Unveiled (Undone by Love Book 3) (11 page)

“That’s where you are mistaken.”  He offered his arm and nodded toward the stairs as the dinner bell sounded below
. “In fact, I think you’ll find I haven’t a heart at all.”

Chapter 9

Jane balanced a wicker basket in the crook of her arm and set off across the park toward the wood, humming a tune as she walked
. She tipped her chin in the air, allowing the sun past her bonnet’s brim to warm her face. It was a fine day for a walk, and she’d come to love the dramatic Derbyshire landscape. Emily had sent her off with tales of an enchanting pool fed by a waterfall deep in the woods. She’d brought along the basket, as Emily had specifically mentioned that wood lilies often bloomed in abundance in a glade beside the pool, even as early as late spring when the winter had been as mild as the one they’d just had.

She took the path leading toward the right, just past the standing boulders as Emily had instructed, and hurried her step in anticipation
. The sound of rushing water grew louder as she walked on into the dense brush, and Jane knew the falls that emptied into the pool must be close by.

As she walked, her thoughts inevitably turned to Lord Westfield
. “I haven’t a heart at all,” he’d said, and Jane could only wonder at those words. Odd words, especially spoken by a man who had so gallantly taken in a dying woman’s child, a child who was his brother’s illegitimate offspring. A foolish thing to do, perhaps, but certainly not heartless. Madeline would never be accepted into society, but she’d have a good life, nonetheless, far better than the lot she’d have on London’s streets. He’d no doubt send her off to a fine school, and then perhaps she’d find a position as a lady’s companion or governess. A marriage into the gentry could still be accomplished, even for a girl with Madeline’s dubious origins. No, despite his words, Lord Westfield loved his niece. Jane was certain of it. He had his faults, the arrogant man. But heartlessness was not one of them.  

Jane raised her skirts and stepped carefully over a downed tree, its trunk covered with spongy green moss
. The water’s roar grew louder still, and she pushed by a veil of ferns, their fronds angling across the barely visible path. At last the falls came into her sight, a narrow cascade tumbling over a stand of rocks perhaps twelve feet high and falling into a wide pool of shimmering blue-green water.

Jane quickened her gait, enthralled by the tranquil setting
. As she approached, the water rippled strangely. Something slick and dark surfaced, displacing the water with a rush.

Jane’s hand rose to her mouth, the basket dropping to the mossy ground beside her boots with a thud
.
Oh, dear God
. It was a man, his backside facing her. Sunlight pierced the thick canopy above the pool, bathing the water in a ray of light and clearly illuminating the swell of the man’s bare buttocks above the waterline. She sucked in her breath, immobilized by shock. She knew she should turn and flee at once but she was positively mesmerized by the sight before her.

Fat droplets of water dripped from his dark head and down his back in tiny rivulets
. Muscles rippled across the length of his back as he propelled himself forward, back toward the foam-tipped water that tumbled down the greenish rocks.

At last her limbs obeyed her command and she took a step backward, right into her basket
. With a yelp, she fell to the ground in a heap, one boot tangled in the wicker handle.

In stunned horror, she watched as the man spun around, a spray of water accompanying the motion
.
Lord Westfield
.

“Oh!” she cried out
.

She saw his eyes widen in surprise
. “Dear Lord, Miss Rosemoor! Are you hurt?”  He moved rapidly through the water, toward her.

“No,” she managed to squeak, attempting unsuccessfully to gain her feet with a modicum of grace
. Her eyes flew involuntarily to the length of his torso, and followed the trail of dark hair down his stomach where it disappeared beneath the surface of the water. Her gaze flew immediately back up to his face. “Good heavens, my lord! You’re unclothed!”  At last, she disentangled herself from the basket and rose on unsteady legs.

“A fine observation, Miss Rosemoor
. I was not expecting spectators.” 

“B...but,” she sputtered, “you’re right out in the open
. Anyone could stumble upon you.”

