She wrinkled her nose and gave his shoulders a shove. “Before you went to the tavern were your plans to drink your liquor or wear it?”
Rhys pulled the lapel of his jacket close to his nose and sniffed. “I swear I meant to drink,” he laughed. “I’m not foxed, but I’ll forgive you if you don’t believe me. One of Tanner’s men upended a tray of rum and most of it landed on me.”
Kenna got out of bed and helped Rhys get out of his sodden jacket and trousers. “I had one of the maids draw you a bath. Here, I’ll take these clothes and you deposit yourself in the tub. There’s a kettle of water heating in the fireplace. You’ll need it, the water’s no better than tepid by now.”
Rhys stripped off the remainder of his clothes and handed them to Kenna. He slipped into the tub while she deposited the reeking material in the dressing room and instantly regretted he had forgotten to add the hot water. He looked at Kenna plaintively when she reentered the room, making his teeth chatter to call attention to his plight.
“I’ve a good mind to let Alcott chip you out of there in the morning,” she said. She used a mitt to remove the hot kettle from the hearth. “Move your feet if you don’t want them scalded.” Carefully she poured the water into the tub. When she had emptied the kettle Rhys slid lower, resting his head on the edge and closed his eyes.
“You’re a kind woman, Kenna Canning,” he sighed.
She knelt beside the tub and took the sponge and soap in hand. “Simple-minded would be a more accurate description,” she said, mocking herself as she began to lather Rhys’s smooth chest.
“Mm.”
The gentle massage stopped. “Are you agreeing with me or simply enjoying my attentions?”
“The latter, dearest.” He smiled complacently as the sponge was drawn across his chest again.
“How did it happen that you went to the tavern?”
“Tanner came by the construction site an hour or so after you left. He offered a few suggestions on the design and I offered to discuss it over a few pints. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Oh, dear. Have I sounded like the veriest fishwife?” She brushed his mouth with hers. “Honestly, I don’t mind. But, given the unsavory events of this morning, perhaps you would send someone out to the house with word that you are going to be delayed.”
His eyes flew open. “You were worried!”
“Did you think you had an exclusive right to that state of mind? I love you, Rhys Canning. Of course I was worried.” She touched the bruise on his chin. “I don’t like to think of someone marring this perfectly beautiful face.”
“I could remind you that this handsome visage you affect to admire would have been unscathed if I had not been distracted by a sprite wielding a veritable battering ram. Icouldremind you of that. But I won’t.”
“Your reticence to dwell on past events is one of your most admirable qualities.”
“I’m glad you think so.” He closed his eyes as she tenderly bathed his face. “If I plan to work late in the future I’ll send someone round with a message.” His concession was rewarded by a very warm kiss.
“Thank you.” She brushed a bubble of soap away from the corner of his mouth. “Lift your foot.”
He curled his toes over the edge of the tub so she could wash his leg. “Do you really want to attend the Clouds’ masque, Kenna?”
“Yes. I really do. It’s absurd to let the past interfere with present.”
“If you’re certain then.”
“I am. Other leg please.” She paused, waiting for him to comply. “What will you wear?”
“I’ve already decided against a highwayman. And pirate garb is out of the question. Alexis has priority there.”
“Most definitely. She’s quite something, isn’t she? I’d love to know her story. Did I tell you she grew up on Breecham Lane? Can you imagine? One would never think it to hear her speak.”
“I’m certain, given time, she’ll tell you how she became Captain Danty. And if you don’t share it with me I doubt I shall ever speak to you again.”
“As long as you don’t deny me the pleasure of bathing you,” she said, dipping the sponge beneath the water and running it along his thigh. “So what are you going to do?”
“I thought you had lost interest.”
“Hardly, though I admit my interest is beginning to take another turn.” She leaned over the tub to reach his other thigh. Rhys’s eyes fluttered open and he knew himself to be quite taken with the view of Kenna’s breasts thrusting against the bodice of her low cut nightgown.
“So is mine,” he warned her as she leaned back and he saw her bodice had become damp, outlining her every curve.
