He didn’t understandwhyshe felt so necessary to him.
Usually, after the first time with a woman, once the conquest was made, he felt his desire slacken.
But Beatrice was completely different.
He wanted her again.
Heneededher again.
And he would do anything necessary to make sure she stayed his mistress for the next two weeks.
Chapter Sixteen
When the firstlight dawned outside of his window, Leith dressed quickly and left his bedchamber.Swiftly, he made his way to the drawing room.
And was stunned to find there a slender, freckled girl, trying to shut a small trunk.
It was Beatrice’s maid.Sally.
When he entered, she looked up at him.
“Oh, my lord,” she said, “I am sorry—it is only—the trunk won’t close—and—well—we are leaving—”
“No, you are not,” he snapped.“Where is Miss Salisbury?”
“She is dressing,” the girl said nervously.“We are going to call on Lord Montaigne.”
Monty, Leith thought.He had forgotten his best friend in all of this.
He almost had to laugh.
Two days ago, his biggest problem had been that Monty thought him depraved and without proper feeling.His other big problem had been that, if he slept with Beatrice, Monty might be furious.
Now, these problems had become infinitely more complicated.
Monty would know that he had gone against his word if Beatrice told him of her grievances, but that was now an issue that paled in comparison to losing the woman herself.
Not that he relished the prospect of Monty knowing that he had broken his word—or hearing Beatrice’s description of his style of lovemaking.
He felt fresh mortification at the prospect of Monty hearing the language Beatrice had used last night.Or John.Or Trem.
“Sally,” he began.“Could you fetch your mistress?I very much need to speak with her.”
“I am right here.”
He turned.
There she was, looking fresh and pristine, like she had slept soundly, in a beautiful new Warburton day dress of light blue.He wanted to fall to his knees and kiss her hem.
Christ.
What was happening to him?
“Bea, he has asked us to stay,” said the girl.
Bea, he thought, that seemed rather informal for a maid to her lady.
Not that he understood about such things.