“On my own property, I might add.”

“Your property? But Emily said...she said–”

“Mrs. Tolland sent you in this direction, then?”  His mouth curved into a smile
. She attempted to look anywhere but at him, standing there glistening in the sunlight, utterly and completely nude. Thank God he remained modestly immersed in the water. Even so, she’d never before seen a man shirtless–well, none but her brother Colin. Her own curiosity made her cheeks burn with humiliation even as she secretly allowed herself to admire his spectacular male form. She swallowed hard before finding her voice. “Yes, Emily specifically sent me here in search of wood lilies. I had no idea this was your property.”

“That line of trees behind you marks the property line, although I’ve always been happy to share this pool with the Tollands
. With forewarning, that is, as I make a habit of bathing here. Unclothed. A fact I’m certain Mrs. Tolland is aware of. Wood lilies, eh?”

“Are you suggesting that Emily sent me here on purpose, hoping that I’d encounter you in such a state of...of dishabille?”  The heat in her cheeks rose
.

“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting, Miss Rosemoor
. Your cousin is a clever woman. Never underestimate her.”

“That’s nonsense,” Jane protested with a wave of one hand
. “Whatever would it accomplish?”

“Need I spell it out for you
? We’re alone, together, and as you so astutely pointed out, I am unclothed. To what conclusion does that lead you?”

She felt the flush spread from her cheeks down her neck
. “Emily is aware that you have already offered your hand in marriage, and that I declined your
kind
offer. What would she do, send the vicar here in search of wood lilies too, hoping he’d find us together?”

“There’s no vicar at Richmond,” he countered
. “The post has remained empty for many years now.”

“Well, then, what purpose would such maneuverings serve on her part?”

“What if you were to find yourself in my arms, Miss Rosemoor? In a compromising position? What then? Would you still refuse my suit?” 

“You wouldn’t dare,” she said breathlessly
. He took two steps toward the shore. “Stop!” she called out. “For the love of God, my lord. This is indecent.”

“You’re blushing, Miss Rosemoor
. Furiously. Does my ‘state of dishabille,’ as you so delicately put it, unsettle you so?”

“What do you think?” she snapped
. “Of course it does. Need I remind you that I am a lady? It’s not every day that I find myself in such a position. Why, even Colin wouldn’t dare to...to...well, to so blatantly parade about in such a state.”

“I must confess, I’m finding a great deal of enjoyment in your discomfort
. What you call
blatantly parading about in such a state
, Miss Rosemoor, I call enjoying the outdoors, bathing in the privacy of my own grounds. And, I might add, no one is forcing you to remain here in my presence. You should see yourself; you look like a frightened fox, cornered by the hounds.”

“I’m not frightened.”

“Aren’t you? You’re terrified that I might walk out the water at any moment.”

“Don’t be absurd
. It’s not as if I haven’t seen a...the...the male form before,” she lied. Foolish talk. Hadn’t she just said that she’d never before found herself in such a position?

A deep, booming laugh echoed off the trees
. Clearly he saw through her words. “Is that so? Then you won’t mind if I come out now. It’s getting a bit chilly, standing here having this conversation with you, no matter how pleasant.”  He moved toward the shore, the water behind him forming a ‘v’ as he pushed through it. “My clothes are right there on that branch, just to your right. Would you mind–?”

“I most certainly
would
mind.”  Jane spun around with a huff, her back to him. “You’re positively barbaric, you know. Completely uncivilized.”  She heard his footsteps on the soft earth, followed by a faint rustling sound. She sighed with relief, hoping he was retrieving his clothing. She reached blindly for her basket, knowing it must be somewhere around her feet. “I should go. What if what you say is true, and Emily has sent someone out here to witness us together?”

“Who would she send
? Tolland? I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure she was counting on your own sense of duty, once you found yourself unable to resist my charms.”

