Page 28 of The Heir's Fortune
“Good morning,” she called.
“Good morning,” he said as he walked toward her now, his legs easily eating up the ground in front of him.
“I was wondering where you were,” Gideon said, running a hand over his face, and it was only then she realized what he must be thinking.
“Where did you think I could have gone?” she asked, tilting her head and placing her fists on her hips. “I do not know the land, nor have I a compass or any provisions. Like it or not, I am stuck with you.”
“Am I really so bad?”
His words were soft, almost inaudible amidst the chirping of birds around them and Madeline found herself strangely drawn closer to him despite all the reasons the two of them made no sense together. He caught her eyes, and that deep glow she had noticed before seemed to present itself again, everything else vanishing but the two of them in this small forest thicket as her heart beat so loudly against the wall of her chest she was certain he must be able to hear it.
She didn’t want to break the spell, but as much as his gaze held her frozen in place – an invisible tether connecting them – she knew she had to put a stop to it before either of them assumed any ideas that should never be.
“I didn’t say you were bad,” she attempted, lifting her cloak to dry her face when she realized that water was running down the side of it.
“No, you didn’t,” he agreed. “But I am sure, if you had the choice, I would not be the man you would be out here with.”
She considered his words as she lifted her boot – thank goodness she and Cassandra had dressed for walking yesterday morning – and stubbed it into the dirt.
“Perhaps a few days ago, I would have said that,” she admitted. “But you have surprised me.”
“Surprising is not often a word used to describe me.”
“Well, after riding to my rescue and then sleeping next to me all night, I would say you deserve it.”
“About that,” he said, clearing his throat. “If you feel that I have ruined your reputation in any way?—”
“Of course not,” she said with a snort. “I was the one who asked you to provide me warmth. That was all. Not only are these circumstances far from ordinary, but no one else knows of what happened besides you and me.”
“But if you feel I compromised you?—”
“Gideon,” she said stepping closer to him, lifting a hand to cup his cheek, “if I were to be compromised, then a lot more would have happened than sleeping next to one another.”
She watched his pupils dilate, knowing her meaning was clear as he swallowed hard.
“I would never?—”
“Yes, that part is certainly not surprising,” she said wryly before tilting her head as she studied him. “Did it even occur to you?”
“Did what, exactly, occur to me?”
“To compromise me.”
She had no idea what had spurred her on to ask him such a thing, but last night, as she had lain in his arms, she hadn’t been able to help but enjoy how it felt to be wrapped in his embrace. She never thought she would have actually fallen asleep outdoors, especially after all she had been through that day, but there was a strange sense of comfort with Gideon and she had drifted off quite quickly.
She had awoken when the sun began to peek through the trees and had been distinctly aware of Gideon behind her. For the first time, she saw him not at all as Cassandra’s brother but rather… a man. An attractive, virile, protective man who had been there for her in a way that no one ever had been before.
Her father had been the only true adult presence in her life, but she could never be completely certain as to whether or not he would be called away for the next party or game or event, and she would be left behind with a string of governesses, none of whom could keep up with her and her antics.
She hadn’t been the best of children.
In fact, the gentlemen now stayed away from her for the very same reasons governesses had. She was too dramatic. Too forthright. Too…much.
Everyone shied away from her.
But Gideon hadn’t.
He had stayed and he had been there for her, even when he likely wasn’t certain if he was being true to himself and his morals. She might not have needed saving, but it had been nice to have someone try.
