Chapter 13
“This is scandalous,” Bethany’s newly married sister, Lady Tabetha Spencer, announced.
“Would it be any less scandalous if one of us was to drown in the Serpentine?” Bethany smoothed the shift the dressmaker had made up for their lesson—a clever design that seemed to incorporate various characteristics of pantaloons, a shift, and a loose corset.
For all her bravado, Collette looked uncomfortable, as did the other ladies, but Diana rather wished she could wear something like this all summer long. The garment designed for swimming would be ideal for riding on tall curricles. No billowing skirts to get caught in the wheels, no tight undergarments to restrict a lady’s breathing.
The plan was for their gentlemen instructors to keep their backs turned until the lady students were modestly immersed in the shallow end of the bath.
“In Brighton,” Bethany announced as she removed the matching gown Madam Chantal provided to cover the costume. “They have bathing machines so you can disrobe in private and emerge in the water.”
“One of those would be incredibly convenient right now.” Lady Tabetha said. “Keep your backs turned!” She hollered across to the gentlemen, sending her voice echoing off the large windows and high ceiling.
Although Diana had always considered her brother’s friends more handsome than most, she’d also considered them to be old and top-lofty, which had set them significantly out of reach.
And rightly so.
But seeing them lined up in nothing but tight breeches and loose linen shirts, she couldn’t help but view them in a different light. Diana appreciated such a sight as all those muscular shoulders, arms, and backs only partially concealed by the lightweight material tucked into breeches.
And exposed below those breeches, several pairs of sinewy calves and sturdy feet invited Diana’s gaze to linger, specifically, on those of the marquess, who, even backward-facing, stood out amongst all the rest.
“This end of the bath functions like a beach, so you can simply walk in… but it gets deeper quickly.” Miss Lydia Cockfield, one of the duke’s younger twin sisters, explained. Having grown up with such a unique feature in their home, the quietly dignified young woman wasn’t at all hesitant.
Her younger sister, Miss Lucinda, wasn’t joining them as she’d been invited to visit the British museums with an ardent suitor and his family.
“It’s cold!” Collette yelped.
“You’ll warm up after a few minutes,” Bethany reassured her. “Water always feels colder at first.” She’d admitted earlier that she and Lady Tabetha had spent a few of their holidays growing up down at Brighton, and though neither were expert swimmers, both were perfectly calm as they eased into the water.
Even Lady Posy and Miss Faraday said they’d waded into the lake while staying at Lord Greystone’s country estate one summer.
However, Collette and Diana’s experience with bathing was limited to the tubs that they’d washed in—and the water in those was always considerably warmer.
Collette entered, taking baby steps and making squealing sounds with each one.
“It’s easier if you submerge yourself quickly.” Mr. Spencer called out without turning around.
“Walk in until the water is waist high, and then dip down so it reaches your neck.” Lord Greystone added, sounding calm and matter of fact, his voice echoing off the tiled walls.
Diana stared into the clear water as it rippled out from where the other ladies had already entered. She was not afraid of this. Neither Lord Greystone nor her brother—nor Mr. Spencer—would approve these lessons if it meant any of the ladies would be putting themselves in danger.
The duke most definitely would not have approved their use of his swimming bath if that was the case.
And so Diana entered the bath, inhaling sharply but ignoring the cold as she moved into deeper water.
“The gentlemen may turn around now.” Miss Faraday announced.
Up to my neck,Diana reminded herself, continuing to walk forward. The cold crept up her ribcage, over her breasts, and then—
She heard a shout at the same time her foot slipped. The water that had been so refreshing and only slightly daunting a moment before swallowed her. Unfortunately, rather than hold her breath the way Bethany explained on the drive over, Diana gasped.
And that was the moment she realized she was going to die.
Panic seized her as the water burned her lungs. It was a fright unlike anything she’d ever known, and it not only terrified her but confused her—robbing her sense of up and down and which way she needed to go to find air.
Blessed, elusive air.
Strong hands lifted her from behind, and as quickly as she’d slipped under, her head emerged out of the water.
