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Eight
Violet turned around and stared at Iris. Heat crept up her neck and settled into her cheeks. Her sister was going to lecture her, and there would be no avoiding any second of it. Iris couldn’t slip past Violet and run away as much as she would like to. She was still wearing her bedclothes and she couldn’t very well leave her bed chamber yet. There was only one thing she could do.
Iris slid out of bed and pulled the bell to summon her maid. She would have Mary come in and help her dress. It would help to keep her lecture to a minimum. Violet wouldn’t want to spill too many details with the maid in the room with them. Hopefully, it would not take long for Mary to arrive.
“Are you going to say anything for yourself?” Violet demanded. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at Iris.
“What would you like me to say?” She lifted a brow. “You’ve already decided as to what you believe happened. You always make assumptions and then think you need to tell me what I should do. So,” Iris said in a noncommittal tone. “Why don’t we get that part over with and I can go about my day.”
“How can you be so flippant about this?” Violet’s voice took on a shrill tone that was ear piercing in its intensity. “You were in bed and a gentleman was leaving your room. Why are you acting as if nothing of import happened?”
Because nothing had... Daniel would have done all of that with any woman. She was a convenient, warm body next to him. He had fallen into her bed in a drunken stupor, and when he found a woman at his side, he decided seduction would be a good idea. Iris would not let that determine how she would live the rest of her life. Even if the pleasure had been overwhelming and she would remember it for the rest of her life. “Why are you acting as if you walked in on us in the middle of a good tumble?” Iris rolled her eyes. “Lord Hampstead did not take my virtue. He entered my room by mistake.”
Iris had to pray that her sister took her word for that. In truth, he hadn’t taken her virginity. She was untouched, but she would never be the same. He had loved her with his hands and his mouth, and if attempted to seduce her, she might not be able to say no. Iris knew that if she allowed him to have his way with her, the pleasure would go beyond her imagination.
“How long was he in here?” Violet asked.
“I cannot say,” Iris said. “I was asleep when he entered and don’t know how long he was in here before I was aware of his presence.” That was the absolute truth. She had been dreaming of him and that fantasy world had bled into reality. It turned out the real thing was far better, and she hadn’t wanted it to end.
“You promise he didn’t seduce you?” Violet said in a firm tone.
Iris met her sister’s gaze. “I would not lie to you about my virtue. You do not need to demand Lord Hampstead ask for my hand. I do not require you to secure me a husband.”
Violet sighed. “I don’t like this. If anyone else had come in here...”
“If you hadn’t come to my room when you had, no one else would know. I shouldn’t be punished for Lord Hampstead’s inability to know what door opens to his bedchamber.” She jutted her chin out in defiance. “I am not marrying that man.”
“Even to save your reputation?” Violet tilted her head to the side. “I don’t understand. This was something you wanted at one time. What changed?”
“I was a naive girl then.” She hadn’t known how Lord Hampstead had felt about her. “I thought I could make him love me. No one can make anyone feel emotions they lack inside of them. The earl can’t love me and I won’t marry a man that will grow to resent me. I’m glad I never went through with that foolish plan.”
Violet nodded. “I understand and I won’t insist you do something you’re adamantly against.” She bit her bottom lip. “But Iris...”
“No,” Iris interrupted her. “Do not finish that sentence. No one will know about this unless we say something. I don’t plan on mentioning the earl wandered into my bedchamber. You hold your tongue too and I won’t be forced into an unwanted marriage.”
Violet was quiet for several moments, then she met Iris’s gaze and nodded. “I am going to tell Zachariah. I can’t keep secrets from my husband. But he won’t tell anyone else. Lord Hampstead is his friend too and he won’t want either of you to suffer consequences from an innocent mistake.”
Iris didn’t want Violet’s husband to know about any of it, but she also understood why she didn’t want to keep a secret from him. “All right,” she conceded. “I am placing my trust in you and your husband’s discretion.”
“You can rely on me. I’ve never let you down in the past, have I?”
Violet had always been a wonderful sister. Her twin had been the one person who Iris could rely on and she didn’t expect that would change now. “No,” Iris agreed. “It’s not you I’m unsure of. Your husband isn’t someone I’ve known my entire life. I don’t want him to think ill of me.”
“You’re not the one in the wrong here.” Violet frowned. “Unless there is something you’re not telling me. Did you invite Lord Hampstead into your bedchamber?”
Iris snorted. “Definitely not.” She had been actively avoiding the earl since she arrived for the house party. “I do not wish to disrupt my entire life for someone as unreliable as the Earl of Hampstead.”
“Then you do not need to concern yourself with my husband’s opinion of you. It would be his friend he may take offense with.” Violet blew out a breath. “I’ll leave you be for now. Mary will be here soon to help you dress. When you’re finished, meet me in the sitting room. Francesca requested we join her there before we break our fast.”
Iris nodded. “Thank you.”
“There're no thanks necessary. You’re my sister. I wouldn’t harm you for any reason.” Violet hugged her and then left the room.
Iris stood there alone for several seconds, fighting tears. A part of her wanted to believe Daniel’s kisses and his touch had meant something to him, too. She wouldn’t allow herself to feel anymore for him or wish he could be something he was incapable of being. It was far better to pretend he hadn’t touched her so intimately. Somehow she didn’t think she could ever forget, though...
* * *
Daniel could not believewhat he had done. Oh, he had enjoyed every second of it, but he should not have touched her. Now he couldn’t get her out of his head. The touch of her silken skin and the moans that had echoed through the room as she climaxed.
