It was too dark to gauge his reaction fully and after a brief silence, he said, “You saw me?”
Evelyn gave a satisfied smile. “I saw everything. I’m afraid I struggle to sleep and often wander about at night.” As she spoke, her teeth began to chatter, and her limbs grew stiff. “I need to get out before I’m struck down with cramp.”
“I’m not stopping you. After your declaration, I think it only courteous you allow me to watch.”
What had happened to him in the few hours since she’d left? She much preferred bantering with this gentleman than arguing with the moody earl. “You surprise me, my lord. I didn’t think the word courteous was part of your repartee. Now turn around while I get out. And no peeking.”
Evelyn swam to the bank.
“I’ve seen plenty of naked women. One more won’t make a difference.”
“I’m sure you have. Now turn around.”
He sighed, stood up and turned his back to her.
Placing her palms on the bank, Evelyn tried to push herself up. Damn. She appeared to have lost all the strength in her arms, and her legs felt numb, too.
“With all the huffing and puffing, I assume you’re struggling to get out. Perhaps now you’ll thank me for waiting.”
“Just give me a minute.”
She tried again but slipped back into the water.
“Would you like a hand?”
“No.”
“Then how do you propose to get out?”
Weary from the effort, Evelyn decided to concede. What other choice was there? “Very well. Give me your hand. But close your eyes.”
He came closer to the water’s edge, offered his hand and closed his eyes. With no option but to trust him, she placed her palm in his, and he wrapped his fingers around her hand.
That one innocent touch sent her world spinning in a tizzy of raw emotion. The tingling radiating from his palm shot up her arm, flooded her chest, forced her to gulp a breath.
With brute strength, he pulled her out and when her feet were safely on the grassy verge she stood and stared at him. With his eyes closed he looked so peaceful, so breathtakingly handsome, yet his ragged breathing revealed an inner frustration. Still gripping her hand tightly, he opened his eyes. But he did not glance down.
The look of longing she saw there made her heart ache, her nakedness a mere trifle compared to the intimate way he was able to strip away all the barriers to reach her soul.
She closed her eyes then, for her own protection as they were a gateway he could easily access. When he pulled his hand away, she opened them to see him stride over to the trees.
“Get dressed,” he barked over his shoulder, anger evident in his tone.
Evelyn was not offended by his sudden coldness. She could feel his torment, feel his fear. A connection had grown between them, a familiarity too complicated to define.
Fear engulfed her, too.
How could she consider a proposal from Mr. Sutherby when her mind was so muddled? How could she consent to be another man’s wife when she could think of nothing other than Alexander Cole?
Chapter 8
Nothing could erase the past. Nothing could change what he had become. That’s the thought he kept replaying over in his head while he waited for Miss Bromwell to dress.
Yet he could not fight the instant connection he’d felt upon taking her hand. Or shake the feeling that their paths had been destined to cross. Perhaps it was a form of punishment? He’d seduced many women, not caring for any of them. Why should he care now when his condition made it impossible for him to act?
Punishment was the wrong word, he decided, it felt more like torture.
Alone and sheltered, he could have taken Evelyn Bromwell. He could have drunk from her, drove into her hard and deep, over and over, made her forget it had ever happened.