“I didn’t realize she’d lost it,” Zach said.
“Surely, you have seen how they are with her, Zach. She is not mouthy and opinionated like she is with you when in her home,” Dimity added. “And then there are the clothes. Not that we should judge anyone by the way they dress.”
“But you do,” Zach added.
“Mary is beautiful inside and out,” Dimity said loyally.
“I told Phillipa to be nicer to her the other night,” Zach said without thinking. “She said Mary was a lost cause and would never marry.”
“That was kind of you,” Freya said, smiling.
“Very kind,” Ruby added.
Dimity looked like the cat who had swallowed the cream. Zach cursed himself silently for the slipup.
As Mary continued to sing, the gallery on the bank joined in, and suddenly everyone was singing at the top of their voices. He heard Gabe and Michael’s deep baritones interspersed with the lovely tones of the Duchess of Raven. The Duchess of Yardley sounded like a bullfrog.
“Th-this,” Plunge cried, “is a beautiful moment!” He was looking at Mary as the song drew to a stop. “My dear, Miss Mary Blake, I applaud you!”
Zach watched Plunge start clapping with so much enthusiasm his boat rocked. Mary sank into a curtsey, but Plunge’s boat nudged hers, and she stumbled. Zach lunged for her, but it was too late. She hit her head on the side of the boat and then fell overboard. Plunge followed seconds later.
Tearing off his jacket, Zach dived into the water. The icy water took his breath. Surfacing, he looked for her.
“Mary!”
She appeared spluttering beside him. “I-I am all right,” she said, thrashing about like a puppy who had never been in the water before.
“Mary, stop. Let me help you. You hit your head.”
“I’m all right!” She went under.
Zach hauled her upright and into his arms. “Stop thrashing about!”
“Don’t t-touch me!” she said like a tragic heroine.
Zach grabbed her around the waist and dragged her backward, using the other arm and kicking his feet.
“Lift her up, Zach, we will help get her back into the boat!” Dimity called to him.
“Move to the other side!” he replied. “Now grab the boat, Mary, and pull yourself in.”
“I was just about to rescue her,” Milton called from the safety of his boat a distance away.
Ignoring the man, Zach grabbed the boat to steady it.
“Reach up now, Mary.”
“I-I don’t think I can.”
“Of course you can.” Their faces were inches apart now. Her bonnet was gone and hair falling out of its pins. He looked at her long spiked lashes and lovely face and felt his stomach clench. He saw the worry. “You are safe, Mary. I have you. Grab the side. Brave girl that you are, I know you can do it.”
“Yes. Sorry, of course I can.” She reached up, and her fingers gripped the edge of the boat.
“Other hand now, and I will push you upward and into the boat.”
“I don’t think—”
Zach placed his hand on her lovely bottom and propelled her up. Dimity and Ruby hauled Mary the rest of the way. Once she was safely inside, he turned to look for Plunge.
