Page 12 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

Tonight, she only had one child to care for, and Edwin was not prone to night terrors. His father, on the other hand, could barge into this room at any moment.

So much for a lengthy bath.

The man was a puzzle, she thought, pulling his nightshirt over her head. The garment was heavy and swaddled her yet it was softer against her skin than anything she owned.

Sadie yawned, opening the adjoining door and stilled. The Duke lay on his back, feet dangling off the bed. He had thrown one arm over his forehead, and the other arm draped his son’s blanket-covered leg.

Her heart warmed at seeing the pair sleeping side by side. The sight dug up tender memories of snuggling beside her own parents, and feeling safe, protected, loved. The Duke of Montdale House was not lacking in the least. Deciding not to wake him, she returned to the Duke’s room and curled onto her side on top of the cover at the far end of the bed. Grateful for the warmth of the fire that lulled her to sleep. His scent from the nightshirt wrapped around her, imbedding itself on her last conscious inhale.

Sadie’s eyes flew open, and she screeched when the duvet lifted, tossing her off the bed. She landed on the floor beside the bed with a thud. “What the devil?” she groaned.

Then she heard an answering groan as Lord Gilleasbuig fell face-first into the center of his mattress.

She sprang to her feet. Was this his idea of how to treat a lady? “Do you toss all the women from your bed so unceremoniously?” She poked him hard in the arm, but his only response was a grunt of annoyance and a haphazard swatting at her hand as one would a fly.

Sadie gritted her teeth. She hoped his wife fared better, she thought, returning to the other bedchamber. Then jealousy made her stumble at the thought of this man belonging to another.

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