Chapter Four (ImFanci)
Lord Garrick was a gracious host. With graying hair and almost as tall as her fiancé, he stood as proudly as any member of his class. Though Diana had never met him before tonight, his gentle eyes and warm smile reassured her that not all of England’s finest citizens were as arrogant as the next. She glanced at Bru…Lord Wayne. It still puzzled her why she had to address him so formally.
As they made their way around the fine interior of Keystone Manor, they were greeted by another of her fiancé’s acquaintances. “Good evening, Miss Prince. It is a pleasure to see you again, and may I dare say you look rather lovely tonight.” The tall blond man took Diana’s gloved hand and brought it to his mustached lips. After bestowing a light kiss on
her hand, he turned to Wayne with a devilish grin and gleam in his eyes. “Wayne, you are the luckiest man in London. If Miss Prince had met me first, you would say the same about me.”
“When will you grow out of your adolescence, Oliver?” Wayne answered. “It has been many years since our days at Oxford.”
“Even then you were just as droll.” Lord Oliver turned his attention back to Diana. “Now that the pleasantries are over, I need to have a private word with the Earl on a business matter. Will you excuse us, please?” Even Wayne turned to her for her endorsement.
“Certainly.” With a slight nod of approval, Diana walked away as the two men headed in the opposite direction. Having a healthy appetite, she made her way towards the displayed hors d’oeuvres.
He had been watching her since the moment she arrived. After all, it was now part of his duty to maintain her safety. Since she was now alone, Kent started walking towards Miss Prince. He decided it would be advantageous to begin his interview with her instead of waiting until the next morning at Wayne Manor.
As the steps he took brought him closer to Miss Prince, he began tucking at his collar and pressing down on the lapels of his dinner jacket. It still unnerved him that she took his breath away at the sight of her. ‘Calm down, Clark. You’re not a school boy, and she is betrothed to someone else,’ as he scolded himself.
Clearing his throat, he said, “Miss Prince? We met earlier today. I’m Inspector Kent.”
Recognizing the voice, Diana turned around with a warm smile and left it fixed on her face. The man in front of her was certainly the same one she met hours ago at Scotland Yard. This time, he looked dashing. His black dinner attire may not be of the same richness as Bruce’s, but Kent could easily rival him in appearance.
Finding her voice, “Yes, of course, I remember you, Inspector.” As he smiled in return, she noticed his eyes were vividly blue and reminded her of the inviting seas of home.
Swallowing what saliva she had, “Let me guess: You are here because Lord Garrick is a friend, or you are fulfilling part of your duty as bodyguard.”
“Both assumptions would be correct, but slightly inaccurate on the first. Actually, one of Lord Garrick’s relatives is a good friend of mine and Lord Garrick is always kind enough to extend his dinner invitations to me. And since I am here, I am at your service.” Almost as an afterthought, Kent continued, “I must commend you on your deductive reasoning. I wish many more at Scotland Yard had your sharp mind.”
“Thank you. Now, I’m sure you have some questions for me as well that are pertinent to your investigation.” With one raised finely arched eyebrow, Diana continued, “Would you like to begin your questioning now?”
Kent was once again impressed by Ms. Prince. “It seems you have me at a disadvantage. Apparently you read minds as well.”
Diana’s short burst of laughter had a few curious looks turn in their direction. With laughter still reflected in her eyes, she replied, “Inspector Kent, if I could read minds, then I would have made certain decisions long ago.”
Before Kent realized it, he admitted, “You are amazing.” At her surprised look, he continued, “I’m sorry. I should not have said that. That was improper of me.” All he could do was wait for a berating response from her. But it did not come. Diana could see that Kent was earnest. For reasons unknown to her, she held his gaze for what seemed like eons. She was about to tell him she was not offended when she was interrupted.
“There you are, my dear. The business with Lord Oliver took too long for my liking.” As Wayne stood beside Diana, he possessively put his hand on the small of her back. Turning his attention to Kent, “Inspector, I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow.”
Noting the veiled demand in Lord Wayne’s tone, Kent simply replied, “I was invited as you were.”
“Yes, the Inspector is a friend of Lord Garrick’s family,” Diana added. As something else caught her attention, she said, “And speaking of family friends, here comes one of yours, Lord Wayne.”
Kent glanced to see Miss Prince had visibly stiffened and she was no longer smiling. Both men turned to see who Diana was referring to. The attractive brunette sashaying her way towards them had the smile of a lioness about to pounce on her prey pasted on her face, and her eyes were on Lord Wayne. As she joined their group, she briefly acknowledged Diana with a nod. She gave a slight smile at Kent as she admired his face and build, but her cursory glance of his attire determined that he no longer interested her. Finally resting her eyes on the prize, she said, “Good evening, Lord Wayne. It is always a delightful surprise whenever we meet.”
Wayne, appreciating the amount of attention he was given, replied, “Good evening, to you, too, Miss Lane.”
