Apollo’s muddy paw slapped into Penelope’s lap and she jumped, startled. The dog let out a triumphant yip and flopped happily between them again, clearly demanding they start playing again.
Well, there goes the moment.
“We should get ourselves out of this mess,” Alexander exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
They stood slowly, water sloshing in their boots. Penelope winced at the state of her gown, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to care. Not when her heart was still racing.
CHAPTER 14
“Oh, Your Grace,” Nancy gasped, clucking her tongue as she unfastened the buttons down the back of Penelope’s sodden gown. “You look like you fell into the pond.”
Penelope winced as the cold fabric peeled away from her skin.
“Not quite fell, I was pulled in.”
“Pulled, Your Grace?” Nancy’s eyes widened.
“Firmly. With intent,” Penelope amended with a blush. She still had not quite gotten over what had happened earlier.
Nancy’s brows shot up. Penelope sat down before the maid could ask more questions, toweling off her arms.
“Begging your pardon, but you’re flushed.”
“It was cold,” Penelope blinked.
“And you’re smiling.”
“I am not,” she replied too quickly.
Nancy gave her a look. “Were you with His Grace when this happened?”
“Yes,” Penelope replied, feeling her cheeks warm again.
“That explains it,” Nancy smiled. “It is good to see you both enjoying yourself, though I cannot say much about the fate of your dress. I’ll try soaking it, but I make no promises that I can get the stains out.”
“Enjoying ourselves?” Penelope snorted. It had been an argument. Well, at least it had started off as one. She thought back to how Alexander had looked at her in that moment, when they were both soaked and breathless and close enough to kiss. She shivered again, though it had little to do with the cold.
Nancy laid a fresh robe over her shoulders.
“You’ll catch a chill if you don’t warm up soon, Your Grace.”
“Yes,” Penelope said faintly, wrapping it around herself. “I imagine I will.”
“Shall I prepare a bath?” Nancy knelt to unlace her muddy boots.
“Please,” Penelope nodded, then paused. “A hot one.”
As Nancy left the room, Penelope stood and moved to the mirror. Her cheeks were still flushed.
He had apologized. More than that, he’d said she and Odette were his family.
Penelope sank slowly onto the edge of the bed, her heart still fluttering.
Just as Penelope gathered the robe tighter around her and reached for a towel to wrap her damp hair, the door opened again.
It was Odette.
“Am I in trouble?” she asked immediately, eyes flicking between Penelope and the pile of wet clothes Nancy had left behind.
