Adelaide turned about, the location of her housekeeper unclear. Then she spotted the woman, coming forward from the rear of the house with a vase of flowers and a warm smile. Her dark hair was pulled back into the same tight bun from the day before, yet a few stray strands lay behind her ears, which made the woman somehow more approachable.

Perfect.

“Good morning, Mrs. Elsom,” she greeted, coming over to her as she finished her plait and tossed it back over her shoulder. “I am looking for Lord Basset, do you know where I might find him?”

Mrs. Elsom nodded, a hint of mischief or understanding in her eyes, which made Adelaide blush. “Aye, he’s in the breakfast room, my lady, reading his newssheets, as he usually does. It’s just beyond the stairs there, as though you were going through to the gardens. Wonderful glimpse of morning light without being overpowered by it.”

Adelaide nodded, turning back the way she had come and hurrying toward the stairs. “Thank you, Mrs. Elsom! We must take tea later; I want to know everything!”

“Of course, my lady,” the housekeeper called back, laughter in her voice.

Adelaide couldn’t comprehend that now, not if she wished to keep her composure for her husband. She could be as embarrassed as she liked in a few moments, but not before.

She rounded the staircase and moved straight through to the few rooms beyond, stopping as she caught sight of Basset nearly lounging in a chair at the breakfast table, his plate sporting a few crumbs, but no remnants of food, and a newssheet in his hands. He wore no jacket, and in just his shirtsleeves, he looked much more like the man in her rooms last night than the man she married, which made her skin tingle in several places where he had kissed it then.

She cleared her throat softly, more to interrupt her echoes of sensation than to call attention to herself, but Basset glanced over all the same.

He looked almost boyish in such a position, and it was oddly charming, particularly with the small smile that appeared before he collected himself.

“Good morning, my lady,” he greeted, straightening and pushing to his feet.

“Oh, do sit down, Basset,” Adelaide said quickly, praying her voice held no edge to it. “That is hardly necessary.”

He shrugged and resumed his seat. “As you wish.” He shook out his newssheet and smiled with all politeness, though there was something almost soft in his eyes. “How did you sleep?”

Her cheeks flamed at once. “Well, thank you. The bed was rather comfortable.” Which he would know, as he had been there a moment or two.

Her neck seemed to burn at that thought. “And you? After such journeying, did you sleep well?”

After their excursion in consummation, had he been as fatigued as she?

“Yes, in fact,” he replied, apparently without concern for the undertones she was catching. “Rather well.”