Chapter 4
Later, when Diana would reflect on the moment her impulsive gesture had sent both her and the marquess tumbling into the water, she would wonder why she hadn’t been terror-stricken. Because falling—actually plunging into the lake—was the worst-case scenario she’d imagined when she’d boarded. Furthermore, she had had no way of knowing the water was barely a foot deep in that spot or that her hands would land on the muddy bottom before she’d become completely submerged.
Eyes closed, she reached out and grabbed the only thing she could, which happened to be Lord Greystone. She moved her hands up his legs which felt as solid as tree trunks, past his hips and around his backside, her face pressing against his—
“Oomph.” She slipped and, the marquess reached beneath her arms and, in one swift motion, pulled her onto her knees, putting her eyes level with his chest.
“Are you alright?” His hair looked black as night, slicked back from his face, and the fine lace and velvet of his coat were wilted and soggy. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms as though assuring himself that she was still in one piece. He then tilted her head back, giving her no choice but to stare up at him.
“Diana?” His eyes flashed silver, reminding her of the darker spots she’d once discovered while staring up at a full moon. “Are you alright?”
Whereas her face hadn’t gone under, he hadn’t gotten off so lucky.
There wasn’t a spot on him that wasn’t soaked, and seeing him like this had Diana gaping. Water slicked his hair and streamed down his face.
Stunned, Diana found herself mesmerized by one particular droplet as it caught in his lashes and then rolled down his cheek. A second hovered precariously on the curve of his upper lip.
“Are you alright?” His mouth moved. He was staring at her… waiting.
“I’m fine. I’m fine” she finally managed, shocked by the cold but also his close proximity. Too self-conscious to meet his eyes, Diana glanced down at her dress. The saturated material clung to her like a second skin. “And you? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” But he didn’t sound fine. He sounded as though he wanted to strangle her.
“I’ve lost a shoe.” Diana slid her foot along the slimy bottom but wasn’t willing to search with her hands. “A hat and a shoe. This lake has had no mercy for me today.”
“The water’s ultimate objective, of course, is to separate English ladies from their favorite accessories.” He was all but dragging her to shore now.
Was the Marquess of Greystone joking with her? Diana slid him a sideways glance, but he seemed as stoic as ever. If not for the slightest twitch at the corner of his mouth, she might even have believed she’d imagined it.
Once on dry ground, the marquess released her hand to accept the towels presented by two of the duchess’s servants who had rushed into action.
“I cannot believe you did that,” Collette exclaimed, arriving at her side. “What were you thinking standing up in the boat like that? You ninny! Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” But, in truth, Diana was feeling a little dazed. She wasn’t sure if that was from being dunked in the cold water or having quite literally pressed her face into the front of Lord Greystone’s trousers where she’d felt…
She’d felt something move.
A surreptitious glance assured her that no fish had fallen out of his pants, so whatever she’d felt must have been…
Him.
Did he realize she’d touched him there? General logic would conclude that if she hadfelt him,then he hadfelt her…
Diana ducked her head and submitted to Collette as she scrubbed her with the towel and then wiped at mud Diana hadn’t realized was clinging to her bodice. After assuring themselves Diana and the marquess were unhurt, the other couples drifted across the lawn in the direction of the tent where other guests were eating and drinking.
“Forgive her, my lord,” Collette addressed Lord Greystone. “My sister hasn’t yet come to terms with the nature of gravity.”
“I do comprehend how gravity works,” Diana grumbled, jerking her head up.
“A miscalculation is all—an accident.” His gaze met Diana’s, neither smiling nor scowling. For a gentleman who’d been doused in all his finery and then practically accosted by her, he appeared perfectly calm and unaffected.
Perhaps she had been mistaken.
“Your beautiful jacket is ruined!” Collette sent an apologetic wince in the marquess’s direction and, with one more swipe at Diana’s gown, announced, “I’m going to go find Bethany and Chase so that we can return to Byrd House right away. We need to get you out of these wet clothes before you catch your death.”
“I’m sorry about your jacket,” Diana mumbled after her sister excused herself.
He shrugged, as elegant as a shrug can be. “They are only clothes. We’re lucky it happened where the water was shallow. You really must learn to swim.” After showing a side of himself that Diana had not expected, the marquess was once again acting like a staid older brother.
