twenty-two
EDITH COULDN’T STOP shivering once in the cab.
Between the icy water and the emotions of improvising surgery on the dirty table of a public house, her body was too shocked to keep its warmth.
Perry rubbed her hands. “You’re freezing.”
“Why do we always end up soaked?”
He chuckled. “I’m cold as well. We need to change.”
She snuggled closer to him, taking a moment to close her eyes and not thinking about anything. Perry’s arms were that powerful. His strength was contagious, and the closer she was to him, the stronger she felt. He rubbed her back when she shivered again, her teeth chattering, but not just with cold.
When the cab stopped in front of his townhouse and he offered her his hand, the smile brightening his face warmed her with a flutter in her chest. Yet another strong emotion to deal with that night.
“I’ll escort you home when you’re warm and dry. As usual,” he said, reaching out for the bell.
“No key?”
He shrugged. “Never had it.”
Mason opened the door, shooting a worried glance at them. “My lord. Miss Winkworth. What happened?”
“Just a normal evening,” Perry said.
“Mason,” she said, brushing past him.
“What do you need, my lord?” Mason took their wet coats.
“Tea, please, in my room. No need to rouse Mrs. Davidson, and discretion, please.”
The butler bowed. “My lord.”
Perry held her hand, going up the stairs. “I’ll give you something to wear while your clothes get dry.”
“We shocked Mason.” She exhaled in relief when she entered Perry’s warm bedroom.
“He gets worried easily.” He searched through his wardrobe.
Mason knocked and waited for Perry’s permission before bringing in the tea. After tossing another worried glance at them, he left them alone. Oddly enough, she hadn’t thought about being alone with Perry in his bedroom until that moment.
How scandalous. How perfect.
“Here. It’s the warmest garment I have.” He handed her one of his dressing gowns. “The screen is over there.”
Goosebumps covered her skin as she peeled off her wet clothes from her body. His hearty scent wafted from the soft fabric of the dressing gown, and she closed her eyes when she slid it on. Warm and gentle, like Perry.
“Are you done?” she asked.
“Bring your clothes.”
He wore another dressing gown that matched his sapphire eyes. His wet hair enhanced his fine features and that devilish smile of his; it still held the secrets of his former scandalous life.
He stretched her clothes on a chair in front of the roaring fire. The heated gaze he gave her warmed her more than the flames. He wasn’t the first man who had looked at her scandalously with hunger, but he was the first man who had made it count.
“I won’t forget this night.” She sat on the thick carpet and stretched out her legs towards the fire.
He sat next to her. “I’m glad you decided to start studying again.” He touched her hand with a finger, sending shivers up her arm. “Although you have a future as an art model.”
