Suddenly the breeze kicked up, and her hat, which she’d untied, flew off her head. Eugénie lunged to the side trying to catch it, but landed sprawled on top of him. Before he knew it, his arms were around her.
“Oh!” She gazed down at him, her sherry-colored eyes widening.
Her heart pounded against his chest, causing his breath to quicken. It would be so easy to close the few short inches and brush his lips across hers. His muscles tightened, wanting to taste and caress.Lord.This was torture of the worst kind. He had to get her off him before he made the worst mistake of his life.
“My bonnet,” she said in a low, breathy tone.
“I’ll get it.” He practically barked the words.
Eugénie scrambled off him as he jumped up.
Spotting the hat near a rock a few feet away, Will dashed after it. A puff of wind picked the bonnet up again, causing it to skip along the sand. Eugénie laughed, clapping her hands as he dived to rescue the thing just before it landed in the water. “I have it!”
“I see that you do. Thank you. It is my favorite bonnet.”
Well, at least the plain, wide-brimmed hat served a purpose rather than being solely decorative. Yet he wondered what she’d look like in one of the confections so popular in England. Better than most ladies, he’d wager.
His jacket and pantaloons were covered in sand, and he suspected he had it under his shirt as well. “Not that I minded going after it, but perhaps you’d better tie it this time . . .”
She gazed up at him, her eyes full of mirth. “You were very brave to ruin your clothes for my hat.”
Will plopped down next to her, dropping the bonnet on the cloth. “I haven’t ruined a suit in ages. My valet is probably beside himself longing for something to occur.”
She took the hat, placed it on her head, and tied the ribbon off to the side. “My maid always complains I destroy my gowns. Yet she enjoys the new ones I buy.”
“Ah, I think our servants would get along well.” At least Will hoped they’d have an opportunity to find out.
The air cooled and Eugénie glanced off to the east. “We must start back.”
“Rain?”
“I think so.”
They quickly gathered up the remains of their luncheon, stowing them in the boat. Without stopping, she hiked up her skirts and started to push the craft into the water. The sight of her strong, well-shaped calves almost undid him again. What would he have to do to get her to agree to marry him? “You get in, I’ll do that.”
Eugénie nodded and hopped into the boat as nimbly as any seaman Will had ever seen. They might get wet before arriving back at the dock, but he’d count the day as a success. This was the most relaxed she’d ever been with him.
The air was warm, and although he kept track of the sail, he neglected to watch for obstructions as wind from the mouth of the harbor sped them on their way.
Suddenly, Eugénie barked an order. “Ready to jibe.”
He scrambled to remember what she’d told him that meant when the boat turned away from the wind.
“Ware the boom.”
He ducked but not soon enough to avoid the solid wooden pole. “Damn, that hurt.”
“Are you all right?”
As they passed one of the ships at anchor, a sailor shouted out, “Better get yerself a real seaman, sweetheart.”
“Aye,” another called. “I’ll be happy to oblige ye.”
Will seethed, but Eugénie appeared to ignore the ribald comments coming from the ship.
“Stay still.” Her fingers moved through his hair over the tender spot at the back of his head. “Not too bad, but you’ll have a lump.”
She leaned into him, her soft breasts pressing against his arm. His nose filled with the scent of lemons and warm woman. He stifled a groan. She’d probably think it was from pain and worry even more. God, he liked her touch.
