“How very astute you are.”

“Isn’t that the purpose of this room? Isn’t this where the men with the red buttons bring the ladies to bed them?”

“It’s where they bring the ladies who want to be kissed thoroughly. It’s where they bring the ladies who want to be fondled.”

“And those who wish to be bedded?”

“We have other rooms for that, rooms with large accommodating beds.”

“So that’s where you’ll take me now.”

“No.”

“But I want to be bedded. I’ve told you that, confessed to it. I won’t object to your taking me.”

“You might want it, sweetheart, but you don’t desire it. I won’t take you to a bed until you do.”

Chapter 4

What he did do, however, was escort her to her carriage. It carried no markings, had been one her husband used on occasion when he wished to go someplace where he didn’t want his identity or title known. Aiden Trewlove kept his arm around her the entire way, with her snuggled against his side as though he were reluctant to be rid of her. She liked thinking that perhaps he was.

He gave her another kiss, this one on the back of her gloved hand, before assisting her into the carriage where she settled in against the comfortable squabs. Lushing had been a stickler for comfort.

Aiden Trewlove leaned against the frame of the doorway and studied her. Or perhaps he was striving to find a way to invite her back in that wouldn’t wound his pride. “If you still want to be bedded on the morrow, return here.”

As though her request had been a lark and she’d change her mind with the arrival of more time. “You vastly overestimate your appeal, Mr. Trewlove. You rejected my offer. I’m not likely to come crawling back.”

He gave her another one of those saucy grins that were beginning to irritate her, even as they caused her heart to flutter. “We’ll see how you feel tomorrow after taking me into your dreams tonight.”

With that, he slammed the door shut, shouted up an order, and the horses bolted forward. It took everything within her not to crane her head out the window and watch as her increasing distance from him caused him to shrink and disappear into nothing.