She chuckled and shook her head. “This. Us. What other people will see and what theyhaveseen already.” She took a deep breath. “Nic, if you continue to look at me in such a manner, people will suspect that you have feelings for me.”
“But my lovely, Tabitha—Idohave feelings for you.”
The color of her cheeks darkened. “Yes, but they will think the clergyman is the one having these feelings. Unless you want the town pushing your cousin to court me…I think you need to stop this immediately.”
His smile widened. “Tell me, Tabitha, are you more worried that I show my feelings or that they come from someone who is dressed as a clergyman?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m more concerned that my aunt’s friends are going to see me spending time with this clergyman, only to break his heart once you and your cousin switch roles.” She took a breath. “I know the townsfolk won’t like me after that.”
“Ah, I see your point.” Nic touched the middle of her chin. “You want to make certain people believe you are the endearing, sweet woman I know you to be.”
She remained silent for a few awkward moments as her gaze slowly narrowed on him. He wasn’t sure he liked her hesitation. In the past, that always meant trouble.
“Nic, I’m curious about something.”
Oh, no…here it comes!
*
Although Tabitha enjoyedthe way desire hummed through her body, and the way Nic’s touch and kiss could bring such havoc to her mind and soul, she wasn’t foolish enough to believe any of this was real. It would eventually end. Nic would soon realize that he was just saying this to her because he was swept up in the moment. Soon, he’d find some excuse as to why he had momentarily lost his head and couldn’t control the flowery words exiting his mouth.
“What are you curious about, my lovely?” he asked.
“Mainly, I wonder about your actions.”
He arched a quizzical eyebrow. “My actions? Whatever for?”
“I cannot fathom why you are like this—so charming and caring, and saying words you don’t mean.” He opened his mouth to speak, so she lifted a hand. “Let me continue, please.” He nodded. “Nic, I’ve known you were a rogue even before we were introduced. You have a reputation that even servants have heard about. So I prepared myself for whatever came out of your mouth, knowing it would be a lie. Granted, you have shown me a different man since we’ve been in North Devon, but I’m still hesitant to believe you’re sincere, since everything you do is only for your gain. Yet, just a moment ago when you could have had your wicked way with me…you stopped and wanted to talk. Now you’re saying that I’m endearing and sweet, and everyone knows this. Needless to say, I’m very confused now.”
He remained silent for a few more minutes before he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I must admit it hurts me to hear that you don’t believe me. However, I’m encouraged that you are aware of how much I’ve changed.” He twined his fingers with hers, resting on her lap. “But I promise not to stop showing you how much I care about you.”
Staring at their hands, she shook her head. “I don’t understandwhyyou care so much? I haven’t done anything that leads you to think I’m at all interested in you.”
Once more, his eyebrow lifted. “Nothing at all? The kiss you’d shared with me while at Lady Diana’s cottage that one evening several months past was my first indication of your interest. And just a few moments ago you kissed me with so much passion that I didn’t have a sensible thought in my head. And let’s not forget,” he moved his hand up to cup her face, “the time you helped me sing that song for your aunt on her birthday. Then you helped me when I was trying to give the townsfolk some comfort a few days ago.” He smiled tenderly. “Forgive me, my lovely, but all of that tells me that youareinterested in me.”
Drat!He wasn’t supposed to bring up those times! She released a defeated sigh. He was still missing the point to all of this—she didn’t want to give her heart to a man who would certainly break it. Wasn’t it bad enough that he thought of her as a servant? If he ever found out she was the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, Nic would certainly not be able to handle a scandal like that. She couldn’t even handle it. One way or another, she couldn’t allow flirtation—or whatever this was that they were doing—to go any further. It must end now!
“Fine,” she said. “You make a good argument, but no matter, we cannot let others notice we act this way around each other. I would rather not have gossip going around about the clergyman and Clara’s grand-niece.”
“Then I shall try my best to treat you as I treat other single ladies. But it will be hard.” His thumb stroked her jaw. “You are so easy on the eyes and such a delight to watch.”
“Please, Nic.” She chuckled. “I’m no different from the other women.”
“I beg to differ. They don’t have your boldness.” He winked as his adorable eyes twinkled again. “I don’t know what other men think, but I enjoy that in a woman—mainly you.”
“Yes, it’s one of my worst faults.”
“I think not, my dear. I don’t ever want you to lose it.”
She studied his eyes, and really couldn’t believe how sincere he appeared. But instinct told her that this was all a front. He was in a different part of England, playing a different role. He had more freedom to act this way. If he were back home around his friends and acquaintances, he would turn into the rogue she’d heard so much about.
A portion of her heart twisted from that thought. Although she knew what kind of man Hawthorne was, a part of her wanted him to change. She wanted to be that woman who made him want to change.
When her emotions began to rise to the surface—a place they couldnotbe—she forced herself to chuckle as she removed his arms still around her and lifted off his lap. Once on her feet, she smoothed out her dress. He still remained on the chair, appearing relaxed and satisfied. The gleam in his eyes and the smirk to his mouth hadn’t left as he watched her closely.
“Nic, I believe you shall get your wish, because I honestly don’t think I will ever be anything but bold.” She straightened and arched her eyebrow. “And I’ll always be a stubborn woman. That being said, I must leave now. I’ve been here entirely too long.”
He opened his mouth to speak and reached out to try to grab her, but she moved away from him quickly, going toward the hearth where her bonnet, raincoat, and umbrella were located. As she placed the bonnet on her head, Nic came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
