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“Not at the moment, ma’am. He went out to find his brother.”
Mia swallowed hard. “Has Charlie been here?”
“Yes, my lady. But he has not returned since Sunday.”
Exhaustion forced a yawn from her. “I believe I shall take a bath and possibly a nap.”
Harris called for more footmen to heat water and bring it up to her room. “Is Lucy with you?”
“No, she will be here in a day or two. Send Mary up to help me dress. Thank you, Harris.”
Mia walked up the stairs to her room. She worried that maybe she and James should try to find Charlie before Simon did, but she was barely able to keep her eyes open. Mary followed her into the room.
“Oh, ma’am, we must get you out of these clothes. They are covered in dust.”
Mary closed the bedroom door as the footmen entered the salon to bring in the copper tub. Soon the maid undressed Mia and slipped her into a dressing gown. A footman knocked on the bedroom door.
“We are done with the water.”
Mary walked to the tub and poured in some lavender oil. “This will make you feel better. Your mother taught me that. She said it will help ease tired muscles and relax a person.”
Mia smiled. “Thank you, Mary. You may go. I will nap after my bath so there is no need to dress me.”
Mary nodded and left Mia in peace. A fire lit the room as clouds darkened the sky. She slipped into the warm water and released a pent-up sigh. Hopefully, the rain would hold off until Simon returned. Would she ever stop worrying about him? After what he did, she should be furious, not fretting over whether or not he gets wet.
Warm lips touched her bare shoulder. “I should have known you would force James to bring you here.”
She started from the contact and his deep voice. How had he entered the room without her hearing him? “I am taking a bath, Simon. Please leave me in peace.”
He chuckled slightly. “I don’t think so.” He moved away and then yanked off his boots and jacket.
“What are you doing?”
“Joining my wife in a bath.” He stripped off his waistcoat.
“No, you are not!”
Simon cocked a brow at her. “Yes, I am.” He unbuttoned his trousers and slipped them over his hips.
She watched his cock rise against his drawers as he pulled off his linen shirt. She had to stop this before he got in the tub with her. “I do not want you here.”
“Stop being sore because I left you behind.”
“I am not sore. I’m furious at you. And not for leaving me behind... although that didn’t help matters.”
Her gaze seemed glued to his body as he slid his drawers over his hips, releasing his burgeoning erection. He walked to the tub and then put one leg in and then the other before slowly easing his body into the water. Mia brought her legs in closer to give him room.
He released a groan. “So, why are you so angry with me?”
“I will not have this conversation in a tub.” Mia grabbed her soap to wash up quickly.
“You might as well. You’re not getting out until you tell me what has you so irate.” Simon cupped water with his hands and splashed it over his face.
“You can’t keep me in here.”
He removed his hands from his face and smirked at her. “Of course I can.”
And he probably could. “Very well. I have decided to become Middleton’s wise woman until Tia returns from her jaunt to London.”
