Not yet. Not like this. He wanted—strike that, heneeded—to explain himself. To make this right. But Addy ignored him, flouncing out of his bedroom and closing the door at her back.
Lion puffed out a weary sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Somehow, he had taken the most incredible night of his life and tossed it away into the dustbin. For a moment, he considered rushing after her, but he thought better of it. By the time he was able to properly fasten his dressing gown, she would likely be tucked away in her own chamber. He could scarcely break the door down and ask her to marry him.
No, he would wait until the morning and explain himself.
Everything would be right then.
Feeling weary and yet deeply content in a way he’d never known, Lion undressed and turned down the lamps before slipping into a bed that smelled of violets and orris root and the woman he intended to make his duchess.
Slumber claimed him with ease.
Ever since hermad dash from Lion’s room in the midst of the night, Addy hadn’t been able to sleep. The hour was pitifully early, but she was up anyway, dressed for travel and determined to pretend as if she hadn’t gone to his chamber, taken off all her clothes, and given him her virginity.
It was a feat that would be easier said than accomplished, she knew.
She could still feel Lion’s hands on her, his lips on her body, his mouth on her breasts, could still feel him moving inside her. She knew a few twinges of soreness between her legs as she made her way down the grand staircase.
Making love with him had been nothing short of life-altering for her. She would never be the same.
What had come after had been…well, mortifying. He had reverted to his proper self, growing cold and ducal. Telling her he regretted what had happened. The latter had been akin to a knife in her heart. The heart that he unwittingly owned.
It was best that she and Aunt Pearl were leaving today. They could make it to York and take the train to London, celebrating Christmas at a hotel. Addy would simply do her utmost to pretend as if the Duke of Marchingham didn’t exist.
Which would be nothing short of impossible.
She sighed as she reached the last step, not regretting that she had been reckless enough to go to Lion last night, but rather, wishing that their time together had ended differently. As she made her way toward the breakfast room, a sudden flurry of activity caught her attention. It sounded as if it were coming from the great hall—a chorus of voices, two of which were feminine and familiar.
Her breath hitched. Letty and Lila? Surely it couldn’t be. They were spending Christmas with their aunt and uncle. The roads had only just become passable after the snowstorm. And yet…
Her feet flew with a mind of their own, taking her to the great hall, where Lion’s deep baritone cut through the chorus of voices.
“Violetta and Lila,” he greeted warmly. “It is good to see you again, sisters.”
Addy stopped at the periphery of the great hall, where antlers and familial busts lingered in the shadows. Two young ladies stood with Lion, dressed in travel garments and grinning widely, one red-haired and the other possessing white-gold hair even lighter than Lion’s.
Letty and Lila were here at Marchingham Hall. Behind them, an older, distinguished-looking couple stood, also dressed for travel. Presumably, they were the aunt and uncle.
A thrill rose within her at the sight of her beloved friends. She longed to rush to them, to embrace them, and yet, she was painfully aware of Lion’s presence. His back was to her, and he had no notion of her presence. She wasn’t certain she could bear to look at him by morning light without expiring from mortification.
What must he think of her?
Did he truly regret what had happened?
She had known there would be consequences. Addy took a deep breath, deciding that she must face them. Her boldness had always stood her in good stead. She wouldn’t allow it to fail her now.
“Letty,” she exclaimed warmly, bustling forward, a smile fixed on her lips as she avoided looking at Lion. “Lila!”
Her friends looked at her in unison, their surprise evident as their eyes lit up and their mouths fell open.
“Addy!” Letty was the first to react, grinning as she rushed toward her and folded Addy in an embrace. “You’re here at Marchingham Hall!”
Smiling, Addy returned her friend’s exuberant hug. “So are you.”
Lila was swift to join them, throwing her arms around them both. They rejoiced, talking over top of one another, their years of separation falling away. It was instantly like their finishing school days.
“What are you doing in Yorkshire?” Letty asked.
Her friend’s question made Addy painfully aware of Lion’s solemn regard. Of all that had transpired since her arrival. Heat crept up her throat and over her cheeks. Surely her friends didn’t suspect that she had fallen in love with their brother. Nor thatshe had spent a goodly portion of last night in his bed. Her guilt wouldn’t be written across her face, would it?
