“Never has before.” He sounded bored.
Of course, he had done this before. And at his advanced age, there likely wasn’t anyTonnishendeavor that he hadn’t mastered.
Resigned to her fate, Diana pushed herself off the chair and tucked her hand into his arm so he could escort her over the rocks and dirt to the shore. And oddly enough, from the corner of one eye, she noticed a few ladies watching her and looking… envious?
Perhaps Lord Greystone rowing her across the lake wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Far better for her reputation, she had to admit, than sitting alone moping while the other guests mingled happily.
It was also a better look than consuming the pastries Collette was piling onto two plates as she picked over the table beneath the tent.
“I’ll push the boat into the water alongside the jetty, and you can climb in from there.” The marquess, at least, didn’t appear the least bit disconcerted at the prospect of making conversation with her. But, of course, he wouldn't be. Likely, he could make conversation with the queen herself if called upon to do so.
Diana nodded absent-mindedly and stepped onto the small dock. Hearing splashing and giggles carrying across the water, she shivered. The other couples were splashing one another playfully.
“I don’t know how to swim,” she announced. Having lived in Mayfair all her life, neither she nor her sisters had ever had the opportunity to learn, and it was best that she warn him early in case the boat sprang a leak, or an unexpected gale blew in and flipped them over, or any other catastrophe occurred that might lead to her watery demise.
Bent over and dragging the boat, he paused and turned to meet her stare. “No need to worry, little one, you’ll be safe with me.” Then, not waiting for her to answer, he pushed the boat into the water, grasped the rope, and hopped up to join her on the jetty.
“Give me your hand.” Lord Greystone reached out. “Careful now.”
Somehow, the idea of a boat ride had seemed more enticing when she hadn’t been standing over the actual water.
“Shouldn’t you get in first?”
The marquess glanced down at the boat and then back up at Diana. “Would you feel safer if I did?”
“I might.” Because if the boat held the weight of such a well-filled out gentleman, indeed it would support hers.
“Very well.” He dropped to his haunches and looped the rope around a short post before stepping into the boat with no difficulty whatsoever. “The trick is to lower your center of gravity quickly,” he instructed her even as he stood upright in the middle of the boat. “Staying on your feet is a sure way to capsize us.” He shifted his weight from side to side, causing the small craft to rock, and then lowered himself onto one of the two benches. “See how stable it is while I’m sitting down?”
Diana nodded. Why hadn’t she considered that being rowed around a lake required that she would be expected to climb into and sit in a boat?
While it floated on top of actual water?
Diana drew in a deep breath. She was many things, but a coward wasn’t one of them.
Stepping to the edge of the dock, she braced herself and then grasped Lord Greystone’s hand. He’d demonstrated remarkable stability already, and despite his elaborate and colorful attire, he was a very capable gentleman.
Her foot landed on the bottom of the boat, and when it wobbled, he squeezed her hand until she’d adjusted her weight and found her balance.
“You’ve got it.” He landed one hand on her waist and kept it there until she was successfully seated on the opposite bench.
“Th-thank you.” She tucked her knees together and sat up straight, hoping to appear as confident and sophisticated as Lady Adrianna and Miss Augustine surely must. She knew the marquess was agile by the way he’d danced with her, but she hadn’t imagined him being so robust and sturdy
“I take it you’ve not done this before?” His eyes flicked to where her hands gripped the edge of the bench.
“No.” She hated feeling so vulnerable doing an activity most considered rather tame. She shook her head but then immediately stilled when the boat rocked beneath her.
But it quickly settled after the Marquess untied the rope and tossed it behind him. He then took up the oars and effortlessly maneuvered their small craft away from the safety of the jetty. Diana noticed the other gentlemen had removed their jackets before rowing. Lord Greystone, however, appeared equally comfortable pulling the paddles through the water while still wearing his perfectly fitted aubergine jacket.
Her gaze trailed to the cuff at the end of his sleeves. She was all too aware that, although his hands appeared graceful and elegant, they were also capable and strong. An odd thrill ran down her spine when she recalled how she’d relied on him when she’d climbed aboard.
But just as she’d dreaded, the silence that fell between them was uncomfortable. She searched her mind for the conversational gambits Bethany advised for just this sort of situation.
Oh, yes! “What lovely weather we’ve been having. I do hope it doesn’t rain.”
Lord Greystone met her gaze with a twinkle in his own, apparently seeing right through her very unoriginal ploy.
“As one always does.” He smirked. “Although the rain would have added the perfect air of tragedy to your vigil.”
