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Grasping her fingers more firmly he moved her hand closer to his body until it hovered just above his breeches. He could feel the heat from her hand as his body strained towards her, seeking her warmth. “I do not.” He murmured.
She gasped softly, fingers just brushing against the soft cotton. “I…” she began uncertainly.
Bertram shook his head. “Do not fear, for I have no intention of anticipating the marriage bed.” He let go of her hand and took a step back. “I shall bid theeadieu, my dear. Sleep well. I shall see you in the morning. There is much to be done.”
She quirked her lips. “I’m aware, Your Grace.”
He took her hand, bent over it and pressed a soft kiss upon her knuckles before turning to leave the room.
“Sleep well, Your Grace,” she called.
He turned and smiled. “You as well,MademoiselleStrange.” Very softly, he drew the door closed behind him.
* * *
Letty walked down the stairs, wondering if she should head to the kitchens to check on whether they had enough bread or if that was beneath her now.
“Miss Strange! Letty!”
She turned at the high piping voice and smiled to see George running towards her on his little feet. Bending down, she scooped him up into her arms. “Good morning, George. What’s the hurry?”
“Are you going to bake more cakes today?”
Letty laughed. “Sometimes I think you only love me for my cakes.”
“Your cakes are delicious.” George gave her an incredulous look as if she should really know better than to say such things.
“True. But…what if I could not make you any more? Would you still love me?”
George nodded vigorously. “You made Papa smile again.”
The lump was back in her throat. “Oh…well, that is a good thing, is it not?”
George nodded. “Papa is happy and he stays home more and he plays with me.”
Letty could only nod, her sight obscured by the shimmer of tears. She said a quick prayer for the repose of the soul of her own father before changing direction from the dining room to the kitchen. “Let us go and see if we can scrounge up some cakes,” she told George confidentially.
Mrs. Gendry was not thrilled to see her in the kitchen and muttered under her breath about unbecoming behavior. It didn’t stop Letty from taking down a bowl to mix in some flour, eggs, and sugar, to make more cakes, George happily acting as her assistant. He brought her sugar cubes, lemon rinds, essence of vanilla and anything else she asked him to fetch before hovering over her bowl as she whisked the cake mix.
“May I have a taste?”
“Tisn’t ready yet, George.”
“Yes, but I like it when it’s not cooked, too. Please, Letty?”
Letty caved in. “All right then, just a tiny dollop for you.” She used her spoon to put just that in the middle of his palm. He licked at it contentedly as he watched her put the cake in the oven.
“Now we wait.”
“There you are! I’ve been looking for you both.”
Letty wheeled around at the deep baritone to find the Duke grinning at them as he leaned against the doorway. “No rest for the wicked, eh? Still baking the day after your engagement ball?”
“George was hungry.”
Bertram smiled and nodded. “Indeed. It’s good to see you’re not too high in the instep to continue baking for us.”
Letty waved an airy hand. “Pah! I do not know what you mean by that.”
