Petra was more than happy to do as he said, and when Guy relinquished her to Rupert she threw herself energetically into the Gay Gordons reel and then set out to do her hostess duty and dance once with every male guest. It was after three o’clock in the morning when the last guests had left.

“Oh, how my feet hurt,” Petra declared, flinging herself into a chair and kicking off her shoes. “But it was a good party.”

“It was,” Guy agreed, handing Jonathan a goblet of cognac. “One for the road.”

“My thanks.” Joth took it eagerly and drank deeply. “That’s better. Well, you’re well and truly engaged now, my dear.”

“So it would seem,” Petra replied, yawning. “I can hardly keep awake. I wish I could somehow magically close my eyes and find myself in bed.”

“That can be arranged.” Guy set aside his brandy goblet. He bent over her, lifting her easily into his arms. “We’ll bid you good night, Jonathan.”

“Oh, yes, right,” Joth said. “I’m going home alone, I take it.”

“Good night, Joth.” Petra blew him a kiss from her position curled against Guy’s chest.

“’Night,” he responded, and refilled his glass.

Guy strode across the hall and mounted the stairs, unhampered by his burden. “Don’t go to sleep just yet,” he said, shifting her in his hold so that he could open his bedroom door. “I haven’t finished my evening yet.” He set her down on the bed in the softly lit room and stood looking down at her. “I promise you won’t have to do anything.”

She smiled sleepily. “I don’t think I could.”

“Well, let’s get these clothes off you.” He went to work with deft efficiency, lifting and turning her as he needed. At the last he peeled down her silk stockings and eased them over her feet before sitting on the side of the bed and lifting her feet onto his lap, massaging them with knowing fingers that brought a blissful groan from Petra.

“Try to keep your eyes open,” he said, setting her feet on the bed again and standing up. She turned her head indolently, watching with wide-open eyes as he undressed rapidly, casting his clothes over a chair.

“How could I close my eyes with such a delicious feast in front of me,” she murmured, opening her arms in seductive invitation.