“It was his own initiative. He also knew why you were coming here, even if you didn’t. So he waits out there, listening, in case you changed your mind and I was not a gentleman about it.”

Her expression fell, as if she pictured the altercation that might have created. “I really should go, so he does not stand there until dawn.”

“You could just open the window and call down and tell him to go home.”

“As if I could do that on a street in this neighborhood.” She laughed and carried her stays over to the bed. “Help me with these, please.”

He sat on the side of the bed and aided her with the lacing. When she reached for her dress he did the same with his trousers and shirt. Together they became civilized again.

He drew her into his arms and embraced her closely. He kissed her, regretting that he would have to let her go. “You should settle this with him and his mother, Minerva. They do not have to trust me or like me. The decision is yours, though, and they do have to honor that.”

She nodded. A troubled little frown marred her loveliness. “What I told you earlier. I don’t really know anything. You have my word that I will not speak of it, or pursue it.”

Her promise touched him, especially since it might come at some cost to herself. She might claim she really did not know anything about Kevin, but in fact she did. So did he, but she had just offered him the choice of pretending he didn’t.

He brought her to the front door. “Stay here.” He went outside and walked right up to Jeremy, who all but blended into the shadows. He handed him some coins. “Go hire a carriage and bring her home.”

Jeremy just looked at him a moment, his expression unfathomable. Then he ran down the street.

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Minerva found herself useless the whole day. She wandered around the house in a sated daze, her head full of memories of the night.

She had always known there were women who said they enjoyed physical intimacy. She had thought those claims hollow and more than passing strange. Now they made sense. Really made sense. Who wouldn’t enjoy that pinnacle of sensation? Presumably those women had married men who knew what they were about in bed. If there were shared affection, or even love, how much better just because of that.

That led her to asking herself if she and Chase had shared affection, at least while they kissed and embraced. She had to admit she felt some for him now, but she could not remember if she had before that night at Melton Park. If not, then such experiences perhaps could engender affection. She found that fascinating.