The setting sun reflected off her irises, bringing out the dark green hues. “Need I call you atrocious a second time?”
I sensed her nervousness as I took a step closer. “Only if you mean it.”
She smelled of roses. Her skin glowed. “You are wicked for not telling me what happened to you this morning. Why did you return looking like you had lost a fight?” Her eyes flickered to my cheekbone.
“I certainly didn’t lose.”
She frowned, planting her hands on her hips. “So you did fight someone.”
I bent over to pick up my jacket, shaking the loose blades of grass from it. “Would you believe me if I told you it was the rabbit pugilist? He has a powerful lead hook.”
Her frown didn’t falter. “Please be serious for one moment.”
I stood up with a solemn expression.
Anne was shivering. She wrapped her arms around herself. “I have been worried about you. You disappeared all morning and I thought you were never coming back, you refused to tell me why you were injured, and then proceeded to hide away in your room all afternoon. I thought something horrible had happened.” She caught her breath. “All I want to know is who did this to you.”
I draped my jacket around her back and shoulders, holding tight to the lapels on both sides. Her eyes searched my face, taking a stab at my resolve. I couldn’t stop myself from telling her the truth.
“Miles.” I pressed my lips together, my jaw clenching of its own accord. I didn’t want to see her reaction, but I couldn’t look away from her face.
Her eyes widened. “What?”
I gave a grim nod.
“He’s in London already?” Her voice weakened. “When did he arrive?”
“I’m not certain. I happened upon him by chance outside Martin’s bank.”
She scowled in confusion. “Why did he strike you?”
“Because I did it first.”
Her round eyes flooded with apprehension.
“Our conversation resulted in a disagreement. I found it prudent to knock a little sense into him.”
She looked so small, tucked inside my jacket. I held it tight around her. She had stopped shivering, but the disapproval on her face was just as cold. “How could you greet your own brother in that manner after such a long time apart?”
“He deserved it.” I leaned down to look in her eyes, moving my hands to her shoulders. “Anne—he is not coming for you.” I took a deep breath. “He lied. I’m sorry. He told me that he has changed his mind.”
Her eyes flashed with hurt, and she took a step back, shaking her head. “That doesn’t make sense. He wrote me a letter. He left India because of me.”
“Why did he go to India at all?” My words came out harsher than I intended. I tried to steady my frustration with a deep breath. “If I had been in love with you all those years ago, I would have behaved much differently. If I had learned that you were widowed, and that you had any desire to see me again, I would have never run to the first ship that could take me all the way across the world.” I stepped toward her, my heart racing with sudden determination. I cradled her face in my hands. “I would have run to you, and I would have madeyoumy world. I would have married you before I could lose you again.”
She stared up at me in shock, a sheen of tears clouding her eyes.
I traced my thumb over her cheek, grazing the edge of her lower lip. Before I could lose my nerve, I leaned down and kissed her. It might not have been wise, but my wisdom had been evading me all day. I waited for any sign of protest, but she gave none. I thought she would stop me, but she did far more than that. She kissed me back.
She melted forward, taking a handful of my sodden shirt, her lips pressing hard against mine. I took it as encouragement, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her against me. Her hands unfolded against my chest, and I felt the warmth of her palms through my damp shirt. A shiver followed her touch, racing over the length of my spine. My mouth moved against hers with all the passion I had been restraining. I needed to leave her with no question that I adored her. That I loved her.
All at once, her hands pushed against my chest, breaking us apart. My jacket slipped off her shoulders, falling to the ground. Her frantic gaze flickered over my face, her fingers lifting to her lips. Her hand shook.
Regret washed over me. “Anne—” I reached for her arm, but she retreated another step. I couldn’t imagine the conflicting emotions she must have felt. I cursed myself for kissing her in such a vulnerable moment. I hadn’t given her time to process my words about Miles before I essentially confessed my feelings for her. It was clear that I had overwhelmed her.
She turned toward the house, her face in her hands.
I strode forward. “Anne, wait?—”
