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“Stop staring at me like that or we will skip breakfast,” he said with a low laugh before turning to face her.
Only that was far worse as now she could see his face and his chest. “I cannot seem to help myself.”
He grabbed a linen shirt and pulled it over his head before rolling up the sleeves. “Better?”
She giggled. “Only because I am truly famished
.”
He shook his head with a grin. “Come over to the table. Breakfast should be here at any moment.”
Louisa glanced around. “It’s not here yet?”
“No,” he said slowly. “Why?”
“The footman can’t see me in your room dressed like this. Or in your room, period.”
“I do believe they may have figured it out when I requested breakfast for two,” he replied with a casual smile.
“No! This is dreadful!” She turned to open the door, but he was there before she could leave. His hand pressed the door firmly shut.
“My servants would never gossip about you being here to anyone. They work for a duke. That is about as high an honor as they might get.”
She closed her eyes and nodded. “I suppose you are right,” she whispered.
“Come sit down, Louisa.” He led her to the small table by the window and held the chair for her. As he sat down, a knock sounded on the door. “Come in.”
One footman opened the door as a second man walked in, carrying a tray laden with delicious smelling food. As the aroma drifted by Louisa pressed a hand to her belly, hoping it would keep quiet in front of the footmen. After placing the tray on the table, the man lifted the covers displaying an array of breakfast items from coddled eggs and ham to pastries.
“Do you need anything else, Your Grace?”
“No, this will do,” he said, smiling over at her. “Now, what will she eat first?”
“The eggs.” Louisa moved her plate in front of her and then grabbed a fork.
“When was the last time you ate?” he asked, pouring the coffee.
“Yesterday on the drive here. I was rather tired when I arrived, and you were not at home, so I went to sleep.” She took a bite of eggs and sighed. “Delicious.”
He continued to smile over at her as she devoured her food.
“Why do you keep smiling at me?” she asked before popping a bite of pastry into her mouth.
“I am still a little amazed that you are sitting across from me, in my bedchamber, wearing nothing but your night rail with your hair mussed and looking quite content.”
“Is my hair that dreadful?” She combed it away from her face with her fingers.
“I will brush it for you while you bathe.”
She felt heat cross her cheeks. “You cannot stay in the room when I bathe.”
He tilted his head back and laughed soundly. “We just spent the last eight hours naked together, and now your modesty comes out. I will be in the room with you, brushing your hair.”
Her mouth went dry with the idea of him brushing her hair while she bathed. She sipped her coffee and looked at him over the edge of her cup. “As you wish,” she finally said.
“I do like it when you’re agreeable.”
“I’m never disagreeable.”
