Page 80 of Road Trip With a Rogue

The men lingered at the table when the ladies withdrew, and Daisy couldn’t decide if she was relieved or disappointed when Tess suggested they retire to their respective rooms. She was tired after the long day of traveling, but still craved more interaction with Lucien.

Here, in a private setting with friends, the rules of propriety were more relaxed, but she was already dreading the return to London. The stifling social restrictionsthere would mean her every move would be watched and commented on.

Life would be unbearably dull if she had to avoid Lucien. What was the point in attending a ball without the possibility of catching his eye across the room and seeing if she could drive him to distraction? She wanted to make him abandon all good sense, and drag her away into a broom closet or hedge maze and show her exactly how men like him treated provoking women like her: with the delicious “punishment” of debauchery.

Tess and Ellie offered to come into her room to talk, but for possibly the first time in their acquaintance, Daisy pleaded fatigue. She adored them both—but she needed to think.

Jenny helped her undress and get ready for bed, and when she was gone, Daisy looked around the room she’d used for years with fresh eyes. Had it really been only five days ago that she’d slept here last? Before she’d given herself to Vaughan.

It seemed a lifetime ago, and she a different woman.

She couldn’t regret what had happened. Wicked she might be, but in the darkest, most secret recesses of her mind, she was glad that things had come to this. If she was completely honest, she’d spent years fantasizing about belonging to him, of possessing him in return. Of having him thoroughly entwined in her life.

Even if hehadonly offered marriage because he was being noble, she’d make sure he never had cause to regret it. They were well suited. Both of them were capable of being sneaky, stubborn, and manipulative. Both of them liked to win. She was more than a match for him.

Tess had put him in the room at the far end of the corridor, just two doors down from Daisy. They were theonly two guests in this particular wing of the house. Ellie and Harry had been moved to a larger set of rooms in the east wing, near Tess and Justin’s own master suite, and Daisy didn’t know whether to curse Tess for her unsubtle encouragement or to laugh at her silent approval.

Lucien’s tread sounded on the boards outside her door an hour or so later. Daisy held her breath, but while his steps slowed, he passed by without stopping and she ignored the little tug of disappointment that snagged in her chest.

She’d rejected him. She couldn’t complain if he did the noble thing now and gave her some space. Even if she wished he’d stay true to form and simply barge into her room and ravish her.

Pride demanded that she keep refusing him until he at least proposed properly, but it was clearly up to her to get him to that point.

Something had to be done.

Daisy waited another twenty minutes, then slipped out of bed. Her silk dressing gown matched her scandalously sheer nightgown, both a glorious emerald green, edged in black lace. Madame Lefèvre had insinuated that such styles were all the rage in Paris, especially among the beautiful courtesans at the Palais Royale.

Most noble ladies would have been offended to have been shown such harlot’s garments. Daisy, Tess, and Ellie had ordered three sets each. Madame knew her clients’ tastes to perfection.

No doubt Justin and Harry had already been brought to their knees by the seductive silk and their respective wives. Now it was Vaughan’s turn.

Daisy’s heart was in her throat as she turned the brass doorknob as quietly as she could and stepped out into the dimly lit hallway. A single oil lamp had been left burningat the far end, and its flame flickered as Vaughan’s own door suddenly opened too.

Daisy stilled.

He glanced up, his hand still on the door handle, and his eyes darkened at the sight of her, caught motionless in exactly the same position down the hall. He was wearing a banyan robe of deep burgundy, with a sash tied around his waist. A tantalizingVof bronzed skin showed at the neck. Was he naked underneath? She hoped so.

“Going somewhere?” she asked innocently.

“Just looking for a glass of water.”

She bit back a snort at his innocuous tone. “That’s odd. There’s nearly always some in every room. Tess is an excellent hostess.”

“I’ve a decanter of brandy, not water.”

“There’s a bell pull. You could have called a servant.”

“Didn’t want to bother them so late. What areyoudoing?”

Daisy let her gaze drop to his lips, then back up. “I was hungry. I thought I’d sneak down to the kitchens and see if there was any leftover dessert.”

She pressed her lips together to stop a giggle escaping.

His teeth flashed. “Liar. You were coming to my room to tell me you accept my proposal.”

She lifted her chin. “I was not.Youwere coming tomyroom to actually propose. Because you haven’t, you know. You just told Letty I was going to be your duchess.”

His brows quirked. “What’s the point in proposing? You’ve repeatedly said you’ll only say yes to a man who loves you.”