She swallowed the lump that threatened to clog her throat. “I haven’t taken anything from your garden in years.”
David glanced left and right as footsteps echoed in the night. He caught her arm to drag her into the shadows cast by her rear garden wall. “Do not play games with me, Miss Watson. I know you’ve taken a letter from my luggage and I demand it be returned forthwith.”
He tightened his hand and she gasped at the strength of his grip. “Please, Mr. Hawke—David.” She struggled against his hold. “Not yet. I have a plan to fix this but I need a little more time.”
“Well, if thievery is part of your grand plan then my reluctance to become involved was in vain. What were you thinking?” He shook her a little. Startled, she set her hands on his chest as he drew her closer against him. It was a shock to be caught in David’s embrace. As she had observed before, he was so much bigger and warmer than she had imagined a man could be.
The clean scent of his cologne filled her senses and she peeked up through her lashes. His eyes were dark as he glared down at her. This was not the David Hawke she knew. This was a stranger and he utterly overwhelmed her.
His tight grip eased. “You should not have become involved in the matter, Miss Watson. There is nothing you can do. Your brother is a fool to take you into his confidence and to worry you unnecessarily.”
Abigail gulped. “Peter tells me nothing. I worked it out for myself.”
“You’re reading his correspondence? Women cannot help but meddle,” he grumbled. “Do you understand how bad the situation truly is? I have had to plead, cajole and insist my partner give Peter more time so you might never know how close to ruin you were. But it’s been all for nothing.”
> She nodded. It was very much in David’s nature to try to shield those less fortunate than himself from discomfort. She appreciated his attempt but discovering the truth was better than living in ignorance. “I’ve known for months and I could not stand to wait for the decision. I knew you had to make one soon.”
David released her. “I’m sorry. Your time in London must have been tarnished by the situation. I wish you had found a husband to take you away from the mess. The matter cannot be forgotten, but Peter refuses to deal with the bank. He’s ignored my partner’s letters and I’ve come in person to settle the issue.”
Abigail captured David’s large hand and squeezed it. “If there was an advantageous marriage in the making, Peter would have additional funds at his disposal soon and he could keep the property. The bank will get its money in the end.”
He eased closer as he stared down at her. He gripped her hand in return. “Has he a sweetheart?”
“Not exactly,” Abigail hedged. “But he will have soon enough. If he proposes marriage, can the bank wait until he has her dowry?”
David nodded. “Only if there is a date set and the woman’s dowry is sufficient to clear all the debts. My partner at the bank should be satisfied with that.”
“Thank you. Thank you. You truly are a good friend to us.” Abigail released David’s hand and then threw her arms around him. She hugged him tightly. He was wonderful to allow them the additional time to settle the debt. Impulsively, she stretched up on her toes and kissed him.
Unfortunately, her first-ever kiss was brief because David reared back as if she’d struck him. He gaped at her, eyebrows raised in a shocked awareness of her scandalous behavior. “Why did you do that?”
Abigail crashed back to earth as the enormity of her actions struck her. I’ve kissed a man. The extremely wealthy and unattached banker, who had, when she was very young, rescued her from the clutches of his backyard tree. Heat swept over her neck and face. She turned away. “I’m sorry.”
After a painfully long silence, David cleared his throat. “Miss Watson,” he began. But then he cleared his throat again and started over. “Miss Watson, do not believe actions of that kind will sway me from carrying out my duties should your brother not marry after all. You will only hurt your pride and likely ruin your reputation in the process.”
Abigail pressed her hands to her face as his words drove home how unaffected he was by her first kiss. Of all the foolish things to have done this might have been her finest folly. She may never be able to look at him without blushing again.
After a time, he patted her shoulder. “I know these are troubling times. You’re confused and grateful for the reprieve I’ve given, but flirting with me will not help in the end. Watson must marry a woman of wealth, or you must both leave the property by month’s end.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
“We will not speak of this matter again, or to Watson about the theft. May I have my letter returned to me?”
Abigail drew the papers from her pocket and held the envelope out. Her hand shook as David took it from her and slipped it into his own pocket. “You’d best return indoors.” His tone had gentled to a soft rumble, exactly how he had been all her life. All trace of his anger and disappointment had vanished.
She looked up at him. David was normally a civilized, reserved man, the sort you compared others to and found them wanting. Her stomach tumbled with uncertainty, her throat closed as she wished she’d done a better job of kissing him the first time. It had been her first after all, but she hadn’t planned it well enough. It wasn’t exactly the kind dreams were made of. She certainly hadn’t done it to sway him from his plans.
He tilted his head to the side, silently observing her. Her stomach tumbled again and warmth filled her chest. David was so very handsome in his impeccable London fashions. Glossy black boots, tight fitting black trousers, and burgundy striped waistcoat, beneath a black coat. He had always drawn her eye and she felt surprisingly safe whilst alone in his company. Despite the circumstances, she was pleased he had followed after her tonight rather than confront her brother about her behavior. Now that he wasn’t angry could she claim a proper kiss—just for practice of course—without David speaking of it, too?
Bravely, she caught the lapels of his elegant coat. The wool was smooth against her bare fingers and she pulled him down to her level, as she had once seen a woman do on the seashore with her beau, and pressed her lips against his firmly. For a moment, David froze and she feared he would draw away again. But then he skimmed her mouth with his in a delicate dance that took her breath away. He cradled her face gently with a hand as his lips molded hers to his purpose, sucking at her lips each time they parted. She sighed at how lovely he was being about indulging her. She hadn’t even had to ask.
His tongue fluttered across her lips and she leaned into him.
Unfortunately, David drew back at that moment and she almost fell at his feet. He regarded her warily, his breathing rough and loud in the night. “Did you not listen to me?”
Her body hummed with delightful tremors, and Abigail nodded as she set her hand to the gate to support herself. “Gracious! Kissing can make the heart race, can’t it?” she whispered, pressing her fingers to her lips. “I listened. But thank heavens I ignored what you said.”
He folded his arms over his chest, his expression stern. “I do not like the game you are playing, Miss Watson. You will only be disappointed. This business will not go away because of a few rash kisses bestowed.”