Guy doubted she could see him with sunlight reflecting off the glass pane. Nevertheless, he waved wildly. His heart bounded as he raced toward the door.
Hattie finished another loop before drifting to a stop in front of him. She hopped off the seat and stood breathing hard, red-faced, sweating and bedraggled. He’d never beheld a more beautiful woman in his life.
“Hullo!” he greeted her.
She gasped breathlessly, “Hello to you.”
“My but you do look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle. If it were built for two, I’d jump on behind you.” He winced at his inane remark.
Her lips twitched into a faint smile. “I heard you might be hard at work here today.”
“Rose told you?” Guy had hoped she would intercede with Hattie on his behalf, but Rose hadn’t shown any inclination to do so up till now.
“No. It was Simmons. I believe he doesn’t despise me after all.”
“He thinks you’re first-rate. I’m certain of it. He almost smiled one time when I mentioned your name.” Guy paused as her words sank in. “You rode all the way to my house?”
“I did. There were some things I wanted to say that just couldn’t wait.”
“I’m eager to hear them.” Please tell me I’m forgiven.
“May I walk your bicycle for you?” he asked as she dismounted. “Perhaps to that park bench?” He indicated one in the shade.
“Thank you.”
Guy took hold of the handlebars and accompanied Hattie across the street. Although words were shoving each other aside to be the first to reach his lips, he patiently waited for her to speak first.
They sat on the bench before she began. “I’ve had time to sort out my thoughts over the past weeks and decided I rushed to judgment of you. Although I don’t condone your investigation of me, I understand it. If I had learned you were living under a false identity, I certainly would have wanted to know the reason why.”
“But I should have waited for you to tell me,” he said. “I almost destroyed Rumsfield’s report without reading it, but curiosity got the better of me. I apologize. From the depths of my soul, I beg your forgiveness for my unpardonable action.”
“I can hardly lay blame upon you when I was having Randall James investigated, not trusting that Miss Pruett could make her own assessment of his character. I suppose there’s blame enough for both of us.” The sweetest words in the world came from Hattie’s mouth. “You are forgiven.” Then she heaped on more sugar by smiling. “I believe it would be like expecting a cat not to poke at a caged canary to imagine you could curb your curiosity.”
Guy faced her, his hand over his heart. “I swear to you, from this moment onward you may trust me to be completely honest with you. I will even tell you things you don’t want to know, like the fact that your hair looks rather like a rat’s nest just now and your cheeks are so red I’d fear burning myself if I touched them.”
She threw back her head and laughed so heartily her body shook.
Guy simply must satisfy himself that her flesh wouldn’t burn him so he cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her.
Hattie did not pull away or suggest the park was too public for such a display. Instead, she slid her arms around his neck and kissed him back, deeply and wholeheartedly. She made a pleasured humming sound and molded her body against his. Such warmth and softness, and the wonderful smell of her heated flesh! Guy thought he might drown in the sensations. His hands certainly wanted to wander to investigate all of her, but he kept them on her waist.
When he regained his senses, he pulled away and took a long breath. He brushed the wild tendrils of hair from her face and gazed into her smiling eyes. “In all seriousness, my darling. I never want to disappoint you again. Thank you for giving me another chance to prove myself for I’m afraid I’ve gone and fallen in love with you quite hopelessly.”
“I fear I’ve done the same,” she said quietly. “I never intended to allow myself to become carried away by emotion again, but here we are, kissing in public and I don’t care who sees.”
“The mark of a true revolutionary. Still, you are right to guard your reputation for the sake of your business, so I will reluctantly let you go.” He withdrew on the bench, but only a few inches, and his gaze remained fixed on his disheveled beauty. A wondrous meteor had exploded into his life. He need not question why, simply accept that God had granted him a miracle.
“Shall we go someplace more private?” he murmured.
Her eyes were nearly as glazed and feverish as his must look. She hesitated for only a moment before saying, “My shop. Margaret will have closed for the day by now. I will cycle ahead and you may come to the side door.”
“Yes, madam.”
After she left, Guy went across the street and bid goodbye to Rose.
“Be good! Don’t muck it up again, you wanker,” she ordered, her Cockney past emerging to the surface to emphasize her feelings.
“Not this time, and never again,” he promised.
Before he went to Hattie, Guy stopped by a local chemist’s where they discreetly sold condoms to male customers. Just in case, he thought.
You were patient enough to win her. Don’t lose her again by rushing, Bettina warned.
Guy grimaced. Why did the voice of his conscience have to be his sister’s? Hearing her address this particular topic was most off-putting.
He bought the condoms anyway, then hurried toward Hattie’s shop.
Chapter Nineteen
While nervously awaiting Guy’s arrival, Hattie washed and dressed in a clean frock, then made up the bed she had left rumpled that morning. Gazing at the counterpane, she imagined their bodies beneath it, naked and entwined. She craved this union with Guy beyond all reason, shedding her common sense which advised her to tread
