On the way home from Weston's home, Theo pestered Addie persistently about what Andrew had said to her. She told him that the man had only wanted to see if she could be trustworthy in their cause. However, that only seemed to alarm the younger duke, so Addie had to assure Theo that he did not need to be concerned in any way about her interaction with the Duke of Weston.

He didn't seem completely convinced.

It was odd stepping back into Kingfield House. Addie was forced to go through the motions of complete predictability, even though she felt as though everything had changed.

Her mind kept replaying everything—Theo's words of reassurance, his kiss, that goddamn report, Andrew's coaxing for her to come out of the shadows. And it all taunted her. But none of it did so as much as what Theo had said regarding her cousin. If George married Princess Louisa and dallied with the French, the effects of Ernest's rule would echo for far longer than the time he'd sat on the throne.

No, Addie amended herself.

It would not be George's marriage that would be the catalyst. The blame could not be put there, on him.

It would be with her.

Inaction breeds regression, did it not?

Addie tried to bury her growing feelings on the matter, but she knew it would only be so long before they could not be denied.

As the days passed, Theo sought her out frequently. He would find her in the morning to greet her or in the evening to see how her day was. He acted cordially toward her with his words, but his eyes betrayed something else. On some occasions, he would extend a soft touch, but in others it was merely that look that burned her skin without him even coming near.

Addie knew she should keep him at arm's length. She knew she should, really, she did. But it seemed lately that what she should do was becoming muddled with what she wanted.

However, among other things, she had not forgotten Adam's threat. Addie had admitted her previous encounter with Adam to Ginny and Cora, to which the other maids had told her to avoid him at all costs.

Soon, Addie learned that Adam had not forgotten her either.

Addie was bent over, attending to the fire in the parlor one evening. The air had been growing increasingly cooler in London. The summer haze had finally lifted only a fortnight ago, and now it seemed that there was no going back. The leaves were falling with abandon from the trees in Hyde Park and the parlor at Kingfield House was filled with extra, plush fabrics to keep its occupants warm in the fall weather.

Urging the fire on with a sharpened and sturdy poker, Addie froze when she heard someone enter the room behind her. She had been about to stand to see who it was when hands slithered onto either side of her hips, a spindly body grinding into her from behind. Addie gasped as she teetered toward the bright flames that she had just stoked. She threw one hand upon the mantle to ensure that she would not fall straight into them.

"Is this how ya like it?" a voice growled.

Adam.

Addie's pulse raced, but again her speech left her.

"Don't think that I haven't noticed ya, Addie. Flashing your flirtatious gazes at the duke. But ya ain't no better than the rest of us. Look at ya now." He spat out the last word.

Addie's body tensed in fear. She swallowed, trying to find her voice. The lump in her throat wouldn't go down. Instead, she focused on her free hand that had previously gripped the iron poker. It still sat in the fire, hazardously hot and sharp. She twisted her fingers around the end, the metal biting into her flesh as the words came to her.

"Release me, Adam. Or burn."

Addie couldn't see his face to gauge his reaction, but after a few seconds she heard his low chuckle. He slowly released his grasp on her, and with that Addie released her held breath.

"Such a fiery spirit," Adam contemplated lowly. "Maybe I like ya more than I thought."

The sensation of his body left her then. And by the time she had spun around, he had left the parlor. She sank to the floor. It was a relief and also a source of despair—to be violated without even a second glance back.

Addie was still sitting on the floor, gathering herself, when footsteps once again approached the parlor. Afraid that it might be Adam coming back, she quickly began to straighten.

However, the man that came into the room was not Adam.

It was Theo.

Addie sagged back again, thankful. The iron poker clattered to the floor harshly, and she winced.

He seemed startled at the sight of her, and Addie could only imagine how she must look. She quickly put a hand to her head to ensure her wig had not slipped. He quickly crossed the room and offered her his hand, questioning, "What happened? Did you fall?"

Addie took the hand that he offered and let him lead her to the nearby sofa. She flashed him her best smile. "You assume me clumsy, Your Grace?"

"No, I merely saw you on the floor, looking rather...unkempt," Theo finished lamely.

Addie bristled in response. "I was doing my job, Your Grace. As a housemaid. Tending to the fire can be a messy task."

Theo was taken aback, likely by her harsh tone. "Addie, I did not mean to—"

Addie ignored the comment and cut him off, saying briskly, "I am quite capable of continuing my work now. Thank you, Your Grace."

At that comment, Theo frowned and lightly grabbed her arm to keep her from rising from the sofa. "No, stay and rest for a moment."

"Yes, Your Grace," she said, sitting back down next to him, the picture of obedience. She had already interrupted him once in this short conversation. She could hardly refuse his request as well.

But it made his frown deepen. "Why are you talking to me like this?"

