“I hardly ever drink,” he muttered. “Apparently I have little head for it anymore.”
She couldn’t help but smile. Leave it to Baldwin to remain in control even when he was in his cups. Enough control to pleasure her, and yet he hadn’t asked her for anything in return. Even though she could see the harsh outline of his body against his trousers in the faint firelight.
“Do you need help upstairs to bed?” she asked.
His gaze jerked to her, and there was fire in it. Desire that hadn’t faded even a fraction. Her body warmed at the sight of it, still tingling despite her needs being slaked.
“I can make it on my—” He released the chair and took a step, but staggered once more. He let out a long, ragged sigh. “Very well. I suppose I could use the help. There are back stairs that will help us hide from prying eyes.”
She shook her head as she moved to his side. He hesitated, then slung an arm around her shoulder and leaned on her for support. The feel of him along the length of her body made everything seem very hot and close.
“It’s late,” she said, trying to keep her tone light. “I doubt we’ll encounter anyone, back stairs or front. The party was wrapping up before I came to find you.”
He let out a long sigh. “My mother and Charlotte will be upset I missed the remainder of the gathering. Seems I can do nothing right of late.”
They exited into the hallway and she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. His mouth was set in a thin line and his gaze was straight ahead and filled with remorse. She couldn’t help but reflect on how very lonely he must be. No one knew his secret—well, no one but her. So he was forced to pretend for the world.
She understood that better than most. She understood the lack of respite mistakes created.
She cleared her throat. “Do you want to tell me what happened that put you in this state?”
He was quiet for a moment, and then he grunted. “Drunk and ready to accost innocent ladies?”
She pursed her lips. How little he knew. “You are notexactlydrunk and I do not feel accosted, Your Grace. So unless there were other ladies who called on you in your study tonight, please put that thought out of your mind.” She shook her head. “I meant, what made you leave your party? And drink in the dark?”
“I thought women liked broody men,” he said. “James, Graham…Robert…brooders all.”
She glanced at him. “You don’t have to tell me, of course.”
They had reached the back stairs, and he gripped the banister as they made their way up slowly. “It’s nothing,” he mumbled.
She nodded slowly, trying to ignore the disappointment that rose up in her. His rejection reminded her of her place, the one they’d both forgotten when he confessed to her initially. Or when he’d touched her moments before.
“I understand,” she said.
He waved his hand toward the door at the end of the hallway. “You don’t,” he said.
“I only want to help,” she said.
He paused for a moment, then looked down at her. “You did. Tonight you did, for when I touched you I forgot every other thing.” He leaned in to kiss her, then weaved.
“It’s starting to catch up with you now, isn’t it?” she asked, unable to stop the chuckle that escaped her lips.
“Apparently,” he said with a laugh of his own.
She reached out and opened his chamber and together they moved inside.
“Come on then,” she said, urging him through the sitting room and into the master chamber. She edged him forward. “To bed with you.”
He staggered and flopped face-first onto the mattress. She lifted his feet up and began to work on his boots. It was a mighty feat, but she managed to loosen first one, then the other, and tug them both off. He sighed as she did so. “Thank you. I much prefer you to my regular valet.”
She smiled, rather enamored with this silly man who now inhabited the usually serious body of the Duke of Sheffield. “Go to sleep now. It will be better in the morning.”
He rolled to his side to face her. “It won’t be. How I wish you could join me. That would make my morning better.”
Her heart jumped. The suggestion was tempting, for certain. The idea of curling herself around this man in his bed. Of waking up to him beside her. Of waking up to more of that wonderful pleasure he had provided less than half an hour before.
She shook her head. “You know I can’t,” she whispered.
