“Did you take the tour, or did the war intervene?”
“I took it.” He chuckled.
“What amuses you?”
“The little I learned. But it is good for a young man to widen his horizons.”
“You have no need to explain,” she said hastily, guessing what he referred to.
His hands tightened at her waist. “I wasn’t about to. I haven’t forgotten I’m here with a lady.” His voice dropped a notch, as if he found that difficult, which silenced her.
Almost an hour passed. Helen’s legs began to grow tired, and she shuffled around in the small space allotted to her, careful not to tread on his big feet.
“We can’t stand up all night,” Peyton said, and for once, she had to agree with him. Although she doubted his solution to the problem would suit her.
“I’m perfectly all right,” she said, fearing what he might suggest next.
There’s room to sit if you’ll perch on my lap.”
“Are you always so frivolous?”
“Needs must. And perfectly aboveboard. To adopt a Naval term.”
“You were never in the Navy.”
“Here, I’ll show you,” he said with a soft chuckle. He sank down, pulling her with him onto his lap.
Before she could protest, he settled her across his knees, his hand touching parts of her that were just short of scandalous. She was sure he meant to do it. “There now, isn’t that better? It’s good that you’re not wearing your corset. You can be comfortable. Lean back against me and close your eyes. If anything happens I’ll wake you.”
“Oh!” How dare he mention the absence of her undergarments! Finding herself seated on muscular thighs and enveloped in strong masculine arms, Helen lost her ability to think of a suitable retort. Sleep? Was the man mad?
“I think we were mistaken. They’re not coming.” She struggled to rise without making matters worse. In the confined space, it proved impossible, and her elbow poked him in what she suspected with horror was a vital spot.
He groaned and tensed against her.
“Oh. I’m sorry, was that you…”
“It was.” His voice sounded strained.
Beginning to feel quite giddy, she suffered a fit of the giggles. It must have been the stuffy interior, the masculine smell of him, or the fear that, if she remained here, she’d soon succumb to his charm.
“I’m glad you find it amusing. But please don’t do that again.” He moved carefully as if in discomfort, but there was laughter in his voice. “Keep still and be quiet.”
She was in danger, but not from a foe, her own weakness. She liked being close to him far too much. How easy it would be to lean back against his strong chest and let nature take its course. She tensed with alarm at the direction her thoughts were taking. “I think I should leave,” she whispered.
“An excellent idea. If you promise to go straight up to bed.”
“Will you go home?”
“No. I’ll stay awhile.”
His hands vanished from where they’d rested on her diaphragm. “You know, you’re a very comfy armful, Lady Helen, if I might be so bold.”
“I think you’ve been quite bold enough.” She knew she sounded halfhearted. She could feel his chest shaking. He was laughing!
“I’m glad you find this amusing.”
“As do you,” he said with a chuckle.
