Page 28 of Eight for Losing, One for Loving

“All covered up?”

“All covered up,” she agreed, though the idea of being uncovered before him was suddenly not as daunting as it had been. His hands rubbed over her arms and legs briskly, drying her so she wouldn’t feel chilled.

“I suppose I’d best let you do the rest,” Leo said with obvious regret. He stared at her for a long moment, his gaze full of warmth and… and something tender she did not dare name for fear of being unspeakably foolish. “Well, my little love. You’re all clean. So, now it’s my turn.”

Vi nodded and stepped out of the tub with his help to steady her.

“I’ll sit on the bed, I shan’t peek.”

“No. Sit there,” he nodded at the chair by the empty grate.

Vi’s expression must have been a picture, for he gave a choked laugh. “You can look away while I get in if you prefer, but I’d rather talk with you beside me, not hidden away behind a curtain. Is that terribly shocking?”

Vi shook her head. It was a bit late to shriek about indecency after all.

“If you prefer,” she said, pleased with herself for sounding so calm when she was a very long way from it. Taking a moment to extricate her arms from the wrappings, she padded over to the chair and sat down, keeping her eyes cast down as Leo made quick work of stripping off his clothes.

“We ought to have asked Jenny to see to your coat and trousers too,” she said, investigating her fingernails with apparent interest. “I’ll be all neat and tidy in the morning and you will look thoroughly disreputable.”

“Well, the truth is hard to disguise,” he said amiably. “I’m a shocking villain, after all.”

“Indeed, you are not,” she said, a little surprised by her own vehemence.

She heard the water sloshing and dared a glance up to find he had settled back in the tub. Vi glanced hurriedly away again, though the desire to look more closely was hard to deny.

“I’m not? Are you quite certain? In the circumstances,” he added, and she could hear the smile in his voice.

“Quite certain,” she told him, finding she meant it. Leo was a good man, not perfect by any means, but kind and honourable. If he gave his word, he would keep it. She considered this more carefully. Would that extend to marriage vows? She had never believed so before, but had that been unfair to him?

“What are you looking so intent about?” Leo’s voice broke into her thoughts, and she looked up, shaking her head.

“Just woolgathering,” she replied, and then swallowed as she watched him soaping his arms and chest. Powerful shoulders filled her gaze and arms far more muscular than she had appreciated beneath his exquisitely tailored coats. The soap lathered up in the golden hair on his chest and Vi suppressed the sudden and urgent desire to wash him herself. She imagined his shock if she ran over and wrested the soap from his hands, and blushed, tearing her gaze away once more. Surely, she had scandalised the poor man enough for one night. What must he think of her for kissing him so… so enthusiastically? Vi pressed her hands to her cheeks, which were now scalding.

“What on earth are you thinking about? You’re red as a beet, Vi, my pet.”

“I’m not your pet,” she said automatically, grasping at the silly endearment rather than answering the question.

“Oh, but you are, and you’re not diverting me that easily. What made you blush so hard? Are you thinking naughty thoughts, Vi? If you are, for heaven’s sake, tell me,” he added, grinning.

Vi huffed and covered her face with her hands. “Stop it!”

“Want to wash my back?” he asked, a note of challenge in his voice. “Is that what you were thinking about?”

Vi peered at him from between her fingers, her heart thudding. “M-Maybe,” she admitted.

He looked so thoroughly pleased by this confession that she dropped her hands into her lap, shaking her head. “Don’t look so smug.”

“I shall look as smug as I please. The woman who has filled my dreams and my every thought for months now finally admits she fancies me, and she wishes to wash my back. I’m cock of the walk, love, and don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon.”

“Leo, you are the most ridiculous creature.”

“I know, but you love me all the same.”

Vi stiffened but he held her gaze.

“Give a fellow a bit of encouragement. You must love me, even if it’s just a little bit,” he coaxed, holding up finger and thumb and squinting at the tiny gap between. “That much?” he suggested.

Relenting, Vi laughed. “You really are impossible. Yes, I suppose I might love you that much,” she said, showing him an even smaller amount between her own finger and thumb.