Thank Christ.
The girl left the room.Scarlett heard her tread on the stairs and then the door below close.
“You need to change your clothes,” Malcolm said.“I’ll wait in the hall.”
“There is no need.I’ll change behind the screen.”
“Miss Perkins, that’s… I-I can’t possibly—”
“Please.I’d rather not be alone.”
She expected him to protest further, but instead, he nodded.He crossed to the door and closed it.
Her hands were shaking.And when she tried to stand, she winced.
“Here,” he said, catching her in his arms.
She buried her head into his shoulder, and he swore.
“Scarlett,” he said, his voice full of warning.
“I won’t be able to undo my corset.Not alone.”
“Damn.I shouldn’t have sent the maid away.I just thought—”
“No, I’m glad you did.I wanted her gone.”
His silence indicated to her that he had felt the same.
“I don’t mind you helping me,” she continued.“I’d rather you than her.And you’ve already seen me.”It was true, she thought frantically.
Once more, to her surprise, he nodded.
With careful fingers, he undid the buttons on the back of her dress, and then the one above her petticoat.He shucked off the wet garments and then he undid the laces of her corset.It all dropped off, leaving only her chemise and her stockings.She wasn’t bold enough to remove her chemise, but she quickly removed her wet underthings.
“Scarlett.”
Ignoring that warning, she gestured toward the screen.“My dressing gown, please.”
He moved away from her and then returned, draping the smooth fabric over her shoulders.
She shrugged it on.
“Please, sit,” he said, guiding her to the bed.
She did not resist.She sat on the edge of the bed and gazed up at him.
“I shouldn’t be here,” he said.“I should wait outside.”
And yet, he didn’t move.
“Or you could kiss me again.”
“That is not—I should not.”
“What is the difference between right now and last night?”
“I-I don’t know.We might be caught.”
