A heady mix of fear tinged with the slightest hint of what was unmistakably desire.
And then, Hanna blinked, her gaze growing clear.
Those luscious lips set themselves in a thin line, and a mulish expression closed over her lovely face.
“No,” she said, pulling away from his grasp, moving to stand closer to the fire so that the fine hairs at the crown of her head stirred in the heat radiating off the blaze. “No, I will not.”
Alaric clenched his teeth, grimacing as his eyes narrowed. “No, you will not have me, or no, you will not let me know you.”
Hanna narrowed her eyes at him in return, her chin lifting defiantly.
Gods, she was a vision, with her dress plastered to her slim form, cheeks flaring pink as she challenged him.
“Neither,” she said simply.
Leaving no room for discussion or negotiation. No matter the spark that had flared between them when their lips had pressed together for that heady kiss.
Alaric felt his temper flare dangerously hot. But he would not let this woman see how she affected him. Hanna was his, whether she acknowledged it or not.
She would soon see, and the victory would be even sweeter for her struggle to escape his snare.
“Very well,” Alaric growled, snatching his coat from the seat of the chair where it was drying and pulling it on roughly, his muscles bunching with frustration and the lingering twitch of excitement.
“We will see, Miss Hanna.”
He gave her one last look, letting his gaze travel over her form with brazen possessiveness, wanting her to feel his brand on her.
Then Alaric turned on his heel and strode out into the rain, not looking back even once as he stalked through the sodden foliage, his feet taking him automatically to the hidden paths and trails they knew so well.
He needed to walk, and to think.
HANNA
Hanna haltingly confessed to Maria the events of the night before as they sat at the kitchen table.
She knew not what to do, and Maria was the closest thing to a mother to her now.
"The gamekeeper wants to marry you?" Maria's eyes widened over her teacup, and then a speculative look came over her face. She pursed her lips and tutted.
Hanna merely nodded, mute now that the tale was out and bouncing James on her knee. The baby grabbed for her necklace, a cheap string of wooden beads, and she gently redirected his hands.
"What did you say?" asked Maria, eyeing Hanna shrewdly.
"I said… no," Hanna hesitantly met her friend's gaze. "Maria, was I foolish? The man claims he wants to take James and me, give us his name..."
"Well, do you believe him?"
Did she?Hanna thought of the gifts appearing faithfully each morning. Of the fury in Alaric's eyes when those youths had threatened her. And of the gentleness in his touch when he'd brushed the damp hair from her face.
"Yes," she admitted quietly. "I think he means what he says. But I don't understandwhy. Why me? Why would any man willingly take on a woman with my reputation, with a bastard child?"
Maria was quiet for a long moment.
Then she set down her cup and reached across to cover Hanna's hand with her own.
"I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone," the old woman said. "About why I’m so worried for your sake, you and the babe, even though it could cost me my parish allowance."
Hanna waited, her heart suddenly pounding. She had never dared to question Maria on her support and help, fully aware of the risk the woman took by taking in little James.
