Miss Winters Proposes by Frances Fowlkes Read Free Book Online Page B

asleep and no longer conscious. While your concern is most kind, I hardly think it necessary.” She touched a finger to her lips, her cheeks heating at the recent memory of his kiss. “You have fulfilled your obligations for the evening. Thank you.” She turned to leave, but his hand grasped her elbow.
    “I would sleep much better tonight knowing you were safe.”
    And she wouldn’t get any sleep at all with the viscount in her chambers, especially with him in his agitated state and she, in her, well, disorientated one. Her heart near raced at the scandalous idea of it all. A man. In her bedroom. Goodness.
    “I promise to lock the door behind me. You have no need to be distressed or troubled on my behalf. ” While she appreciated his concern, it was superfluous. Frederick was in no condition to pursue her. Her staff was fully capable of handling any questionable situations that arose, and she had to attend to Artemis’s needs. The future dam was likely chilled by the storm and required another set of blankets. Juliet walked toward the darkened sitting room and the nearest bell pull, but Benjamin’s hands once again stilled her progress.
    “Locks can be picked, doors slammed in, virtues endangered—”
    “Precisely. Which is why I cannot have a man in my chambers, regardless of our relationship.”
    “I believe,” he said, his voice firm, “the extenuating circumstances trump propriety.”
    Juliet placed her hands on her hips. “You were ready enough to allow my solitude only moments before.” Solitude she desperately needed to ponder him, his past wife, his lost child…
    “And only moments before, your cousin was not—”
    “Snoring?” Honestly. No, her virtue would be far safer with him on the other side of her door, even with Frederick exhibiting inappropriate and uncustomary behavior. “I will have our butler, Harold, show you to your room in a moment. I’ll make certain he checks the dark corners for possible threats before he leaves.”
    Cleo, who had apparently been sleeping in the sitting room, stuck her flesh-colored snout into the hall to investigate. Catching sight of Juliet, the lemon-spotted pointer placed her head under Juliet’s hand, begging for a pat.
    Benjamin knelt and held his hands out for Cleo’s inspection. “My only concern is for your safety.”
    Cleo lapped her rough tongue over his hand, the wet, sloshing sound reverberating in the silent hallway.
    Safety indeed. How could she have been so foolish? His concern had nothing to do with Frederick and everything to do with the increasing liver-spotted pointer Juliet harbored in her kitchens.
    “Yes, and that of Artemis, I presume.”
    His hands stilled. “While her health is of vital interest to me, I was and still am sincere in my sentiments, Juliet. Your safety is of the utmost priority.”
    Juliet’s gaze darted to the side. He really was being kind. And exceptionally thoughtful in his regard. The least she could was thank him—even if she didn’t require his assistance.
    “Thank you, my lord. You have been—”
    “Miss Winters.”
    Harold stepped around the corner, reminding her of the efficiency of her staff. She had not rung the pull and yet there her man stood.
    Juliet let out a breath, snapping her fingers and ushering Cleo to her side. “Please…please direct Lord Colwyn to his room. I believe it is beside our other guest, who is currently indisposed.”
    Harold nodded. “This way, my lord.”
    Benjamin remained rooted to his spot. “Miss Winters, I still think it would be best—”
    “Good evening, my lord.” She spun on her heel and headed down the hall to comfort his bitch and indulge in a hot toddy. A very large and very hot toddy.
    …
    Benjamin paced the length of his moonlit guest room, his feet thumping on the chilled floorboards, his breath suspending in little white clouds with every disgruntled huff and perturbed grumble.
    He was a gentleman.
    He was also a fool. A lughead. And an imbecile of