Romancing Lady Stone (A School of Gallantry Novella) by Delilah Marvelle Read Free Book Online Page A

escaped her. “It isn’t all that bad.”
    “No, I suppose not,” he muttered, glancing around. “I have seen worse.” He scuffed the bottom heel of his boot across the uneven floors. “At least it appears clean. And fortunately, there is no sign of roaches. Yet.”
    She froze, a look of horror tightening her pale face. She glanced at the floors and looked as if she might leap into his arms at the sight of anything with an antenna.
    He probably shouldn’t have said anything. Not that he would mind her leaping into his arms. “Roaches are annoying but harmless.”
    She hesitated and then politely offered, “I suppose once we close our eyes, it will be no different than closing one’s eyes in a hotel in Paris.”
    He bit back a smile, liking how unpretentious she was. There was clearly more to her than a pretty face and a pretty gown. “I take it you have been to Paris?”
    She shook her head. “Not yet. But I do have a trip planned. Have you ever been?”
    He shook his head. “My finances have never really allowed for it. But I intend to travel there sometime next year. Around June.” After he settled into his one hundred thousand.
    She paused. “I plan on travelling to Paris next year in June, as well.”
    “Do you?”
    “Yes.”
    It was like they were asking each other whether Paris was next.
    He quickly removed his coat and tossed it to the wooden chair by the door. He also removed his waistcoat and tossed that as well. “We should sleep.” Or something like that.
    “Yes. We should.” She turned and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching down. After a few attempts of swatting toward her shoes, she let out a breath and sat up. “Could you please assist me in removing my boots, Mr. Levin? I would do it myself but I cannot bend at the waist.”
    This could get dangerous. He adjusted his linen shirt, reminding himself only her boots were coming off, and rounded toward the bed. He knelt before her. “Allow me.” He wagged a hand toward her.
    She gingerly stuck out one booted foot.
    He gently grabbed her ankle. Pushing up a section of her velvet skirt away from those feet, he loosened the fastening on each black leather half-boot. He made a valiant attempt not to notice anything other than her stockings were snow white and made out of silk. And that she had incredibly shapely calves. And that her ankles were slender enough for him to ring his entire hand around them.
    His calloused fingers grazed the smooth softness of those stockings as he removed the first boot. The luxurious feel made his chest and his entire body tighten. And that was just the stockings. He removed her other boot and tightly smiled up at her, trying to assure her he wasn’t taking liberties. Even though he was.
    She slid her hands across her skirts and also smiled. That smile was warm and far more inviting than he had expected.
    Setting aside both boots, he quickly rose.
    “Thank you for your assistance.”
    “It was a pleasure.” Too much of one. He gestured toward the narrow bed. “I ask that you take the bed.” He thumbed toward one of the two chairs behind him. “I will settle into a chair.” He considered himself to be a gentleman, after all. Not in his head, mind you, but in practice.
    She glanced at the wooden chair, her arched brows coming together. “How will you sleep?”
    He’d slept in some disgusting places before whilst on assignment. This was nothing. He went over to the chair and sat, tilting himself into it until it creaked in protest. “I appreciate the concern but I will manage.”
    “Are you certain?”
    “Quite.”
    Her dark eyes brightened. “Thank you. For everything.”
    “I am more than happy to oblige.” He shifted against the hard seat and tried to get comfortable. “Sleep well.”
    She hesitated, then rose and bustled toward him. To his astonishment, she leaned down, her perfume caressing the air between them and delivered a quick kiss onto his cheek before bustling straight back to the bed.