“I mean in the weeks to come. While you are cataloging. We could arrange to meet so that we do not upset Leo or shock Singleton.”
Eamon’s laughter faded. “You have thought this through, have you?”
“Why not?” Caro touched his lips, shivering when he kissed her fingertips. “I thought you’d be pleased.”
A frown creased his face. “Because I professed to be in love with you?”
“That and I missed you too much when you were gone. I don’t want you to run away again.” She trailed off with wistfulness.
Eamon gazed at her in silence for a time, eyes unreadable. Then he briefly rubbed his forehead. “I’ve behaved like an ass for the whole of it, haven’t I? I am sorry, Duchess. I never meant to cause you so much vexation.”
Caro hadn’t been vexed—she’d been empty. Eamon not being in the house all day had felt wrong, as though the place was incomplete.
“I’m glad you came back,” she said softly.
Eamon snuggled closer to her. “There is much more to do, and to be honest, I don’t trust anyone but me to do it. I promise to behave myself this time, Duchess.”
That hadn’t been what Caro had meant, but she shared a smile as though she agreed with him.
She walked her fingers across his chest. “You are hardly behaving yourself now, Mr. Stone.”
Eamon captured her hand. “Outside of this chamber, I mean. Inside, I will let myself be very wicked.”
Caro feigned disapproval. “Is that so?”
“Indeed. It’s enjoyable to be wicked, Duchess. Let me show you.”
Eamon lowered himself to her and kissed her, his lips hot and leisurely. Then he abruptly stripped back the covers and moved to kneel between her legs.
Caro held her breath, wondering what he’d do, then suppressed a squeal as he proceeded to demonstrate what pleasures he could bring to her with his mouth alone.
Eamon was in the gallery at nine the next morning, studiously going over the notebooks he’d left behind when Singleton appeared.
“Good morning, sir.”
Singleton’s three simple words held a quantity of meaning. Surprise to find Eamon already here when Eamon hadn’t knocked on the door. Curiosity as to how Eamon had gained entrance, and wondering if he wanted to know the answer.
“Good morning, Singleton,” Eamon returned without trepidation. “Her Grace lent me the key.” He lifted a sturdy ring and jangled it. “This way I can make an early start without disturbing the household.”
The key had also let Eamon slip out even earlier this morning and hasten back to his rooms for a wash and change of clothing. Mrs. Temple, his landlady, had not been impressed by his early hours, she’d informed Eamon when he stopped for a quick breakfast.
“Blame my friends,” Eamon had told her as he’d gulped down coffee and buttered toast. “They do keep me out all night.”
“Funny that.” Mrs. Temple refilled his cup as soon as it emptied. “His lordship came around looking for you very late last evening. Was surprised you weren’t in.”
Eamon suspected Wolfe had wanted to learn how the supper had gone. He clearly hadn’t expected Eamon to have spent the night in Caro’s arms.
Eamon strove to keep the flush from his face. “I do have other friends than Lord Dominic, Mrs. Temple. Now, I must go and earn some coin.”
“A gentleman shouldn’t soil his hands making a living, you know,” Mrs. Temple said. “If you want to take a true lady to wife, that is.”
“Gentlemen who won’t soil their hands slowly starve.” Eamon grabbed another slice of toast as he rose to leave. “I prefer to eat.” He munched the toast, grinned, and departed, as Mrs. Temple shook her head.
Mrs. Temple had a point, Eamon reflected as he finished the bread, donned his hat and coat, and departed for Grosvenor Square. If he wished to take Caro to wife, they must have something to live on. The townhouse was Leo’s, the lease in his name as duke, Eamon’s research had told him. Caro and the dowager had use of it for their lifetimes, but the dowager might request her daughter-in-law to leave if Caro decided to marry a reprobate.
Caro would never depart without Leo—and Leo would want to go with her—so what would they do? Let the dowager rattle about the empty house while Eamon leased a flat for them or rooms in a cheap boardinghouse? What a comedown for a duke and his mother, if the duke’s men of business would even allow such a thing to happen.
Eamon halted in the middle of North Audley Street with a growl, earning impatient words from those trying to press past him.
