Duncan blinked through the haze in his brain. He didn’t want to risk betraying his thoughts. He chose to shrug instead. He held out a hand for wine and food and it was granted.
She leaned toward his ear, “today’s ride was tough. Dae ye feel dirty?”
Duncan had several ideas why she would be dirty, and none of them had to do with dust or actual dirt. “Aye, after last night, certainly.” His hoarse voice was put into good use, suggestive as hell. The woman smacked his back. He gave her a cheeky grin and filled his mouth with wine.
A rambunctious story about a randy man and his sneaky lover came to an end, leaving the small circle in an uproar. Then, most of the men got to their feet and started to walk toward the lake. Clothes were thrown off.
Jo’s eyes widened before she quickly lowered them. Her face was the same color as the wine. Duncan found her shyness endearing, so much that his heart gave a delighted squeeze. He leaned closer, wanting to tease those colors higher up her cheek.
“Ye’re shy, after seein’ everythin’?”
“Who saw what?!” she threw back at him.
“I’m quite memorable, ye cannae forget so quickly.”
She inhaled deeply and rolled her eyes to the heavens, “and thickheaded,” she muttered for his ears alone.
“Ye speak nonsense.” After a moment, she added, “Memorable ismename.”
Duncan’s throat tightened, first at her tone and second, at the image her words painted. He stood, “Come with me.”
“Nay, why?” she asked, full of suspicion and determinedly not looking toward the bathing men.
Duncan measured the distance between them and the lake. Stifling a laugh, he grabbed her by the waist and threw over his shoulder. While she kicked and yowled, he ran toward the water. In an instant, he had dunked her body into the water.
She surged up from the water, shaking her hair and spitting out danger. She lounged for the grinning man. “I dinnae own others clothes!” she shrieked, slapping handfuls of water at him.
“The weather is dry, ye’ll be fine by mornin’.” If it was possible, that grin got cheekier. He seemed quite pleased with himself. Grace chased him about, her strokes firm and strong. It was in the midst of doing this that she realized the real intention behind this. Earlier, she’d complained about being dirty. Truly, she did feel like the dust was clinging to her skin. The ridehadbeen much faster and agitated.
Hearing their happy shrieks, the other men decided to join the merriment. They’d opted for a bath by the bank at first.
Bryce jumped in, without his shirt and shoes, emerging shortly after. His gaze went straight to the man who stood by the sidelines observing their childish play. Grace thought that was what Craig’s face showed. He appeared to be repulsed by the men splashing about the former peaceful lake.
“Come in!” Bryce called.
Craig shook his head and crossed his arms, “Into the dirty human soup? Nae.”
Bryce gasped at the affront. “Ye jus’ wait,” he exclaimed. Throwing powerful strokes, Bryce reached the bank and ducked out of the water. Craig stood his ground and Grace saw he didn’t really expect Bryce to do anything.
The three men were predictable, to an extent. For risky ventures, Duncan would be the lead. For safe, solid plans, Bryce was the one to answer. He was a cautious person, whose question regarding her place in Duncan’s life still bothered her. She’d been chilled by the look in his eyes.
Dunk!!!
Craig was slammed into the water. Beside him, Bryce shouted his victory. The moon and firelight were enough for Grace to see the concern traipsing across Duncan’s features. He’d stoppedsplashing water at her face. Instead, he swam toward the place were Craig was dunked.
“Craig?” he arched a glance at Bryce who’d stopped laughing. Craig was yet to emerge.
“Tis a joke,” Bryce laughed. It sounded hollow.
“What joke?” Duncan tossed at him. “Craig cannae swim.”
He dove under and Grace followed, squelching the panic in her heart. She’d had a pet cat once. The poor thing had wondered from the house to the little lake nearby. She was found floating atop the water. The animal’s death punctured a hole in her chest. After she had made the entire family, consisting of her father, Harris, Mr. Williams and some servants, bury the cat’s body, Grace diligently learned to swim.
This was much worse and so was her fear. From the other end, she searched with the men under the dark murky water. Craig’s name filled the air. Confusion laced Grace’s thoughts. He’d just been there. He couldn’t have floated far. They were running out of time.
Every time she came up for air, it was to see that Duncan appeared a bit more frantic. “We’ll find him,” Grace called to him. His eyes flickered very briefly to her, before ducking under. She did the same, chasing grass and tiny fish from her view. It was a negligible flicker at first, something grey floating downwards. Grace stretched her hand and grabbed it.
Her hands wrapped around a wrist. Shouting his relief, Duncan helped and they brought him to the shore. Duncan pressed his chest, listened to his heart, pounded his chest once more. Through all this, Bryce appeared extremely contrite. He kept rubbing his hands together, watching Duncan attempt to resuscitate Craig. Duncan’s men stopped swimming to help.
