He sighed and returned to his book, realizing that he had been reading the same line over and over.
“You have a bite!” Dominic’s voice echoed around them as Vivian let out a yelp and grabbed the rod. “Quick, reel it in.”
Thomas was on his feet, his book forgotten on the bench. He watched as Vivian struggled with the rod, her face red with exertion. His heart sped up, and he moved toward her.
“It must be enormous!” Vivian cried out as she fought with the fish.
“Keep going,” Dominic called as he fetched a net. “Pull!”
Thomas watched as Vivian heaved the rod. There was a splash, and then a silver fish lay flopping on the deck. Vivian clapped her hands in delight, and Thomas felt his heart settle back down.
Until the fish flipped up and hit Vivian. She dropped the rod as she shrieked in alarm. It tumbled toward the lake, and as shegrabbed for it, she stumbled. Thomas lunged forward, but he was too far.
Her arms windmilled furiously, and then she was in the water, sinking below the surface. Bubbles popped up, but she did not emerge.
“Vivian!” Thomas sprinted and dove in after her.
The water was icy cold. It stole all the air from his lungs, but he did not care. The only thing on his mind was Vivian. He squinted in the murky water and spotted a flash of blue.
He struck out toward her and realized that her dress had been tangled in some debris on the lake floor. Her eyes widened when she saw him, fear clear on her face.
He grabbed the tangled fabric and tugged it free, wrapping his arms around Vivian and kicking off from the floor. Their heads broke the surface together, and he sucked in a breath.
She coughed and spluttered, and he held her tight as he swam back to the shore with her. The cold air stung his lungs, and he heard her teeth chatter as he lifted her from the water.
“Get to the house and have them light a fire and fetch us some towels and warm clothes.” Thomas barked at Dominic, who nodded and sprinted back toward the manor.
“Are you all right?” Thomas murmured, cradling Vivian in his arms. “Were you hurt?”
Vivian coughed and shook her head. “I could not come untangled. Do you think your cousin will be upset that I lost his rod?”
“Rods are replaceable. You are not.” Thomas tightened his grip on her, feeling her lean against his neck.
He stomped across the lawn, moving as fast as he dared on the slick and muddy ground. He could not tell if the thundering heart he felt was his or hers. His breath fogged up the air around them.
“You are shivering,” Vivian murmured.
“So are you.” Thomas focused on holding her in his arms, on not letting her drop. “We are nearly at the house, though; we will get you warm and dry.”
The house was a flurry of commotion as servants rushed forward, fussing over Vivian and Thomas.
“There is a fire in the drawing room for you, Elington.” Dominic called over the throng of servants. “It will save you the long trek to the Eastern wing.”
Thomas nodded. The castle was so large that even at a run it would take him precious minutes to get to their room, and asVivian shivered harder in his arms, he did not want to waste even a moment.Safety first, then privacy.He refused to let her go, carrying her into the drawing room and helping her out of her sodden coat. He turned and glared at anyone approaching the room as the servants helped Vivian disrobe, wrapping her in a shift and a blanket.
When he turned back, she was standing by the fire, shivering, the blanket wrapped tightly around her. Her skin was pale; her lips blue. Her dark hair was plastered to her head. He moved toward her, rubbing her arms in an effort to warm her.
“You should take off your coat.” Vivian gestured to his own sodden clothes. “You will catch a cold.”
“Anyone might think you were trying to seduce me, Vivian.” He tried to sound teasing, but his teeth chattered too much.
“Or a sensible person would realize that I do not want my husband to get sick.” Vivian moved toward him and tugged off his wet coat. “Now take off your shirt and wrap yourself in a blanket.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Thomas peeled off his shirt and coat, but kept his trousers on.
He wrapped a blanket around his shoulders as he kicked off his boots and socks, moving to stand beside Vivian near the fire. She was still shivering, and he pulled her closer to him.
She leaned against him and slowly stopped shivering. Where he held her, warmth spread through his body, and he felt his muscles start to ease.
