Everything in her life had become shadow and secret. She had gone too far to back out now and free everyone from this entanglement.
A quiet sound came from the door. Livia sat up at once. Her heart gave one silly, traitorous leap. Then Richard slipped into the room, dressed in his shirt and breeches, hair slightly disordered.
He closed the door behind him quietly. It made a soft click and he winced. Livia pressed a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.
Richard turned, caught her expression, and whispered, "I feel like a thief in the night."
"You are a thief in the night," she whispered back, smiling despite herself.
His grin appeared at once, quick and boyish and devastatingly unfair. "Yes. Gallantly here to steal your virtue, Duchess." Richard came toward the bed and leaned over her, bracing one hand near her hip as he bent down. His mouth brushed hers first in a teasing kiss, then again. "Hmmm…" he murmured against her lips. "I missed you…"
