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me for love, Bey. Ever." Then she put her lips to his and asked for their familiar kiss. She was mistress of the art and he was her equal. It was long, and as satisfying as a favorite meal.

When it ended, however, she drew back. "However, if you come to me again for love, I will be very disappointed. Good night, my dear."

He stared at the door as it closed behind her, very tempted to pick up his glass and hurl it against a wall.

Chapter 13

The next morning, Diana ventured warily to the private dining room for breakfast, but was still shocked to find a tall, handsome woman in the room. The stranger was dressed in a conventional plain traveling gown of rust-colored cloth, hair hidden by a cap and hat, but no one would think her conventional.

Her smooth skin had a dusky tone, and high cheekbones and dark eyes suggested the East.

"Lady Arradale," the marquess said, not apparently discomposed by being found with his mistress. "May I present the poet, Sappho?"

Diana would be within her rights to refuse to acknowledge such an unusual creature, but that might send the wrong message. How, she wondered, did one address a stranger with only one name? "Good morning, madam. You are traveling to London?"

"From London, Lady Arradale." The woman seemed happy. Contented? Satisfied? Damn them both! "I am to join a literary house party in Nottinghamshire, and I must be on my way. If you are still in London when I return, I do hope you will honor one of my salons with your presence."

Diana made polite noises - though inside she was muttering, "When the moon falls from the sky, madam."

Sappho took leave of Lord Rothgar without any intimate gestures at all. Despite their conventional behavior, however, a connection flowed between and around them, and as a parting shot, she said to him, "Very disappointed."

Diana stared at the door. She had to ask. "You have disappointed Mistress Sappho in some way?"

He came to hold out her chair. "Not yet. She was talking of future matters."

His future with the poet. Perhaps they would marry. If the woman was barren, why not? Knowing she was likely to say something spiteful and revealing, Diana put a large piece of ham into her mouth and forced herself to eat it with an appearance of relish.

When she'd swallowed ham and ill-temper, she asked, "Will we reach London today?"

"If the day goes smoothly. That will give you a soothing night's rest before the Queen's Drawing Room tomorrow."

Tomorrow. Tomorrow her trial began. That did give her more important matters to think about. She ate quickly then rose. "We had best be off."

Heading for the coach yard she gave thanks that this would be the end of this difficult journey. Much more and she would embarrass herself. Then she paused in surprise to see Clara climbing into the second coach.

"Clara, what's happening?"

The maid turned. "Me and Mr. Fettler are to travel in the baggage coach today, milady. The marquess's orders."

Diana thought she could see a speculative light in her maid's eyes, and speculations were buzzing inside her as well. She turned to the main coach with little bubbles of excitement starting to fizz.

Not, of course, that she had any intention of allowing him to seduce her - especially straight from another woman's arms! - but still...

Perhaps he wanted to talk more of this feeling that burned between them.

Perhaps he would rub her feet again.

Perhaps...

Only as she entered the luxurious coach did she notice that the opposite seats had disappeared. It took only a little investigation to see that they folded up into the front wall of the carriage. An ingenious design, especially for an owner with long legs.

Had he sent the servants to the other coach merely to be able to stretch his legs? He climbed in and did stretch his legs out. "A more comfortable arrangement, my lady. Don't you agree?"

She just might scream. "I was not particularly cramped, my lord, though it is a useful feature for a coach."

"My own design. What is more, those seats can be rearranged to make the entire carriage a bed."

She glanced at him sharply, but managed to resist any further reaction. "So," she said as the coach rolled out of the inn yard, "is that your sole reason for the change, my lord? To stretch your legs?"

"Not at all. We must rehearse you for your role in London."

Thank heavens she'd said or done nothing to reveal the way her mind