Page 108 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

‘I apologise if I’m mistaken, but I don’t believe we’ve met.’

‘You’re not mistaken.’

‘Ah.’ Relief washed over her. ‘I thought not.’

His eyes flicked to her lips and held there a moment. Deep inside, she was conscious of the way her heart began to rush a little faster. His hand, so much bigger than hers, reached out and curved over hers. She was glad for the silky glove she wore and the protection it gave her from being skin to skin with this man. Unlike many of the other male guests, he didn’t wear gloves of his own and she could see his tanned, strong fingers in all their glory.

Glory?

Hands?

She closed her eyes quickly, reassuring herself she’d had only a few sips of mulled wine and was not under the effects of alcohol.

‘Javier Diamandi.’

Her eyes widened as she instantly realised why there was something familiar about this man. The brother of Otto Diamandi, with whom she’d been dancing earlier. They were alike, but somehow different.

‘I know your brother.’

‘I presumed as much.’

There was something in his tone that sparked her curiosity. A sense of reserve, of carefully cultivated blandness that she suspected spoke of far deeper feelings. Years of perceiving and reading people had left her with flawless skills in that department.

‘Oh?’

‘You were just dancing together.’

‘That’s true.’ Her eyes shifted across the room, to where Otto was standing at the banquet table, in conversation with two other men. ‘I’ve known him a long time.’

‘I’m not surprised.’

‘You’re not impressed either.’

She shifted her gaze back to his to find a hint of surprise in the depths of his eyes, but he stayed silent.

‘You don’t live in the country?’

‘No.’

She kept her expression carefully neutral. ‘And you don’t come back often?’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘I feel sure Otto would have mentioned you.’

‘How well do you know my brother?’

If she’d been raised with the liberty of reacting visibly to her feelings while in public, she might have frowned. Instead, her eyes flickered the slightest amount as she contemplated the slight pause as he asked the question and why he might have asked it at all.

‘We see one another at events such as this.’

He nodded thoughtfully.

‘He’s the only man you’ve danced with tonight.’

Her heart turned over. That was a danger in and of itself. The last thing she wanted was for the rumour mill to swing into action before she was ready. Before she’d made a decision about the man she wanted to be her husband.

‘He’s the only person to ask me.’