Page 12 of My Gentleman Spy
His gaze took in the soft curls which kissed the sides of her cheeks. Light brown curls showed golden highlights as the sunlight caught them. He was grateful that the local fashion did not include the bonnet. He disliked the new fashion that many English girls had adopted of wearing their bonnets tightly over their heads, so hiding their naturalcharms.
He dipped into abow.
“Miss Wilson, I am at your service,” he said, as an easy smile came to hislips.
The sheepish grin he got in return would have melted the heart of any man. He corrected his first thought. She was not perfection; no, she was something else. More alluring than perfection could everoffer.
“Mr. Saunders. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all that you have done for me. How can I ever repay you?” shereplied.
His heart sank. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel a sense of obligation towardhim.
“Your safe return to England will be all the reward I shall ever need,” hereplied.
Inwardly he cursed himself for being too self-assured and smooth with her. He feared she would only now see him as someone who felt a sense of duty to help her, nothingmore.
It was a school boy mistake; one he knew he should never have made. With the war against Napoleon now over, it was clear his unused skills were becomingrusty.
As Hattie took a seat in a shady spot near the window, Will caught the attention of a hotel servant and headed over to speak to theman.
“Two glasses of Malaga wine and whatever hot dish the chef can rustle up in a short timepor favor,” hesaid.
Returning to her side, he took the seatopposite.
“Considering your early morning swim, I expect you might be more than a little hungry. I have taken the liberty of ordering us some food anddrink.”
Hattie looked down and gently spread the skirts of her new gown. He heard her uncertain intake of breath as shedid.
“Why are you helping me? You don't know me and yet you have purchased new clothes for me, and put me up in a hotel room. You could have easily, as you say, handed me over to the local authorities and let them handle the matter. You owe me nothing Mr.Saunders.”
She lifted her head and met hisgaze.
“Why?”
The voice of his mother whispered in hismind.
Because you have always imagined yourself as a knight in shining armor, Will. Seeking out the next damsel to rescue and protect. It is one of your most noble traits, and of those you havemany.
No matter how uncomfortable he felt about it, Adelaide Saunders could read her eldest son better than anyone. Wherever she was right now in England, he suspected a secret smile was already on herlips.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Because at some point in their life, everyone desperately needs a friend. Someone to protect them from the harshness of the world. I would suggest that you have reached that particular point,” hereplied.
The hotel servant brought over two glasses and poured a generous amount of wine in each before making himselfscarce.
“To your good health Miss Wilson, and your safe return to your family” said Will. He handed Hattie a glass, then raised his own in toast toher.
She looked down at the glass and for a momenthesitated.
“When we get back to England you must allow me to reimburse you for all your expenses. I insist,” shesaid.
She raised the glass to her lips and took a sip. At the first swallow she began to cough. Hattie hurriedly put the glassdown.
Willfrowned.
“I take it you are not a regular imbiber ofwine?”
“No, my father considers it liquid evil and to be avoided at all costs. We have not partaken of wine in our house for quite some time. My father turned the lock on his wine cellar a number of years ago and threw away the key,” shereplied.
Will took a sip of his wine, mentally filing away that small revelation. It added nicely to the picture he was beginning to build ofher.
