He listened to the storm rage outside as the storm within him ceased to exist. He’d take care of Lytton, but Gavin couldn’t do it now. He glanced at Georgie. He never imagined he’d be happy to be in love, but he was. Her breathing slowed, and he knew Georgie, his future wife and mother of their children, was asleep. He almost wished they did not have to attend this evening’s ball. Pulling the blanket over them, he closed his eyes. When he opened them again the rain had stopped.
“Sweetheart. Georgie.”
“Hmm.” She mumbled delightfully in her sleep, and he couldn’t resist a smile.
“We must get dressed and go back to the house. We have to get ready for the ball.” And he had to speak with Littleton about Lytton. If Gavin was to keep his promise to Georgie, he’d do well to have someone else there so that he didn’t put his hands on the earl, or a ball in the man’s chest.
“Ball?” Her muttered question made him want to laugh.
“Yes.” He pushed back her dusky curls. “Are you always this hard to wake up?”
Her lapis-blue eyes glared at him. “I suppose that depends on my exertions before going to sleep.” She sat up, causing the covers to drop to her waist. “I’m hungry. What time is it?”
He did his best not to look at her breasts. If he did, they might not make it back at all. “I have no idea. The storm has ended. To be honest, that is probably what woke me.” Gavin glanced around, but there was no clock. “I’ll look at my watch.” She started to stand, glanced down, and frowned. “If you would like, I can turn my head.” Her eyes widened. “Although, that would be a shame. I’ve always believed you are the most beautiful woman in the world, but now I know it for a fact.”
A blush rose from the top of her breasts up her neck and infused her face. “I am not sure I know what to say to that.”
“Say thank you.” When Gavin rose her gaze roamed his body making him more acutely aware of his nakedness than he had ever been. And the fact of his cock hardening again.
“I think I shall return the compliment.” Georgie suddenly shook her head. “We should get dressed.”
“If we don’t want to be caught naked we’ll have to.” He had no doubt that once the rain had stopped and they hadn’t returned, Littleton had sent out search parties. “Do you need help?”
“No. My habit is easy enough to don.” She went behind a screen and poured water into a basin while he went to the other room, pulled on his clothing, and gathered hers. Fortunately everything was almost dry. “There is blood.”
Striding back into the bedroom, he stared down at the sheet. As he suspected, evidence of her maidenhood was plain to see. “What do you want to do about it?”
Georgie took the shift he held out. “If we gather the bedding into a pile, perhaps no one will notice.”
“We can give it a try.” He’d have to make sure they announced their engagement as soon as they returned. He wrapped the remaining cheese in the rest of the bread she’d cut as she entered the room. “Here. This will tide us over until we can get something more substantial.”
“Thank you.” After gobbling the sandwich down, she grinned. “That was perfect. I do not feel as grumpy now.”
“There is something I must remember.” Gavin drew her into his arms. “Will feeding you always improve your mood?”
“Almost always.” Georgie rose on her toes and kissed him. “I wish we could remain here for a while longer.”
The sound of Lochinvar whinnying and moving around made Gavin tilt his head toward the window and listen. “We’ve been found.”
“I’m glad we have clothes on,” she said in a rueful voice.
“As am I.” He took her hand. “Let’s meet them outside.”
Sitting on his horse, Johnson shook his head slowly back and forth. “Thought you had more sense than to let the storm catch you.”
“There was a little more to it than that.” Gavin pulled out his pocket watch. It was after five o’clock. “We need to return. However, I am fairly certain that there is a man lying dead near the curve in the lane.” He’d go with the groom, but he didn’t want to leave Georgie alone nor did he want her to see a dead man, again.
Johnson rubbed his chin. “I’ll go back and get help. We stopped at the tower first, now I know why you weren’t there.”
“As I said. There’s more to this story. We need to saddle our horses. I’ll see you back at the house.”
The groom nodded and rode off toward the lane. Less than thirty minutes later, Gavin and Georgie strode into the hall to find a servant reporting to Adeline.
“We were caught by the storm,” Georgie announced as she went straight to her friend and embraced her. “Is Frits here?”
“No, he’s out looking for the two of you.” Adeline turned toward the servant. “Sound the signal, please.”
“Right away, my lady.” The servant bowed.
