Page 27 of One Naughty Christmas Night

Victoria cracked the door open again. Heath leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

“She’s doing fine,” he replied.

“That’s good to hear. Mother wanted me to ask you since you and Victoria are so close. She felt that Victoria would be more likely to speak to you about it if there was an issue. The Duke apparently was worried as well.”

She could barely see Heath’s eyes widen. “The Duke was worried too? Well, he does love Victoria as his own.”

Victoria clamped a hand over her mouth to keep her gasp of surprise from escaping, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew that Heath’s family loved her, but for them to be so concerned for her overwhelmed her.

“He does, as his own daughter,” Quinn replied. “Why do you think that is?”

“Well, she’s an amazing person, Quinn. She is sweet, funny, and so kind. And she handles this crazy family so well, including the Duke. That’s why I love her; she’s my best friend.”

Quinn clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Make sure to keep an eye on her. I’d hate to see her hurt again because of that man.”

“If anything happens, I’ll be sure to let Father know. It’s almost Christmas though, so who knows.” Heath stood, heading toward the door. “Is that all that was worrying you?”

“It was.” Quinn joined him by the door. “I also did want to say though, that you deserve to find a nice girl.”

“I will find someone when I’m ready, Quinn. I want to have what you have, eventually. And I will. Have faith that your brother can find love, the same as you.”

Quinn laughed, then glanced around again. Victoria was able to catch a glance of the peculiar look on his face.

“Something wrong?” Heath asked.

“I thought I smelled Valentina’s perfume. I must be mistaken.”

Victoria clapped her hand over her mouth to smother her gasp.

“Indeed,” he replied, clutching the doorknob.

“I just left her in our room, so it’s impossible.” He tugged his shirt away from his body and sniffed it. “Maybe it’s me.”

“Women’s fragrances are quite strong and often get attached to everything. I can come home after spending time with Victoria and her family and smell like her sometimes, too,” Heath replied. Quinn shook his head with a laughing sigh.

“I’ll see you downstairs,” he said, then he left the room.

Heath closed and locked the door behind him and rushed to the armoire.

He yanked the doors open and pinned her with a stare. “Your perfume almost gave us away.”

“I didn’t know it was the sameyour brother’s wifeuses. She gave it to me for my birthday and didn’t tell me that it was her favorite.”

Holding out his hands, he helped her from the armoire.

She became acutely aware of her nakedness, and her face warmed as Heath’s eyes raked over her.

Silence stretched between them and Heath stepped toward the bed when a maid’s voice came through the door from the hall.

“The house is awake now, so you’ll need to be careful on the way back to your room,” he said. Digging through the covers, he located her nightgown, tugging it from between the sheets. He held it up. “Would you like me to help you with it?”

Her stomach in knots, she looked down at the sheet, then back at the nightgown.

“All right,” she replied, stepping forward.

Placing it over her head, she slipped one arm into it, the other hand holding the sheet in place.

He tugged the gown down to cover her, and she let the sheet drop, the fabric pooling at her feet. She slid her other arm into the nightgown and stepped from the pile, jumping when he reached for her.