She smiled and mumbled something sleepy as she leaned down and kissed him, her fingers sliding down his chest, then lower, her smile as luminous as the morning sunlight… Morning. Something worrisome ate at the fuzzy edges of his thoughts, undermining his pleasure. A discreet knock sounded on the door—Vickery, the valet, punctual as ever. Both people in the bed came shockingly awake. Hecuba dove for her scattered clothing while John lunged for the door just as it began to swing open. He caught the corner and held it firm while the valet blinked owlishly through the six-inch gap. “Vickery,” said John, “I must insist that you close your eyes.” “Of course, sir,” the man murmured and stood calmly with eyes screwed shut while Hecuba yanked on her shirt and trousers. Thank God his bedroom was only one story higher than the ground. John wrenched the window open and helped to lower Hecuba as far as he could before she leapt lightly to the garden path below. She took the time to flash him one laughing grin before she vanished around the corner toward the servants’ gate and the alley beyond.
