Page 43 of My Gentleman Spy
Chapter Fifteen
Like all good things,Hattie knew her time with Will would come to an end. She had granted herself this indulgence. Their affair had been all that she had hoped it would be, and so much more. Will was a passionate, tender, and generous lover. He had shown her pleasures beyond herimagination.
She now knew what a woman could experience with a man. If love ever did come her way, she would only ever yield her heart to another who could make her feel the way Will haddone.
They were close to the end of their long journey home. TheCanis Majorwas slowly making its way through the English Channel. Off the portside the English coastline was now clearly in sight. If everything went according to plan, they would be docking in London early the followingmorning.
Tonight, would be their last night together. One last day of living out her fantasy of being Will’swoman.
Once they docked, she would go back to her old life. Back to helping the people who so desperately needed her. She had tried to put thoughts of her friends to the back of her mind, knowing there was nothing she could do until she reached London. Now as the ship drew nearer to the mouth of the River Thames, she began to wonder what she would find upon herreturn.
“Wool gathering again?” whisperedWill.
She stirred from her musings. She and Will were lying on the bed, naked in one another’s arms. A long afternoon of love making was drawing to aclose.
“Just thinking of what will happen once we get back to London,” shereplied.
As Will placed a warm kiss on her nape, Hattie shivered. The air on board the ship had slowly been getting colder the further north theytravelled.
She climbed off the bed, suddenly needing to put physical distance between them. Picking up her clothes she began to dress. She tried to ignore the huff of disappointment which came from Will as she left him. Will clambered off the bed and began to put on hisclothes.
“I was hoping we could discuss that matter today, though we could easily have stayed in bed to do so,” saidWill.
Hattie worked on tying the ribbons on the front of her gown as a sense of foreboding slowly took hold. When Will came to her and took hold of her hands, she struggled to meet hisgaze.
Don’t say thewords.
“It should be a simple enough matter to convince your uncle of the need for us to be wed. After we have secured his permission, we shall journey to my parent’s home and inform them of our happy news. Rest assured my family will love you. My sisters will be delighted with my choice of new bride. I am certain you will become fast friends with Eve and Caroline. Francis will be like a white-haired pup, eager to do yourbidding.”
Her heart sank. What would Will say when he discovered her deception? That her Uncle Felix was not in London. Not only was he not in London, he was not even inEngland.
“I don’t think we should be rushing into anything just yet,” shereplied.
Will growled. “I think time is of the essence. You and I have been sharing a bed for the best part of two weeks. I’ve lost count of the times you have given yourself to me. You may already be withchild.”
His words stopped her. She had not considered the risk of pregnancy. Surely it took longer than two weeks to fall pregnant. Her brother’s wife had not fallen pregnant in six years ofmarriage.
“I don’t feel pregnant. I would surely know if I was. So, as I said, we can wait,” shereplied.
The look on Will’s face told her he was not happy with the direction the conversation was headed. He had mentioned marriage; and instead of throwing her arms around him and accepting his proposal, she was backing away from his offer and stalling fortime.
Hattie picked up Will’s greatcoat, deciding a turn on the deck might be the wisest thing she could do at thispoint.
“Where are you going? We haven’t finished,” hesaid.
She straightened her spine and met his gaze. If she did not hold fast, he would have her doing his bidding. She put the coat on and headed for thedoor.
Will reached out and took hold of her arm as she opened the cabindoor.
“Stay. We need to resolve this. I don’t understand why you are saying we must wait. It’s almost as if you are sayingno.”
“Let me go. And I am saying no. I will not marry you Will,” shereplied.
She stepped out onto the deck. Will quickly followedher.
“No! What do meanno?”
Hattie pulled the greatcoat around her and kept walking. Will caught up and grabbed her firmly by the arm. She knew he did not mean to, but his grip was harder thannecessary.
