Page 67 of Almost A Scoundrel

A little too late.

They rounded the corner and Deerhurst cast a cautious glance over the shadows. “Did you leave the door unlocked?” he asked.

Phaedra nodded.

“Well, let’s hope no one locked it since you left.”

No one had, thank Christ.

The door opened with only the smallest of creaks and they both slipped inside without being detected.

“You don’t have to escort me from here,” she said in a whisper. “You can go home. I’m quite capable of making it to my chamber from here.”

Amusement filled him. “Then why are you gripping my arm like you might drown if you let go?”

She gasped and let go. Deerhurst anticipated the move and caught her around the shoulders as she swayed. She still hadn’t fully recovered from the wine.

“Do not argue with me, love.”

She sighed. “Very well.”

He grasped her elbow. “Lead the way.”

They quietly made their way through to the main staircase, careful to avoid the purple drawing room, tiptoeing up the flight of stairs. There was a brief moment where they heard soft grunting noises, but Deerhurst quickly led Phaedra away. A man can only stand so much.

Deerhurst released a relieved breath when they reached her bedchamber. Though at this point it didn’t matter if Lady Portia caught them together, asshehad been caught in a much more compromising position.

Two positions, in fact!

And they were branded into Deerhurst’s skull with an iron poker. Just like all the other scenes he’d witnessed in that drawing room. He redirected his focus and led Phaedra into her bedchamber.

“As you can see, I am safe and sound. You should leave before anyone finds you.”

He should. He really bloody should.

Deerhurst shut the door behind him.

Her lovely blue eyes widened. The chamber was dark, but the curtains hadn’t been drawn so the light of the moon spilled through the window, and soft embers still crackled in the hearth. Her maid must have made sure Phaedra would return to a glowing chamber and not a cold one.

“Deerhurst? What are you doing? Why aren’t you leaving?”

“I cannot go until I’m satisfied you are over the high.”

“I’m fine,” she said. “I am over the worst thanks to you.”

“No, you are not,” he denied. She might wander off in her condition. And though it was completely irrational, he didn’t want her to wander off where she might find a naked man whose back was taut and powerful. Who was to say that man wouldn’t be wandering the halls too? God knows what might happen. Given Phaedra’s curiosity, he didn’t even want to contemplate the thought.

It was better to stay.

The woman had already been kidnapped by a stranger tonight. He wasn’t about to take a chance. Christ, he himself was still recovering from the terror of the first one.

Her gaze narrowed on him. “Then when, according to you, will I be fine?”

“In the morning.”

Her eyes widened. “You plan to stay the entire night?”

“I’ll leave before dawn.”