Louise looked up to see Lady Merrow attempting to coax Buttercup back onto the ice while Emily pushed from behind. The dog had apparently decided that ice was his mortal enemy and wanted no further part in this experiment.
“I’m certain she’ll get him skating before noon,” Louise said.
Aaron’s eyebrow arched. “That is only an assumption, Lady Louise.”
“I’d call it a prediction.” She released his hand to skate backward, facing him as she moved. “Besides, your aunt’s determination could move mountains.”
“Or at least one reluctant dog.” Aaron watched her with an expression that made her pulse quicken. “You’re very graceful.”
Heat bloomed in her cheeks that had nothing to do with the cold. “Years of practice. Mother insisted that both George and I learn properly.”
The mention of her brother created a brief shadow between them. They still had no word of his whereabouts, despite Howlett’s continued surveillance of Wigram. But Louise pushed the worry aside. Today was for joy, for Emily’s laughter, for the unexpected pleasure of Aaron’s company without the weight of evening clothes and social expectations.
“Look out!”
The warning came too late. Buttercup had broken free from Lady Merrow’s grip and came careening across the ice, his modified boots providing just enough traction to build alarming speed but not enough to steer.
Louise tried to dodge, but the dog’s momentum was unstoppable.
She would have fallen hard if Aaron hadn’t caught her, spinning them both out of Buttercup’s path with surprising agility. Theyended up pressed against the pond’s edge, Aaron’s arms around her, her hands clutching his coat.
“Are you hurt?” His voice came rough with concern.
Louise looked up at him, acutely aware of every point where their bodies touched. “No. You seem to be making a habit of saving me, Your Grace.”
His lip twitched. His arms hadn’t loosened their hold. If anything, he pulled her closer, and she could feel his heart racing against her palm.
“Louise!” Emily skated over with more enthusiasm than skill. “Did you see Buttercup? He went so fast! Like a big hairy cannonball!”
Aaron released her, but his hand remained at her elbow as they turned to watch Lady Merrow chase Buttercup around the pond. The dog had apparently decided that if he must be on ice, he would make the most of it. He bounded and slid in equal measure, sending other skaters scattering.
“We should probably intervene,” Aaron said.
“We absolutely should not.” Louise watched Lady Merrow’s hat fall off as she pursued her pet. “This is the most entertainment Hyde Park has seen all winter.”
They spent another hour on the ice, taking turns steadying Emily as she learned, laughing when Buttercup discovered that lying flat and letting people push him was actually quite pleasant. Lady Merrow declared the outing a complete success despite losing two hat pins and most of her dignity.
As they sat on benches removing their skates, Louise studied Aaron’s profile. He was explaining something to Emily about the science of ice formation, his expression animated in a way she rarely saw. The careful control he usually maintained had slipped, revealing someone younger, less burdened.
“You’re staring,” Lady Merrow said quietly beside her.
Louise flushed and looked away. “I was just thinking how different he seems today.”
“Happy, you mean?” The older woman’s voice held gentle understanding. “He used to be like this more often. Seeing glimpses of that boy again gives me hope.”
“Hope for what?”
Lady Merrow patted her hand. “That love might accomplish what years of my nagging couldn’t. Healing.”
Before Louise could respond, Emily bounded over, her cheeks bright red from cold and exertion. “Can we come back tomorrow? Please? Buttercup wants to try again.”
Buttercup, currently sprawled in the snow and refusing to move, seemed to disagree.
Aaron surprised them all by nodding. “If the weather holds, why not?”
Emily squealed and threw her arms around his waist. Aaron’s expression softened as he patted her head awkwardly, still uncertain how to handle such open affection but no longer pulling away from it.
They walked back to Calborough House as a group, Emily chattering about everything she had seen, Lady Merrow providing colorful commentary on the skating abilities of various society members, and Buttercup periodically attempting to eat snowbanks.
