"I can!" Aurora drew a measured breath, striving for control. "If we felt anything at all between us then, it was only an illusion… brought on by the despair of the moment."
"No," Nicholas said slowly. "It was very real, sweetheart. I didn't imagine it. And you are the same sensual, responsive woman I remember from that night. I know that now for a certainty."
Heat flushed her cheeks as she recalled just how wantonly she had responded to his erotic caresses moments ago.
She might have argued with him further but for the soft rap on the door. Aurora froze, watching in horror as her
bedchamber door started to open.
In three strides she was across the room, pushing the door shut again.
"My lady," a female voice called through the oak paneling. "I've brought your morning chocolate."
"One moment," Aurora replied, almost frantic as she tried to think what to do. If the maid were to find Nicholas here, she would have no shred of reputation left.
Spinning, Aurora moved quickly over to the bed and yanked the bed curtains closed, concealing Nicholas behind the ivory brocade. She heard his soft chuckle as she returned to open the door, and had to grit her teeth at his misplaced humor. How could he put her in such a vulnerable position and laugh about it?
Stepping back, she allowed the maid to enter the room. Her heart hammering, Aurora tried not to glance at the bed curtains as the girl set the breakfast tray down on the bedside table.
"Thank you, Molly. You may go now."
"Yes, my lady."
With a curtsey, the maid left the room, and Aurora firmly bolted the door behind her.
"Is it safe yet?" Nicholas asked, his tone husky with laughter.
"Keep your voice down," she demanded in a fierce whisper. "The servants will hear you." She pulled open the curtains to find him lounging negligently on the bed, his dark eyes dancing. His audacity riled her to no end.
"There is no need for panic, Aurora."
"That is easy for you to say. It isn't your reputation that will be in shreds if a strange man is found in your bed."
"If a man were found in my bed, I expect my reputation would suffer no small amount. But there is little chance of that happening, since I am inordinately fond of women."
"Nicholas, this is not in the least amusing!"
"Oh, I think it is. I find it fascinating to see you in a passion. It requires work to make you lose that cool, regal air of yours."
Aurora raised her eyes to the ceiling, struggling for patience. "Will you put your clothes on and go away?"
"Where do you expect me to go?"
She controlled her vexation long enough to give him a quizzical look. "Don't you have somewhere to stay?"
"And if I said no? Would you take pity on me and invite me to live here with you?"
"I would have my butler help you to find lodgings," Aurora said repressively.
"You needn't trouble yourself, love."
"Seriously, where are you staying?"
"Aboard ship at the moment. But the docks are too far away for convenience, so I mean to take rooms at a hotel. I thought of staying with Wycliff – Brand claims a slight acquaintance with him – but Lucian is out of town, and the coincidence would only invite suspicion."
"I should think so," Aurora said in a tart undervoice. "You are mad even to be in this country. You are going to get yourself killed."
Ignoring her prediction, Nicholas glanced around the room. "This is a handsome bedchamber – I imagine the entire house is. You said you purchased it with your marriage settlement?"