She had been wet for him, there was no denying that fascinating force of nature or the fact that he made her body thaw to liquid with just a word, much less than his touch. The moment she had sensed him enter the room, every hair on her nape had risen. The awareness had been instant and visceral, like a shock of lightning to her nerves.

No doubt Rawley would be reporting back to her brother about her scandalous behavior and the fact that she had been practically writhing on his longtime acquaintance in a public space. Anyone could have seen them, including the handful of aristocrats and gentry who’d been on the upper deck, and the fact that everyone had been of a similar mind to dance beneath the stars would not stop juicy gossip.

Then again, it wasn’t like the other passengers and off-duty crew weren’t wrapped up in their own little worlds. Perhaps no one had taken notice of the two of them. Heat rushed through her at the memory. She hadn’t been able to curb herself, not when she’d felt that strong palm sliding over her trembling belly and then her waist, the tip of his thumb so very near to her needy, aching breasts.

She’d wanted that thumb to go higher. To squeeze. To pinch and roll.

You were lucky it didn’t before he discovered what was really inside your bodice.

The solemn voice was a reminder of how close she’d come to being found out. The lie about the letter had been easy enough. If she had said it was nothing, his curiosity would have been piqued. A love letter had been nothing short of a stroke of genius because now he was back to thinking she was a witless, smitten idiot with a misplaced infatuation who was intent on declaring her heart.

She let out a low laugh.

Nothing like the threat of undying devotion to send a man scurrying for the hills.

Regret sluiced through her. For once, she had wanted him to see her as she was, and he had. Gods, that moment of being stripped to her elemental core had nearly cost her everything, but in hindsight, she did not regret the choice to dance, knowing part of her performance had been for him, despite her protest to the contrary. The duke had desired her.

She’d seen the glint of hunger brightening those golden eyes, felt the possession in those large hands.

All for her.

What would it be like to couple with a man capable of such passion?

“My lady?” There was an edge of impatience to Cora’s voice as though she’d tried to get through to her several times. Blushing at the indecent swerve of her thoughts, Bronwyn blinked and gestured for her to continue. “Shall I ask the footmen to come for the luggage?”

“Oh, yes. Please do.”