m of strong stock, is what
does a man do with such a dominant woman?” She wasn’t sure why she asked except
that most men were a bit afraid of her. But not him. He looked right at her. In fact, his gaze was so strong, she often found herself shifting uncomfortably.

Exile swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Then he mumbled so
softly she almost didn’t hear him, “I can think of a thing or two.”

She nearly tripped over her own feet. She’d known that he was
attracted to her from their first meeting. When they were together, his eyes never left her. But men often were enamored with her beauty until they got to
know her better.

One man had made her believe he’d liked her just the way she was,
but he turned out to be a liar on so many levels. She supposed she should give Exile a few points for honesty, but his innuendo reminded her that she wasn’t dealing with a gentleman. Exile, just like the cad in her past, Charles Crusher, was a rogue. And once a rogue, always a rogue.

“Can you now?” she asked, stopping. Minnie and Darlington were just ahead. “Such a gentleman.”

He grimaced, coming to a stop as well. “My apologies,” He turned
toward her. “I didna mean to offend.”

His brogue tickled her ears, sliding down her neck. “You’re not
the first to make such insinuations and you won’t be the last.” She turned forward to begin walking again. “I don’t pay any of you any mind.”

He held her in place, not moving. “I’m just like those other men,
am I?” His voice had dropped deeper, lower, almost sinister. “Would those other men follow ye from ball to ball to keep you safe?”

Diana raised her brows, giving him a long look. Why did part of her like this protective behavior? “Is that what you’re doing?”

He shrugged. “Perhaps.”

Diana gave her head a shake. “If that is, in fact, your real motive, I don’t need you to follow me about, Lord Exmouth. Continue with your
life and leave me to mine.”

“I can’t.” His other hand came to her waist. Tingling heat spread
through her at the touch. “I’ve made a promise and though I’m not as good a man as I’d like to be, I do keep my word.”

What did that mean? He wasn’t as good a man as he wanted to be?
“I’m sure you do. I pride myself on needing no one’s help.”

He gave his head a shake. “Forgive me for stating the obvious but
a lady doesn’t have much choice in the matter.”

“I have choices,” she answered, notching up her chin. Unlike many
women, she had money of her own that her mother and father had set aside for her. Perhaps she’d travel the world or open a bookstore. It didn’t matter as long she wasn’t subverted to someone else’s will. “Enough of them, anyhow.”

“Do tell,” he answered. Darlington and Minnie had stopped just
ahead and turned back to look at them.