Chapter Two
Marina spun around to look at the large man behind her. He seemed to tower over her, with cool blue eyes and black curls that perfectly framed his face. But she could not linger too much on his good looks when he was looking at her in a way that sent a shiver of wariness down her spine.
Even though he did not look particularly angry, his expression was unreadable to her, and that was somehow even more disconcerting. “Where did you come from?”
The man gestured behind him. “From Pemberton Manor. What areyoudoing here?”
“You’re from next door, then. I’m a guest at Heeway Manor.” Judging by the expensive cut of the man’s suit, he was definitely not a servant, but most likely the duke himself. At least, she thought she heard someone mention a Duke of Pemberton. She did not exactly have the names and titles of everyone in the ton memorized.
He held out his hand. “Allow me to help you to shore, my lady.”
She jerked away from his hand like it was a snake and almost lost her balance in the process. “No, thank you. I think I have caused enough scandals for one day.”
The last thing I need is for the ton to see me holding hands while my dress is in such a disheveled state. Even if the reason is innocent, they would rather have a scandal to gossip about.
She picked up her skirt and tried to trudge out of the river, but it was difficult to keep her balance with the water weighing down her skirt. Even worse, she thought she felt the front of her corset shift downward ever so slightly. She could only hope that this stranger did not notice.
The faint sound of approaching voices reached her before she could take two steps, and her cheeks burned as dread filled her stomach. What a horrible predicament to be in.
Just then, the man stepped forward and put his hands on her waist. She yelped in surprise as he picked her up and put her on solid ground with one quick move.
She looked up at him, shocked and indignant. “This is most improper,” she hissed, even as her cheeks warmed.
No one has ever touched me like this before. It feels almost … reassuring?
That could not be right. Her thoughts and emotions were simply confused by the embarrassing situation.
His touch lingered for half a second more before he dropped his hands and stepped away from her. “You realize that Prince William cannot understand you. Do you not?”
She blinked at him, wondering if he had simply lost his mind.Perhaps the Duke of Pemberton is mad, and that is why he is not attending his own neighbor’s engagement party.“I beg your pardon?”
“You were talking to Prince William when I arrived. Do you understand that he cannot comprehend words? Because he is a dog?” He raised his eyebrows as he spoke more slowly to her.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and irritation as she realized what he was asking her. “There is no need to mock me.”
“I am not mocking you, my lady. You might have hit your head on the rocks and become confused. Are you experiencing any other symptoms?”
“I am fine, thank you.” Were the voices in the distance still getting closer? How much longer before they found them?
He put his hands in his pockets as the dog—Prince William—walked forward to sniff the duke’s shoes. The man paid him no mind. “You really should not be swimming out here.”
She crossed her arms in front of her, cringing at the way her wet bodice squished from the pressure of her arms. “I am not swimming! Does this look like swimming attire?”
“Not particularly. However, I am not up to date on current ladies’ fashions, and some of them can be a mite impractical.”
She rolled her eyes, still not sure if he was joking or being completely serious. “I was saving the dog.”
The duke raised an eyebrow at her. “He did not need saving. He’s a dog. He knows how to swim.”
“He is a little dog, and this is a fast river! I saw his head go underwater.” She looked at the creature in question, who was currently sitting at his master’s feet but looking up at her with his head cocked to one side, as if he knew they were discussing him.
“Yes. He was going after the ball. Have you ever owned a dog?”
“No …” she huffed. “I thought he was going to drown.”
“You exposed yourself to the ton in a most improper way for a dog?”
“Yes, for a dog!” She snapped. “Why am I the only one who does not wish to see a dog drown?”
