As soon as the Duchess of Edgewood was satisfied with Ilona's appearance and the beautiful dress had been removed for safekeeping, Ilona changed back into her usual breeches and shirt. After she'd run a brush through her long chocolate locks, she waited until the hallway was empty before she hurried off in search of her brother.
When she came to his large door she knocked but didn't wait for a reply before opening it.
"My God, Ilona!" Ian snapped, jerking his black breeches closed and quickly lacing them.
"I see half-dressed men at sea all the time," Ilona rolled her eyes and pursed her lips, "Besides, I didn't see anything anyway."
Ian frowned and reached for a fresh cream-colored shirt, pulling it over his muscular and dark sun-tanned chest. He swept his brown curls back from his face only to have most of them fall back down again. He met her gaze as he began the process of strapping all his blades back into their positions.
