Iris had to pray that her sister took her word for that. In truth, he hadn’t taken her virginity. She was untouched, but she would never be the same. He had loved her with his hands and his mouth, and if attempted to seduce her, she might not be able to say no. Iris knew that if she allowed him to have his way with her, the pleasure would go beyond her imagination.
“How long was he in here?” Violet asked.
“I cannot say,” Iris said. “I was asleep when he entered and don’t know how long he was in here before I was aware of his presence.” That was the absolute truth. She had been dreaming of him and that fantasy world had bled into reality. It turned out the real thing was far better, and she hadn’t wanted it to end.
“You promise he didn’t seduce you?” Violet said in a firm tone.
Iris met her sister’s gaze. “I would not lie to you about my virtue. You do not need to demand Lord Hampstead ask for my hand. I do not require you to secure me a husband.”
Violet sighed. “I don’t like this. If anyone else had come in here...”
“If you hadn’t come to my room when you had, no one else would know. I shouldn’t be punished for Lord Hampstead’s inability to know what door opens to his bedchamber.” She jutted her chin out in defiance. “I am not marrying that man.”
“Even to save your reputation?” Violet tilted her head to the side. “I don’t understand. This was something you wanted at one time. What changed?”
“I was a naive girl then.” She hadn’t known how Lord Hampstead had felt about her. “I thought I could make him love me. No one can make anyone feel emotions they lack inside of them. The earl can’t love me and I won’t marry a man that will grow to resent me. I’m glad I never went through with that foolish plan.”
Violet nodded. “I understand and I won’t insist you do something you’re adamantly against.” She bit her bottom lip. “But Iris...”
“No,” Iris interrupted her. “Do not finish that sentence. No one will know about this unless we say something. I don’t plan on mentioning the earl wandered into my bedchamber. You hold your tongue too and I won’t be forced into an unwanted marriage.”
Violet was quiet for several moments, then she met Iris’s gaze and nodded. “I am going to tell Zachariah. I can’t keep secrets from my husband. But he won’t tell anyone else. Lord Hampstead is his friend too and he won’t want either of you to suffer consequences from an innocent mistake.”
Iris didn’t want Violet’s husband to know about any of it, but she also understood why she didn’t want to keep a secret from him. “All right,” she conceded. “I am placing my trust in you and your husband’s discretion.”
“You can rely on me. I’ve never let you down in the past, have I?”
Violet had always been a wonderful sister. Her twin had been the one person who Iris could rely on and she didn’t expect that would change now. “No,” Iris agreed. “It’s not you I’m unsure of. Your husband isn’t someone I’ve known my entire life. I don’t want him to think ill of me.”
“You’re not the one in the wrong here.” Violet frowned. “Unless there is something you’re not telling me. Did you invite Lord Hampstead into your bedchamber?”
Iris snorted. “Definitely not.” She had been actively avoiding the earl since she arrived for the house party. “I do not wish to disrupt my entire life for someone as unreliable as the Earl of Hampstead.”
“Then you do not need to concern yourself with my husband’s opinion of you. It would be his friend he may take offense with.” Violet blew out a breath. “I’ll leave you be for now. Mary will be here soon to help you dress. When you’re finished, meet me in the sitting room. Francesca requested we join her there before we break our fast.”
Iris nodded. “Thank you.”
“There're no thanks necessary. You’re my sister. I wouldn’t harm you for any reason.” Violet hugged her and then left the room.
Iris stood there alone for several seconds, fighting tears. A part of her wanted to believe Daniel’s kisses and his touch had meant something to him, too. She wouldn’t allow herself to feel anymore for him or wish he could be something he was incapable of being. It was far better to pretend he hadn’t touched her so intimately. Somehow she didn’t think she could ever forget, though...
Daniel could not believewhat he had done. Oh, he had enjoyed every second of it, but he should not have touched her. Now he couldn’t get her out of his head. The touch of her silken skin and the moans that had echoed through the room as she climaxed.
Bloody hell...
He would never be able to forget those moments when she was pressed against him. Daniel craved her like a thirsty man craved his next drink. He had become addicted to her in a short time. His imagination had not done her justice. Now he wanted to march back up the stairs and strip her naked, then taste every inch of her. Daniel wanted to take everything she offered and give all he had of himself to her. Only her.
But he feared she would shut him out. He had already taken too much from her that she hadn’t freely given. How could he possibly make her understand he hadn’t meant to crawl into her bed, and that he would not have consciously touched her without her permission? She might never forgive him, as much as he enjoyed being with her in that bed, the moment of pleasure was not worth losing her forever.
When he had first woke beside her, he had been amused. Now that he was thinking clearer, he knew it had not been a good thing. Facing her after that would be one of the hardest things he ever had to do. She would probably come down to breakfast soon. Which was why he was in the library instead of eating. His stomach wouldn’t be able to handle food, anyway.
“There you are,” Merrifield said from the entrance.
Daniel glanced at the marquess. “Did you need me for something?” He hadn’t been hiding, exactly. The library had seemed like a better option than the breakfast room He’d hoped to avoid upsetting Iris. After he had washed and changed in his bedchamber, which ironically was located next to Iris’s, he’d decided to avoid her for as long as possible. Admittedly, that wasn’t very courageous of him; however, he never claimed to be brave.
“Yes,” Merrifield began. His tone was infused with anger. “I want you to explain yourself.”
For a brief moment, Daniel was surprised, and almost asked what he needed to clarify for him. Then he grasped the reason for his anger, and the demand. How the hell had Merrifield found out already? Then he recalled that the marquess was married to Iris’s sister. “What would you like for me to tell you?” He was being obstinate, but he didn’t care for the way Merrifield looked at him.
