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CHAPTER EIGHT

One moment they had been flirting over dessert, and the next she was in a dead faint in his arms. They had been moving back to the drawing room where she had promised to play the pianoforte to showcase her ‘nimble fingers.’ The claret had proven too much for her, and he was now carrying an inebriated Eliza to bed.

He laid her down and pulled off her slippers and stockings.

He left her dress but began to remove the pins from her hair.

It occurred to him, as he fixed her hair for sleep, that this was the most intimate nonsexual moment he had spent with a woman.

And this woman, that he desired more than he had any other, would spend the night in his bed, and not in the throes of passion.

After arranging the blankets to cover her, he kicked off his own shoes and laid on top of the blankets to ensure he remained a gentleman.

She had a slight wrinkle in her brow, and he reached over to smooth it out.

Unable to help himself, he traced her brow before moving his thumb down the line of her slender nose.

He continued over her defined cheekbones and outlined her tempting lips.

Sighing, he withdrew and let her gentle snore lull him to sleep.

Daylight had broken and Robert woke to Eliza sprawled across him. Enjoying her weight upon him, he stroked her back, amazed by how soundly she had slept. The ton would surely be amazed that he had spent a night in the same bed with a woman and they had only slept.

‘What is so funny?” Eliza mumbled.

“You in my arms. Fully clothed.”

“Blazes, what happened last night?” She moved to sit up but quickly put her head back against his chest. He chuckled again at the improper oath escaping her sweet lips.

“You imbibed, my sweet. And I, the gentleman I am, put you to bed.”

“I cannot believe this is how one out of our two nights ended. Stale drunk.”

She was dishevelled and in a sore temper, so he gently kissed her forehead.

“We still have tonight. I will arrange for you to bathe and to be fed—something salty and greasy always makes me feel better after a spree. Lay back down and someone will assist you soon.”