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Use in moderation.

And now, as she sat in her bedroom inside the tower, getting ready for Lord Norfolk’s musicale, she was ready to try out the magic elixir.

She doubted she needed the perfume at all as William had barely touched her or looked her way since the night of his alleged abduction.

He was too busy, too tired, and too preoccupied with his thoughts to indulge Victoria with an intimate embrace. And therefore, the perfume Victoria was going to apply was for her benefit. Not his.

Because if she had to sit next to William the entire night, listening to a musical performance, his arm brushing against hers, his heat by her side, the scent of his skin mixed with his spicy cologne wafting to her nose, she needed something to help her avoid jumping into his arms.

Gertrude helped her get dressed and made an elaborate updo. She was very happy with her work and was whistling happily the entire time. When she was done and left the tower, Victoria took the vial of perfume and dabbed a little on her neck and a little more on her hair.

It didn’t smell too bad. Perhaps a bit pungent, but not nearly enough to cause a headache. After a moment’s thought, Victoria dabbed a bit more on her wrists and between her breasts.

Perhaps now she would—

Victoria’s nose twitched and she let out a sneeze. And then another and another.

She dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief. Were they watering? They certainly felt itchy.

William, who was washing up in the dressing room, rushed into their bedchamber. His brows knitted in a frown as he pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. “Do you feel sick? I heard you sneeze.”

“No, I—” Her nose twitched and she turned away, letting out another sneeze. Oh, no! Was it the magic of the perfume? Perhaps she did use too much.

She dashed toward the dressing room and splashed some water onto her face. It seemed to help a little bit, but the smell was now surrounding her, making her eyes water all over again. Why had she dabbed that perfume all over herself?

“What’s wrong?” William strode into the room with a look of worry in his eyes.

“It’s the perfume,” Victoria said honestly. “I think I used too much, and now it’s making me sneeze and my eyes water. Isn’t it bothering you?”

He shrugged, the knave! He didn’t seem to care at all. She’d gotten it with the aim of repelling his advances, and not only were there no advances to repel, but he also didn’t seem to mind the smell of the perfume! “It smells a bit pungent, I have to admit. I prefer your natural scent either way.”

Victoria just blinked at him before another fit of sneezes came over her.

“I think that’s enough,” he said gently. “Let’s get that perfume off you. Where did you apply it?”

He took a cotton cloth and dabbed it in water, ready to wipe her off. Victoria’s eyes watered once more, whether from the perfume or frustration, she wasn’t certain. “Everywhere,” she admitted. “My wrists, my neck, I even splashed some in my hair.”

The face William made was almost comical. And if the urge to sneeze didn’t overpower every other feeling, she would have laughed. It was obvious that William was tempted to laugh, too. Although his facial expression showed a bit of pity as well. With a shake of his head, he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “I shall prepare a bath.”

Chapter 23

Victoria sat in the fresh and warm bath water, her head thrown back, her throat exposed to his view, her eyes closed.

Her tantalizing body was covered by clear water but it wasn’t nearly enough to hide her beautiful breasts, her thin waist, the dark patch between her legs…

At first, she’d asked him to leave as she cleaned herself. She’d washed her hair at least twice and scrubbed her skin raw trying to get rid of the smell of that awful perfume, prompting William to haul her out of the bath and change the murky water for fresh, while she sat in the corner of the dressing room, wrapped in a towel, looking miserable.

Now that he’d lowered her into the bath, with his sleeves wet and his cock hard, he couldn’t quite make himself leave.

“You seem tired,” he said as he lowered himself onto his haunches by her side, his hand dipping into the bath. “Do you need help washing yourself?”

She peeked at him through half-closed eyes. “I think I just want to lie here forever.”

He chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind.”

She licked her lips, and his cock swelled even more. He swallowed. “We missed the musicale, I am afraid.”

“Hmm…” was her only answer.