Page 76 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

He chuckled to himself and continued down the street until they came to a millinery shop.

“Are you in need of a bonnet?” she asked.

“You know that I am not.”

“Then why are we here because I do not need one.”

“Ah, but you do, unless you brought one with you.”

“I had a hat, once, but it was lost in the streets when I was unceremoniously tossed over a rogue’s shoulder,” Georgie offered sweetly, so as not to be mistaken as an argument, and she was stating a fact. “However, I do not believe a bonnet is necessary, as I am rarely in the sun.”

“That was a man’s hat, which would not be suitable for how you are dressed…and…I…” he drew in a deep breath, “apologize for treating you in such a manner.”

“You are forgiven, though that still does not require that I have a bonnet.”

“I have noticed your freckles, which has me believing that you will burn in the sun, and since you will be on a ship, and this time you don’t have to hide below, I fear that you will burn because of the brightness of the sun and reflection off the water.”

“I do not burn,” she stated frankly.

“Have you spent much time on the water or sailing while on a deck of a ship?”

She pursed her lips and frowned before she answered. “I have never had the opportunity and even though we are very close to the beaches, I go there rarely.”

“Thus, you need a bonnet.”

“We are sailing at night,” she reminded him.

But he truly wanted to buy her a bonnet. All women wore bonnets and so should she.

“Therefore, I do n…” She stopped talking when he arched an eyebrow and waited to continue her argument.

“Really, Damian, you have already purchased too much for me. How can I repay such generosity?”

Was this her new way of arguing with him? It could be, but her tone was soft and maybe she was concerned, but he truly did not care. In fact, he wanted to buy her anything she wanted or needed.

“Wear a bonnet for me, please. I would hate for you to suffer a sunburn and then be miserable, because they can make you ill, and then what kind of state would you be in when you finally caught up to Grace?”

She narrowed her brown eyes. “You are wicked, Damian, to use such logic.”

She had no idea how wicked he could truly be, and likely would never learn, which was truly a shame.

They strolled through the shop, but Georgie did not pick out a bonnet, though Damian wasn’t surprised. Therefore, he held the more fetching one against her face and hair before he settled on a simple straw bonnet trimmed with a pale, lavender ribbon, a color that was quite attractive on her.

Damian placed the bonnet on her head to test the size, which fit her perfectly, then tied the ribbon beneath her chin. He only did so because he did not expect her to, but as he pulled the bow tight, Damian noticed that her cheeks had deepened to a rosy hue.

“What do you think?” He then gently turned her toward the mirror to which she smiled shyly and bit her bottom lip.

“I hate that you are insisting on such an extravagance that is not necessary, but I also refuse to argue.”

He leaned close to her ear. “I know, which is why today is going to be so much fun.”

Georgie cocked her head and looked at his reflection. “Does this mean that you are going to do your best to cause an argument so that you can win?”

“The thought has crossed my mind.” He chuckled. “Let me pay for your bonnet and then we will see what else we can find in Liverpool.”

*

Three books, pastries, and a new bonnet. It was all too much, and no matter how much she knew that this was wrong, Georgie found herself enjoying Damian’s attention.