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She did not react.

Thomas couldn’t let her sleep there. It would be deeply improper for the lady of the house to spend the night—their wedding night—not in her private chambers but in the library.

He stood up quietly and approached her. She did seem to be fast asleep, breathing quietly, her book open on her chest. He had read it himself, and he absently wondered which part of the tale she had reached, which part had thrilled her so intensely that she had voiced her excitement.

What should I do?

She was light enough for him to carry her to her bed, but he thought long and hard about that and decided that was probably not a good idea. He could not promise that he would not be compelled to stay with her, seeking what any man would look forward to on this night of all nights, discovering what else could make her gasp and shriek with delight.

Just this once.

He took off his housecoat, leaving his torso bare, and draped it over her carefully. It was big enough for such a slight woman, only her head peeking out.

She shifted slightly in her sleep, and he flinched, thinking she had woken up. Instead, she just grabbed the edge of the housecoat and pulled it all the way to her chin.

How can you be so infuriating when you are awake but so peaceful when you are asleep? Like this, covered by my housecoat, I would not think you despise me.

Thomas felt his heart climb up his throat. He felt cold and hot at the same time, and a horrible sensation gripped his psyche. He felt… compassionate. Protective, even.Attracted,perhaps.

The feeling climbed him like a cockroach.

And he grabbed that feeling. He grabbed it, crumpled it like a piece of paper, and put it in a box deep inside him.

No.

He wouldn’t allow himself to feel that way. She hated him, and he hated her—that was the reality. That was the only truth, and he needed to accept it. He would not be led astray by a Kendall, no matter how pretty, how tempting, how intoxicating she could be. He could not afford to lose his restraint.

He braced his hands against the two armrests that hemmed her in and leaned over her. Gazing down at her, imagining things he should not, imagining her beneath him in different circumstances, he hurried to blow out the candle and thethought in one soft breath, plunging the room into blissful darkness before he retreated to his bedchamber, alone.

CHAPTER 10

The sunlight hit Sophia’s eyes as it peeked through the library window, the morning’s kiss waking her up. She cringed and shifted in place, groaning, and her hands instinctively pulled up the coverlet closer.

Hold on… Why doI have a coverlet?

She opened her eyes and assessed her situation. It wasn’t a coverlet at all, but the thick, brocade housecoat that Thomas had worn last night.

She ran the events of the previous day in her head, her eyes widening in realization.

Did… did he do this?

The garment smelled faintly like him, woodsmoke and warming vetiver.Ugh.She hated that she didn’t hate the smell.

What had begun as a pretense of sleep while he had ranted about her privilege and spoiled upbringing had evidently, somewhere along the line, lulled her into real slumber. She certainly did not remember him putting his housecoat over her. Shewouldhave remembered, because it would have left him with nothing to cover his upper half at all.

Goodness…

She gripped the armrests, unable to stop herself from imagining the splendor of it. It infuriated her that she cared—and more, that she was disappointed to have missed it.

Having a stern, silent word with herself, she propelled herself out of the chair and planted her feet on the ground, the cold parquet sending shivers up her spine, making her teeth chatter.

As if she was a dog who had just heard her master wake up, the maid, Miss Wright, peeked her head into the library with a timid smile.

“Your Grace. You are awake,” she said superfluously.

Sophia smiled back. “It appears I am, yes.” She paused, suddenly embarrassed. “I’m sorry I fell asleep in the library. I imagine I am in your way—you have fires to light and books to dust, and I am thoroughly ruining your morning routine.”

“No, no, Your Grace, there’s no issue.” The maid approached and took the housecoat. “His Grace instructed me to keep an eye on you. Did you sleep well?”