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She put on a mock thinking expression. “Hmm, what do you suppose it was?”

He looked around the bed in a mock search. “Well, your sheets are made of the same silk as mine. So that cannot be it. Perhaps it was having you in them.”

“Yes, that is a possibility. But surely, you have had people in your bed before.”

He shook his head seriously. “Not to sleep. This is my first time.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Truly?”

“Yes.” He nodded and reached out to pull her closer. “You are my first sleeping companion.”

“That is all very well and good, but in order to protect the integrity of this arrangement, it would behoove us both to perform some morning ablutions.”

He laughed. “I suppose you are right. But I must admit that I am reluctant to leave you.”

“I promise you it will not be for long. We can clean our teeth and then return.”

His face brightened. “You have some excellent ideas. Let us do that.”

They both sat up and realized that she was still in her gown, although it was wrinkled and twisted, while Robert wore only his shirt, his breeches having disappeared somewhere on the floor. They looked at each other and laughed sheepishly.

Georgiana reached up to touch her hair. “I must look a fright.”

“Scandalous, I assure you,” Robert said blithely.

“Terrible,” she agreed with the nod of her head.

“Debauched,” he agreed.

They looked at each other and burst into laughter. Robert pulled the blankets away. “Come, let us dress ourselves before we scandalize the help.”

Throwing off her own covers, she left the bed and turned her back towards him.

“Help me with my stays?” she asked.

He unlaced her stays, pushed down her gown, massaged her back to return circulation to her skin, then dropped a kiss on her shoulder.

“When do you expect Cecile to come bursting in?” he asked as he washed his face and reached for the powder to brush his teeth.

“Oh, she usually waits for me to ring the bell.”

“Mmm. How civilized of her. My valet is far ruder. He just walks in when he decides I have slept long enough.”

Georgiana giggled. “You know, before…all this, I assumed that your employees were afraid of you, but that is not the case, is it?”

He turned to stare at her, his mouth full of powder. “Why would they fear me?” he garbled.

She shrugged. “Well, you exude an intimidating air, Your Grace.” She walked slowly towards him in her shift. “I wasintimidated at first. That is why I was very reserved on our wedding day.”

He spit out the powder and rinsed his mouth before moving aside for her to perform her own ablutions.

“Is that so? I had assumed that you were some kind of shrinking violet.”

“One can only be a shrinking violet if they are responsible for nothing.” She splashed water on her face before reaching for the lavender soap. “That’s not a luxury I have ever had.”

He stepped behind her and circled her waist with his hands, pulling her against him as she scrubbed her face.

“Well, you have that luxury now, so shrink away,” he whispered in her ear before kissing the edge of her jaw.