“I am sorry to be such poor company. What has come of my manners? You were speaking of your brother’s horse.”
“Nothing that can’t wait. Sod it all, but I didn’t quite get my fill of Ollie’s fine cooking. Might I interest you two ladies in a brief repast?”
Diana had fled before she could stop at the sideboard in the breakfast room, and her stomach was in danger of rumbling. But Izzie leaned close to whisper: “The pie, my lady. Cook will have my backside. I want him to teach me to bake them like he does.”
“I think you would enjoy Ollie’s famous Santea soup.”Albion flashed an agreeable smile at Isabel, whose jaw went positively agape at his six-foot-something figure and handsome green face. “I assure you it is well worth a fuss.”
Predictably taken by this Orcan charm, Isabel brightened. But Diana had learned to be wary of charming men. Giving in to such enchantments led to nothing but trouble. And yet, though Diana felt immune to such gallantry, she was forced to admit Albion was sweet. Something about his manner distinguished him from the typical London Lothario.
“I’m sure your lady here can provide any necessary explanations.” Albion turned to Diana once more and flashed her an amiable smile not unlike that which disarmed Izzie. Only it was very much unlike it because this smile seemed meant for her alone, reaching into his amber eyes. “What say you?”
If Mother were to catch her inside a tavern, and in the company of a gentleman at that, she would drag her away by the ear. Then again, Diana’s mother had long since abandoned caring for anything other than her wine goblet. And she was still in Brighton.
Either way, Lord Albion betrayed no sign he had suggested an assignation out of the ordinary. The unwritten rules governing unmarried ladies and gentlemen were less severe in the Hidden Realm, or so she’d heard.
Since they had traveled further than she intended, having Albion escort them home seemed sensible, as was ensuring they were fortified adequately for the walk back.
“It is a generous offer,” Diana said. “I suppose we might join you for a short while.”
“Shall we then?” Lord Albion extended his arm with all the good manners of London’s well-bred gents. And Diana couldn’t help but feel the day had finally taken a turn for the better.
CHAPTER FOUR
As he escorted them inside, Albion stooped to avoid hitting his head against the rafters. A common enough problem when one was so wonderfully tall, Diana supposed.
Candlelight twinkled in the bronze sconces lining the dark paneled walls. The dense beams slanted at an angle. The entire place held the warm, herbal fragrance of its signature soup. Flames snapped in the fire burning in the stone hearth. The high tea rooms and genteel shops at Burlington Arcade could not compare. She felt a delicious sense of possibility here.
The tavern was situated on the ground floor of an inn, empty but for the woman and her family Diana had previously spotted through the window. Now, they quietly thanked the proprietor for a fine meal and headed toward the stairway, to retire to their room.
The innkeeper turned to Albion, Diana, and Isabel, greeting them with a broad smile and a hearty, “Lord Albion! You can’t get enough of that Santea soup, it seems.”
“Another ale for me, Ollie. And the ladies will sample your famous concoction.”
“Along with a lemonade for myself and Miss Isabel, if you please,” Diana offered.
“Straightaway. Now, I’ve a proposition for you, love. Tell me your honest opinion of the soup, and I’ll make itgratisfor you and your miss.”
This Ollie fellow graciously steered Izzie to a high-backed stool in front of the bar, a spot that, while in their eye line, was at a distance sufficient to afford Albion and Diana some measure of privacy. They took seats across from one another at a long wooden table close to the hearth.
After Ollie brought out a steaming bowl of Santea soup for Diana and a tankard of ale for Albion, her Orcan friend folded his hands before him on the thick block of a table.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s troubling you?” Albion said. “Mind, I can’t promise to fix anything, but I can listen to your story. And I swear on my family’s honor that you shall have my utmost discretion.”
He spoke in a melodious baritone, revealing the serious man underneath the façade. His demeanor portrayed little of the casual gent about town she’d witnessed the prior evening.Bergamot and lavender cologne layered with his skin’s earthy, masculine scent. His muscles strained at his fine clothes. She had a sudden and extraordinary urge to touch the massive horns nestled amidst his abundant black hair. Were they as provocatively smooth as they seemed?
“Thank you for the kindness, but I do not expect help with difficulties solely of my making.”
“Naming those problems aloud may prompt a solution of your devising. A catalyst, as it were.”
“Catalyst? Your mastery of our vocabulary is impressive, Lord Albion.”
He shrugged, momentarily discomfited. “Dunc’s influence. He has always been a gentleman of considerable learning. Come now. Give your tale free rein.”
“You do not know what thetonsays about me?”
“Rumormongers invariably have a great deal to say about matters which are none of their concern.”
“Such as my indiscretion with a gentleman engaged to my sister?”
