Page 66 of A Perilous Passion

She couldn’t blame him for being short-fused. But he’d soon learn to swallow his pride. He might not approve of Rafe’s manners or choice of words—nor did she—but he must surely admire the man’s generosity and courage. Their country’s cause was too important for them to be at loggerheads.

She stood up, smoothed her skirts, and turned toward the door. But before she reached it, Justin seized her hand and placed an ardent kiss upon it. Looking up, she saw a message of warning in his eyes. Smiling, she nodded her understanding, but he didn’t look reassured—particularly when Rafe draped her shawl about her shoulders and left his hands there moments too long for propriety, then offered her his arm.

She should be feeling a twinge of guilt at abandoning Justin. He’d come all this way to be with her, and she’d rebuffed his overtures and palmed him off onto somebody else. Once everything was settled, she’d find a way to make amends.

As a friend.

She matched her pace to Rafe’s as he strode along beside her on the road back to Fortuneswell, but he said nothing, only stared stonily ahead. In the moonlight, his face looked pale and cold as marble.

“Rafe?”

“Mr. Seabourne. And please keep your voice down.”

“I just wanted to say I cannot begin to express my gratitude—”

“It’s best we don’t talk. Anyone could be listening.”

There was a note of steel in his voice, so she reluctantly fell silent, and concentrated on the path, avoiding snagging branches and deep potholes.

Though it was some hours yet till dawn, a few gulls were awake already, mewing and croaking, preparing themselves for the sunrise. A slight breeze blew in from the coast, bringing with it the salty tang of the sea. It was exciting, even magical, being outside while everyone else was asleep.

Particularly since she was alone with Rafe.

She glanced at him again and realized he was furious. Her heart contracted painfully.

Tightening her fingers on his sleeve, she whispered, “I’m truly sorry for all this. I couldn’t think what else to do.”

“I said don’t speak,” was the hissed reply. “I thought I heard a twig crack just now.”

He was being most uncooperative. How was she to apologize, if she wasn’t allowed to talk?

Frustrated, she muttered, “There must be any number of animals out there. Why does everything have to be spies and danger?”

He glanced down at her. “Must I gag you, Charlotte, and throw you over my shoulder to get you home in silence?”

Infuriating man! If he kept up this level of boorishness, she might forget about apologizing, altogether.

Or…

Perhaps it could be done without words.

Sliding her hand down to his, she stepped smartly off the path, pulling him beneath the branches of a maple tree. Small winged seedpods danced about their heads as she pressed a finger against his lips.

His body radiated rejection, but she clung to him, rose up on tiptoe, and brushed her lips across his.

She waited, her mouth hovering mere inches from his lips, their breaths mingling. A second became ten, then a minute, then stretched into eternity…and still he made no answering move.

He didn’t want her.

She’d just shamed herself completely.

His heartless denial of what was between them crushed her. She’d ruined everything by her reaction when he wanted to read Justin’s letter, and by endangering his mission when she’d brought Justin to him tonight.

But what if that wasn’t the reason for his coldness?

What if Rafe still liked her and was hurt when she’d flaunted her former sweetheart in his face.

Oh dear. This needed thinking about.