Scarlett walked back toward the staircase with Leo in tow behind her. At the bottom, she paused. The steps were considerably more daunting going up than they'd been going down.

She took a deep breath, about to put her foot on the first step. If she felt unsteady, she could always use the railings to support her.

Abruptly, both of her feet were swept up from under her, and Scarlett's whole body tilted on its axis.

"Leo!" she exclaimed breathlessly.

He was cradling Scarlett in his arms, holding her tightly against his chest.

"You shouldn't be walking around," he grumbled.

"I know," Scarlett confessed. "I became nervous that you'd leave before I had a chance to speak to you. Or that I'd fall asleep by the time you returned." She ducked her head against his chest as he began to carry her up the stairs. "I really wanted to talk to you, Leo. And suddenly, it couldn't wait."

Leo was frowning when he finally looked down at her. "Are you sure that you're up for talking?"

"I am quite positive."

"Fine," Leo said. He brought her through the doorway of her chambers and strode to her bed. Gently, he rested her on top of it. Scarlett scooted back against the pillows, propping herself up against them. Leo brought her another glass of water, which she eagerly gulped. Her head was beginning to clear; everything felt less foggy, and the pain had decreased. But the bad taste in her mouth wouldn't go away.

Sitting on the bed next to her, Leo waited with patience while she drank the water. When she was done, he took the glass from her.

Scarlett closed her eyes for a moment, preparing herself for the conversation. Leo would likely have many questions. And he'd probably be angry at her deception. But Scarlett knew she needed to clear this from her chest.

Opening her eyes, Scarlett peeked at Leo. She couldn't believe he was here. After everything she'd put him through, he was here.

And that was why he deserved the truth.

"Leo," she began.

He tilted his head to the side. "Yes, love?"

Scarlett hesitated, her heart skipping a beat, distracting her from her thoughts.

She tried to clear her throat. "I lied to you," she said, the words toppling from her mouth.

Leo didn't react beyond a brief nod. "About what?"

"I've never had a relationship—beyond friendship—with Damien, Lord Eades. We met as children; our families had neighboring estates."

His brows furrowed. "No relationship ever?"

"Correct." Scarlett shifted her position against the pillows. She glanced down, watching her fingers fiddle with each other in her lap. She forced herself to look at him and away from her fidgeting. "Leo, there are only two men that I've been...intimate with in my life."

Leo's brows moved again, this time lifting in surprise. He leaned forward, and Scarlett continued. "And those two men are my husband...and you."

Leo froze. He didn't move, didn't say anything, didn't change the stupified expression on his face.

"Leo?" she asked, uncertain.

Slowly, he opened his mouth and stated, "But you were Eades' mistress."

Scarlett shook her head. "I told you that was a lie. I've never been anyone's mistress. Including Eades. It was all an act, Leo."

"An act?" he repeated. He appeared to be getting more confused by the minute, even though Scarlett was trying to make things transparent. "But why?"

"The ton doesn't know that I make a living as Madame Mischief. I needed an excuse so that no one became suspicious of how I generated an income as a widow. I did not wish for anyone to guess that I was behind Mischief in Mayfair, and the obvious answer was to pretend to be a man's mistress."

"But why did you not simply tell me that?"

Scarlett went back to fidgeting with the edges of her sheets, not being able to look at Leo. "The thing is, I don't actually make enough money from Mischief in Mayfair to live either. So Damien and I created the wager at White's." She glanced up, and Leo's face was blank. "So that we could split the winnings."

"You created the wager?" he breathed, his expression never changing from one of incredulity. "You meant for men across London to chase your skirts?"

"Yes. We created it the first time it was done." Scarlett knew it sounded crass, so she added, "And you were all so eager to bet on me as if I was a possession to be won. I simply used the nature of men to my advantage."

Leo winced. "Then, you know that I placed a bet the first time around."

She nodded. "But not this time," she pointed out, speaking softly. "What changed?"

