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“Are you unwell?” he asked.
“Hm?” She raised her eyebrow in question.
“You look…” Was it rude to point out her pallor? He decided to change tactics. “Had a little too much to drink last night, did you?”
“No.” She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “I believe that was you.”
He let out a snort. “I certainly shall not deny that.”
She wrung her hands. “Since you’re here, I was hoping we could discuss the matter of my allowance. You said that—”
“In a moment.” Tyrone stopped her with a gesture of his hand. “First, I would love to discuss what happened last night.”
She blinked in confusion. “Last night?”
“Yes, we slept together and—”
She scoffed. “Oh, no, we haven’t slept together. Or at least, I haven’t slept a wink!”
A little smile tugged at his lips. “I kept you up all night, huh?”
“Oh, yes.” She nodded. “And if we’re to discuss this, then perhaps I could ask you not to come to my bed when you’re in your cups.”
She looked rather angry. Had he not taken the time to pleasure her? He could be rather selfish when under the influence of liquor, and to be honest, he was surprised he’d kept her awake all night. He must have enjoyed her company.
“Apologies if I was a little rough.”
“A little rough?” A frown gathered between her brows. “Not only did you wake me up in the middle of the night when you came to my bedroom, but you refused to let me sleep afterward. The moment I slipped into slumber, you would pull me out.”
But did I pull myself out? He couldn’t quite ask the important question. But if they indeed engaged in intercourse more than once there was an even bigger chance that he had been far less careful than he should have been.
He scratched his jaw. “Did I take any precautions?”
She squinted in confusion. “Precautions?”
“Did I… wear anything?”
She looked around the room. “Your coat is on the armchair over there.”
Tyrone pursed his lips. He would have to be more direct than that. “I mean the armor.”
“The armor? Why would you—” She looked him up and down slowly. “You are large as it is! I am all sore now; my entire body aches because of you! If you wore the armor—”
Tyrone raised his arm to halt her, caught between laughter and remorse. He was quite large. Women had told him that often enough for him to know it was the truth. The armor would not add much to his girth, however. But she had likely been a virgin up until last night and probably didn’t know that. And if she ached that badly this morning, it meant he had brutishly taken her virtue, failing to prepare her properly.
Of course, she’d think that armor would hurt even more. “I am sorry. I don’t exactly remember what happened. I was rather drunk. I assure you, next time it won’t be as painful. But I need to know—”
“Next time?” She took a step back and raised her hands as if in self-defense. “No, no, there won’t be a next time. I know that married couples spend their nights together, but I would prefer it if you used your own chamber.”
Tyrone frowned in confusion. “What?”
“What?” she echoed.
Tyrone let out a sigh. “Never mind that. I apologize for being rough. And I shouldn’t have bothered you through the entire night, but I was drunk.”
“That is exactly the problem, isn’t it?” She pressed her fists to her sides.
“I am usually more attentive than this, even when drunk, I promise. But… You didn’t enjoy it even a little?” He shouldn’t have been concentrating on that part. But he had to admit, his ego was bruised.