Page 58 of Beguiling the Baron

Chapter 38

Tia marveled at Hal’s strength. She reveled in the shifting muscle of his bare shoulder, while her body sensed the power in every stride, in every breath.

He wanted to marry her. This wasn’t the result she’d expected when she set out to reform him. He was a stranger to her in many ways, but that could be remedied in time. Wouldn’t Mama be shocked? Lucy wouldn’t be, of course—Tia was certain all the queries about Hal in her letters to the Duchess of Finchingfield must have given her away.

But what about Polly? What would she think of the prospect of having a new parent?

That could be dealt with later—there was plenty of time for a long engagement, during which they could all grow accustomed to the idea. She and Mama would probably have to live elsewhere for a while of course, as it wasn’t exactly seemly for a gentleman to dwell under the same roof as his betrothed.

But her mind was leaping ahead of the facts. She hadn’t accepted him.

Yet.

His arms closed tightly, protectively around her, and she buried her face against the sturdy column of his neck, where she could smell the bitter scent of his cologne mixed with the sweet musk of his skin. When she tested her lips against his flesh, the movement in his jaw told her he was smiling. She dropped a trail of kisses up to his ear, surrendering to an overwhelming urge to bite his lobe.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”

“Be more gentle next time, if you please. I may be a man, but some parts of my anatomy are equally as sensitive as yours.”

She nuzzled him below the chin, kissed his jawline, the high aristocratic lines of his cheek and his temple, and the corner of his eyebrow. His eyes crinkled as he beamed again, twisting his head to return her kiss.

It proved to be quite difficult to do this and walk at the same time. Their teeth and noses clashed, sending her into giggles and him into light chuckling. A great glow of joy spread through her.

Hal was grinning, laughing. Perhaps he was even in love? She hoped as much, though he ought to damn well hurry up and tell her so.

“Put me down,” she advised. “You must kiss me properly.”

“Wait, we’re nearly there.” He set her down beneath the archway. “Deuce take it!”

“What is it?”

“Shh, my sweet. It’s gone two in the morning—we don’t want to awaken any of the servants, or they’ll be out of sorts all day.”

“You’re the last person to object to someone being short-tempered, especially after yesterday.”

“Hush now. I’m a reformed man. Or will be if you consent to be my wife. Have you an answer for me yet?”

“I asked for time. I meant more than ten minutes. Now, what were you cursing about?”

“We left the lantern and my shirt down by the willow tree.”

“I’m sure one of the gardeners will return them.”

“Yes, but what will they make of it? I don’t want there to be any gossip.”

She sighed. Surely, he was inured to gossip by now? “They’ll simply assume you drank too much punch yesterday afternoon and forgot them after your habitual swim. They must know you swim?”

“I sincerely hope not. I keep it to myself and often go in naked. But only after dark.”

She shivered deliciously at the memory of his body, slick with water in the moonlight. It would be nice to think she was the only person who had ever seen him thus.

“Come.” The one simple word, uttered softly, made her spine tingle with anticipation.

“Where are we going?”

“To my dressing room, to dry off. I fear I’ve soaked your nightgown.”