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His response was to lift an eyebrow ‘Masterson?’ he challenged laconically

She gave a quick shake of her head ‘No, but’

‘Yes?’ he prompted, as she trailed off

Diana took a breath, clasping her hands in her lap She made her voice composed, but decisive ‘I spend very little time in London, Mr Tramontes, and because of that it would bepointless to accept anyahfurther invitation from you For whatever purpose’

She said no more It struck her that for hi of a fictional case of adultery in the plot of Don Carlos was iven that he’d just asked her out Clearly he was not averse to playing away hiht acidly

She saw him ease his shoulders back into the soft leather of his seat Saw a sardonic sht a sudden scent of his aftershave, felt the closeness of his presence

‘Do you knowlook in his dark eyes

She pressed her htly ‘I don’t need to, Mr Tra it clear that since I don’t spend o to the opera, whoo with’

‘You’re returning to Hampshire?’

She nodded ‘Yes Indefinitely I don’t knohen I shall be next in town,’ she said, wanting to make crystal-clear her unavailability

He seemed to accept her answer ‘I quite understand,’ he said easily

She felt a sense of relief go through her He was backing off—she could tell For all that, she still felt a level of agitation that was unsettling It came simply from his physical closeness She are that her heart rate had quickened It was unnerving

Then, thankfully, the car was turning off Piccadilly and drawing up outside the hotel where she was staying The door out, trying not to hurry Making her voice composed once more

‘Goodnight, Mr Tra at the opera, and thank you for this lift now’

She disappeared inside the haven of the hotel