"You could have warned me your grandmother was coming!" I hissed at Alaric as I frantically rummaged through my wardrobe.
The Duke leaned casually against the bedpost, looking far too amused by my distress. "And miss seeing you in such delightful disarray? Never."
I shot him a glare as I held up two different dresses, trying to decide which would make the better impression on the formidable Dowager Duchess. "Alistair told me she's downstairs waiting. Right now. And you're just standing there grinning like a fool."
"A handsome fool," he corrected, stepping closer to wrap his arms around my waist from behind. His lips found the sensitive spot below my ear. "I was rather hoping you would join me in the bath this morning. Grandmother's early arrival... disrupted my plans."
I twisted in his arms to face him. "You knew she was coming and didn't tell me?"
