Page 74 of The Duke of Pain

Damon stood so swiftly he knocked over the chair. Yes, already she was thinking of him as Damon. His cheeks flushed at the mention of Miss Galway’s name. How odd; was he acquainted with the lady detective?

“Show her in, Hobson,” Gideon declared.

Damon threw his napkin on the table. “I have to go.”

Hobson escorted Miss Galway into the room. She was attractive, with dark brown hair shot with gold. Her gaze locked with Damon’s, and Olivia could swear crackles of electricity leaped between them. How curious indeed.

If Damon was flustered before, he quickly gained control. He bowed slightly.

“Miss Galway, we always seem to be running into each other. How long has it been? Several months at least.”

“Several months hardly constitutes ‘always running into each other.’ If we are lucky several months more will pass before it happens again,” Miss Galway retorted.

Oh, dear.

Perhaps Olivia was wrong about the sparks, for that was a direct hit if ever she had seen or heard one.

Damon mockingly laid his hand on his heart and staggered. “Ouch. Bullseye. You’ve got me, Miss Galway. A fatal shot to the heart.”

Miss Galway frowned, but there was no mistaking the high color in her cheeks.

“You don’t have a heart,” she murmured so low Olivia was not sure that is what she said.

If Damon heard, he ignored it. He came around the table and faced Olivia, then took her hand.

“I must dash. But I would like to come and visit before I leave for Spain, may I?”

“Yes. You may.”

Damon faced her, lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed it. Then he peered over her hand to catch her gaze and mouthed, “sister.”

One of those tears lingering in the corner of her eyes escaped and trickled down Olivia’s cheek.

Damon stood upright. “Gideon. I will send word about the meeting with Huxley. When are you available?”

“Best make it late tomorrow morning. Yes, send word.”

Damon gave a jaunty wave and turned to depart. But he stopped in front of Miss Galway. In fact, he stood very close to her. Taking her gloved hand, he slowly lifted it toward his lips.

Miss Galway did not pull away or offer any verbal insults. Instead, she met his gaze boldly. There were those jolts of electricity again. The air literally snapped and crackled. He lingered as if he were nibbling on her knuckles.

“Good afternoon, Miss Galway. Until we meet again. It may be sooner than you think.”

And with that, Damon quit the room.

“Oh, that scoundrel,” Miss Galway hissed crossly through clenched teeth. “I am sorry, Your Grace, if he is your friend. I should not be saying such.”

Gideon stood, sauntered toward her, and offered his arm. She took it, and he escorted her to the table.

“I understand completely. Brookton has that effect on people. And I said to please call me Gideon. And this is Olivia Durham, my fiancée. She will be sitting in on this meeting as she is well aware of the particulars. Can I fetch you something? A scone? Something more substantial?”

“Oh,” Miss Galway seemed surprised at the fiancée reference, but she recovered quickly enough. She then glanced at the sideboard filled with silver chafing dishes. “It does look tempting.”

“Please,” Olivia smiled. “Have something. Would you care for tea, Althea? And do call me Olivia. I hope we can become better acquainted, for I am dying to hear all about your investigative agency. How I admire you and your sister for starting up such a venture.”

“Oh, thank you.” Althea smiled. “And I would love a cup of tea. And Gideon, some bacon and toast, if you please. And perhaps cheese as well.”

Once the food was served and they were all settled in their seats, Althea took out her notebook. Then Olivia watched with fascination as Althea placed the sliced cheese and bacon between the toasted bread.