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Some of the guests were early risers as well.

“Mei,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Mm.” Her sleepy response went from quiet to a startled cry as she jerked upright. “What time is it?”

“Very early. But time that we returned to our rooms.” His very sincere reluctance was threaded through his voice. Even as he said the words, he felt the urge to pull her back down beside him. To wrap his arms around her and never let her go.

Perhaps he should speak now about wanting to make her his duchess?

But no.

It was possible she might think he was only asking because he’d discovered he was her first lover. After all, she did know the ways of the ton, even if she was not born one of them. Of course, he had not asked yesterday, but…

No. Better to hold off, show her how much pleasure he could give her as a lover while they were here at the house party. She loved what she did, and she could continue to be a matchmaker once she was his duchess for all he cared, but to keep the trust of the ton, it would be best if she did not attend a house party and come home with a duke as her prize when none of the assembled debutantes did. Once they were in London, he could court her publicly, properly, and keep tongues from wagging more than they already would.

Sebastian was cognizant of the fact that it would not be the most seamless transition, even with the support of his fellow dukes and their wives and families. So, he would do what he could to ease things along.

That meant returning to their rooms and finishing the house party without a whisper of scandal.

Besides, Mei was already getting to her feet, picking up her nightrail and dressing gown, pulling them on as she glanced frantically at the window.

“The sun is rising.”

“Just barely.” But he knew that would not last for long. Getting to his feet, he pulled his own dressing gown on, just as she finished tying the sash on hers. “Mei.”

Freezing, she looked at him. Long black hair disheveled and mussed, eyes wide and a touch frantic, lips parted… she was beautiful. And he was the only man to have ever seen her like this. Two swift steps forward and he pulled her into his arms for a brief, firm kiss.

“Meet me back here tonight?” he whispered as he raised his head.

Silently, she nodded.

“Go.” Sebastian made himself release her and stepped back, reluctantly pulling his hands away from the smooth fabric of her robe. “You should go first. If anyone sees me about, they will not think twice about it. I will see you tonight.”

“Tonight,” she whispered in agreement, hastily stepping to the door. Easing it open, she peeked outside and opened it wider to step through. A final glance over her shoulder, then she was gone, leaving only the memory of the previous night lingering over the room like a hushed spell.

The wait to follow her was interminable. He stood still, straining to hear, but her footsteps were too soft. At least he did not hear any commotion to indicate she had been seen.

After several long, impatient minutes, Sebastian left the back room as well, leaving the door cracked behind him. At some point, someone would come to straighten the daybed, which was fine as long as they did not know who had been using it. Though he was certain the dowager would suspect, she would also likely be pleased with herself.

The thought made him smile as he made his way through the halls, striding confidently as if he belonged there. Which he did. He’d walked these halls often, at all times of the day and night, so if anyone saw him, they would not think twice about it as long as he appeared nonchalant.

He was highly alert for any sign of Mei, but she had disappeared completely. Before reaching the hall with his room, the only other person Sebastian encountered was a footman on his way to do his duties. Heading to his room, his mind filled with Mei and the taste of her, the feel of her beneath him and around him, he jumped back when a door opened right in front of him.

He’d been so lost in his head, he hadn’t been paying attention, or he would have heard the turn of the doorknob before it opened.

Zachary stepped through the doorway, catching sight of Sebastian and frowning. He was already dressed for the day in smoky grey superfine with a dandelion yellow waistcoat and cravat. Monkey Sinclair was perched on his shoulder as usual, a matching dandelion ribbon attached to his collar, looking around alertly but not particularly impressed with Sebastian’s presence.

“Ah, I was hoping to find you this morning, though I did not expect it to be quite so early,” Zachary said. “Could I have a word?” He gestured back at the bedroom he’d just come from.

Suspecting what he wanted to have a word about, Sebastian almost said ‘no’, but he knew the conversation would be coming sooner or later. He might as well get it over now when there was no one else about. Although it might have been nice to have some support, he would not want any of his friends swayed by whatever Zachary said.

Heaving a sigh, he walked past Zachary into the bedroom. The bed was unmade, sheets flung about and pillows strewn across it. If Sebastian did not know better, he would have said that Zachary had had a strenuous night with a lover. Because he did know better, he suspected the other man had had trouble sleeping.

Taking a seat on the couch that sat across from the bed beside the heavy oak armoire, Sebastian pulled his dressing gown into place as he crossed his ankles and leaned back in the chair. Still frowning, Zachary paced across the room and leaned against the bedframe, crossing his arms over his chest. Monkey Sinclair made a chittering noise and hopped up from his shoulder, climbing up the bedpost as if he was trying to get the best view of the room.

“Well?” Sebastian asked as the silence stretched between them.

“I know it is not my business…” Zachary started to say.