Page 55 of Beguiling the Baron

Chapter 36

The weather had refused to break, resulting in an uncomfortably sultry night. Hal’s thoughts were too tangled to facilitate sleep, and his guilt gnawed at him until it hurt. He tossed off the sheet and rose, crossing to the open window to see if any breeze was to be had.

Not much. Sighing, he gazed in the direction of the folly. He hadn’t gone across there after supper to continue his homage to Mary—the urge remained, yes, but the compulsion had lost its power now. Besides, he’d been wearied from his trip to London, and his exertions in the afternoon.

So, in view of that weariness, why had the gods only permitted him an hour’s sleep before goading him into wakefulness again?

It was Tia. Of course, it was. He couldn’t exorcise the image of her shaken expression when he’d railed at her this afternoon. His behavior had been inexcusable, and he hadn’t yet found the opportunity to apologize. Each time he tried to corner her, she seemed to be doing something for Polly or the other children. He began to wonder why he had servants at all if nobody bothered to use them.

Unless, of course, she was deliberately avoiding him.

He pressed against the windowsill, enjoying the cooler air on his naked flesh, but it wasn’t cold enough. The only answer was a swim. It would banish any further hope of sleep, but perhaps when he came back in the chill air of the morning, he could set his thoughts straight and decide what he needed to say to Tia.

Pulling on breeches, shoes, and a shirt, he turned to appraise himself in the glass. Frowning, he recalled how grim an aspect he’d presented yesterday, with fury issuing from every pore. From now on, he must make the effort to smile a good deal more.

Particularly at Tia.

His gaze dropped to the miniature portrait of Mary, propped on the dressing table. Picking it up, he stared at it for a long time. Eventually, with a murmured apology, he opened a small drawer and placed the picture inside. A modest beginning, but better than no beginning at all.

As he lit a lantern to illuminate his walk, the flare of light seemed to burn the cares from his shoulders, offering him the promise of a better, brighter future.

A finger of moonlight grazed the path as he struck out toward the stand of trees by the river. He kept to the verge, not liking the sound of his feet on the gravel, a sound that seemed to tear the peace of the night asunder. One of the wolfhounds, Zacky, bounded up to sniff at him, and greet him. But instead of loping back to his post as he should, the dog pricked up his ears and nosed at his master, staring pointedly down the driveway.

“What, boy? Have you seen a fox?” Hal fondled one of the coarse ears and allowed his hand to be licked. The dog kept pace with him as he strode onward, its tail swinging cheerfully from side to side, but it remained alert.

Some animal must have disturbed him. If it were an intruder, Zacky would be growling with his hackles up. Hal slowed down, and peered into the darkness, but could see nothing save the shadowy shapes of a few rabbits scattering out of their path.

“It’s only rabbits, Zack. Go home now boy, home.” He pointed, and gave the dog’s rump a shove, prompting the animal to wag its tail even more before bounding off.

Cautiously, Hal sought the shadow of the lime trees, making sure to keep any noise to a minimum. But when he came to his bathing place, he discovered it already occupied.

Tia stood there, ankle deep in the water, her thin cotton nightgown pulled up to her knees.

Paddling? Tia was paddling? At first, he was annoyed she should be out in the darkness all by herself, particularly dressed only in a nightgown. But he’d promised himself not to be angry with her anymore. Besides, the dogs knew her and would protect her from any danger. A mild rebuke for making herself vulnerable must suffice.

It was abundantly clear she had no idea he was there because the next moment she grasped the hem of her nightgown and dragged it over her head.

He stood spellbound, feasting his hungry gaze on her shapely legs, her delightful pear-shaped buttocks and slender waist, and the graceful curves of her shoulders. She twisted to throw the garment on the bank behind her, treating him to a glimpse of her firm, ripe breasts with their rosy nipples—before she saw him.

With a shriek of surprise, she covered herself with her hands and splashed noisily into a deeper spot, submerging until only her head was showing. He winced on her behalf—the water there was cold, and she hadn’t given herself time to get accustomed to it. It was imperative she exit immediately and get dry.

“Tia,” he called softly, as he walked to the bank. “Come out before you catch a chill. No, don’t frown at me—it’s merely advice, not an order.”

“I’m not frowning. How can you see in the darkness anyway?”

He could see quite well at night—he was used to it. But for now, for the sake of her dignity, he’d pretend he couldn’t. “I assumed you would be. You can’t be happy that I came upon you so unexpectedly.”

“Were you watching me? How long have you been there?”

“I wasn’t watching you. I’ve only recently arrived—I wanted a swim as it was too hot to sleep. I presume it’s what you were thinking too. Or did you plan to dance naked in the woods like a maenad?”

“I don’t like being spied on. Now turn your back so I can come out and dress.”

“I suppose I could. But while you’re a captive audience, there are a couple of things I’d like to say to you.”

“Can’t they wait until daylight, when I’m properly garbed and comfortable?”

Preferably not. This was far more entertaining. “I think my words will have more impact now. First, I want to apologize for being such a brute. I will never behave like that again.”

“And if I choose not to forgive you?”

He stooped and gathered up her nightgown. It was still warm, imbued with her delightfully feminine, lavender scent. He flung it onto his shoulder. “I can choose to withhold this.”

She gasped in outrage, bringing a grin to his face. “You want to play games, Hal?”

“Oh, very much. It would make you blush if you knew how much.”

There was a pause. “I’ll consider forgiving you if you put my nightgown within easy reach of the shore and turn your back while I get out.”

“Agreed. In part.” He laid the garment on the riverbank, a foot clear of the water. Then he crouched, gazing at her where she lurked in the moon-rippled water, her hair streaming about her in tantalizing swirls.

“Please take yourself further away.”

He grinned back at her. “I will, but you must promise me something in return.”

She eyed him with suspicion. “What must I promise?”

He said simply, “To marry me.”