Lady Isabella nearly burst with excitement as she leaned in closer, her eyes bright. “We’ve had the most riveting idea; Lord Ashburton has suggested a race!” She giggled gleefully and smiled from ear to ear, displaying her perfect rows of white teeth.
“That sounds like fun; what do you say, Lady Charlotte?” Jameson looked to her for a response.
“I guess a little race wouldn’t harm anyone …” Charlotte hesitated at first but seemed to warm up after glancing at the boat with Lady Elizabeth and Lady Rose that was gently drifting on the other side of the lake.
“Wonderful! The first boat to reach the other side of the lake gets to decide when and where our next outing shall be!” Lady Isabella straightened her position in the boat and eagerly waited for Lord Ashburton to position the oars.
“Ready?” Lord Ashburton glanced at the marquess with his eyebrows raised.
“If you mean to ask if I am ready to teach you a lesson, then I am ready. The question is, are you ready?” Jameson retorted, rising to the challenge with the oars poised over the water, gently touching the surface.
The men exchanged wry smiles of sportsmanship before springing into action and thrusting the oars into the water, causing the boats to jolt forward amidst delighted giggles from Lady Isabella and her maid.
Lady Charlotte gripped the edge of the boat and clung to her parasol while her maid sat up straight, startled from her slumber by the sudden change in pace.
The boats moved off across the lake, nearly bumping into one another at regular intervals as the men fought for the lead.
“I think we are going to reach the bridge first!” Lady Isabella shouted gleefully as she bounced in her seat, nearly causing the boat to topple over.
“I think you are right.” Lord Ashburton looked over his shoulder and laughed heartily for the first time in years, taking Jameson by surprise as they bolted ahead in the water. The fierce slapping of the oars against the surface created waves that rocked the boats in passing, eliciting a few complaints from ladies and gentlemen alike.
“I say, this is not acceptable, by Jove!” A particularly elderly gentleman with a pointed moustache shouted to them as he reached for his companion’s hand, steadying the lady in her seat.
“Oh no, we are falling behind,” Charlotte remarked in a slightly disappointed tone, clucking her tongue as she watched their friends take the lead by a long shot. Jameson hadn’t thought that she had been keen on the race, but it was clear now that she had become invested.
“Not to worry, there is something else that I would rather show you.” Jameson winked at her and altered the direction of the boat just as Lady Isabella and Michael Ashburton disappeared beneath the bridge.
“Thank goodness …” Charlotte’s maid muttered beneath her breath and settled back down as the boat came to a steady crawl, making its way towards a hidden alcove beneath a large willow with branches that hung over the water.
The air was cooler in the shade, creating a hidden space surrounded by vegetation and lilies. Allowing the boat to come to a stop beside the shore, Jameson checked that they were well hidden before placing the oars back in the boat. Charlotte seemed nervous at first but smiled lightly, uncertainty swimming in her eyes.
“I was hoping to have a few moments alone with you today; there was a matter that I wished to discuss.” Jameson cleared his throat and began the conversation he had been rehearsing in his mind since their kiss the previous night.
“Oh?” Charlotte fidgeted slightly, looking over her shoulder at the maid who was peacefully slumbering with her hands folded over her chest.
“I don’t think your chaperone minds too much that we have come to a stop,” he said, chuckling beneath his breath.
Shaking her head lightly, Charlotte turned back to Jameson and smiled. “Anne hasn’t been well; I’m afraid she is still recovering from a cold. I should have let her stay home today.”
Seizing the moment, Jameson leaned forward before he lost his nerve or got interrupted by the others. “I, for one, am glad that you brought her along. I’ve been wanting to speak to you alone since last night. I don’t presume to know your current courting situation, especially not with that tall, gangly gentleman who keeps frisking about your skirts like a love-sick puppy.”
He gently rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand, looking into her eyes.
“You mean Lord Dunham? I’m afraid that is an arrangement that my uncle has chosen. I’m not exactly sure I would have chosen him myself; he asks far too many questions and leaves me feeling a little exasperated most of the time.” She shook her head, her chest beginning to rise and fall as breaths came in steady rhythms.
She’s nervous.
Jameson found himself fidgeting, nervous at the prospect of asking her the question that had been burning in his chest. Fate had brought them together fortuitously, and he couldn’t allow the opportunity to pass him by.
“I have to admit that I was relieved to hear your reluctance in a courtship with the old bean pole.” He felt himself relaxing slightly at having learned that the Honourable Lord Dunham wasn’t a love interest for Charlotte.
“He is quite tall.” She giggled and bit her lips, checking to see that her maid was still sound asleep.
“I would have hated challenging the man to a duel; from his vantage point, he would have been a formidable foe.” He tried to hint at what he was about to ask, feeling the way her hand trembled slightly in his.
“Why on earth would you challenge Lord Dunham to a duel?” Her eyebrows creased in confusion.
“Because I was hoping that you would agree to a courtship with me. I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you since the night in the gardens when I stumbled upon you humming. Last night’s kiss only proved to further my attraction for you. I hope you do not find me too forward, Lady Charlotte, but if you agree, I can only promise you that I have no intentions of wasting your time,” he finished with a deep breath, anxiously awaiting her reply.
