"Maybe this wasn't the best idea," Leo muttered, pacing back and forth across Scarlett's bedroom. The copper tub was positioned near her dressing room, and he was trying to stay far away from it.

As far away as one could get in a room this size.

"What was that you said?" Scarlett called out from behind the bathing screen.

"I said this wasn't the best idea!"

"Whyever not? The water feels wondrous."

Leo grunted. There were many reasons why he shouldn't have suggested a bath. First of all, now he couldn't see Scarlett. What if she should have another asthmatic episode, or what if she should become fatigued and fall asleep once more? Of course, Leo could solve that problem by removing the screen between them, but then he'd be faced with watching Scarlett bathe—also not a good idea.

Watching her while knowing that he couldn't have her would be torturous. Leo felt very uncertain about Scarlett's breathing condition and what might trigger a problem. He didn't want anything to happen to her again, not like it had the last time they'd been together in bed. So Leo was trying—trying and failing—to keep Scarlett at arm's length. For now.

It was hard. He was still absorbing everything she'd told him, but for the most part, it soothed him. He knew that she'd been keeping things from him. And he was a little irritated that she hadn't just told him the truth, but he was trying to keep in mind what Eades has said. She'd just been trying to protect herself.

But Leo needed to show her that she didn't need protection from him.

"Scarlett!" he called out after she'd been quiet for some time.

"Yes?"

"Merely checking."

"Checking on what?"

"You."

Leo sat down on the bed, staring at his feet. He wasn't sure what else to do. Perhaps it would have been better to insist she sleep some more.

The sound of water sloshing about in the tub alerted him. He heard Scarlett making strange little grunting noises and cocked his head to the side. "What is going on over there?" Leo asked.

There was no reply.

"Scarlett?"

Leo waited another moment, and when the splashing continued, he muttered to himself, "That's it."

He strode over to the screen, knocking it aside to see what was going on.

"Oh heavens, help me," Leo breathed, stopping short at the sight before him. Scarlett was in the process of standing in the tub, water dripping down her naked body. As she stood, droplets released from the ends of her dark hair, cascading down and over the tips of her breasts.

Leo watched one pearl of moisture roll down her chest until it caught on her nipple, hanging there. God, he wanted to lick it off. He wanted to suck the water from her body until she moaned his name.

He switched his attention toward her face, which was flushed from the heat of the water.

"I had dropped the soap," she explained. "I was trying to reach it from sitting in the tub, but I couldn't." Scarlett pointed to where it had fallen a few feet away.

Leo knew he should move. He should turn around or put the shade back or at least go get the goddamn soap. But he couldn't jerk his eyes away from the sight of Scarlett, and it wasn't like she was making any attempt to hide herself either.

His eyes raked again over every curve of her; she was created perfectly.

"Leo," she groaned, returning his gaze. Her eyes narrowed in on where Leo felt himself growing hard. She shifted on her feet, making the water move about in the basin. She rubbed her legs together in an impatient gesture. "I'm..."

Her chest rose and fell heavily.

"Wet?" Leo asked, quirking a brow. "Yes, baths will do that to you."

Finally, he got his legs to move and went to pick up her bar of soap, bringing it to her. "I was going to say naked, but I realized that was rather obvious," she breathed. "I do not think I am interested in a bath any longer."

Her lips parted in a telltale sign of desire.

Leo forced himself to swallow. "We can't do what you're interested in, darling," he insisted. "I'm not convinced you're well enough." Leo tried to contain a grin as disappointment flashed across Scarlett's face. "Come," he said, indicating toward the water at her feet. "I will sit with you. And I promise not to stare."

Scarlett obeyed, sinking back into the water and letting it cover to her shoulders. Leo relaxed slightly. She worked the soap over her arms, letting the suds bubble up on her skin and float into the swirling water.

"I didn't say I minded it when you stared," she whispered, not looking at Leo.

Leo pulled up a stool to sit behind her and groaned. "Scarlett, you're killing me."

He saw her lips curve, and he longed to press a kiss to that little smirk.

"I'm only saying, Leo. When you look at me like that, it makes me feel alive."

Leo smiled, brushing his fingers through her wet hair as he moved it to the side. Then he gently caressed her shoulders, letting his palms press into the muscles there. Scarlett moaned and leaned into his touch. Leo closed his eyes and pretended not to be affected by the sound.

They stayed like that for a while, with Scarlett bathing herself and Leo helping her to relax. It was a scene that Leo longed to repeat over and over again. Finally, Scarlett leaned forward.

"All done?" Leo asked, and she nodded. "Do you need help getting out?"

"No," Scarlett replied as she took the towel Leo offered.

He stood and backed away then, not sure he would be able to handle it if she bared herself again. "I will be over here in case you need anything," he said.

Leo crossed the room until he was standing in front of the window. The sun was beginning to rise, the colors glorious on an undoubtedly cold morning. Leo had barely rested his eyes all night. Exhaustion and exhilaration battled within him.

