“Thank you for your assistance,” he said, “but if you were planning on joining me, let me assure you, I’m nearly finished, so your trip here was wasted.”
A gasp came from the woman, and her mouth hung open. She lifted the towel from off the rock and stepped closer.
“First off, let me say I’m appalled by your rude behavior from a man who—not more than two seconds ago—asked for my help. Lastly, I don’t know who you think I am, but I had no plans on joining your bath.”
The voice was definitely not Mrs. Fisher’s. Mortification expanded inside him. For the first time in his life, he was rendered speechless.
Quickly, he splashed his eyes with water one last time and rubbed them before focusing on his intruder once again. This time he could see the woman as clear as day. And sure enough, this was definitely not Mrs. Fisher, but a much younger woman. He didn’t know who she was, but she was in dire need of a more experienced seamstress. She wore men’s trousers and shirt but had on women’s boots. And her hair flowed gently over her shoulders and down her back.
He studied her face as she stepped closer to the edge of the pond holding the towel. Now he could see the gentle curves of her cheeks and lips. Long eyelashes framed her eyes. Although her face was pretty, her hair and dress did not fit her loveliness.
Broderick shook his head. “Forgive me for not noticing you at first. I had soap in my eyes and couldn’t see clearly. And I apologize for thinking you were someone else.”
“Oh. Well then, since you thought I was someone else, you are forgiven for being so rude.”
She was forgiving him? When she was the one spying on his bath? Obviously, she wasn’t as innocent as she appeared.“Who are you, and where are you from? Did you know you are trespassing on another man’s land?”
Instead of the panic he figured to see on her expression, she arched one of her eyebrows. “I have been invited here, but you, sir, have not. I have met everyone who lives and works on this estate, and you are not one of them. Perhaps you are trespassing.”
Confusion filled his head. Was she one of his uncle’s servants? But she didn’t look like any servant he had met before. And why was the woman dressed in men’s clothes?
“No, I’m not trespassing.” Still in the water, Broderick walked toward her. Just before reaching the point where the water lowered on his body, he stopped. Why did she continue to stare? She didn’t have thatexperiencedexpression on her face. Indeed, this woman was innocent, so then why was she still watching him? “Are you going to turn and hide your eyes, or are you used to seeing a man’s nakedness?”
Her cheeks flared a bright red mere seconds before she spun around. “Forgive me. I hadn’t realized… I mean, I had forgotten…”
Chuckling, he walked out of the water and stood behind her, taking the towel from her hand. “Nonetheless, I thank you for retrieving the towel for me,” he whispered in her ear.
A shiver shook her body, but she stayed rigid and faced the other way. “Sir, you still haven’t told me who you are.”
He wrapped the towel around his waist and tucked it in the edges. “And you, my little confused woman, haven’t introduced yourself either, so I assume we are at a standstill.”
“Confused?” she shrieked.
Huffing, she spun around and faced him. Fire nearly shot out from her heated gaze as she lifted her eyes and met his. Being a head and a half taller, he hadn’t realized until now how tiny she was. Another thing he hadn’t noticed until now was herastonishingly lovely blue eyes—a much darker shade than he had ever seen before.
A small gasp came from her as her eyes widened. “Actually, I believe we have met after all. You are Mr. Worthington, the man who rescued Lady Sarah and myself from the overturned coach.”
It was Broderick’s turn to inhale a surprised breath. This was Lady Sarah’s companion?Good heavens!“Forgive me for not recognizing you, then. You looked different without all that mud covering you—and without a dress.”
She shrugged. “It’s surprising what a little bath will do.” She motioned toward the pond. “As I’m sure you have already guessed.”
He chuckled. “Indeed, I have. But now I’m curious to know why you are still standing here talking to a mostly naked man. Most women I know would have run like the devil was on their heels from seeing a man take a bath. Yet here you are, still in front of me.”
Although her cheeks continued to glow with embarrassment, she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin as if to challenge him.
“I hate to disillusion you, Mr. Worthington, but I’m not like most women.”
“Do lady’s companions usually act this way in Manchester?”
“Not many.” She shook her head. “But Lady Sarah understands me well and allows it.”
He nodded. “Then forgive me for scolding you. It was not my place.”
“So, Mr. Worthington, you still haven’t told me why you are here on Mr. and Mrs. Crampton’s property.”
He couldn’t believe how surprised he was at this whole situation—almost speechless, which wasn’t like him. Strange to think he was still mostly naked, and yet the young ladycontinued to make polite conversation as if they were at a dinner social.
Shaking his head, he tried not to laugh at her. “I’m visiting my uncle for a spell. Henry Crampton is my mother’s brother.”
