“Good. But for now, enough talk of unpleasant things.” He rose and held out his hand. “I have a wonderful idea. Have you explored the outside of the house yet?”
She shook her head and refrained from telling him she’d been too preoccupied searching for the secret passage.
“Then allow me to show you around. I could use some fresh air. I’ve been staring at these papers so long my eyes are blurry.”
His large hand almost enveloped hers as he led her outside. Although the day was overcast, she still lifted her face up to the sky and drank in the sweet smell of the country. She loved London and all the activity, the garden parties, the balls, the League meetings with her friends. But each time she returned home to Kent, she remembered how much she loved the clean air and the expanse of gardens and trees. She knew she would grow to love Somerset almost as much.
She peered up at Colin, who also appeared to be enjoying the view. Maybe she would love it more.
“This way. There’s something I want to show you.”
Her hand in his, he led her forward, and she struggled to keep up with the pace from his long legs.
When they rounded the corner of the house, and he stopped, she laughed. A lake encircled a little island. Anne pointed to where a folly sat at the crest of a hill. “How do you reach it?”
“By boat.” He indicated a small dock to their left.
Now she was the one tugging hishand. “Let’s go there!”
He chuckled. “The lake doesn’t bring back unpleasant memories?”
“Only if you push me in.”
Expression affronted, he placed a hand over his heart. “I wouldnever.” Then with a wicked grin, he added, “I would have to jump in to rescue you, and I’m particularly fond of this coat.”
Although she knew he was teasing her, she yanked her hand from his and glared at him. “Your coat!”
“And even fonder of the precious cargo the boat held. Now, shall we?”
True to his word, Colin helped her into the tiny boat with exceptional care. As he hopped in to join her, the vessel dipped under his weight, and Anne grabbed onto the sides to balance herself when the boat rocked gently. Giving a push against the dock with an oar, Colin began rowing them to the island.
Ripples of water followed in their wake with each dip and lift of the oars, but Anne was more interested in the bunching of muscles under Colin’s favored coat as he pulled the oars toward him.
She remembered how that muscled flesh appeared as he balanced himself above her, how it felt under her touch, the smell of his skin.
Heat crept up her neck like tendrils and scorched her cheeks.
Across from her, he frowned. “Are you too warm? I worried you would become chilled once we were on the water.”
Unable to meet his direct gaze, she turned away and made a show of watching the rippling water. “No. I simply remembered something.”
He didn’t ask what—for which she was grateful—but from the soft chuckle and sparkle in his eyes, he must have had an inkling.
Safely on the shore of the island and at another little dock, Colin leapt out and secured the boat to a small mooring. “My lady.”
Anne slipped her hand onto Colin’s outstretched palm and stepped from the boat onto the wooden dock.
The folly was even prettier up close than from a distance. The stately pillars formed a circle and supported a domed roof. With nowalls, the structure afforded views of the estate in all directions. Two benches, back-to-back, sat in the middle.
Arm around Anne’s waist, Colin guided her up the moderate incline to the structure. “After getting you safely across, I wouldn’t want you to roll back down and fall into the water.”
She laughed and placed a hand against his chest. “We must protect that precious coat.”
Neither one spoke when they entered the circular structure. Anne roamed from point to point, taking in the breathtaking panoramic sight before her. She stopped to gaze across the lake to the house.
Her home.
Behind her, Colin wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her to his chest. “Do you like it?”
