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Daisy stood up with a grin and took Georgiana’s hand. “All right then. Goodnight, Your Grace,” she said with a coquettish curtsy to Robert.

“Good night.”

Robert was disappointed to see them go but could understand why Georgiana did not want to extend the evening. He could only guess how unsteady she must be feeling. She probably did not want anyone’s eyes on her as she processed what had taken place between them.

Robert could only hope it would not send her fleeing to the hills.

He stood up and dragged himself from the room and up the stairs to his chambers, wishing the footmen a good night and reminding them to douse all the candles before they retired for the evening.

He collapsed on his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

“I need a bath,” he said, regretting that he had not asked one of the footmen to bring up some hot water.

“Do you, Your Grace? I shall have water brought right away.”

He jumped slightly, turning his head to see Stanley sitting on a stool in the corner.

“Have you been there all this time?”

“Of course. I was waiting to help you out of your garments.”

“Yes well…thank you. I will need a bath this evening. Or maybe just a carafe of hot water and a cloth to wipe myself down.”

“I can help you with that.”

“Thank you, but no. I can do it myself.”

Stanley nodded. “Very well.”

Stanley stood up and walked towards the fire, stoking it before disappearing behind the screen that separated the bed from the water closet. He came back with a small iron cauldron filled with water and hung it over the fire. He then arranged a basin, a jug of cold water, and the various items Robert might need for his ablutions.

“Will there be anything else, Your Grace.”

“Not for tonight. Thank you, Stanley. You may go.”

He executed a bow. “Good night then, Your Grace.”

“Good night.”

Robert stripped off his clothes and tossed them onto the bed.

He saw a jug of drinking water and a glass on his bedside table and suddenly felt thirsty. He poured himself a full glass and drank it all before crossing over to the sideboard, where he washed the stickiness from his thighs and the sweat from his chest while reliving the passionate session he had just enjoyed with Georgiana.

It was all he could do to stop himself from becoming aroused again.

I am in big trouble.

CHAPTER 21

“So… were you thanking the duke for his gift ofpuits d’amouror were you tussling?” her little sister finally asked as they reached the top of the stairs.

Daisy kept staring at her as they climbed the stairs, but Georgiana could not bring herself to meet her sister’s eyes.

If she had come in mere minutes earlier, she would have found Georgiana almost naked, and looking extremely debauched. She knew her disheveled appearance had not escaped Daisy’s eye. She could only console herself with the thought that it could have been worse.

“We were having a nightcap, and that is all you need to know,” Georgiana said firmly.

Daisy giggled. “And here I was, in such a hurry to get back because I thought you would be worried. Perhaps I should have stayed the night at Ariana’s.”