Shannon opened her eyes wide, astonished by the thought. “But how could—oh, you’re teasing me.”
“Guilty,” he replied easily.
Graceless, foolish, and now gullible. If she were to spend more time with this man, the list of her faults would grow longer than her arm. It was not a happy thought. At the earl’s insistence Shannon sat up, further dismayed to find her mobcap drooping sadly over her forehead. Droplets of water beaded on the edge, then dripped on her eyelashes and cheeks.
“Here,” Brandon said. “Let me.” Without waiting for permission, he removed the cap and wrung it out. Instead of giving it back he held on to it, much taken by the glistening drops of water in Shannon’s jet hair.
Self-consciously, Shannon lifted a hand to her hair and felt the sodden bun at the nape of her neck. Only a few pins were left to anchor it to her head, and they defied her attempts to secure them. Her heavy wet hair unraveled to her waist. Uncomfortable beneath Brandon’s regard, she pulled her hair to the forefront, twisted the water from it, and braided it with fingers that trembled. She stole a look at her rescuer, who was hunkered down beside her, and wondered waspishly why he did not look the worse for his ordeal. His linen shirt and breeches hugged his solid frame wetly, but he seemed not at all concerned by the fact. Shannon realized she was bothered enough for both of them. “I must be going,” she offered hurriedly. “Thank you for—”
Brandon ignored her. “Here, what’s this?” he asked, pointing to her shoulder.
Shannon glanced down at the rip in her gown, which clearly revealed the two welts made by her stepfather’s cane. “I caught my dress on a branch,” she said slowly. The lie stuck in her throat but she persevered. “I did not realize it had scratched me.”
Brandon frowned, knowing a lie when he heard one, and wondered why the girl would offer it. He was ready to pursue the topic of the bruises when he saw Eric was shaking his head in warning. Though it chafed Brandon, he let the subject drop. “I see,” he said, not seeing at all. “Well, may we escort you to the other side? I believe that was your destination.”
For the first time Shannon realized she was still on the wrong side of the brook. She thought her disheartened expression must have been comical, because both the earl and his friend laughed. Gathering the few threads of her dignity that remained, Shannon told them she would make her own way, thank you.
“I doubt it,” Brandon said, flicking a droplet of water from her cheek. “But you are certainly welcome to try.”
“Have a care, Bran,” Eric cautioned, seeing the militant light in Shannon’s eyes. “She may push you in.”
Shannon turned to face the earl, startled that he should have spoken her very thoughts aloud. “Oh, but I would never,” she denied quickly.
“I know, puss. No matter what the provocation, you would act as a lady should.”
Shannon sighed, relieved the earl did not think ill of her. “I must be going, m’lord. Father and Bess will not know what has become of me.”
Eric doubted very much if either would care, but he kept his counsel. He would have offered Shannon his hand but Brandon was quicker, taking her by both elbows and lifting her to her feet as he stood himself. Eric retracted his hand and dusted his breeches as he rose. A hint of a smile played about his mouth as he noted Shannon’s bemusement. She was quite overwhelmed by Brandon’s attention.
Shannon looked anywhere but at the man holding her arms. “Please, m’lord, release me.”
“I am lord of nothing, sweetings,” Brandon said. “My name is Brandon Fleming, and my home is in His Majesty’s Colony of Virginia.”
Shannon’s eyes widened. A colonial! She had not realized she had spoken the words aloud until the earl gave a delighted bark of laughter.
“Now you’ve done it, Bran!” the earl said, giving his friend a slap on the back. “Frightened her clean out of her wits! A Cambridge education won’t mean a thing to her now that she knows you’ve been raised with savages.”
Brandon scowled at Eric, dropping his hands and picking up the jacket he had discarded before plunging in after Shannon. He took Shannon’s shawl from her shoulders and replaced it with his jacket. “He is only teasing you,” he drawled softly.
Shannon lifted her hand and gravely studied the face towering above her. She could well believe the earl, for it seemed there was indeed something savage beneath Brandon’s handsome features. Closing her eyes briefly, she prayed she would never see it come to surface. A half smile turned one corner of Brandon’s mouth upward.
“I’m so happy I was able to give you an afternoon’s amusement,” she said to both of them, some of her spirit returning.
That brought a chuckle to Brandon and a quick smile to Eric’s face. “Ithasbeen a pleasure,” Brandon said, only a trace of mockery in his tone.
Shannon took a few tentative steps away from them before she realized that her sodden skirts were definitely going to impede her progress across the brook. Her spine stiffened as she heard Brandon laugh quietly behind her, then she gasped as the colonial swept her off her feet and brought her close to his chest. “Put me down, sir! What are you doing? Oh, please, put me down!”
Brandon ignored her and spoke to Eric instead. “If you would be so kind as to retrieve her basket and shoes. I believe I saw them floating away. I doubt there is a hope we can recover her stockings.” He grinned at Shannon. “Your berries are gone, I’m afraid.”
Shannon crossed her arms in front of her and gritted her teeth. “It doesn’t matter. Would you please release me?”
“As soon as we cross the brook,” he replied easily. He took a few steps forward. “If you do not want another spill, then I suggest you place your arms about my neck.” He waited patiently for Shannon to consider the merits of defying or obeying him. When her arms reluctantly circled his shoulders, he was careful not to show his pleasure and pretended indifference. He cautiously made his way across the brook while Eric followed the bank in search of Shannon’s basket and shoes. When Brandon reached the other side he set Shannon down gently. “Was that so terrible?” he asked.
Shannon shook her head, not looking at him as she wrung water from her skirt. She started to return his jacket, but Brandon dismissed the gesture with a wave of his hand.
“Wait here while I help Eric find your things.”
Before Shannon could protest, Brandon was crossing the brook again. She saw his own stride carried a confidence and grace that she doubted she could ever emulate. Sighing heavily, she sat on the bank and pulled Brandon’s jacket more closely about her shoulders. It was warm and dry and held the faint fragrance of Brandon himself. She wondered that she found it so pleasant when she was certain she had never met a more odious example of manhood, her stepfather excepted. Thoughts of Thomas Stewart brought a frown to her features, and she was still frowning when Brandon and the earl returned to the opposite bank with her things.
