“And I have said his name and mine will never be linked in such a way again,” Mary said in a stern voice. “Let us row.”
“It will be frigid on the water, surely?” Ruby thankfully followed her lead and did not mention Zach again.
“Will we all fit in a boat?” Freya asked.
“Two boats perhaps?” Dimity said. “It is devilishly cold, but as I have my smart new jacket on, I am warm.”
“Very well, but not for long. I want food and mulled wine,” Beth said.
Around them were tents filled with refreshments. Others held seats for those wishing to sit out of the cool weather. The theme was circus for the Littleton garden party.
“Good Lord,” Ruby whispered, drawing all eyes. “That seems a trifle dangerous, don’t you think.”
They all dutifully looked up. Strung between two raised platforms was a tightrope, which a lady dressed like a ballerina was walking along.
“Only if she tumbles off,” Dimity said. “And then watch out below.”
“Dimity.” Beth giggled. “You are so callous.”
“It’s my hope if she does slip it’s on one of the more obnoxious members of society,” Dimity added. “They will break her fall at the very least.”
“She’s incredibly graceful, considering how high up she is, and the size of the rope she is traversing,” Freya said. “I trip over my own feet constantly.”
“I bet she is freezing, up so high wearing so little,” Mary added.
They joined the line of people waiting to get into boats.
“We will definitely need two,” Ruby said.
“Ladies.” The man in front of them, Mr. Ridley, bowed. “If your men are unavailable, I would put myself forward as an adequate replacement.”
“For what?” Dimity asked, frowning.
Ridley’s smile dimmed slightly at the countess’s tone.
“To row you about on the water of course.”
“Do you believe we are incapable of rowing ourselves then, Mr. Ridley?” Mary asked.
The expression on his face suggested, that yes he did believe that.
“Tsk, tsk, Ridley,” Beth said. “I thought you better than that.”
“Ah, better than what, Mrs. Deville?”
“I’ll take this,” Dimity said. “Ridley, pay attention to every word I say now.”
The man nodded, looking less certain than he’d been moments ago.
“Women need men for some things, just as men need women. But,” she added as he opened his mouth, “paddling a boat about a pond is not one of them.”
“Just as anything involving intelligence is not one of them,” Freya added.
“B-but—”
“We have no need of your help, Mr. Ridley,” Mary cut him off. “Find my sister. She will be more than happy to have you row her about the place. In fact, offer for her hand and then you will be doing us all a favor.”
Ridley, if possible, paled further. Then, he excused himself from the line and scurried away.
