peerage. He only hoped that
his future wife had even a modicum of the personality, looks and intelligence
of the captivating Vanessa.
The water did finally arrive and wasn’t as cold as he’d
predicted, though it was none too warm, either. He’d already laid out his
clothes for dinner, so he had time for a leisurely soak. The copper tub proved
more of a match for someone of Vanessa’s height than his. That was a thought
worth dwelling on: Vanessa, naked, lying in the tub. In desperate need of
someone to wash her back, her front, her other bits. As he folded himself into
the tub, with limbs hanging over the edge, he thought about soaping up Vanessa
while worshipping every inch of her.
His fantasy was getting particularly good when the door
opened and Vanessa entered, as if summoned by his wayward thoughts. Except in
his fantasy, she had a sultry, wanton look in her eyes, rather than the
no-nonsense, let’s-go-hunt-some-villains expression that was there now. When
she realized he was in the tub, she blushed delightfully then averted her eyes,
but only after a quick peek.
Arthur took some satisfaction in that. While she was
strictly off limits for the time being, he still wanted her to find him
attractive. Especially since he wanted her so very much.
“Pray forgive my sudden entrance,” she said to the wall
opposite his tub. “I should’ve knocked, but I just thought of something and
need your counsel.”
“No apology necessary,” he said, as he purposely splashed water
to get her attention. He thought she almost turned around. “You hereby have
permission to enter my bed chamber at any time, day or night.”
“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” she said primly, as she tugged
at the oversized gown she was wearing.
“Did you bring that gown with you?” asked Arthur.
“No. Professor Dumbarton was kind enough to lend it to me
while my clothes are being laundered. It belongs to his sister.”
“She’s a rather large woman,” said Arthur.
“So it would appear. The reason I barged in on you is that
I just thought of something.”
“I’m all ears. Well, almost.”
She continued on, ignoring the innuendo. “How did Mortimer
and Portia know the chest was at Riverton Farms?”
Arthur reluctantly turned his thoughts to their mission. “I
don’t know. How did you know it was?”
“I was sent there by the Home Office. My superior, Lord
Willingham, had received a tip and I was sent to investigate.”
Arthur thought about that. “Perhaps whoever alerted
Willingham also told Mortimer and Cassidy.”
“But for what purpose? Why alert the authorities and the
villains who want to steal it?”
Arthur watched the emotions play across her face. “Do you
think there’s a mole in the Home Office?”
“I wouldn’t like to think so, but I cannot ignore the
possibility. If there is, it would make one thing clear…”
“That Mortimer and Cassidy went to London when they realized
the papers were fake.”
“Yes!” She was so excited she turned toward him, apparently
forgetting his state of undress. But it was obvious the moment she registered
it. Her gaze drank him in. From his broad, muscled shoulders, to his defined
chest with a smattering of hair. The flat male nipples, the definition of his
stomach which led downward to what was just barely visible through the water.
Arthur watched her growing arousal. She was very aware of
him as a man. And not the flustered way that a virgin would be. It was an
intriguing thought.
Then she remembered herself and turned away once again.
“I should leave you to your bath,” she said quickly.
“Please do not do so on my account. I’m enjoying the
conversation immensely. You must forgive my rag manners for not rising when
you entered. I can do that right now, if you…”
“No!”
Her panic brought a smile to his face. He could almost feel
sorry for her, if he
his future wife had even a modicum of the personality, looks and intelligence
of the captivating Vanessa.
The water did finally arrive and wasn’t as cold as he’d
predicted, though it was none too warm, either. He’d already laid out his
clothes for dinner, so he had time for a leisurely soak. The copper tub proved
more of a match for someone of Vanessa’s height than his. That was a thought
worth dwelling on: Vanessa, naked, lying in the tub. In desperate need of
someone to wash her back, her front, her other bits. As he folded himself into
the tub, with limbs hanging over the edge, he thought about soaping up Vanessa
while worshipping every inch of her.
His fantasy was getting particularly good when the door
opened and Vanessa entered, as if summoned by his wayward thoughts. Except in
his fantasy, she had a sultry, wanton look in her eyes, rather than the
no-nonsense, let’s-go-hunt-some-villains expression that was there now. When
she realized he was in the tub, she blushed delightfully then averted her eyes,
but only after a quick peek.
Arthur took some satisfaction in that. While she was
strictly off limits for the time being, he still wanted her to find him
attractive. Especially since he wanted her so very much.
“Pray forgive my sudden entrance,” she said to the wall
opposite his tub. “I should’ve knocked, but I just thought of something and
need your counsel.”
“No apology necessary,” he said, as he purposely splashed water
to get her attention. He thought she almost turned around. “You hereby have
permission to enter my bed chamber at any time, day or night.”
“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” she said primly, as she tugged
at the oversized gown she was wearing.
“Did you bring that gown with you?” asked Arthur.
“No. Professor Dumbarton was kind enough to lend it to me
while my clothes are being laundered. It belongs to his sister.”
“She’s a rather large woman,” said Arthur.
“So it would appear. The reason I barged in on you is that
I just thought of something.”
“I’m all ears. Well, almost.”
She continued on, ignoring the innuendo. “How did Mortimer
and Portia know the chest was at Riverton Farms?”
Arthur reluctantly turned his thoughts to their mission. “I
don’t know. How did you know it was?”
“I was sent there by the Home Office. My superior, Lord
Willingham, had received a tip and I was sent to investigate.”
Arthur thought about that. “Perhaps whoever alerted
Willingham also told Mortimer and Cassidy.”
“But for what purpose? Why alert the authorities and the
villains who want to steal it?”
Arthur watched the emotions play across her face. “Do you
think there’s a mole in the Home Office?”
“I wouldn’t like to think so, but I cannot ignore the
possibility. If there is, it would make one thing clear…”
“That Mortimer and Cassidy went to London when they realized
the papers were fake.”
“Yes!” She was so excited she turned toward him, apparently
forgetting his state of undress. But it was obvious the moment she registered
it. Her gaze drank him in. From his broad, muscled shoulders, to his defined
chest with a smattering of hair. The flat male nipples, the definition of his
stomach which led downward to what was just barely visible through the water.
Arthur watched her growing arousal. She was very aware of
him as a man. And not the flustered way that a virgin would be. It was an
intriguing thought.
Then she remembered herself and turned away once again.
“I should leave you to your bath,” she said quickly.
“Please do not do so on my account. I’m enjoying the
conversation immensely. You must forgive my rag manners for not rising when
you entered. I can do that right now, if you…”
“No!”
Her panic brought a smile to his face. He could almost feel
sorry for her, if he
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