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She had not expected any gentleman to be open to such assistance, let alone ask her for her help with such unnerving honesty. His eyes were hidden in shadows but he did not look away, and he made no excuses for the request. He made no effort to jest or deflect.

This man, she realized, was too straightforward for such things. Too honest to hide behind flowery words and laughter.

Oh dear.

The ton would eat him for breakfast.

“I would be happy to be of assistance in any way you see fit,” she said.

His shoulders dropped a bit, and he nodded. “I thank you.”

The silence was thick and heavy. She wondered if she should take her book and flee. But he looked so lonely down here, his brow so heavy with concerns. And to be honest, were she to go back to her bed, she would merely continue to lie there staring at the ceiling fretting about her own sad state of affairs.

He gestured to the seat across from him by the fire and she sank into it, trying not to notice that she was only clad in her night rail and wrap, and that he looked like he’d stepped out of a dark mystery as the shadows flickered over his face.

“Where shall we begin?” he asked when he was seated across from her.

Her lips parted and then she clamped them shut again, the absurdity of this situation only now striking her. What could she teach an earl?

Embroidery?

She swallowed down a nervous laugh at the mental image of this man bent over his needlework.

The burgeoning laughter died a quick death as she glanced up at him again. His eyes were on her and she had the unnerving sensation that she could feel them moving over her face, his gaze a heavy weight on her skin as he sought to see through her. The sensation seemed to flicker over her skin and she could no longer sit still.

Abruptly she stood and he leapt up too. Ever the proper gentleman, even when wearing nightclothes.

Well, she was wearing nightclothes. He was wearing…oh my.

Her gaze fell to take in his clothing and heat flushed her cheeks when she saw that he’d removed his waistcoat and cravat to reveal a hint of flesh at his neck. She brought her gaze back up quickly and was grateful for the shadows that hid her blush.

He dipped his head to level her with a stare. A glare. No, she did not believe he intended it to look so very frightening. “Did you wish to teach me to dance?”

She blinked. It made sense, perhaps, that he took her sudden leap to her feet to mean that she wished to do something physical.

Dancing. Yes, why not?

The answer to that became clear the moment he held her in his arms.

Her breathing grew shallow. This is why not, you ninny. The man did things to her. Unintentionally, perhaps...

Unintentionally, definitely.

Without music, their movements felt that much more intimate. The fact that they were alone and in the dark did not help the matter.

It occurred to her in a flash just how compromised she would be if anyone caught them like this. Together. Of course the only people who would catch them would be his servants or his family, none of whom would pressure this man into marrying a girl who was already an object of gossip and scandal.

His gaze was inscrutable as he moved stiffly. He came to a stop so suddenly she stepped on his toes. “My apologies. This is not at all proper behavior, is it? I should never have asked that we start these lessons now.” He looked around them at the empty room. “Here.”

She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at his consternation. “I will not tell, if you do not.”

His gaze shot to hers and when he saw her small smile, his eyes seemed to warm in response.

“It is not right,” he said. “Your reputation—”

“Is already ruined.” She hated how bitter it sounded and rushed to ease it with another smile. “I’m not sure one can be more ruined.”

He sobered instantly, his hand clenching against her back. “Of course one can.”