Page 35 of Ravished

"Morning, I believe." Gideon watched her tug the cloak modestly around herself. He realized she was avoiding his gaze. He could see the rising heat in her cheeks. "Calm yourself, Harriet."

"My family will be terribly worried."

"No doubt."

"We must get out of here so that I can reassure them that I am safe."

"Are you?" Gideon sat up slowly, watching her.

Harriet's head snapped around to face him. Her eyes widened. "I do not understand, my lord."

"Forgive me, my dear. I did not mean to tease you." Gideon got to his feet, heedless of his own nudity until he saw Harriet quickly avert her gaze. That amused him briefly. She did not appear to even notice his scarred face, but the sight of his maleness made her turn away. "You had best get dressed, Harriet. The tide will be out and Dobbs may come looking for us at any moment."

"Yes. Yes, of course." She got to her feet, still clutching the cloak about herself. Then she bent down and picked up her gown. She hesitated, obviously trying to decide how to get into the garment while keeping herself concealed beneath the cloak.

"I'll give you a hand in a moment," Gideon offered softly.

"That will not be necessary, my lord."

"As you wish." Gideon stretched again and walked over to where he had left his own clothing. He pulled on his shirt and stepped into his trousers, pleased to see they had dried overnight. His boots were stiff from their saltwater soaking.

"Gideon?"

"Yes, my dear?"

Harriet hesitated. "About last night, my lord. I would not want… That is to say, you should not feel—"

"You may tell your aunt to expect me at three this afternoon." Gideon tugged on one rigid boot. It was not an easy task. The leather seemed to have shrunk.

"Why?" Harriet demanded bluntly.

Gideon cocked a brow and slid her a speculative glance as he jerked on the other boot. Harriet was staring at him, looking exceedingly alarmed. He wondered if she was finally appreciating the full import of what had happened. "Under the circumstances I shall want to pay my respects, of course," he said.

"Your respects? Is that all?"

He shrugged. "And make a formal offer of marriage."

"I knew it." Harriet glowered at him. "I knew that was what you were thinking. Well, I will not have it, my lord. Do you understand me? I will not allow you to do it."

"You will not allow it?" Gideon eyed her consideringly.

"Absolutely not. Oh, I know what you are thinking. You believe that because of what happened between us last night you are honor-bound to make an offer of marriage. But I assure you, it is entirely unnecessary, sir"

"It is?"

"Definitely." Harriet drew herself up proudly. "What happened last night was not your fault. I was entirely to blame. If I had not been so foolish as to go out on the cliffs to watch the events, none of the rest would have occurred."

"But you did go out on the cliffs, Harriet. And the rest of it did occur."

"Nevertheless, I do not want you to feel obligated to propose." She looked very fierce.

"Harriet, you are distraught. When you have calmed down you will see that you have no option but to accept my offer of marriage. Indeed, your aunt and your sister will insist upon it."

"I do not particularly care if they insist. I make my own decisions, my lord, just as I did last night. And I will take full responsibility for them."

"I, too, make my own decisions, Harriet," he said, growing quietly angry at her mutinous attitude. "And I also take responsibility for them. We will become engaged this afternoon."

"No, we will not become engaged this afternoon. Damnation, Gideon, I will not be married just because I have been compromised."

---