“It does not matter what I am,” he growled, taking his mask from her and covering his face again. “What are you doing here alone at this hour?”
That seemed to bring her back to reality, and she blinked several times, pushing her damp hair from her face and shivering. “I…I came to swim.”
He stared at her as though she had gone mad. “Do you know how cold it is?”
“Of course, I do!” Her teeth chattered to push her point. “But I could scarcely do so in the afternoon!”
Jasper picked up his dry cloak and wrapped it around her, and she almost sighed from the warmth. It was lined with fur. “I will not pretend to understand the reason you thought it a good idea to swim in the river, but I am returning you home.”
“You are?” She looked up at him, confused.
He said nothing as he retrieved his pistol and slipped it into his coat pocket. Still silent, he gathered her cloak and took her hand.
When Jasper decided to take a walk in the park, he never imagined he would have to rescue a woman from reprobates, and Lady Natalie no less. He had never really seen her before, but after the incident at Hyde park, he had seen her two more times, and in the space of three days!
He was angry with her for placing herself in such a position, and the thought of what could have happened to her had he not heard her scream wrenched his gut. Jasper glanced at her as they neared a lamp.
She was still shivering, and her pale face made him soften. He slowed and turned her to face him. “Why?” he asked again, wanting to know why she would come out at midnight to swim.
“I wanted to,” she replied. Her eyes gleamed like ambers, and he swallowed. He was cold but she was making his body defy nature by arousing him. Her wet dress had clung enticingly to her body, and the sight was one of the reasons he covered her with his cloak.
“Was there a specific reason?”
“Well, it is something I wished to do before I die.” The last word twisted something in his chest, and he wondered if she was trying to fulfill her desires because death loomed over her. After all, she had come to kiss him last night. It was no coincidence that he found her here tonight.
“Very well.” He turned and continued walking with her hand still in his.
They approached the horse he had tied by a tree to graze, and she asked, “Is that yours?”
“Yes.” Jasper slowed, watching her fine eyebrows furrow. “Is something wrong?”
“Are we riding together?”
Jasper felt the corner of his mouth curve. “I do not see a better way to take you home. Does riding with me trouble you?”
“I…well…”
He leaned close to her. “If you could allow me to kiss you, then surely, you should not mind sharing a saddle with me.”
He could not tell whether or not she blushed but she caught her lower lip between her teeth, and his body reacted. More specifically, his groin became engorged. He had not been able to forget their kiss, and upon waking this morning, he had thought—more than any sane man should—of seeing her again.
“I did not allow you to kiss me,” she returned fiercely. “Ikissedyou.”
“Yes, of course. Pardon my error.”
That seemed to vex her further. “Do not condescend to me.” She pulled her hand from his and marched to the horse. She was doing it again, and it confused him.
Last night, Jasper saw what he thought was disdain in her eyes but it did not stay long enough for him to understand. Now he heard the same thing in her tone. He had wanted to question it but desire had fogged his reasoning.
“I have a notion that you have a low regard for me,” he said, stopping in front of her.
Lady Natalie raised her eyes to his but she only regarded him for a moment before turning and attempting to mount the horse herself. She failed. The horse was a Boulonnaise stallion, and she was a slight woman. She could never mount it without help.
“Do you need help?” he asked.
“No,” came her curt reply. He didn’t know why she was angry with him.
Jasper watched her struggle for a while before he decided to intervene. “You need my help,” he said, taking hold of her shoulders. She stilled and allowed him to turn her.Heavens, she is lovely!His hands circled her small waist and he lifted her onto the saddle. “There.”
