“Mary, pass the book to Dimity!” the duchess said. “She will be next to read!”
“Oh, very well,” Dimity said.
“Zach, watch my countess!” Gabe shouted from the bank. “I forbid you to stand in that boat, Dimity!”
“Oh, pooh to that,” Dimity said.
Rising from his seat, Zach quickly grabbed the book from Mary as she leaned their way. “Sit,” he ordered her.
“Go to hell,” Mary snapped back.
He bared his teeth at her, but she poked out her small pink tongue again, and heat lanced through him.
Damnation!
He handed the book to Dimity, who rose from her seat.
“Sit!” Gabe barked. His wife ignored him.
Zach rose and stood within grabbing distance of Dimity should she stumble.
“Oh for pity’s sake, she is quite capable of balancing,” Mary muttered.
“You”—Zach pointed a finger at her—“shut up.”
“Plunge, have you used that handkerchief?” Dimity asked him.
“No, indeed. I have several. Are you in need of one, Countess?”
“I think a prop is necessary,” Dimity said.
“Props are always necessary!” someone from the bank called.
Zach grabbed the handkerchief as it was passed through hands to reach their boat. He then thrust it at his sister-in-law. “You do realize how ridiculous this all is, don’t you?” he said to Dimity.
“And such wonderful fun.” She patted his cheek.
Zach grunted something no one understood.
Waving the lace handkerchief about, Dimity began. “‘But my one true love,’ Lady Nauticus cried, ‘it was your wish to wed here on camel back. Must we now postpone our nuptials?’” Dimity’s voice rose on a wail.
“Horatio is a bit pathetic, don’t you think?” Ruby asked the bank.
Half agreed, and the other half booed.
“‘I fear it is best, daughter. I will watch Horatio, while you get help,’” Dimity read.
She stumbled, and Zach righted her. Looking to the bank, he noted the clenched jaw of his eldest brother who was tense and glaring.
Zach’s eyes went to Mary who had turned in her seat and was showing him the side of her face that was unmarred.
“Am I the only one who finds Cerise’s behavior off?” Lady Levermarch called.
“The woman’s a lady of the night and a double spy, so I doubt she can be trusted,” the Duchess of Raven added. “My guess is she wants Horatio herself and is jealous of her daughter.”
There were murmurs of agreement about that.
“‘What is that in the distance I see?’ Captain Broadbent said weakly while lying prostrate on his back with Cerise fanning him,” Dimity said.
