Page 78 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“You stay on yours.” He started unbuttoning his trousers.

She raced to the other side, shielding herself from his nakedness, and climbed into the bed, lying as close to the edge as possible.

Rustle of clothes sounded from the other side, then the bed sagged a little as Simon climbed in, releasing an exaggerated sigh.

Charlotte stared up at the canopy and prayed the blanket would hold during the night. Before long, snoring drifted across from the other side. Grumbling to herself, she scooted a little closer to the middle, careful not to disturb the barrier, and tried to sleep.

CHAPTER 21

Restrained. Suffocating. Charlotte struggled to free herself and breathe. Heavy bonds wrapped around her shoulders and hips. A dark figure loomed over her. “Let me go!” the voice of a child cried, echoing as if it were in a long tunnel. Charlotte realized it was her own.Not real. It’s not real. She clawed her way to consciousness and safety.

Her heart still racing, and her breathing labored, she opened her eyes.

A bare arm wrapped around her upper body, the hand cupping her breast, and a muscled thigh draped across her hip, the blanket that had once been their barrier tangled in his feet.

Pressed up against her, Simon nuzzled against her neck, his unshaven face now scratchy from a day’s growth. “Mmm.”

She turned and shoved him away. “Get off me, you oaf!”

“Ough,” he groaned, rolling over on his back.

“Eeek!” She hated that her cry sounded like the childish persona from her dream. Why wasn’t he under the counterpane? She grabbed the blanket and tossed it over him.

Simon stretched his arms over his head and yawned. “Is itmorning?” He smacked his lips and stared at her through heavily lidded, groggy eyes.

She hated the fluttering in her stomach at his dopey grin.

“Put some clothes on!” she said, her words snapping like a bowstring pulled too taut. “And when did you pull down our barrier?”

As if finally gaining consciousness, he looked upward at the canopy, then down at the blanket covering his nakedness. “Oh. Sorry. I assure you, it was quite by accident, and Ididmention I was a restless sleeper.”

Carelessly ignoring her presence, he pushed the blanket off of him, swung his legs over the edge, and stood.

Unbidden, Charlotte’s traitorous gaze followed, fascinated with the way his muscles bunched in his rounded derrière. A sigh slipped from her lips as he stooped to retrieve his trousers from the floor.

Casting her a look over his shoulder, he said, “What did you say?”

Quickly, she jerked her gaze away. “Nothing. You’re hearing things.”

As he tugged on his shirt and boots, she eased from the bed and threw a dressing gown over her nightrail.

“I’ll request some warm water for washing and shaving. Would you like me to fetch Rose for you?”

She blinked at his consideration, then nodded.

Simon gave her privacy as she washed and dressed, returning only when Rose left. “You’re welcome to remain here while I bathe and dress, or you can go downstairs with Rose for breakfast, and I’ll join you shortly.”

“Rose has already eaten.”

“Well, have her accompany you anyway. Don’t go down alone.”

Although his tone was not demanding, she bristled nonetheless. “If I want to go to breakfast alone, I will do so.”

He hung his head, shaking it and sighing. “Charlotte. Charlotte. Charlotte. I’m trying to look out for you. There were a few unsavory characters downstairs earlier. But if you feel the need to face them rather than stay here with me . . .” He waved a hand toward the door. “Be my guest.”

Torn, she debated which of his dictates to defy. Her need to control the situation waged war with her instinct to protect herself. “I think I shall stay.”

When Mr. Brown knocked, Simon admitted him, explaining to his valet that his wife would remain during his ablutions. Like most well-trained servants, Mr. Brown made no comment other than, “Very good, sir,” and proceeded to lay out Simon’s clothes while Simon stripped down and washed himself.

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