The Footman by Minerva Spencer & S.M. LaViolette

Author:Minerva Spencer & S.M. LaViolette [Spencer, Minerva & LaViolette, S.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-06T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

London

1817

“Elinor?” A deep voice whispered in her ear. “Are you going to sleep forever?”

She opened her eyes and saw light streaming into the room. And Stephen sitting on the bed beside her, a cup of something—she sniffed, coffee? Yes, a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Do you want it?” He waved the cup in front of her.

Elinor growled and pushed herself up.

“That doesn’t sound very friendly.”

“Give me the coffee or I’ll breathe on you.”

He laughed. “Take it.” He sat back and watched as she drank.

“Ah.”

“There is the sound of a satisfied woman.”

She flushed, suddenly recalling the other sounds she’d made last night. “What time is it?”

“It’s a quarter to one.”

She made yet another unladylike noise. “Oh, no!” The coffee sloshed in the cup as she handed it to him and scrambled to get out from beneath the bedding. He moved to the side as she swung her legs off the bed. Her naked legs. She pressed back against the headboard, suddenly realizing how light it was in the room.

“Stephen?”

“Hmm?” he paused in the act of lifting the cup to his lips.

“Where are my clothes?”

His lips curved and he took a sip, smiling while his eyes probed the dimness and he stared at her body.

“Clothes?” he teased.

Elinor’s chest tightened. “I would like to get dressed.”

His eyebrows rose. “Where are you going?”

“Nowhere, I just wish to put on some clothes.”

His playful look altered subtly at her cool tone, as if he suddenly sensed her tension. He stood; his smile gone.

“Of course. I shall ring for your maid.”

“But—” She hesitated, not wishing to offend him further.

“You needn’t worry about discretion; I pay her very well for it.” He put the coffee on the nightstand.

Elinor could tell she’d hurt him and wished she could tell him what she truly feared. But she couldn’t. “Stephen?”

He stopped, his hand on door. “Yes?” he said without turning around.

Elinor shivered at the frost in the air. “Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for, Elinor?”

“For everything. For . . . last night.”

He opened the door and left her alone, just as she’d asked.

∞∞∞

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