Addie did not respond immediately. She reminded herself that she was not upset with Theo. Theo had done nothing wrong. Theo had not accosted her by the fireplace. It was not Theo.

So she said, "I have been reminded of my place."

His features crinkled with displeasure. "Your place?"

"I have been too familiar with my employer."

Theo's brow furrowed as he turned her face toward him with his large, soft hands. "Addie, I meant no such thing," he said, misunderstanding.

Addie refused to lift her eyes to meet his.

"Not you, Your Grace," she whispered.

"By whom, then?" Theo demanded.

Addie put a tentative hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him. "They are right. I should not be so familiar with you," she responded, keeping her voice low and hoping it would not shake.

But Theo did not seem satisfied or soothed by her words. "Who is it, Addie?"

"I cannot say." If she told Theo, he would undoubtedly make a scene about it. And all Addie wanted was to remain hidden, to not bring attention toward herself. "You will surely speak with them, and that will help the situation none."

"Not if I dismiss them," Theo shot back.

"And what do you think the rest of the staff would say of that? They would all know why he was dismissed, and my life here would become unbearable," Addie said with determined patience.

Cora and Ginny might praise Addie for getting Adam sacked, but she was not so naive to think that others would all react similarly upon realizing just how much of Theo's favor she had. Addie knew that she had won when Theo raised his hands in a show of defeat. "Alright," he resigned, "but if anyone continues to bother you, you will tell me immediately."

When she did not agree, he shot her a glare, his eyes working to convince her to comply. "Addie, you will tell me immediately," he repeated.

Addie nodded slowly. "Yes, Your Grace."

He grimaced at the title but did not say anything. Perhaps he realized it was not the time to make good on their deal, and for that she was thankful.

"They are correct, though," Addie continued. "There is no need for us to speak now that you no longer require my help." Her hands gripped together in her lap as she tried to speak to him with directness.

But Theo stared at her obtusely. "You must know, Addie."

"Know what?" She tilted her head so far that it nearly touched her shoulder.

He laughed darkly and looked at the ceiling, calling for some assistance from above. When he found none, he glanced back at her, shaking his head. Golden hair flung about.

"I have appreciated your assistance and intelligence, Addie." He leaned forward, and his breath hit the curve of Addie's cheek. Theo was speaking in a low murmur that made the nerves in her stomach tighten. And goodness, Addie liked it. Addie liked him. She liked him in a way that made it difficult to breathe as he closed the distance between them. "But you must know that is not the only reason that I speak with you," Theo murmured, flicking his eyes to hers intently. "You are wrong when you say there is no need."

Theo's stare threatened to engulf her. But Addie was still alert from her encounter with Adam and glanced toward the open door. Swearing under his breath, Theo got up to slam it shut.

He swiftly returned to the sofa, and Addie let slip a gasp as he gathered her in his arms and deposited her on his lap.

"No need?" he repeated again. "I do not think you understand my feelings where you are regarded. Because I absolutely need you. I have been telling myself it was a mistake to kiss you. But I do not think I can do it any longer. I cannot convince myself well enough." He searched her eyes, his own glittering. That sharp green gaze knew just how to find her. "Do not deny that you feel it too."

"It matters not," she said with a note of finality she did not feel. "I know you are used to getting your way, but it cannot be. I have just told you why it cannot be."

Theo scoffed. "For propriety's sake? You know I've never been very interested in propriety."

And at that moment, when his eyes bored into hers, Addie gave in to what he was offering. She shouldn't have allowed herself the indulgence, but he was right. She wanted Theodore Shepard with an intensity that scared her, and for once in her life, Addie would let herself have something that she wanted.

She slowly moved to straddle his lap, and Theo's eyes darkened. She leaned into him, leaving very little space. Theo groaned, and just that little noise of satisfaction was enough to urge Addie onward. She wasn't sure when she had gotten so brazen, except for perhaps the realization that there was little she was in control of in her life, and right now she controlled him, this powerful man. There was no denying the feeling that knowledge brought.

The anticipation of a kiss hung dark and sweet between them. Her lips touched his tentatively at first. But Theo's mouth immediately opened to meet hers, and she responded in kind. Giving into the unbidden desire with a noise she didn't recognize as her own, Addie became lost to it all.

Theo moaned as his mouth took hers eagerly, nothing about their embrace gentle. It was exactly as it had been before, only better. It was even more intoxicating. Addie wasn't sure if she was drunk on him, the feeling, or the power. She reckoned it was all three.

Addie brushed her lips against Theo's repeatedly, lost in a foreign need. And then Theo thrust his tongue into her mouth, stroking, exploring, taking. She whimpered at the way he caressed her, marveling at how a man could be so soft and so hard all at once.

