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She clucked around Olivia like a mother hen, but she merely shook her head. “I’m well now, Mrs. Evans. Thank you.”
“Nevertheless,” she said firmly. “I’ll ensure that something extra special is prepared for you.”
As she departed, Miles shut the door and leaned against it. He wasn’t sure if he did so because he didn’t trust himself to be any closer to Lady Olivia. “I think you have a friend for life in Mrs. Evans.”
“She is very thoughtful.” He saw her swallow. “Almost like the mother I never had.”
“I am more than happy to lend you mine whenever you wish. She has a habit of driving me quite mad.” Miles wasn’t ever sure what possessed him to utter that statement, as it suggested a more developed relationship than they currently had, but he was glad to see a smile cross her face. And she was no longer trembling.
“My older sister, Araminta, was much the same way. Even though Isadora was the eldest, she didn’t attempt to protect me from everything like Minty did. She was definitely the one who fell into the nurturing role. I should imagine she will make a wonderful mother to her own children.”
“And you will be an equally wonderful aunt,” he pointed out.
She lifted her chin proudly. “Yes, I think I shall.” He chuckled, and then she asked. “Do you have any siblings?”
“Regrettably, no,” he returned evenly.
“Well, if you would like to borrow any of my sisters, I would be more than happy to send them your way.”
He made a mock grimace. “And be even more bedeviled? Thank you, but I must respectfully decline.”
The laugh that followed shot straight to his groin, but he quickly reminded his unruly cock that Lady Olivia was off limits. That was an entanglement he wasn’t prepared to embark on.
She rose and carried the counterpane back to the bed where she smoothed it back over the top. Just as she finished, there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Evans had returned with the promised treat—warmed chocolate. “There you are, my dear.” She placed the tray and two steaming cups on the table. “This should help you sleep.”
Miles hoped it did the same for him as the lady left once more.
Lady Olivia had removed her cloak and sat down with the cup between her palms. He took the seat opposite her.
For a time, neither of them spoke, but enjoyed the companionable silence. “Did you have a good bath?”
Miles swallowed and lowered his cup. “It was… nice,” he admitted.
She took a sip from her drink and licked her lips as she nodded. “Good.”
For a moment, Miles found that he couldn’t look away from her delectable mouth. Suddenly, the sweet chocolate in his cup didn’t seem nearly as appealing as those full, tempting lips. He yearned for a taste, but he didn’t dare voice the sentiment aloud.
“Could I… ask you a favor, Mr. Stone?”
“Indeed.” He forced the word past his tight throat.
“Would you kiss me?”
Miles was grateful that he hadn’t been drinking anything in that moment, as he would have surely sputtered it all over the table in front of him, as well as his lovely companion. “Pardon?” He stared at her, but she had found the contents of her cup of particular interest. Even so, surely he hadn’t heard right? But then, by the way her face flamed with color, he knew he had.
“I… realize it’s a rather… forward request and… unexpected… and I understand if you… refuse. In truth… it’s probably better that you do… I—”
He held up a hand to cease her anxious rambling. “Is there a reason for this request?”
“Yes, actually.” She finally lifted her gaze. “You see, I’ve never actually been… kissed before, and I don’t want my first… memory to be of some man like—” She shook her head, but he understood. “You are a kind gentleman, and I would like to… erase that earlier episode from my mind with something a bit more… pleasant?”
He had to smile at the way she turned it into a question, as if she thought it might not actually be a better experience with him.
He resisted the urge to tug at his cuffs with pride, since he had been known as something of a rake when he’d been younger. Now, he just wanted to show her howpleasantit could be. “Of course, my lady. I would be honored to grant your request, and that you chose me.”
“Oh.” She seemed surprised that he had agreed.
Had he made a mistake?
