could do to stop it.
Chapter Ten
Molly woke to find herself alone in Devlin’s oversized bed. Shifting the warm covers, she gingerly swung her legs to the side and rose. A porcelain tub of steaming water sat in the corner of the room. Silently, she thanked his thoughtfulness. How did Devlin ready the tub without her waking?
Padding over the lush rug, Molly lowered herself into the water, her tender muscles easing into the warmth. She made an audible sigh that went through her whole body. A white facecloth on the edge fell into the tub. Absently, Molly twirled the material around the water, then placed it over her eyes blocking out the morning light. She rested her head back on the cool rim and relaxed.
The door creaked opened and then gently closed.
The excitement of Devlin's presence sent her spirits soaring. Without turning around, she asked in what she hoped was a sexy voice, “Would you like to join me?”
“I don’t bathe with commoners.”
Water splashed on Molly’s face and she jolted up, the cloth falling from her eyes. Audrey stood over her in a low-cut peach gown. The bridge on her pert nose wrinkled, her blue eyes flashing with contempt.
Molly covered her breasts and straightened. “You should knock before coming into someone’s chamber.”
“This is not somebody’s chamber. It is my husband’s,” she said and stalked around the tub.
“You are not married yet,” Molly said and pushed herself up.
Audrey shoved her back down, and bathwater splashed over the edge. “Is the water getting cold?”
Like a hot dagger, swift anger stabbed at her chest. Molly shot to her feet and boldly stood naked. “I would like privacy, if you don’t mind.”
Audrey sniffed the air as if the sight of her were distasteful. In casual leisure, she walked to the door, calling over her shoulder, “You may have access to his body, but his heart is all mine.”
The door slammed behind her.
The cool air made her wet skin prickle, but her blood simmered with rage. Everything inside her wanted to slap Audrey’s pretty face. Molly knew she had no future with Devlin, but did the blonde have to vocalize it?
Stepping from the tub, she wrapped a towel around her torso. She gathered her dress into a bundle and clutched it to her chest. With a quick peek down the deserted hallway, she ran across to her room.
Finding another riding habit of violet, she slipped into the fresh gown and jerked a brush through her wayward curls. She tried to smile in the mirror, but could not stop her heart from breaking. Her shoulders slumped along with her smile. She could not pretend any longer. Perhaps if she said it aloud, it would not be as bad as thinking it.
“I am in love with Lord Devlin.”
Even her reflection cringed at the realization. Her aunt’s warning voice whispered inside her head. “ You must guard your heart or all will be lost. ”
She shook her head. It was too late. Her heart was compromised.
Taking a fortifying breath, she pushed to her feet and left to find Devlin. Maybe it was the wrong thing to do, but she had to talk to him.
The wooden balustrade on the grand staircase was cool and smooth under Molly’s hand. Angry whispers filtered up to her when she neared the bottom of the stairs. She rounded the corner to find Yvette arguing with Audrey. The French maid saw her and stepped back. Audrey twisted around and gave Molly a smile that did not reach her eyes. With a toss of her hair, Audrey strolled away, but not before giving the maid a deadly look.
Yvette rushed over to Molly. “I am very sorry for not assisting you this morning. I was told by his lordship to leave you rest.”
“That is quiet all right, Yvette.” She wanted to ask what they were arguing about.
Bobbing, Yvette gave a faint smile and disappeared down the hallway toward the kitchens.
As expected when she entered the dining room, everyone stared at her as she moved toward an empty seat. Her eyes scanned
Chapter Ten
Molly woke to find herself alone in Devlin’s oversized bed. Shifting the warm covers, she gingerly swung her legs to the side and rose. A porcelain tub of steaming water sat in the corner of the room. Silently, she thanked his thoughtfulness. How did Devlin ready the tub without her waking?
Padding over the lush rug, Molly lowered herself into the water, her tender muscles easing into the warmth. She made an audible sigh that went through her whole body. A white facecloth on the edge fell into the tub. Absently, Molly twirled the material around the water, then placed it over her eyes blocking out the morning light. She rested her head back on the cool rim and relaxed.
The door creaked opened and then gently closed.
The excitement of Devlin's presence sent her spirits soaring. Without turning around, she asked in what she hoped was a sexy voice, “Would you like to join me?”
“I don’t bathe with commoners.”
Water splashed on Molly’s face and she jolted up, the cloth falling from her eyes. Audrey stood over her in a low-cut peach gown. The bridge on her pert nose wrinkled, her blue eyes flashing with contempt.
Molly covered her breasts and straightened. “You should knock before coming into someone’s chamber.”
“This is not somebody’s chamber. It is my husband’s,” she said and stalked around the tub.
“You are not married yet,” Molly said and pushed herself up.
Audrey shoved her back down, and bathwater splashed over the edge. “Is the water getting cold?”
Like a hot dagger, swift anger stabbed at her chest. Molly shot to her feet and boldly stood naked. “I would like privacy, if you don’t mind.”
Audrey sniffed the air as if the sight of her were distasteful. In casual leisure, she walked to the door, calling over her shoulder, “You may have access to his body, but his heart is all mine.”
The door slammed behind her.
The cool air made her wet skin prickle, but her blood simmered with rage. Everything inside her wanted to slap Audrey’s pretty face. Molly knew she had no future with Devlin, but did the blonde have to vocalize it?
Stepping from the tub, she wrapped a towel around her torso. She gathered her dress into a bundle and clutched it to her chest. With a quick peek down the deserted hallway, she ran across to her room.
Finding another riding habit of violet, she slipped into the fresh gown and jerked a brush through her wayward curls. She tried to smile in the mirror, but could not stop her heart from breaking. Her shoulders slumped along with her smile. She could not pretend any longer. Perhaps if she said it aloud, it would not be as bad as thinking it.
“I am in love with Lord Devlin.”
Even her reflection cringed at the realization. Her aunt’s warning voice whispered inside her head. “ You must guard your heart or all will be lost. ”
She shook her head. It was too late. Her heart was compromised.
Taking a fortifying breath, she pushed to her feet and left to find Devlin. Maybe it was the wrong thing to do, but she had to talk to him.
The wooden balustrade on the grand staircase was cool and smooth under Molly’s hand. Angry whispers filtered up to her when she neared the bottom of the stairs. She rounded the corner to find Yvette arguing with Audrey. The French maid saw her and stepped back. Audrey twisted around and gave Molly a smile that did not reach her eyes. With a toss of her hair, Audrey strolled away, but not before giving the maid a deadly look.
Yvette rushed over to Molly. “I am very sorry for not assisting you this morning. I was told by his lordship to leave you rest.”
“That is quiet all right, Yvette.” She wanted to ask what they were arguing about.
Bobbing, Yvette gave a faint smile and disappeared down the hallway toward the kitchens.
As expected when she entered the dining room, everyone stared at her as she moved toward an empty seat. Her eyes scanned
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