“Hold still,” Greys uttered from between gritted teeth, gathering her closer in an attempt to keep her from capsizing them, or even worse, inflicting him with any grave personal damage. He’d not imagined she could cause such an undignified scenario when he’d assured her of his abilities earlier.
Another gust of wind blew across the water swirling her hair around his face. “Miss Diana,” he spoke around a curl, a few strands lodged in his mouth. “I beg of you to cease your wriggling.”
Whereas his warnings hadn’t been enough to keep her from panicking over the hat, the sloshing of the waves caught her attention.
“Of course. I’m sorry.” The next gust had her sliding one arm around his neck while the other clutched his shoulder. “It’s just that that was Bethany’s favorite hat! She says the dyed feathers are her favorite color, and she’s going to kill me! I didn’t think…”
No, she hadn’t thought at all. As usually was the case with young ladies who didn’t bother to think about the consequences of their actions.
“Forget the damned hat.” Greys had her pinned against him. His best chance at both of them emerging from this predicament dry was to keep her from making any more sudden movements. “Perhaps they were duck feathers.”
“Why would that make a difference?” She leaned back enough so she could look into his eyes, rocking the boat again.
Greys tightened his grip around her waist. “Because then, perhaps it won’t sink.”
His ridiculous suggestion silenced her. Annoyed with himself for saying something so idiotic, he went on to add, “But if you jump up like that one more time, you and I are both going to find ourselves swimming with your sister-in-law’s precious hat.”
“I’m sorry.” She calmed in his arms but then began shaking. Was she crying? “But as Bethany’s hat is still bobbing along, they must be duck feathers.” Realizing that she was, in fact, giggling, the desire to bend her over his knees and spank her warred with the urge to join her.
“Steady,” he ordered instead.
“Do ducks fly?” she kept right on giggling.
And squirming.
“Of course they fly.” Greys pinched his mouth together.
But as he answered her absurd questions, their predicament blindsided him and he reluctantly allowed a few chortles to escape. After a moment, the giggling bundle in his lap became too much to resist and he burst out laughing with an exuberance he hadn’t experienced in years.
He required all his self-discipline to keep her from sliding onto the floor of the boat, and then… God only knew what she’d do next.
Because Miss Diana Jones excelled in achieving the unexpected.
By the time he harnessed his bout of insanity so he could assist the minx back to the other bench, they had attracted the attention of the three other couples standing safely onshore—specifically, Captain Sterling Edgeworth. That particular gentleman’s gaze fixed unwaveringly on their boat, looking curious but also slightly vexed at their merriment.
“I take it you’ve set your cap for Captain Edgeworth.” He knew this, of course, but didn’t wish to give away that her brother had told him. Somehow, he doubted she’d appreciate that.
Miss Diana began to twist around in search of the man, but Greys stopped her.
“Don’t look,” he said. “You’ll ruin the effect.”
Minding his advice, she stared at Greys, her attention arrested by this sudden turn of events. “You aren’t bamming me, are you?”
“I am not.”
Perhaps Greys wouldn’t have to take her driving in the park after all.
She grinned across the boat at him, golden strands of hair whipping around her face. “He is still looking?” This time she was careful not to show that she was aware she’d captured the captain’s attention.
“He does not appear all that happy.”
Miss Diana tucked one of those strands behind her ear, her eyes twinkling. “I’m so glad you had this idea.”
Had he presented this scenario as an idea? Even as he ignored her impudence, Greys couldn’t help but appreciate the very pretty picture she made.
If anything was going to prevent her from finding success on the marriage mart, he admitted to himself; it most certainly wasn’t going to be because she lacked good looks, or charm, or general desirability. No, she possessed all of those in spades.
What she lacked was the proper pedigree, and it was possible some chap could overlook that. Greys flicked his gaze back to the other couples where Captain Edgeworth openly stared at them now.
