Chapter 31
CAROLINE
“Caroline.”
I snuggled deeper into Kendrick’s side, enjoying his warmth and the way his arms tightened around me. This was the most pleasant dream I’d ever had.
“Darling,” he murmured against my ear. His breath caused goose flesh to travel down my spine.
Blinking against the light, I opened my eyes and looked at him. His deep-blue eyes were fixed on me, a hint of amusement tilting one corner of his mouth.
“I love your eyes,” I said, my voice rough from sleep.
He cupped my cheek and continued to stare at me. When his eyes flicked to my lips, I smiled. Yes, this was certainly the best dream I’d ever had.
“Much as I would love you to remain in my bed, we need to think about how you’ll be going home.”
I frowned, confused by his words. Why would Dream Kendrick be concerned about me going home? As clarity came to me, I turned away from him.
At some point, he must have gotten up to get a blanket because we were now underneath a coverlet, and we’d made love on top of his bed.
My gaze flew to the window. Daylight still streamed in from outside, thank goodness, but I didn’t know what direction his bedroom faced, so I had no idea what time it was.
I sat up, clutching the blanket to my chest. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“We both fell asleep.”
He sat next to me, but I couldn’t face him. What must he think of me? I was fairly certain Kendrick wasn’t used to women making themselves quite so comfortable. No doubt a more sophisticated woman would have dressed immediately after making love and departed.
Embarrassment flooded through me as I worried about what he was thinking. Here I was, telling him I wasn’t looking for a husband, then I fell asleep in his arms. Such behavior didn’t befit someone only engaging in a casual liaison.
I met his indulgent gaze. “My apologies. I’ll get dressed right away and leave.”
I started to turn away, trying to work out whether I should wrap the blanket around myself as I gathered up my clothes. I spied what must have been his dressing room to the left, where I could duck in to change.
Before I could stand, Kendrick stopped me with a hand on my upper arm. “Caroline, what are you thinking right now?”
I closed my eyes, mortification sweeping through me. “You are correct. How long have we been here? If Henry returns home and I’m still missing, Aunt Augusta will worry.”
I expected him to release me. Instead, he tugged on my arm, and I fell back onto the bed.
He leaned over me, his forehead creased with concern. “Please don’t lie to me.”
I stared up at him, and somehow, I knew what he was thinking. I’d never felt the need to hide the truth from him before, and he was disappointed I was doing so now.
I sighed. “If you must know, I’m mortified and trying to hold onto my dignity.”
He frowned. “Do you regret what happened?”
I closed my eyes, unable to look at him. “No, not at all. I just feel so very gauche right now. I know that a more worldly woman wouldn’t have fallen asleep. She would have thanked you very prettily for a nice tumble and gone on her way.”
His thumb traced my cheek then my lower lip. “Look at me, Caroline.”
I swallowed and opened my eyes.
He was watching me carefully. “You’re not just any woman. And if it’s gauche to fall asleep, then I’m guilty of that sin as well.”
Relief flooded through me that he wasn’t angry or disappointed. “What time is it?”
“It is not yet noon. You’ve only been here a short while. But you are correct, you do need to get dressed. Unless you’ve changed your mind again and do want me to ruin your reputation.”
I rose to sit, continuing to clutch the blanket to my chest. “I doubt it would dissuade Penham. But maybe the nonsense that took place today will change his mind.”
He smiled, but there was a hint of darkness in his eyes. “Penham can’t have you.”
I might have imagined it, but I thought I detected a note of possessiveness in his tone. I liked the idea that he didn’t want to see me with someone else. It was enough for now. I could pretend.
“I should get dressed. But I might need some help.”
His grin widened. “By all means.”
He sprang from the bed. He was still shirtless, but he wore his trousers. He must have buttoned them when he went to get the blanket. Probably for the best. I winced at the slight ache between my legs. I didn’t think I’d be able to make love again so soon, much as I might want to.
He moved around the room, picking up my scattered items of clothing and laying them on the bed. I reached for my chemise and, after a deep breath for courage, dropped the blanket. Then I tugged the chemise over my head.
My back was turned to him, but I could almost feel the weight of his gaze on my body. Happiness filled me at the knowledge that he enjoyed looking at me. I turned around to face him. My gaze swept over him, trying to memorize every detail. I might never see him this way again.
He let out a frustrated breath. “Much as I’d love to keep you here all day, we need to get you home.”
I nodded and faced away from him again while he laced me into my corset. Then I stepped into my dress, and he helped me with the buttons.
I looked around his room and frowned. “Do you not have a mirror? I need to fix my hair.”
He disappeared into the changing room and returned with a small handheld mirror. He held it up for me as I did what I could to repair the mess we had made of my hairstyle. Finally, when I was presentable again, he set down the mirror, and I watched him dress.
He disappeared into the dressing room again and emerged with a freshly starched cravat. I watched him tie the complicated knots as though he’d trained as a valet himself. My brother had never managed that particular task.
When he was finished, we stood there, staring at one another.
“I—”
“You—”
We’d both spoken at the same time. He inclined his head and allowed me to go first.
“I need to find some way to sneak back into my house.”
He tilted his head and examined me. “How did you know about the duel? Surely your brother didn’t tell you.”
“Moreland told his wife, and Victoria sent me a note. She guessed—correctly, I might add—that I would want to see if I could stop it.”
He shook his head. “Of course he did.”
“He was being a good friend to you.”
“Oh, I know. But it’s still strange that he has a wife now with whom he is clearly besotted.”
I smiled. “They do make a lovely couple. Everyone was shocked when they learned about the wedding.”
“Yes,” Kendrick said. “It was a whirlwind affair, but it worked out well in the end.” He seemed to consider the matter.
“Since Moreland saw fit to interject himself and his wife into the duel, I don’t think they’d mind if we paid them a visit now.
Victoria can take you home in their carriage.
And you wouldn’t be lying if you told your aunt you were with her. ”
I nodded. “Thank you for being so kind and generous.”
His eyes were fixed on my face. “I was surprised that you were so worried about me. I don’t think I know of another woman who would have cared if I’d been hurt.”
I wanted to say so much, but I couldn’t. Instead, I settled for a version of the truth. “We’re friends, are we not? And friends worry about one another.”
His smile was soft. “Yes, Caroline, I do believe we are friends. Now, let’s get you home.”