Page 70 of Waking Roslyn

I conceded and sat down, happy that his coat was large enough to protect all of my skirt from the dirt floor. But once we’d settled in the small space, a chill seeped into my skin. If I’d been dry, I was certain I would have been perfectly comfortable, but my damp skin and my inability to do anything about it left me decidedly cold. I wrapped my arms around myself and pulled my knees up, trying to curl into a ball and keep my warmth in.

“You’re cold.”

I looked over at John’s concerned face and smiled. “Just a little. If it gets worse, I might brave the rain and head back to the house.”

“I would offer you my coat, but…” He shrugged.

“I appreciate the place to sit. And with how wet it was, it likely wouldn’t have helped to warm me anyway.”

I rested my cheek on my knees and looked at him, trying to relax so that I wouldn’t start shaking. I enjoyed studying his face in the dim light. His attention was so serious and concerned, and there was a softness in his eyes that made me wish this hovel were just a little smaller.

After several tense and pulsing moments of holding my gaze, he asked, “Would you like me to take you back? There are warm fires inside Bridgefield.”

I probably should have said yes. Instead, I moved my head back and forth where it rested on my knees. “I don’t want to leave yet.”

He swallowed, and the way his throat moved made my stomach tighten. “You don’t?”

“I don’t.”

His gaze intensified and I wondered what he was thinking. “You’re shaking,” he said quietly. “Stand up.”

I pulled my knees in tighter. “No. I told you I don’t want to go.”

“We’re not going to go, but you’re cold. Just stand up.”

I didn’t know what he had in mind, but I trusted him enough to uncurl my body and climb to my feet. He reached for the coat and dragged it closer so that it was situated between his bent knees. Then he reached for my hand. “Come here.”

I did my best not to let my sudden nerves affect my breathing as I took his hand, but my body shook even more, and this time I was certain it wasn’t from the cold. He tugged me closer and I sat carefully, wondering what came next.

“Lean back against me,” he murmured, turning me so that I could lean my back against his chest. I did so, feeling nervous and excited and just a little bit scandalized—but in the best possible way.

I sank back against the broad expanse of his torso and felt his heat seep through the damp back of my dress and warm my skin.

“Is that better?” he asked, a slight crack in his voice.

“Yes, much, but…” I eyed his hands, which were resting on his own knees. “My arms are still cold,” I whispered.

His fingers twitched, but soon enough he repositioned his arms so that they covered my own. Oh, sun and stars, I’d never felt anything like it. He was warm and strong, and every bit of me that was in contact with him felt like I was sitting in front of a warm blaze. What need had I for large fireplaces so long as I had John with me? It felt as if I was melting as my muscles relaxed and I sank back against him. “Thank you,” I murmured as I let my head fall back.

He sighed a “You’re welcome” and rested his chin on top of my head. “Are you comfortable?”

“Very,” I assured him, closing my eyes. “And you? Is this comfortable for you?” Please say yes.

“Yes. I’m more than content.”

“Good.” In that case, perhaps we could stay here for a very long time.

He cleared his throat. “So,” he said, moving two of his fingers back and forth where they rested against my forearm. “You were telling me about the brotherly advice Lord Rockwell had given you.”

I groaned a little. “Yes. Apparently I am old enough that I should be throwing myself out into society in order to lure a husband to my side.”

His fingers paused for just a moment before continuing their trek over my wrist. “Does he have a say in that matter?”

“No. Not at all.” Thank the stars for that. “My parents entrusted me to Lisette’s family, not Edmund’s. And no one will have any say in whom I marry except for me and my parents.”

“So why is he giving you advice?”

I shrugged. “Probably to get rid of me. I’m a rather inconvenient relation sometimes.”