Page 51 of Almost a Countess

“I will be verycomfortable here, Mr. Osborne. Thank ye, Duchess, for yer good careo’ me.” He smiled at her and nodded to the innkeeper. “Might I gethot water and a bathtub fetched? Traveling is sae wearing onone.”

“Of course, of course.”The little man nodded quickly again and continued down thecorridor. “Your servants will be lodged here…” Mr. Osborne led theduchess away, but Finn waited a split second before grasping Dora’sarm and hauling her back into the room.

“Oh.” She staggered towardhim, her eyes wide but sparkling with excitement. “I must go toAunt Mimi. She’ll be calling for me in a moment.”

“Then give me that moment,I beg o’ ye, my love.” He pulled her closer, so the heady scent ofroses enveloped him. “I’ve hungered for a private word with ye allday. Like sitting down tae a feast and being forbidden tae sampleeven one dish.”

“Then you’d best take yourtaste now, love.” She lifted her lips to him, and he willingly tookthe offering.

Sweet and soft, her mouth aroused himinstantly.

“Dora!” The duchesssounded close, and they jumped apart.

“Can ye sneak away taewalk with me after dinner?” He brought her hand to his lips. “But afew minutes’ walk together this evening might help ease the longingto be with ye a wee bit.”

“I will try.” She squeezedhis hand then darted out the door. “Coming, Aunt Mimi.”

Thank goodness for the concealingnature of his skirts. They hid well his advanced state of arousal,although he couldn’t wait to shed them, along with the falseidentity, and meet Dora as a man once more.

He relaxed his shoulders and sat atthe dressing table to make some little repairs to his lip pomade.Dora was wearing as much of it now as he. If he closed his eyes, hecould almost feel the touch of her lips on his, making his hungerfor her soar. With a sigh, he opened them and hurriedly twisted thecap on the cosmetics jar. He’d need to avoid such indulgences if hewished to keep his word to the duchess.

The clock on the mantle chimed thehalf hour. He must tell Larkin to hold his bath until after dinner.He could not fathom undressing completely only to have to redressfor dinner with the duchess. Life was certainly more complicated asa woman.

Dinner went smoothly, somewhat betterthan conversation in the carriage, because Dora plied her aunt withquestions about the Season past in London. While her aunt had notattended many entertainments, she had heard all the gossip of thespring and summer and was more than willing to part with it. AsDora had said, they really needed to know what was what beforebeing tossed into Polite Society without a clue about the latestscandal or the on-dit of the moment. So rapt at theintrigues of the London Season, Finn scarcely noticed the deliciousdinner until his dessert plate was whisked away by one of themaids.

This might be his best opportunitytonight to get Dora alone.

“Larkin, would ye see taethe potboys bringing up hot water for my bath? I’d mentioned it taeMr. Osborne earlier.” Strange to be giving orders to a lady’s maid,but in his current condition he had no choice. “While ye are seeingtae that, I believe I will take a short stretch o’ my legs aroundthe woods while it is still light.” Thankfully, they had eatenearly, and the sky was little more than a pale gray. A perfect timefor a walk without prying eyes.

“Could I accompany Finn,Aunt Mimi? I am weary with so much sitting. I’m sure a brisk walkwould do me a world of good.” Dora turned pleading eyes on heraunt.

Finn held his breath while the duchessdrained her wineglass then set it in the center of her plate. “Ihave always believed exercise good for the young.” She stared atDora, as if weighting something in her mind, then nodded. “I see noharm in it. However, you must return to our chamber at a decenthour, Dora. I do not wish to have trouble waking you in themorning.”

The duchess turned her gaze on Finnfor a long moment. “I believe Dora will be in excellent hands withyou, Lord Aberfoyle. You have borne all your trials with fortitude,and when the time comes, I will vouch for you with Lord Downing.”She rose and signaled to Marcella. “Help me to bed, Marcella. Wehave another long day of traveling tomorrow, and I am not as youngas I once was.”

“You are just as young inspirit as you ever were, Your Grace.” Her maid took her arm andsteered the duchess toward her chamber.

“Good night, Dora, LordAberfoyle. Remember, I need to awaken Dora early in the morning.”She turned back toward them. “Have a care to be quiet when you comein, Dora.”

****

Dora could scarcely believe her aunt’swords. Had Aunt Mimi just told her she could stay with Finntonight? Her mouth dropped open, and she turned to Finn, whose faceshowed the same shock.

“I certainly took hermeaning that way.” Finn came to her and took her hands. “Didye?”

She nodded, excitement bubbling upwithin her. “It seems Aunt Mimi is granting us her blessing.” Doraglanced at the closed chamber door. “If we are to take a stroll, Isuggest we do so now. It will look more natural if we then returnand go to your room instead of this one.”

“Larkin is preparing abath for me. Will she…”

“Larkin is loyal to me.Besides, she will know everything tomorrow anyway.”

Finn frowned. “She will?How?”

Dora laughed and pulled him toward thedoor. “Lady’s maids just know things. But they are extremelydiscreet. You needn’t worry about Larkin. Shall we truly strollaround the woods? I need to do something, walk, run, twirl aroundlike I did when I was a little girl.” She suited the action to herwords. “I can’t seem to stand still.”

“Then come wi’ me, love.The fresh air and the beauty o’ the woods at twilight are beckoningus.” He offered her his arm, but she shook her head.

“You’re a woman now, Finn.We must walk side by side, not arm in arm.”