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CHAPTER15
To say that the air had swooped from her lungs in one swift blow was doing it mildly. William’s hand remained lightly touching her jaw, as though he hovered on the edge of a cliff and hadn’t yet decided to jump. She turned her head into his hand more fully, reveling in the warmth his skin provided.
“Am I a complete ninny to believe that you might hold a similar regard for me?” he asked.
Pippa crashed back to the earth swiftly. Could she believe this man? She wanted to, undoubtedly, but that did not mean she should. She stepped back from his hold, and his hand dropped to his side. “Whether or not it was done unconsciously, Lily believes her feelings to be returned. What sort of friend would I be to admit to such a thing when faced with that truth?”
“An honest one.”
Pippa laughed. “You cannot wrap this situation in flowery words and make it better. It is dratted uncomfortable, regardless of how you frame it.”
“Despite your protestations, you’ve done nothing but give me reason to hope.” His eyes softened. “Put me out of my misery and be forthright.”
“No.”
William’s laugh ripped through the howling wind. “No? Whyever not?”
“I must speak to Lily first.” Despite her pretended bravado, Pippa very much enjoyed the way he looked at her now, and it took a great deal of reserve to hold her ground.
“Very well.” He seemed to sober further. “I suppose I ought to speak to her, as well.”
She swallowed a scoff. “That is likely a good idea.”
Thunder sounded in the distance, and William looked up as though seeing the incoming storm for the first time. “We should both be getting home.”
“Have you not stood on the beach during a storm? It is a majestic thing to behold.”
His gaze slid to her. “I should think it a dangerous thing.”
“There is that, too.”
William smiled, reaching for her hand, and she let him take it. “Let us get you to safety before you find a way to somehow become stuck in the storm, and I am forced to rescue you.”
“Yes, because our relationship thus far has been rife with you rescuing me,” she said drily.
“I suppose not, but I wouldn’t wish to begin that trend today.”
He hadn’t saved her, but he had come to the rescue of Elinor on more than one occasion. He had a good heart, he’d proven that much already. The way he’d hastened down to the beach when Elinor had screamed showed exactly what kind of man William was. The sort who ran to help.
Pippa allowed him to tug her along, his large hand wrapped around hers. She felt warm and safe in his hold and wished the climb up to the road would last forever. “Can I ask you a question?”
He looked back at her with curiosity. “Yes.”
“Why do you not wear a coat?”
William screwed his eyebrows together. “Stupidity. It is really quite cold out.”
They reached the road, and William gestured to her bonnet, which threatened to fly away in the wind, and she clutched the ribbons tighter so it would not escape. “My turn. Why do you not wear your bonnet?”
“Because I love freckles and tanned skin, of course.”
William nudged her with his shoulder. “Truly.”
“I am not opposed to either of those things, regardless of what Mabel thinks Society approves of. In truth, though, I find bonnets uncomfortable. When I wear them too long they give me headaches.”
He nodded. “For what it is worth, I love your dash of freckles and find your tanned skin beautiful.”
Warmth stole up her cheeks, and Pippa tore her gaze from William’s insistent one. “Thank you, sir.”
