No. No. No. Bathing her was one of his top priorities, yes. But as expected, just not today. He wouldn’t survive it.
“Next time. Next time I’ll bathe you, too.”
Her teeth flashed. “Are you sure there will be a next time? Perhaps this is your only chance.”
“I created this chance, did I not? I’ll create another.” He gave her wrist a slight squeeze. “You’re welcome to call me over whenever you wish me to wash your back. Or we can move our nightcaps to the tub. You know I’ll accompany you as long as you’ll have me.”
“So bold!”
“Two bold peas we are then in one bold pod. So let’s not stop here.”
And Will wouldn’t stop. Not until he possessed the one thing he wanted most.
His wife’s heart.
Chapter Fifteen
The Stewart Ball
Harriet stepped towardthe edge of the ballroom a bit breathless after her third dance of the evening. All with Leeds. She spotted one of the other women who’d been at Lady Ophelia’s tea also leaving the dance and felt another prick of guilt.
In truth, Harriet had not thought a prick of guilt could stab so deeply. It was rather like a needle continuously piercing through a silk fiber embroidery base. She’d never imagined she would one day keep such a secret from her husband, though when she had thoughtthat, she’d always expected her husband to be someone she loved, or at least someone she had built a connection withbeforethey married. She hadn’t started her marriage to Leeds with any of those things. But who would have thought that with each conversation, each encounter, each step of each dance, affection and trust would sprout and grow into a flourishing seedling?
And at least on this subject, Leeds had been honest with her. He told her on the first day they met that there were wagers, a list. She had acted like it didn’t matter, and it hadn’t—then. But she hadn’t really known what the wagers were then. And somehow she still found herself embroiled in secret activities now, even conceiving the idea that would be acted out tonight.
She wasn’t to take part herself, however. Leeds was toopresentfor her to actively participate in the planning for tonight,and she was far too preoccupied with her husband and the dangling bit between his legs. Well, to be fair, those images were recent additions that haunted her every waking thought. Which was probably why that persistent tinge of remorse had only started the moment she stepped from the carriage and beheld the bright lights of the manor that would soon be filled with mayhem.
Would Leeds be angry because she’d kept a secret from him? She darted a glance his way.
No, that rogue. Was he not still keeping a secret from her?
Harriet shook her head. This was not the time to dwell on secrets and whatnot.
Focus.
Right—the wagers.
They would all be exposed tonight. The men of thetonwere about to receive a mighty surprise. Luckily, her husband was not one of the men responsible for creating that list or the list finding its way to the betting book.
A big, huge, extraordinary consolation.
Her gaze caught on a row of seats with a handful of ladies observing the men and women bustling about. She had once claimed a spot there amongst the wallflowers. Tonight, she didn’t feel like a wallflower, and with Leeds at her side, she would never occupy that row again. Unless... she snuck another glance at him.
Oh, yes. There was no doubt in her mind. Leeds would surely join her amongst the wallflowers if she were to plop down there again. Even if that were to happen, though, she still wouldn’tfeellike a wallflower.
Not with his attention on her.
Like when he’d unhooked her buttons. Like in the bath. Like all the time they’d spent together in each other’s company. Hisattention was a force unto itself, a ball of fire that could never burn out.
It was addictive.
Pure temptation!
Calstone appeared beside them with a grin. His gaze swept over her. “What a delightful sight. Married life seems to have brought a blossom to your cheeks.”
Harriet cast her gaze heavenward. “What are you even saying, Duke?”
“You look lovely tonight, LadyLeeds.”
