‘For two hours?’
‘Perhaps we’ve also been discussing philosophy?’ He chuckled and pushed himself to his feet, catching her eye in the mirror as he walked up behind her. ‘Besides, does it matter what anyone thinks?’
‘I suppose not.’ She tilted her head back, resting it against his chest as he coiled his arms around her waist and held her close. ‘You’re right, it’s our business.’
‘Then let’s get dressed and go dancing.’
In the absence of either a valet or lady’s maid, they helped each other to dress. It was a surprisingly erotic experience, Leo thought as he tightened Florence’s laces, fully intending to loosen them again within a couple of hours. Resisting the temptation to kiss every inch of her skin before covering it up with layers of silk and organza was driving him to distraction, but she was right, they needed to show themselves at least once more downstairs before he took her back to bed. A real bed this time. One with soft pillows, a firm mattress and a warm eiderdown to pull over their heads and shut out the rest of the world while he made slow and steady love to her all night. Just the thought of it made his trousers feel too tight.
He had to make a concerted effort to thinkuneroticthoughts as they descended the staircase, heading towards the sound of fiddles and dancing feet coming from the direction of the ballroom. Judging by the clapping, even those who weren’t dancing had found a way to join in with the music.
‘It sounds like everyone’s having a good time.’ Leo smiled as they approached the doors, where Rimmer was standing in the same place they’d left him. ‘How are things going?’
‘Very well, sir.’ If Rimmer thought anything about their change of attire, he didn’t show it. ‘As you can hear, the dancing has begun. I hope that isn’t a problem, only we didn’t wish to…ah…disturb you.’
Which meant he definitely knew what they’d been up to, Leo thought, quickly offering a hand to Florence as a faint blush stole across her cheeks. ‘Excellent.’ He made a deep bow. ‘Shall we dance, my lady?’
‘My lord.’ She cleared her throat, avoiding looking at Rimmer as she dipped into a matching curtsey. ‘I’d be honoured.’
Chapter Twenty
The buzzing sound was back.
Florence opened her eyes with a jolt, dismayed to realise she didn’t recognise the view before her. It wasn’t her bedroom in Grosvenor Squareorthe blue and silver one she’d grown accustomed to at Rainton, or even her red room at Cassie’s. It was a different room again entirely, decorated in shades of teal-blue and green. Her mind started to spin with panic. Had she lost her memory again? Was this her life now? To lose her memory over and over until she had no idea who or where she was…?
‘Florence?’ a familiar voice murmured in her ear, at the same time as warm fingers slid their way tenderly around her waist. ‘Bad dream?’
The buzzing receded as the world suddenly made sense again. Shedidknow this view, after all. She was still at Rainton Court, only she was lying in the massive oak bed in Leo’s chamber, and the voice and hand were both his. Because she’d slept here last night. Slept and…done other things, in several new and surprisingly inventive ways. It was no wonder she hadn’t recognised the room at first. She’d been far too distracted to notice the furnishings.
‘No.’ She wriggled back under the covers as her heartbeat slowed down again. ‘I just forgot where I was for a moment.’
‘Ah.’ His hand tightened around her waist, a reassuring pressure against her skin. ‘So this must be a surprise.’
‘It is.’ She smiled at his cautious tone. ‘But it’s a pleasant one.’
‘Thank goodness. How did you sleep?’
‘Very well.’
‘Me too. Better than I have for months.’
‘Perhaps we should hold fairs more often?’
He chuckled. ‘As successful as that was, I’m pretty sure the fair had nothing to do with it.’
‘I’ve no idea what you mean.’ She laughed, snuggling closer.
‘What are you thinking?’ His lips nuzzled her ear after a few moments.
‘Honestly? I’m thinking that even if my memory never comes back, at least we’ve found a way to move on and be happy.’
‘I couldn’t agree more.’
‘And maybe…’ She stopped with a sudden jolt, her eyes catching a flutter of movement at the window. ‘No!’ She pulled herself up to a sitting position. ‘That issotypical!’
‘What is?’
‘Sunshine again!’ She waved her hands. ‘Glorious sunshine after all the rain we had yesterday. Look! There’s a sparrow on the window ledge taunting us.’