He seemed to consider that, biting his lip for a moment before speaking. "There was a part of me that realized that I didn't want to win anything. I just wanted you. And I only considered placing a bet so that I could scare off all the others."

"Is that why you insisted I go to the opera with you? To scare off all the others?" Scarlett laughed a little at the idea.

"Yes," Leo replied unapologetically. "I never really expected to win your affections, Scarlett. But I wanted to try to protect you." His eyes widened in a little realization. "Apparently, that was unnecessary."

Leo paused, and then his eyes narrowed. When he opened his mouth again, Scarlett interrupted, knowing what he was going to say. "I didn't tell you because I didn't think you'd understand."

"Come on, Scarlett," Leo said with a sardonic glance her way. "Give me some credit."

Scarlett lifted a brow, challenging him. "You would have let Damien declare to White's that he won knowing full well it wasn't true?"

Leo shook his head. "No. Because I would have just given you the money."

"Exactly. You would have wanted to give me money right after we had..." Scarlett sighed. "See? I cannot even say it. I am not the woman you think I am," she said. "I am not used to having illicit affairs, and I wasn't interested in becoming a woman that is paid money for doing so."

A smile tugged on the corner of Leo's mouth. "I would have given you the money regardless of whether or not we had spent the night together."

Scarlett nodded. "I know. But we did spend the night together."

The corner tugged further on Leo's mouth until he wore a devilish smirk. "We did, darling."

Scarlett gave him a sheepish look. She couldn't summon brazenness anymore.

"And now," Leo continued, scooting closer to her. "You're telling me that I'm the only man, besides your husband, who has touched you like that?"

Shaking her head, Scarlett corrected him. "No man has ever touched me the way you have, Leo."

Leo's smile grew so that it stretched across his whole face. He leaned toward her, brushing the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip once and then dropping his hand. "Really?" he asked.

Scarlett nodded. "Really. I am done lying to you." It was her turn to touch him now. Scarlett reached up, running her fingers through his blonde hair. "I love you, Leo," she whispered for the second time that night. "And I'm sorry."

Leo's eyes lit up, and they roamed her face.

When he didn't say anything, Scarlett dropped her hand into her lap and voiced her inner fears. "If you can't love me after what I've told you, I understand. I know I'm not who you thought I was."

Leo's bright eyes melted tenderly, and Scarlett's hopes soared again. "Scarlett, darling. For the past week or so, I've tried not to love you. But it can't be done. I couldn't stop loving you even if I wanted to. Because you are exactly the woman that I knew you were."

"What?" Scarlett asked, peering at him curiously.

"God," Leo said, looking to the ceiling. "I swear, it's like you don't even listen to me when I talk. You just believe these things about yourself because they're what you want people to see."

He brought his gaze back down to meet hers. "The things I love about you haven't changed, Scarlett. You're bright and witty and strong. I know your soul, the one you try to hide. And it's beautiful."

He leaned in, whispering across her mouth. "And the fact that I'm the only man who you've been with..." He drifted off, closing his eyes briefly as if savoring the words. Or the thought. Or both.

"I don't even know how to describe the feeling it gives me." He brushed his lips across hers, and it was like a dusting of magic in the dead of night. "Its almost like you're telling me that you're mine. And only mine."

Scarlett smiled against his mouth. "That's what I'm telling you, Leo."

Leo's fingers tangled in the hairs at the nape of her neck as he tugged her against him, bringing their lips together again. He kissed her deeply, claiming her, making sure that Scarlett knew what it felt like to be his.

And then suddenly, he broke away. "I think you should rest now."

"But..." Scarlett protested. "I do not think I could sleep just now." Why would he think she could sleep after a kiss like that?

"I could have a bath drawn for you?" he offered.

Scarlett debated. She could still feel the lingering effects of the medication, and perhaps a bath would help clear the grogginess away.

"A bath," she agreed.

Leo smiled. "Coming right up."