“You’re so brave and clever. And strong and handsome too,” she added with a pleased little sigh. “You will make beautiful babies.”

Robert blinked, his mind filling with baby making: the act, not the result. Realizing the treacherous road his thoughts were taking, he gave his head a shake and picked up speed, rushing the last few steps to the carriage.

The driver saw him coming and was off his perch, opening the carriage door at once so that Robert was able to simply step inside with his burden. He dropped onto the bench seat as the driver quickly closed the door, but found himself reluctant to set Lisa down on the opposite bench. Staring at her dressed as she was just didn’t seem that smart an idea. That, of course, was the only reason he held her pressed tight to his chest, he told himself as the driver climbed back up on his seat, setting the carriage rocking.

“Are you taking me home?” Lisa asked as the carriage set off.

“Good God, no! I can’t take you home like this,” he gasped, his eyes skating over her revealed body in the see-through gown. Feeling himself begin to harden at just the sight, he forced his eyes away and muttered, “I am taking you to my townhouse. Bet is waiting there. I shall have to send her back to Richard and Christiana’s to fetch you something more appropriate to wear.”

“I suppose they would realize something was amiss did I show up in someone else’s gown,” she said agreeably, and wiggled her bottom about on his leg, apparently trying to find a more comfortable position. “I never noticed before that you had such bony legs, Robert.”

“It’s not my leg,” he muttered and then could have bit his tongue off at the admission.

“Then what is it? Have you something in your pocket?” she asked curiously, shifting about again.

“Aye,” he growled, his hands grasping her hips to hold her still. His eyes then wandered of their own accord down her body again before he could catch himself. Robert looked quickly away and gave himself a firm lecture. This was Lisa Madison who was like a little sister to him. A sweet, innocent, dreamy-eyed— Damn, when the hell had she filled out like this?

Tilting her head, Lisa eyed him curiously. “Can I see it?”

“See what?” he asked with a distracted frown, his eyes sliding back to her, but staying firmly on her face this time.

“What you have in your pocket that’s so lumpy and hard?” she explained. “What is it? Show it to me.”

Robert simply stared for the longest time, aware that his lumpy hardness was growing lumpier and harder at the very thought of showing it to her. But then he regained enough of his senses to catch her by the hips and shift her to sit on the opposite bench.