Hearing Scarlett's footsteps, Leo turned to see her emerge from the bathing area. She was wrapped in her white dressing robe again. A healthy, rosy hue had spread about her face, and Leo sighed. It was a sigh of relief and love and hope.

"Will you rest again?"

Scarlett nodded, though it appeared resigned. "How long are you going to treat me like I'm fragile?" she asked. She crawled under the covers, and Leo followed her. Earlier, he had stripped his extra layers off, so now he only wore a loose shirt and his trousers. He'd never been so comfortable than lying there with her.

She was staring up at the ceiling, just as Leo had been doing earlier. He grabbed her chin lightly between his two fingers and twisted her head. She looked up at him, their eyes meeting.

"Scarlett," he whispered, "I know it may irritate you, but I'm not going to stop trying to protect you." Leo released her chin, trailing his fingers down her shoulders and the length of her arm until he was holding her hand.

"I know that the men in your life have let you down. Your father never cared for your future the way he should have, and your first husband didn't respect you as a wife."

She giggled, her eyes twinkling, and Leo wondered what was so funny. "First husband?" she piqued. "It isn't like I have a second."

"Well..." Leo began, and her eyes turned into wide, gem-like saucers. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

Scarlett just continued to stare at him, and Leo cleared his throat. "I want you to let me take care of you, Scarlett. Not because you need me, but because you deserve to be cherished." He leaned in, grazing her lips with his own, breathing his words against her mouth as though they were life itself. "All I want is to love you like any man should his wife."

She pulled back, looking into his eyes. "Did you just say wife?"

The surprise on her face nearly broke his heart. "Yes, darling. I said wife. Because I was hoping you would marry me."

"But..." She paused. "You wish to marry me?"

"Yes, very much so." Leo smiled.

"What about Lady Penelope?"

"A nice young woman, but I never even considered the prospect of marrying her. My parents were merely attempting to set something up."

"And how would your parents feel toward you marrying me instead?"

"They would be thrilled," Leo replied honestly. His dad, especially, would be happy to know he had picked someone. And his mother had always been fond of Scarlett. "Besides," Leo said, lowering his voice, "you might already be carrying my son or daughter, Scarlett. And my father very much wants a grandchild."

She sucked in a breath. "Leo, I—I'm not sure I can have children," she confessed.

Leo drew back. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I was married to Lord Humphries for long enough that I should have become with child, but I never did."

"Oh," Leo chuckled. "Well, that likely wasn't your fault, dear. The man was ancient." When she still looked skeptical, Leo tried to assure her. "But even if what you say is true, I don't care. You are all I want."

A little smile formed on her face, and Leo was enticed by it. He wanted to see more. "I love you, Scarlett. Marry me," he whispered.

Just as he was hoping, the smile widened. "Yes. I'd love to."

Leo wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her flush to him. He kissed her smile, enjoying the feel of it against his mouth. Then Leo decided he wanted to see how the rest of her would feel pressed to his lips and began to kiss her cheek, her jawline, her neck. "You taste clean," he said against her skin.

"Leo!" A knock sounded at the door, accompanying Will's voice.

"Go away, Will," Leo called, slightly muffled through the kisses he was pressing down Scarlett's throat.

"Leo." This time his name came through the door like a warning.

"Busy!" Leo called, which resulted in a slap on the arm from Scarlett.

"He's going to know exactly what that means," she hissed.

Leo smiled against her skin and shrugged.

"Fine, I shall come in then," Will said, and the doorknob jiggled. Leo shot out of bed, swearing his best friend to hell as he crossed the room.

"What?" Leo cried as he yanked the door open.

Will's expression was solemn, and he motioned for Leo to come out of the room further. Leo obeyed, closing the door to Scarlett's chamber tight behind him.

"I was in the middle of something," Leo said, his annoyance clear.

"I can see that," Will drawled, his eyes moving over Leo's appearance. "But someone is here."

"What do you mean someone is here? It's the crack of dawn."

"It's Lord Humphries," Will explained.

Except that didn't explain anything at all.

"Lord Humphries is dead," Leo said.

"The new Lord Humphries. He's here for everything he inherited."

"Oh," Leo said, frowning. "Well, I suppose Scarlett won't need the house anymore. She's just agreed to marry me." Leo smiled at his friend, but Will's mouth only drew into a tighter line.

Leo frowned. "This is where you're supposed to say...congratulations, Leo! Nice job getting your shit together!"

Will sighed, glancing away for a moment before looking back. "I really hate this."

"What the hell does that mean? You're the one that told me to marry her, Will!"

Shaking his head, Will said, "No. Not that. Scarlett... Scarlett's included in everything."

"What?"

"She's part of everything Lord Humphries has inherited. The man walked in here with a marriage contract that states that upon the death of the late Lord Humphries, she would be wed to his brother." Will grit his teeth and finished, "Leo, Scarlett doesn't know it yet, but she's already engaged to the man sitting downstairs."