Thiswas what came of jealousy over the likes of Christina Sykes. She strode to the tree, ignoring the approaching storm and jumped up, the ribbon fluttering just out of her reach. A drop of rain fell right on the end of her nose. She was going to become a drenched, matronly—
“Jordana.” Haddon spoke from behind her. “We’ve only just gotten you well. The doctor says you cannot afford to catch another chill which could settle in your chest. Get to our carriage and head home before the storm descends. The temperature has already dropped.”
“But—”
“Now, Jordana. I’ll see to Lady Cupps-Foster and her hat.”
“Goodbye, Lady Cupps-Foster!” Jordana ran in the direction of Haddon’s carriage whose driver, seeing the approach of rain, had already steered the vehicle further into the park to intercept them.
“Take her directly home,”he yelled at the driver before turning to Marissa. “I may have to beg a ride.” Haddon’s voice vibrated down into her skin, dispelling the cold and warming her from the inside out.
“Why don’t you just go?” Marissa didn’t want his help. Nor was this about her hat. “Elderlywidow that I am, I’m fairly certain I can retrieve this hat myself.”
“I believe the term she used wasolderwidow. I’ve no intention of leaving you here alone, jumping around like a mad hare.” He looked back at his carriage which was pulling away now with Jordana tucked safely inside.
“There’s no need, Haddon. Truly.” She made another leap at the ribbon fluttering just out of her reach.
“You realize, Marissa, that no matter how hard you jump, you won’t be able to catch it.”
Marissa shot him a murderous look and continued to leap toward the branch, fingers spread to catch at the fluttering piece of ribbon.
An older widow. An appropriate chaperone. Is that all I am?
Isn’t that all shewishedto be to him?
“Christ, Marissa. It’s only a hat.”
I called him a dalliance, which is so far from the truth. I suppose we’re even now.
Rain began to pelt them, the droplets big and fat. The wind blew, no longer in sharp bursts but in steady, chilling gusts. They would both catch cold if they didn’t leave soon.
“I don’t need your help.” Looking down at the rain spotting her dress and dripping down her shoulders in rivulets, with the hat ruined, and her hair sliding from its pins, Marissa gave a small cry of frustration.
Now she appeared to be an olderbedraggledwidow.
Haddon swept past her. Taking off his coat, he nestled it around her shoulders and handed her his own hat.
Marissa shivered in pleasure as the coat fell over her. The fabric was still warm from his body and smelled deliciously spicy, just like Haddon.
“I’ll fetch it, Marissa. Your carriage is just down there. I’ll get your hat and then see you home.”
“No...I mean you don’t have to.”
Haddon ignored her and began to scramble up the tree as if he’d been born to climb. His shirt was soaking wet, the fabric clinging to the sculpted lines of his back and arms. There was no hesitation as he made his way up the tree, each movement imbued with graceful agility, sure and confident. He reached the branch from which her little hat dangled in a matter of seconds. Haddon would rival Brendan in his ability to climb. Her eyes lovingly traced every muscular line of his body, noting the way the rain made the ends of his hair curl about the collar of his shirt.
What had Adelia said? That Haddon had the look of a Viking marauder? Seeing him like this, a man against the elements, Marissa could well imagine him scaling the side of a castle with an axe clutched in one hand.
Desire for Haddon burst over her, settling with a dull, insistent ache between her thighs. It was going to be very difficult to resist him after such a masculine display.
A rumble of thunder shook the park followed by a quick flash of lightning.
“Hurry!” Marissa glanced around, unsurprised to find they were the only ones still there, besides her driver who was leading the carriage in their direction. “I don’t care to be struck by lightning.” Nor have Haddon become injured. Because she’d wanted that stupid hat and he’d gone to get it.For her.
Haddon was still hanging from the tree, cheeky grin in place, rain sluicing down his striking cheekbones. He deftly snagged her hat and waved it at her, clearly showing off.
Marissa’s pulse skipped in an unbearable rhythm, her entire being aching with longing for him, along with something so much more complicated.
Water dripped down the lean lines of his body as he jumped from the tree and jogged in her direction. Haddon was smiling, his teeth brilliant against the light tan of his skin, proud of himself for rescuing her hat.
