Page 36 of Yours Truly, the Duke
Which was way too attractive for her feminine sensibilities to deal with rationally. Especially so early in the morning. Not only that, she should have been mortified seeing him in such a casual state of undress. With his broad shoulders, tapered waist, and muscular thighs showing so impressively beneath his clothing, he simply looked too magnificent for words.
She really should leave, but he stopped, conveniently or not, between her and the doorway and regarded her intently.
Propriety dictated she at least avert her gaze, but she couldn’t do that either. The best she could manage was to say, “I feel I came upon you at an inopportune time. I didn’t mean to barge in before you were ready to receive anyone.”
“You didn’t.” His voice was husky and alarmingly sensual as his gaze stayed focused on hers. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Waiting for her? His face was sober, and his eyes were clear. He knew what he was saying. Had he been up all night? But of course he had. He’d hosted a party.
“But you aren’t properly dressed,” she responded, hoping her voice didn’t give a hint as to how tempting she’d found his current state of attire.
Wyatt snorted a soft laugh and took another couple of steps closer to her. Perhaps too close considering it made her whole body feel as if it turned to liquid.
“We are married, Fredericka. I believe it’s all right for you to see me with my coat off.”
She wasn’t sure. She could see the base of his strong masculine neck and the bulge of his upper chest and arm muscles, and other things she shouldn’t be looking at—married or not.
He smiled at her while his sparkling gaze swept over her face. “You, on the other hand, look beautiful, rested, and ready to answer all my questions.”
Fredericka didn’t know what to say. She’d had amiserable night. And now finding herself face-to-face with his obvious masculinity wasn’t what she’d expected.
“Yes. I suppose you’re right,” she admitted, powerless to keep a faint rush of heat from creeping up her cheeks as she averted her eyes from his quite astounding body.
It wasn’t that she minded his unconcerned attention to his clothing. Far from it. For reasons beyond her comprehension, he looked much more pleasing clothed as he was now than when tucked up to his chin with a pointed collar and neckcloth. But it was best to move on from how he presented himself, or she might find herself trying to also analyze why her body tingled deliciously at the sight of him. Doing that would serve no useful purpose.
She cleared her throat with a cough. “I didn’t think you would be up this early.”
Wyatt didn’t move. He just stared at her with those daring blueish-gray eyes that always appeared as if they wanted to look into her soul. “I never went to bed,” he informed her.
Piqued to feel another spike of something that felt very much like jealousy, she flinched and only said, “Oh my.”
“As I said, I’ve been in here waiting for you.”
“Here? I would have thought you were tired after such revelry and went straight to your chambers after the last guest left. I heard music until wee hours of the morning.”
Seeming slightly amused by her comment, he answered with steady calm, “You must have been hearing music in your dreams, Fredericka. Everyone, including the musicians, had gone on to other parties within a couple of hours after you went up.”
“No doubt because they wanted to spread the news of my unexpected arrival.”
“Some of them couldn’t leave fast enough,” he agreed without quibbling.
“I’m sure. Most of them heard you ask what I’m doing here and say that I shouldn’t have come.”
“Fredericka.” He shook his head ruefully. “Those were ill-chosen words not meant the way they were said or heard.”
“I know that now.” Somewhat. The feeling of being in his way and not being wanted in his life lingered.
“I should have welcomed you properly as my wife and insisted you come join us so I could introduce you to everyone.”
“What?” She let out a breathy laugh. “I had on an old traveling dress. And even if I had gone up to change, I have no gowns appropriate for such a gala evening as you were hosting.”
Wyatt scowled. “You have an allowance for the purpose of your wardrobe.”
She shrugged off his comment and stepped away from him. “I’ve been considering modistes who have sent me designs to consider, but I haven’t settled on anything.”
“It’s time you did.”
The truth was that she had no idea she’d be coming to London so soon. She had no need for fancy gowns in the country. Besides, there was no seamstress near Paddleton with the skills to sew a gown that would compete with the French-designed finery she’d seen last night.