“Hah!”  She rolled her eyes heavenward, her back still facing the sound of his movements
. “You overestimate your appeal, I’m afraid. I’m in no danger of succumbing to your so-called charms.” 

“An assertion I’d sorely like to test,” came his reply.

Jane knew she should go–immediately. What on earth was stilling her feet and holding here in this dangerous spot? She was surely turning into a silly fool, and she didn’t like it one bit.

“You may turn around now, Miss Rosemoor,” Hayden said, pulling on his boots. “I’m sufficiently clothed as to no longer affront your maidenly sensibilities.”  He saw her spine stiffen in reply.

“I really should be going.”  She reached for her basket, her hand visibly trembling. She turned so her profile faced him, obviously avoiding looking in his direction, yet remaining rooted to the spot, not moving a muscle to flee as she insisted she must
.

“Miss Rosemoor?”  Finally her gaze flicked toward him, her mouth set in a tight line of disapproval
.

“You could at least button your shirt, you know,” she snapped
. “Do
try
for civility.”

He glanced down at his unbuttoned linen and shrugged
. “I’m not yet dry. Shall I help you locate the highly sought-after wood lily? I believe it’s generally found over here in abundance, although I’m not certain any are yet in bloom.”  With a gesture to the right he moved off toward the small glade just beyond the falls. “Watch that root there, it’ll surely–”

Thud
. He spun around in time to see the usually composed Miss Rosemoor fall into a heap of muslin for the second time in one day. He couldn’t help the laughter that issued forth at the sight of the fuming woman, her cheeks flushed delightfully pink and her eyes flashing angrily.

“I suppose you find this funny?”

“I’m sorry. Not very chivalrous of me, is it? Here, let me assist you.”  He reached a hand out to her and she took it warily, rising unsteadily. He saw her wince as she put weight on her right foot, her leg buckling beneath her.

His arms went around her instantly, his brows drawn in concern
. “Are you injured?”

“No, I...ahhhhh.”  She bit her lower lip
. “Yes. My ankle. It’s smarting a bit.” 

In a swift motion, he lifted her off her feet and into his arms, carrying her back to the side of the pool
. He set her gently on a smooth stump and began to unlace her half-boot.

“What are you doing
? Remove your hands at once.”  She clutched at the sides of the stump.

“I’m checking your ankle, Miss Rosemoor
. You might have sprained it. If you don’t get the boot off now, the swelling might force you to have it cut off.”

“Don’t be ridiculous
. It’s nothing. Just a twinge.”  She peeled off her gloves and stuffed them into her apron pocket.

The boot slid off and he circled the span of her delicate ankle, running his fingertips across the curved arch of her foot and back to the ankle again
. He decidedly felt a shudder run through her, and he smiled inwardly.

“Please,” she protested
. “You really mustn’t. Ouch!”  A hand flew out and gripped his shoulder. The linen slid down the slope of his shoulder, and her fingers made contact with his skin, still damp from the pool. Her hand slipped, sliding down over his breastbone, her palm flat against his bare chest. A jolt ran through him, startling him, at the intimate contact. There was no denying that he enjoyed her touch.

She pulled back her hand as if burned
. He rocked back on his heels, steadying himself against the onslaught of lustful thoughts running through his mind. Bloody hell, it wasn’t often that he found himself half-clothed in the middle of the woods, alone with a woman as tempting as Eve herself. More than anything, he wanted to strip off her maidenly gown and make love to her beneath the falls. In seconds, his mind formed a picture of her standing naked, her skin bathed in sunlight as the foamy water tumbled over her shoulders. It took a great deal of fortitude to push the vision from his mind.

“Please, Lord Westfield
. This is highly irregular. I really must go.”

“As you’ve said
. Numerous times. But look, your ankle is already swelling. Definitely a sprain, or a strain at the very least. The water in the pool is quite cold. I suggest you dip your ankle into it. That might reduce the swelling. Here, can you pull down this stocking? I’ll carry you over to the pool.”