Page 31 of The Duke of Ruin
He said it so matter-of-factly, as if there weren’t a multitude of things that could arise from sharing a bed so intimately. But really, what was she afraid of? He wouldn’t take liberties, of that she was certain.
Then what was it?
That she’d want him to.
Oh, yes, that was a true fear, and one she mustn’t think about. Fears only became worse if you entertained them.
He broke into her rambling thoughts. “It’s all right, I’ll make do.” He started to turn, and the bed creaked with his movement.
“No, you’re right. We should move the blanket.” She pulled it up from beneath the covers and sat up to unroll it.
He joined her, and their hands touched as they both reached to spread it out across the bed. Their gazes locked in the dim light from the fire—and held.
She didn’t know how long they sat like that, but it was long enough for a thrill to steal across her shoulders. She shivered.
He held up the covers. “Back into the bed with you. I’ll apologize now if I get too close in the night, but it’s only to keep warm, I assure you.”
She settled into the mattress, snuggling deep beneath the covers and staying as close to the edge as she dared. Still, she felt his heat behind her, and instead of being scandalized, she felt…pleasant.
As she drifted off to sleep, she thought it might not be bad if he cozied up with her, not because he was cold but because he wanted to.
Chapter 7
Alight rapon the door pulled Simon’s eyes open. He was aware of two things: someone was coming into their room, and Diana’s body was pressed up against his, her hand resting on his chest with two of her fingertips breaching the V-neck of his nightshirt so that they were flesh to flesh. Simon gently took her hand and tucked it to his side before bringing his head up from the pillow.
The intruder was a boy. He glanced toward the bed, and seeing that Simon was awake, pointed at the fireplace. Realizing the boy was here to tend the fire, Simon nodded. He raised his finger to his lips and gestured toward Diana with his head. The boy bowed and went about his work.
Simon lay back and stared at the low, pitched ceiling. Diana moved softly against him, her hand moving over his arm and resting on the underside of his elbow. It seemed she wasn’t content unless she had a hold of him. He didn’t mind that. No, in fact, his cock was quite pleased to have her touch.
Shit.This was Coventry all over again. Well, not precisely. At least last night, he hadn’t completely overstepped propriety and showed her how to pleasure herself. He’d permitted one transgression with her. He wouldn’t allow another.
Just one?
What of stealing her away to the north of England and utterly changing her life? She couldn’t go back to her family without facing certain outrage and castigation, not to mention the public scorn she may endure. He hoped she would choose beginning her life anew in a place where she wasn’t known. Lord knows he would’ve done that if he could. Dukes, however, couldn’t disappear. But they could wander, especially when no one much cared.
The boy finished and left. Regretfully, Simon removed Diana’s hand once more before slipping out of the bed. The room was cold, but the replenished fire was beginning to warm it up. Eager to see if they could leave, he went to the window. His heart sank, for the yard and road beyond were completely covered in a thick blanket of white. The sky was dark and gray, and it looked as if it would snow again.
Blast it all.
“What is it?”
He turned from the window to see Diana sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes. He stared at her for a moment before answering. She was unbearably lovely, her dark hair braided into a thick rope that draped across her right shoulder. He followed the line of that braid and couldn’t help but appreciate the swell of her breasts beneath her night rail. He jerked his gaze back to her face just as she was blinking at him, her features still creased and drowsy with sleep.
“There’s quite a bit of snow on the ground,” he said. “And it looks to snow again.”
“We can’t leave today?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then I guess we get to have a snowball fight.” Her lips curved into a smile that made his heart jump.
“I thought you were afraid of getting wet. It’s not as if we have an endless supply of clothing. At least not with us. I imagine you have a vast wardrobe.”
“Too vast, truth be told.” There was an edge of distaste to her tone. Last night, she’d talked of coming to know him well. He’d come to know her too, and she did not like playing the role of debutante.
“Come, then, let’s get dressed, and we can have a small snowball fight.” He realized he wasn’t dressed at all. He wore a nightshirt that hung to his thighs. And nothing else. He’d been careful to be dressed in front of her, and here he was standing here in the dim morning light, practically naked.
She knew it too. Her gaze had traveled slowly over his form and now she worked to keep her attention focused on the coverlet, which she clasped to her chin. “I’ll just wait here until you’re dressed.”
