“We’ve never spent a full night together. Since we married.”
“I know,” he sighed. “Bollocks honeymoon. I’m sorry. I thought after the twins’ debut—”
“I am less concerned about a honeymoon, but I should like to spend an entire night in your company. I should like to... talk to you. I should like to... encounter you without the interruption of the twins or the distraction of lovemaking.”
“You want me to spend the nightwithyou but noton topofyou?”
She giggled. “No, you may—” She took a deep breath. “Of course we may be intimate, I was just hoping that you would not go. Afterward.”
“Brilliant. I love it. I never intended to leave you these many nights. It’s only that I’ve been...” he let out a frustrated breath, “...called away.”
She nodded. “But what about... tonight?”
“Absolutely. Tonight.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Well—lovely,” she said, laughing a little. “Because I may have already made arrangements.”
“Arrangements,” he mused.
“Yes. For supper, shared in your chamber. To have a hot bath drawn, to—”
“Have you now?” he teased. “And here I thought—”
A loud knock sounded on the door.
Drew gasped, her gaze flying to the closed door. He’d locked it, hadn’t he? She looked to him and he rolled his eyes.
Drew darted away, adjusting her drawers, smoothing her skirts. Ian stalked to the door and put a shoulder against it. “A moment, if you please.”
“Your Grace?” called the irritated voice of a stranger. “Their Royal Highnesses would see you now. Your nieces and the baroness have been admitted to the Throne Room. The prince and princess arewaiting for you.”
“Very good,” said Ian, shrugging deeper into his coat. “We’ll be just a moment.”
Drew sprinted through the room, extinguishing candles and collecting gloves. She scooped up Ian’s hat and met him at the door.
“Look,” he whispered, pointing to the knob. “Sneaky bastard is endeavoring toadmit himselfto this locked room.”
“Weareguests in this...” she looked around, “...storage room. Guests are generally not given liberty to engage in... in... locked-door trysts. But Ian?”
“I love it when you call me that.”
“Yes. Ian, about tonight? Tonight we’ll take dinner? Just you and me? In your room? Tonight I can ask questions about our marriage without you feeling... surprised?”
“Surprised?” he repeated, watching the doorknob begin to turn. “Oh yes—that. How delicate I must sound with my aversion to surprises. Of course, Drew, we will discuss whatever you like.”
“You promise?” she asked.
“Yes, yes, whatever you like.” He gestured Drew to the side.
“Crafty bugger,” Ian whispered, scowling at the unseen servant on the other side of the door. And then he flipped the lock and yanked the door open in the same movement.
On the other side, a royal page was flung into the room, his hand still on the knob.
“Thank you for your patience,” Ian drawled, holding out his arm for Drewsmina, guiding her out the door.
