He stopped the horse on the top of a knoll and looked out over the countryside, breathing the fresh air. He relaxed slightly. Soon he would have to make a final decision about his future, but right now, this break refreshed him.
Out of nowhere, something Miss Emmie had said to him came to mind, making him chuckle. She’d accused him of trying to make Lady Sarah fall in love with him because he was a penniless man. The lady’s companion would probably faint dead away if she knew exactly how much money he had in his coffers—and that he was just given a title. But to her, he was a normal man.
He grinned wider. At least he knew he was playing his part well.
Miss Emmie was a strange little woman. Over the past two days, he had taken Lady Sarah on a few carriage rides, and even on picnics. Emmie had made it obvious through her glares that she didn’t approve. Sometimes he wondered if he courted the earl’s daughter just to get a reaction from her companion.
It was rather funny, now that he thought about it, because Emmie hadn’t met his gaze since their kiss. However, she still watched Lady Sarah closely and had an even closer eye on him.
He had also made it a pastime of late to watch the lady’s companion. He couldn’t understand why he thought Lady Sarah looked out of place, and especially why she didn’t act as bold as her companion. Yet bold as Miss Emmie was, she still displayed a face of innocence. Her crimson blushes gave it away.
Swiping his hand across his moist brow, he kicked the horse into a gallop and rode in a different direction. Since the weather was warmer than it had been in a few days, he decided to take another swim in his uncle’s pond. Just thinking about the cool water cascading down his heated body made him urge the animal faster.
He neared the secluded spot and stopped the horse. As he tied the reins to a tree branch, the sound of splashing permeated the air. Tall trees surrounded the pond, so he couldn’t exactly see who had invaded his bathing place. He hurried toward the water, and the first thing he saw was an ugly gray dress lying on a rock.
Broderick shook his head and held in a chuckle.Miss Emmie.He really should leave so that she could have some privacy. He was, after all, a gentleman—when he wanted to be, anyway—but currently, he was in the mood to tease a little. Actually, this timehe would tease a lot. How could he not, since it had been his first instinct since meeting her?
He waited until she emerged before doing or saying anything. The water slapped against her shoulders and around her creamy breasts. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see much, since the water covered her. Stringy, wet brown hair fell around her face and down her back, making her look more like a woman… and that much more alluring. Something must have gotten in her eye, because she vigorously rubbed that spot with dainty fingers. After a minute, she swiped the hair out of her face, shaking her head in the process.
This was absolutely the most enticing thing he’d ever witnessed, and what made it more appealing was that she didn’t know she had an audience. The woman was naturally sensual, and this knowledge brought a tightening to his chest as his heart hammered out an uneven rhythm.
Once she opened her eyes and saw him, she gasped. Her arms crossed over her chest to hide what he really couldn’t see anyway, and she squatted in the water until the liquid bobbed up around her chin.
“Mr. Worthington?” Her voice squeaked high in panic. “What are you doing here?”
Her gaze combed slowly over him. Desire flowed through him from her adorable expression. May the devil take him, but he liked seeing her all flustered. Her red cheeks made her brown eyes darker.
Wetting his dry lips, he exhaled through his nose, trying to remove the indescribable feelings pumping through his blood. What was wrong with him?
He tried shaking himself out of the trance she’d put him under. “Good day, Miss Emmie. I was just passing by when I heard someone in the pond. I took it upon myself as the nephewof this estate to see if there was perhaps an intruder on my uncle’s lands.”
“Well, now that you see I’m not an intruder, will you be so kind as to leave me to my privacy? It isnotproper for you to be watching me bathe.”
“And when you watched me bathe the other day, was that any different?” He shook his head. “I think not, my sweet.”
“That is neither here nor there.” Her cheeks reddened even more, if that were possible. “Please, Mr. Worthington, leave me alone.”
He grinned, deciding this was the perfect moment to start teasing. “Actually,” he began as he started releasing the buttons of his waistcoat, “I thought I might join you. The weather has been warm today, and I was in the mood for a swim.” He stepped toward the water.
“No!” She moved back farther. “Please, Mr. Worthington, don’t come any closer.”
He removed his waistcoat and cravat quickly, leaving his neck and upper chest open for her view. Stepping to the edge of the pond, he grinned. As much as the idea of sharing the water with her sounded most entertaining right now, he was only teasing.
Now if his heart would quit hammering from the pleasure flowing through him from just watching her, he’d be able to think rationally.
“Are you certain you would not enjoy some company?” he asked.
She shook her head, and once again, her gaze moved over his chest, resting momentarily on his exposed throat. “Yes, I’m most certain.”
He sighed heavily and shrugged. It pleased him to see that her innocent gaze couldn’t stay off his body.
“Can I help you out?” He looked around the area where her clothes were located. “I think you will need a towel, but I don’t see one.”
“I-I-I will be fine, Mr. Worthington. I assure you.”
He looked back at her and grinned. “I gather you have never shared a bath with a man.”
A deeper blush filled her face, verifying his curiosity. Her reaction was everything he thought it would be, and he wouldn’t have traded it for all the money in the world—or his new bloody title. The look on her face was priceless. He loved the fact that he could make her respond in such a way.
