Page 89 of The Duke of Seduction
“That’s what petticoats are for, silly.” She reached down and lifted her dress to expose her undermost petticoat that no one would ever see, then awkwardly used it to dry him off, pushing his hands aside.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he said.
“I wanted to.” She set to tidying herself.
He kissed her lips, her cheek, her forehead. “You are the most thoughtful woman.”
“I’m sensible.”
He laughed. “Yes. Very.”
She sensed that he’d relaxed and felt relieved. “I suppose I should return to the ball.”
“I’ll escort you back.”
“No, you go,” she said. “I’ll say I was in the retiring room. That way, we won’t look so obvious.”
He groaned softly. “I didn’t mean to cause a stir. But what am I to do? You’re irresistible.”
“And insatiable.”
“Yes, and never change.” He kissed her again. “Ready?”
She let out a breath, not quite ready to leave him, but knowing she must. “Yes.”
He opened the door a bare sliver, just enough to allow a faint bit of light. He plucked up her gloves and handed them to her.
She worked them on as he found his own and did the same. “I’ll see you at church tomorrow, then?”
“Yes.”
She patted her hair and pressed her hands to her cheeks, thinking she would definitely stop by the retiring room first—both to bolster her alibi and to ensure she didn’t look tousled. She certainlyfelttousled, and it was glorious.
Pressing a final kiss to his lips, she whispered, “I love you.”
As she left the closet, she heard him say, “Not as much as I love you.”
