Page 45 of His Unforgettable Bride
A moment later, when she stepped too quickly down an incline and stumbled, his fingers tightened around hers. “Mind where you step.”
“You do the same. We don’t need you falling and hitting your head again.”
He smirked over his shoulder. “Is that why you haven’t tugged your hand free from mine?”
“Partly.” Why hadn’t she? Try as she might, she couldn’t think of a single reason. “Honestly, why are you holding my hand? And don’t tell me it’s for my safety.”
He shrugged. “I did not intend to. But you were so pretty standing there that I acted on impulse.”
She was so pretty?
Her stomach fluttered with strange flips. Why had he paid her such a compliment now?
She wasn’t the type who went around gripping hands with fellows. But maybe hand-holding was run-of-the-mill for him. With his good looks, he probably always had women eager to connect with him one way or another.
Should she slip her hand free? A part of her said yes, but the other part wanted to enjoy the private moment in the woods together. They seldom had time by themselves. “If we fail to return home in a timely manner, the sisters might hire a native scout, a bounty hunter, or the Royal Navy to track us down.”
He chuckled. “I doubt it. Livy knows I came to protect you.”
Juliet rolled her eyes, even though it wasn’t mannerly. “I’ve managed on my own for years and years. I didn’t need a hero then nor now.”
“I am not saying you do.” He flashed her a wry grin. “Although I have no recollection of the occurrence, you rescued me from the woods. So if anyone is a hero or heroine, the title belongs to you.”
“That’s true.”
He was quiet for several steps, then spoke again, this time more solemnly. “Nightfall shall arrive soon. For all we know, whoever stole my belongings and possibly bashed my head still roams the area, intent on robbing others. I want you to promise not to leave the house alone after dark, moving forward.”
Slightly dumbfounded, she blinked. The man had a right to his opinion, but she had no intention of promising him anything—not today or tomorrow. And yet she knew he only had her best interest at heart. “It is not your place to tell me what to do. Besides, I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing just that for a very long time.”
“I realize you are capable.” Gray held another low-hanging branch as Juliet ducked underneath. “But whoever assaulted me is clearly dangerous. And I would feel better if you did not wander alone, especially in the woods.”
“I pray whoever attacked you is long gone and never returns.”
“Me too.” But something in his voice said he didn’t think that was likely.
Was it possible that whoever had harmed Gray in the first place might return to injure him again?
They exited the thick woodland a moment later and dusted pine needles from their shoulders and clothing. The lowering sun filtered through the web of trees, casting Gray’s face in light and shadows. Had he ever looked more alluring?
Not in her eyes.
It wasn’t one singular feature that attracted her to him. It was the combination of all his best qualities, especially his earnest eyes and how he always treated her so kindly.
Even so, no matter how much she liked Gray, she couldn’t give in to her attraction to him. Not with his amnesia. Not while everything about his future was uncertain. Not so soon after the start of her new job. Not when the sisters were investing in her. And not when she was beginning to establish herself despite the threat of Ruby ruining everything.
* * *
Alone with Juliet on the edge of the woods, Gray told himself to keep his wits front and center in his thoughts. She tempted and distracted him without seeming to try. He brushed a stray pine needle from her headscarf. “All gone.”
“I’m much obliged.” Her voice was wry with the humor he loved about her. “I’d hate to return home bedraggled. What would the sisters think?”
That they had frolicked in the woods? Kissed underneath a pine tree? Lost themselves in each other’s eyes and arms?
“I cannot imagine.” They strode a few paces to reach a carriage pathway winding through Royal Park, across the street from their home. They strode past scattered trees, a cricket field, stone benches, and a wandering stream.
They needed a safe topic of conversation to keep his thoughts off his expanding attraction to her. Of course nothing was wrong with admiring her, but he preferred not to mislead Juliet. He had one primary goal—to uncover his past. Everything else could and would have to wait. “Have Tabitha and Livy relaxed their teaching methods a measure?”
“Mostly, though Tabitha is still stricter than Livy. But no complaints from me, and I am tremendously grateful. Before you know it, I’ll be someone better.”
