Chapter 172: Warming Up (R18)

Desmond requested the maids prepare a bath for Leonor in her quarters the second he stepped out of the carriage.

Luckily it was only a few of the workers who came to receive the duke and duchess and bear witness to the strange situation the couple found themselves in. Leonor explained what happened even though it would be fairly obvious considering her hair was wet. 

Gideon was a more difficult obstacle to cross before they could escape to privacy. When he heard that Leonor hurt her ankle, he was more insistent on having her see someone for it. It wasn't until she showed him her bare leg that he believed she took care of it herself. 

The mood was strange as the duke and duchess rushed away the moment they could. Most took it for embarrassment because of their state of dress, but a few others had witnessed them growing more affectionate. It was normal for them to be a little bit on edge around one another.