Adelaide stood, tossing the soap into the tub and wiping her hands on nearby toweling. “Don’t forget to rinse your hair, Basset. Dried soap would not suit a shade like yours.” Without another word, she turned on her heel and practically skipped out of the room.

Leaving him alone in the bath, wondering with weakened thoughts what in the world that had been.

He’d known his wife had been enjoying the strangest of cravings in her condition, but this?

Was this going to happen often?

They had never shared a true kiss during daylight, and certainly never one of that nature.

What did that mean? Or did it mean anything more than his wife having the same sort of craving she might have over a plate of beets and oranges?

Harrison shook his head and let himself sink entirely underwater.

Soaking his head was clearly a better idea than he’d previously thought.

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

“Well, truth be told, I expected worse than this.”

“How dare you. Did you think I had no taste at all?”

“Frankly, my dear, I have no idea what your taste is when it comes to a masquerade ball.”

Adelaide glared up at him. “The theme is virtue and vice. I had the idea from Sally Penbarton when we met by chance at the chandler’s. You are greed, and I am charity.”

Basset looked down at his ensemble, then up at her. “I do not see it.”

“I do not care if you see it,” she snapped in irritation, adjusting the medieval templer and veil covering her hair. “You only have to wear it. Now hurry, we promised Emblyn we would exchange gifts before the ball.”

“If couples are to be a virtue and a vice, what are the unmarried guests to be?” Basset inquired, falling into step beside her as they made their way to the drawing room down the hall.

Adelaide sighed heavily, wondering why her husband was asking so many questions when it was really quite simple, and he would not be interested in the details anyway. He had made it very clear from the moment she had begun to plan this whole masquerade that he wanted nothing to do with it. He would attend, be in costume, and that was all.

Now he wanted to know more?

“Unmarried guests were asked to come as a character from mythology,” Adelaide told him with practiced patience. “Emblyn has selected a nymph, and I think you will find her costume rather lovely.”

“Has she? Well, well.” Basset seemed to laugh a little to himself but said nothing else.

Impossible man.