Still his breathing came harsh and fast.
Is he going to faint? Is this some kind of nervous affliction? Should I call for a doctor?
“I shall be all right, Percy.” Between harsh exhalations, he managed to force the words out through gritted teeth.
“I know you will, my lord.” I headed to his closet to hang his clothes, so he might have a moment to collect himself. When I returned, his breathing was returning to normal. He shook less.
Still, I wanted to press my body to his. To reassure him physically in a way I felt incapable of with just words. Despite my love of books, words did not always come easy for me.
I assisted him into his nightclothes.
“I need to piss. Too much wine.”
Oh dear. I assisted him in locating the chamber pot and doing his business. “Are you drunk? Did you say something inappropriate?”
“I did not. I wanted to…but I restrained myself.” He pursed his lips. “I want to go to bed. I want to forget all that went on this evening. I am certain Fortescue will provide me an update on the morrow, and it will be, I am convinced, unwelcome.”
“Does this…” I cleared my throat. “Does this have something to do with Miss Marston?” Because I could not fathom what else might have him so upset.
And, despite myself, I felt his distress deep within me. In my soul. I wanted to soothe him—even if that would likely be unwelcome.
“Miss Marston. Her parents. The Thortons. The entire lot of them. I want nothing to do with society.” He gestured to his bed.
“Of course, my lord.” I yanked down the covers.
He could get into bed himself and, despite his assertion he had drunk too much, he appeared no worse for wear.
“I’ll let you sleep—”
“I do not wish to be alone.”
“My lord?” I frowned. “If Miss Marston is not a suitable match, I’m certain—”
He laughed derisively. “That is not what I meant. If I forgo marriage for the rest of my life, that is of no consequence. I meant…” He held my gaze.
“Oh.” This I hadnotanticipated. “Tonight?” In my most fervent wishes, I had hoped he might one day turn to me, but perhaps not in these circumstances.
Still, as he held the bedsheets back, I took the plunge.
Chapter Five
Henry
Ihad not precisely meant to ask Percy to my bed. That certainly had not been my intention when I retired after the Marstons and Thortons had departed.
After the debacle.
In that moment, though, I had remembered what having a warm body next to me felt like. That said, in all my years of bedding ladies, I rarely stayed the night, often worried about being caught. For all my rakish behavior, I never wanted the lady’s reputation to suffer. Nor did I want to be found in a compromising position and forced into a marriage. Never once, in all those years, had I met a woman worth giving up my bachelor status for.
Percy went to the closet and returned later, wearing nightclothes. Then he slid into bed beside me.
“You may extinguish the candle.” I did not want him looking at me.
“As you wish.” He followed my request. My command. Whatever it was.
“And I have left strict instructions not to be disturbed in the morning. I made it clear you would care for me, and I would appear when I was ready to face the day.” I winced. “Martha gave me a sympathetic look. I wish the staff had not witnessed that debacle.”
“They will be discreet.”
