Page 75 of Tempting the Earl

She gave a soft laugh then swung her feet toward the edge of the bed and slid her bottom across his satin coverlet. “What? Did you think I’d suddenly become properly demure?”

She stood and reached for her nightgown. Colin watched with a flash of chagrin as the billowy cotton drifted down over her perfect curves. After slipping on her robe, she approached him with a sparkle in her green eyes. She smoothed the fabric of his coat before gently fluffing his cravat. “Do you always dress without assistance?”

“Not usually,” he answered, realizing it hadn’t even occurred to him to call for his valet.

“I’m grateful then to be allowed such a rare opportunity. I had no idea watching a man at his toilet could be so”—she sighed—“illuminating.”

He had to breathe deeply through his nose to counteract the intense urge to grasp her by the arms and pull her swiftly and powerfully against him.

As though fully aware of the conflict raging inside him, she tilted her head and smiled. “You should probably see to your guest.”

She was right. “Join me.”

She gave a small start of surprise. “Join you?”

“Yes. No doubt whatever he has to say will be of interest to you so saves me the trouble of having to repeat everything later.”

She stepped back and looked down at her nightclothes. “I’ll have to get dressed first.”

“I’ll ensure the way is clear for you to return to your room.”

She nodded.

After peeking out the door to confirm the hallway was empty, he waved her forward. She slipped past him with a mischievous little smile and a suggestive pat on his rear that made his stomach tighten.

If he didn’t get himself under control, he’d be battling a semi-aroused state the rest of the day.

He waited several breaths to ensure she’d made it safely to her bedroom and had a little time to start dressing before striding from his room. He asked the first maid he encountered to advise Miss Morgan that he’d like her to join him in the library.

Mr. Davies, Esq. stood with his back to the fireplace at the far end of the room. A man of somewhat indeterminate age, with reddish-brown hair, a dark gaze, a somewhat perpetually flushed complexion, and a slightly overweight physique, Davies was the established go-between for Colin and Nightshade. Though Davies didn’t fidget or frown, he gave the distinct impression of being quite impatient and significantly irritated at the delay in receiving an audience.

“My apologies, Mr. Davies, for keeping you waiting,” Colin said as he approached to shake the man’s hand. “It’s rather early in the day to receive callers.”

“Yes, well,” Mr. Davies sputtered with more than a hint of indignation, “as I advised your butler, I’ve an urgent matter to relay to you, my lord.”

Just as the man finished speaking, Colin heard a flurry of movement behind him. Turning, he saw Ainsworth, dressed in a pretty yellow frock with her hair twisted casually into a bun atop her head, rushing into the room. “You requested my presence, my lord?” she said brightly.

Colin forced back a smile. Damn, she was lovely.

To Mr. Davies, he said, “This is Miss Morgan. She also has an interest in your investigation so I’ve invited her to join us.”

Mr. Davies gave a short nod of acknowledgement, clearly not concerned with whom Colin decided to bring into the matter.

“As I stated to your man, I’ve news of a rather urgent nature I thought you’d like to be apprised of immediately.”

“Of course. Thank you for the consideration. Shall we all have a seat?”

Davies lifted a hand. “No time for that, my lord. I’ve only a few more minutes to spare.”

Colin glanced to Ainsworth, who was eying the man curiously.

“As you wish, sir. What have you discovered?”

“We’ve located Max Owen.”

Shock and relief followed the words. This was not at all what Colin had expected to hear.

After so many months with absolutely no sign of his youngest brother’s whereabouts or even if he still lived, the possibility that he’d been found was totally unexpected. As he stood absorbing the unexpected news, Ainsworth stepped up beside him. Not so close as to touch him, but he felt her all the same.

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