Free Duchess Beware (Secrets & Scandals Book 2) by Tiffany Green Page B

tongue and shaking her head in such a way.
    “Are ye sick, then?” the housekeeper asked.
    Silver lit the lamp beside her bed, immersing the room in a creamy gold hue.  “No, Mrs. Burns, I am well.”
    The scowl on the woman’s face deepened.  “Ye dinna eat my fine supper, and now ye’re makin’ ready for a bath at this hour?”  She paused to shake her head.  “Summat be wrong,” she grumbled before pouring the last bucket of heated water into the tub.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Burns.”
    The housekeeper straightened.  “Ye ain’t tae touch this tub, lass.  I’ll fetch it on the morrow.” She shook her bony finger, then turned around and marched from the room.
    After peeling her clothes away, Silver sank her weary body down into the steamy water, expelling a long groan as the warmth seeped deep into her skin.  She rested her head against the edge of the tub and listened to the fire crackle in the grate, hoping some of the placidity dousing her body would remain.  The blazing fire kept her from having to rush.  What a luxury.  Edward allowed her a fire only if snow covered the ground, the old skinflint.
    As sleep threatened, Silver removed the bar of rose soap from the table she had placed nearby and started lathering it within her hands.  The sweet fragrance filled the air as she spread the slick foam over her body, bringing thoughts of her absent brother, Connor, who had the scented bars delivered to her for her birthday several months ago.  Thankfully Prudence had received the package, else Caroline would have swiped the lovely present for herself.
    She missed Connor terribly, she realized, her hands going still.  Duncan had told her that Connor, a ship’s first mate, wouldn’t arrive in Scotland for another three months.  By then, she would be back in England.
    And married to Victor Merrick. 
    Revulsion sliced through Silver, and she inhaled sharply.  But with her serenity gone, the allure of a warm, lingering bath was lost. She fished around for the soap and began scrubbing the rest of her body.
    The door flew open.
    Silver whipped her head around and clamped a hand over her mouth, stemming the scream just in time.  Daniel!  Was she dreaming?  She blinked several times, unable to move or speak.  She just sat there like an idiot and stared.  Buff-colored unmentionables gloved his legs before disappearing into polished black Hessians.  His white shirt gaped open at the collar, exposing a triangle of tanned skin at his throat and a few dark, curly hairs.  She swallowed hard, her eyes lifting to his face.  The bruising and swelling were gone, the man was once again a paragon of male beauty.  Perfect in every way.
    And carried another’s portrait around with him.
    As her fuddled brain finally decided to work again, Silver watched Daniel glance all about the room as if searching for something.  Then he noticed her in the bath and his eyes went wide.  The bath!  How could she have forgotten!  Her cheeks flooded with heat.  She covered her breasts with her hands and sank further into the sudsy water, sloshing some over the rim.  Oh, rot!   “What are you doing here?  Get out!” she sputtered.
    Daniel frowned, obviously recovering from seeing her in the tub, and closed the door behind him.  “Your aunt insisted I come at once.”
    She shook her head.  “I beg your pardon?”
    When he took a step, she slid deeper into the tub.  “Stop!” she cried, causing him to jolt to a halt.  “Do not come any closer.”
    His green eyes narrowed and he folded his arms over his chest.  “A few minutes ago,” he began, making no further move, “Mrs. Burns gave me a note.  It was an urgent message from your aunt.  It stated you were in trouble and asked that I come without delay.”
    Silver opened her mouth, but before she could reply, she heard it.  The low rumble of thunder.  A prickle of fear slithered down her back, making her shiver.  Perhaps she’d heard wrong…
    The ominous