Free A Most Naked Solution by Anna Randol Page A

thought of being held against his chest. And she hadn’t even been awake enough to enjoy it.
    Although she was in the blue room, there was nothing masculine about it. Ice-blue paint covered the walls, but the furniture was all dainty white French pieces with silver accents. Did he have a female relative he’d designed it for, or had it simply come that way when he’d purchased the house?
    She suspected the latter, although he had surprised her last night. Who knew the man had a sense of humor?
    She wanted nothing more than to stay in bed. Late mornings were the only thing she’d picked up during her marriage that she wasn’t desperate to part with. She found her day went much better if she avoided as much of the morning as she could.
    But she was an unwanted guest, so she couldn’t justify lying in bed any longer. Besides, considering how late they’d retired, there was a good chance Camden would still be abed.
    She had enjoyed the time she’d spent with him in the study far too much last night. She didn’t want to meet him in the light of day and discover the pity had returned to his eyes. Not yet, anyway. Last night had been her every girlhood fantasy come true, albeit with less kissing. Perhaps it was selfish, but she wanted to have a few hours to enjoy that memory before crashing back into the reality of her life.
    She also liked to think that she’d been rather bold and daring—and perhaps a bit witty—under the cover of exhaustion and candlelight. She liked leaving Camden with that impression rather than the awkward, exhausted disaster she was this morning.
    When she climbed from the bed, she saw the black dress and stays she’d been wearing laid out for her. One of the parlor maids had helped her out of it last night, but she didn’t want to add to the poor girl’s work this morning, so she slipped them on and fumbled with the buttons on her own.
    She swept her hair up into a simple knot on the back of her head. Drat. She still didn’t have shoes. She checked the room again to ensure she hadn’t missed them. But she didn’t see them. The maids either hadn’t found them yet or they were still trying to salvage them. Well, she’d go home without them. They were ruined, anyway.
    She found her way downstairs. She’d find a footman, ask to borrow a carriage, then be on her way. She’d send a polite note of thanks later.
    In a house this size, she would have thought she’d be tripping over servants, but she didn’t see a single one. She followed the faint scent of bacon. There had to be a footman or maid tending to the food, didn’t there? Sophia saw a maid walking away with a covered tray. She almost called out but didn’t want to add to the gossip by shouting down the corridor.
    Why hadn’t she just rung the bell pull in her room? Because the butler would have certainly informed Camden when she asked for the coach.
    She could catch the girl, if she hurried. Although she’d have to pass directly in front of Camden’s study. But what were the odds he’d actually be there?
    She quickened her step past the open door.
    “Sophia?”
    She froze and turned like a guilty child toward Camden’s voice. He was already at his desk, papers and a large plate of breakfast arranged in front of him.
    She exhaled. Really, there was no way to escape, but she tried. “I was looking for the breakfast parlor.”
    His attention was still on the papers in front of him. It was unfair that he could looking so delectable and well rested while she was arrayed in yesterday’s ruined dress with circles under her eyes.
    “I don’t have one. Well, I suppose I have a parlor somewhere, but no one eats there.”
    “Oh.”
    He rubbed the bridge of his nose, leaving a streak of ink. “I don’t suppose you could pretend to sleep for a trifle longer? I had hoped to get in a few hours of work before playing host.”
    “No need. If I might borrow your coach, I am returning home.”
    She finally had his full attention. He