Meanwhile, his hands moved from cupping her face to trace the lines of her body, finally grasping her waist. He pulled her closer with a quick tug. Addie gave a small squeak of appreciation in the way her body molded further to his, and he chuckled softly into her mouth.

She craved to retain her control. Breaking the kiss, Addie placed a dainty hand on his chest and pushed Theo back into the sofa. He sat, restrained more by his desire to see what she was going to do than by her physical strength. Watching her, Theo barely breathed as she leaned in for another kiss. Addie's lips briefly connected with his before they moved down his neck, grazing his soft skin.

Theo tilted his head back, allowing her access to every inch of him. His chest heaved heavily between them.

"Oh God, Addie. What are you doing to me?"

Addie smiled against his collarbone before Theo grabbed her hips and flipped her beneath him.

****

He simply hadn't been able to resist it.

"Theo!" she exclaimed with a light laugh. With one hand, Addie grabbed at her hair, which had gotten stuck beneath her shoulder when he had moved her. Her other hand clutched Theo's shirt sleeve.

Theo looked at Addie beneath him, her face flushed as he ground his hips into hers. She opened her mouth in a wondering way, but no sound came out. The expression was enough, though. Theo took in every bit of it as he continued to revel in the feeling of her beneath him. The idea of picking her up and carrying her to his chambers so they could continue this without clothes teased Theo mercilessly. He wished more than anything to see that face of hers as she came undone.

But he knew it could not happen. It would never happen. Theo knew he should not be doing this at all, but Addie was the one who had straddled his lap, allowing him to feel her legs around him. Now, he needed to repay the favor.

It was merely a rationale for the truth; Theo was on the edge of losing control. All she'd done was push him back into the cushions with a mere touch of her finger, and Theo had practically lost his mind in lust.

And then her lips had descended, teasing him, and he had flipped. Quite literally.

Now she was under him, and still he needed more. Theo nipped at the corner of Addie's lips, and she sucked in. "Do you still deny it, Addie?" he whispered into her mouth.

"I never denied it, Theo," she gasped. "I simply did not think it a good idea."

Theo smirked and then kissed her again, deeply.

"What do you think now?" he asked when he broke from her mouth.

"I think I do not care." Addie brushed her lips over his once more. And then she ran a small hand down his neck and onto his back. Theo mirrored her movements, kissing her and running his hands over her soft hair and down to her bodice. Her attire did not allow him the access that he wanted, so he settled with the feel of her through her clothes.

It was not nearly enough.

Cupping her breasts in his hands, Theo squeezed lightly while continuing to assault her with his kisses. Addie gasped, arching into his palms, and it was damning to Theo's body and the way it was burning for her. Surely he could find her another frock if he ripped the bodice of this one, right?

He longed for her skin on his, for his mouth on her body. Theo reckoned she longed for the same.

But then a knock on the door made them spring apart.

Theo swore under his breath, hurling himself up. Addie jumped off the settee, scrambling to stand by the fire. She grabbed a poker to tend to the embers just as Theo said, "Come in."

He had not been able to keep the irritation from his voice.

A footman appeared from behind the closed door. "Your Grace, you've a message."

Theo cleared his voice but did not stand. He did not think that he would be able to hide the evidence of his desire if he did. Instead, Theo held his hand out and the footman crossed the floor to hand him the note.

"Thank you, Adam," he said sharply.

Theo waited until the footman had left before reading the message. Quickly striding to the fire, he threw the script into it and watched as the paper curled in the flames. Twisting toward Addie, Theo pressed a brief but intense kiss on her swollen lips. Unable to leave her completely, he hovered over her mouth as he breathed, "Andrew is requesting our presence tomorrow evening at a small gathering he is hosting."

"Our?" Addie's little gasp of surprise made him want to kiss her again so he could steal her air for himself.

Theo smiled, forcing himself to draw back. "Yes, both of us."

"What kind of gathering, do you reckon?"

Theo shrugged. "It did not say. But I would assume it has something to do with Princess Adelaide."

Addie nodded wordlessly and then looked back at the fire she was tending.

Watching her for a few moments, Theo appreciated...everything about her. The way her thick lashes lowered as she watched the flames, the way the fire reflected in her eyes, the way her chest rose and fell under his watchful gaze. This woman had captivated him in a way that would undoubtedly destroy him. And as much as Theo wanted to drag her back to the settee to continue what they had started, he knew he mustn't. He had been far too close to relinquishing control altogether, and he could not let that happen.

He would not let that happen.

Theo cleared his throat. "I must respond to this." And then he quickly excused himself from the room.

It would seem that they were going back to see the Duke of Weston. Theo could not help but wonder if that meant he had a lead on Princess Adelaide. It often seemed that she would forever elude them, but perhaps it was possible she was closer than he realized.