He tucked his arms beneath his head. “Don’t use ’em.”
“You might have made an exception,” she said crossly, inspecting his wide muscular chest. He had very nice skin.
“Now it’s your turn,” he invited with a lazy, seductive grin.
She put her hands on her hips. “You are not going to watch me.”
“I rather thought I would. There’s a dearth of entertainment in the country. Even the newspapers are old.”
Althea gathered up her nightgown, slippers, and robe, grabbed a candle, and went to the door. She would undress in the spare bedchamber.
“You are an incurable wet blanket, Althea,” Flynn called after her.
She couldn’t prevent a giggle from escaping her lips. But for the seriousness of the situation, it would be amusing. But it was extremely worrying. Would robbers come during the night? Her mouth went dry at the thought. Would Flynn be at risk? She almost turned and advised him to remain in her bed. Almost, but not quite.
As she shed her clothing, she wondered how she would feel undressing before a man’s gaze. Nothing of the sort had occurred to her before; certainly, Brookwood had never demanded she do so. She was always abed with her nightgown buttoned up when her husband came to her chamber. She had to admit the idea stirred her a little. While performing the act of a contortionist, she managed to unlace her stays. The rest of her clothes easily managed, she tied her dressing gown belt firmly and returned to the bedchamber.
The room had dimmed, the candle guttering. “Is it time to go downstairs, Flynn?”
No reply came from the bed. “Obviously not,” she muttered. She blew out all the candles but one and climbed into her makeshift bed. The velvet covering had promised softness, but it was rigid, and the buttons dug into her hip. Rain lashed the window and a drop splattered on her head. Surely, this bay didn’t leak. She patted her hair and stared up at the top of the architrave. This was all she needed! But at least the weather might deter any burglars.
When she turned over seeking a comfortable spot, Flynn spoke from the bed, sounding wide awake. “Do you know why I pursued you last year, Althea?”
“The desire for another conquest?”
“You don’t pull your punches, do you?”
“I imagine that’s what rakes do.”
“I am not a rake.” He sounded offended. “Rakes seduce innocent young women and leave them to their fate. I have never made love to a lady who didn’t know what was what.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. Green girls in their first season can be sadly taken in by charming rakes, their lives quite ruined.”
“Girls just out of the schoolroom are flighty. They should be well-chaperoned,” he said sternly.
She was surprised again by this unpredictable man. “Is that the sort of papa you would be, Flynn?”
“I would, but I don’t expect to have children.”
“Don’t you like them?”
“I do as a matter of fact. But you are distracting me from what I wish to say, Althea. I was drawn to a need I sensed in you, apart from your obvious attractions.”
She huffed. “What nonsense.”
“I’ve been giving it considerable thought.”
“Then I wish you’d stop,” she said edgily, not liking where this was leading.
“You appeared to be vulnerable, and a man is inclined to want to help a woman in need, but it was more.”
“More?” She held her breath.
“You wanted me to pursue you.”
“Oh! I did not!”
“You wanted a lover, and you saw a likely one in me.”
