Page 80 of The Danger of Desire

“Brilliana and I used to share a maid, but we’ve had to play lady’s maid to each other ever since...” She swallowed. “We had to let most of our staff go. Only Owen and our cook remained.”

“Ah. Well, then, instead of going on to Lindenwood Castle, perhaps we should stay in London so you can hire a lady’s maid and any other additional servants you think you might require. I have to be in town for Parliament soon, anyway.”

“And I’ll need to pack up all my things at Aunt Agatha’s and have them brought over to your town house.”

“Already done. Your aunt’s servants and mine took care of that while she and I were at the lawyers.”

“You were that sure of me?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“Your aunt was that sure ofme. She had me over a barrel, and she knew it.”

She couldn’t help laughing. “Sorry. I ought to feel guilty about that, but I can’t say I do just now.”

“I should hope not. I’m considered quite a catch, you know.”

“Are you?” she said lightly. “I suppose that means you have gobs of money and more than one property and loads of servants.” All of which she would be expected to help him manage. The prospect sounded rather daunting. “Oh, dear, how many servantsdoyou have, anyway?”

He launched into a description of the staff at his myriad properties, which proved to be dizzyingly varied. After a while, she could scarcely keep up with it all, especially since her lack of sleep had begun to take its toll. Before long, she found herself yawning.

“Please forgive me.” She covered her mouth. “It’s all very fascinating, but I am just rather...”

“Tired?” In an instant, regret shadowed his features. “I can’t imagine why, since your oaf of a husband woke you in the middle of the night by yowling outside your window.”

“True,” she said tartly, then yawned again.

“Come here,” he ordered, holding out his hand.

When she took it, he tugged her over next to him, then settled her comfortably up against him. “Sleep,” he murmured. “I daresay you need it after the past few days.”

When he put his arm around her, she snuggled up against him with a sigh. In moments, the steady rocking of the carriage and the warmth of his body lulled her into a dreamless slumber.

The next thing she knew, she was being carried out of the coach and up some steps. By Warren, judging from the scent of his cologne. She burrowed deeper into his arms, and he chuckled.

“Are we at your town house already?” she whispered.

“It’s been over an hour since we left Stoke Towers, Sleeping Beauty. But yes, we’re in town. And I think we’ll wait until morning for you to meet the staff.”

“Mmm, all right.” She dozed again... until the sensation of being laid upon a bed and having her shoes removed woke her once more.

She gazed up into an enormous velvet canopy with gold tassels and blinked. As Warren turned away, she sat up. “Wait, where are you going?”

He paused to look at her. “You’re clearly too tired for a wedding night, dearling.”

“I’ve had a good nap. I’m ready for anything.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

Rather than argue with him, she threw her legs over the side and glanced about the room. Aside from being the largest bedchamber she’d ever seen in a London town house, it was curiously feminine, with rose motifs on everything and curtains of rose brocade. Not to mention huge gilded mirrors and a marquetry dressing table fit for a queen.

“Is this our bedchamber?”

“Yourbedchamber.” He gestured to a door. “Mine is through there.”

She stared at him. “But... but why wouldn’t we share a bed?”

“We shall, I promise.” He grinned at her. “Indeed, I greatly anticipate it. When we sleep, however, we’ll retire to our own rooms.”

“My parents always shared a bedchamber.”