“Natalie! You scared me to death! Why ever would you jump into the water like that?” She looked over her shoulder and gestured for one of Natalie’s brothers to come and assist them. Thank God it was Stone. At least he possessed a sense of humor.
“I needed to save my p-p-pup-py.” She shivered.
“Stone,” Lady Ravensdale addressed her son. “Get Natalie inside at once.” She glanced at Natalie where she still lay halfway in the water, very close to Lord Hawthorne, and her lips tightened. “Along with everything else we’ve dealt with, we don’t need your sister falling ill.”
But that was not why her mother flailed in such a panic. Glancing down at her dress, Natalie saw that the pink material had turned transparent from the water. No wonder her mother had thrown the blanket over her!
As Stone swooped her up and away from Lord Hawthorne, Natalie looked back for one last glimpse of her hero. Although Darlington had tossed a second blanket on the dry ground beside him, he’d made no move toward it. The poor dear looked poleaxed. But that was not all she noticed. His white linen shirt, now plastered to his chest, revealed the stark definition of his muscular build. The sight of a man ought not be able to make a young lady’s mouth water, but what was a girl to do? It seemed his legs were not the only part of his body so well-honed…
IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES
It took several minutes for Garrett’s racing heart to slow down to a normal pace. Despite being just a few strokes from shallow water, he’d felt utter despair when Natalie’s blonde head disappeared beneath the murky depths. It was insanely stupid of her to jump into the water wearing so many petticoats and skirts. And to save a puppy! Yes, he’d concluded the creature was a beloved pet to her.
In an effort to clear his head, Garrett shook it side to side and drops of water splattered on the ground around him. Her mother had been none too happy with them, and now Darlington hovered about, scowling. Matters were growing complicated—far too complicated.
Garrett accepted Viscount Darlington’s outstretched hand and allowed the man to pull him free of the mud he’d been wallowing in. Damned if his legs didn’t feel just a little shaky.
“My sister has some explaining to do,” Darlington groused. Natalie’s oldest brother spoke evenly, stoically, in fact, but just then, a shudder ran through him. He’d obviously realized the danger his sister had been in. Darlington bent forward toretrieve the blanket and tossed it at Garrett. “My family owes you our thanks. The lake is clouded with mud this time of year, and once a person becomes submerged…”
“She believed her pet to be drowning,” Garrett interjected matter-of-factly as he wrapped the blanket around his shoulders. Now that his adrenaline had passed, the chill of the water was setting in. “Damn, I liked these boots,” he added, looking downward.
“I was unaware, as was the rest of my family, that my sister owned a pet.” Darlington began walking toward the front of the manor with Garrett. “Of all the foolish things to do…”
Garrett, for some reason, felt it necessary to defend her actions. “She must hold a depth of feeling for the little rascal.” The image of horror on her face just before she jumped convinced him of this. His boots made a squishing sound with each step he took. Thank God she had not been alone. Perhaps ladies ought not to float about on lakes in multiple layers of fabric and lace.Damn society and damn fashion.
Upon reaching the steps, Garrett sat and attempted to remove his boots. It would not serve well to traipse boot-loads of lake water onto the shiny parquet floors for the servants to clean. Viscount Darlington, understanding the difficulties involved in removing a snug-fitting pair of hessians, went down on his haunches and tugged on one of the offending articles. Garrett once again marveled at this family. They lived in complete opposition to the notions his father had valued. Not often did the heir to an earldom perform valet services.
“My thanks, Darlington.”
The viscount nodded cordially, and the two men proceeded into the house. The viscount stalked in the direction of the study while Garrett climbed the stairs to change into dry attire. Not in any way accustomed to having the service of a valet, Garrett was pleasantly surprised to find Marcus alreadypreparing a hot bath and warming towels for him in his quarters. The thoughtfulness brought a calm to Garrett he had not often felt. At least some small things in his life were in order.
NATALIE KEPT QUIET
Natalie kept quiet while Tinny assisted her with a long, hot bath and then combed out her hair by the fire. Tinny didn’t press her nor scold her. Although Natalie insisted she was fine, that there was no harm done from Baby Bear’s escape, the older woman remained in an unusually contrite mood.
She’d uttered not a single protest when Natalie asked for one of the dresses from her trousseau. And those gowns had not been designed to be worn by an unmarried girl.
Natalie needed a little extra confidence tonight.
This particular one, made up of a deep brown satin, featured shiny gold embroidery at the hem and around the bodice. The dress, designed to be worn without a petticoat, was refined and stylish. It was something only a married woman might wear or perhaps a widow even.
Turning to admire herself in the looking glass, Natalie’s spirits dipped when her mother entered. Most likely Lady Ravensdale came to scold her.
Except that…her mother wore a look of unexpected approval when their eyes met in the mirror. Lady Ravensdale raised her eyebrows. “I must say I like this outfit more than the confection you wore earlier.”
“Tinsdale selected the pink.” Natalie inserted just enough disapproval in her tone for her mother to understand. “It is what happens when a lady is dressed by the same person who also once changed her nappies.”
Lady Ravensdale’s chin rose slightly before dropping in an understanding nod. She then glanced around the room as though searching for something. “And the pup? Are you to blame his appearance on poor Mrs. Tinsdale as well?”
She would not rat Tinny out in that respect. Natalie faced her mother directly. She stood straight, tall, and proud. “Baby Bear is mine. I found him, and I am taking care of him.”
Lady Ravensdale looked about the room again. “And where,” she asked pointedly, “is Baby Bear now?”
Oh, botheration! Of course her mother would pounce upon this. “Tinsdale offered to take him outside.” Recalling the woman’s profuse apologies from earlier, Natalie could not help but defend herself. “Tinsdale’s grown rather fond of Baby Bear.”
Lady Ravensdale took a seat on a velvet-covered chair near the window. Leaning forward, she rubbed her forehead as though to dispel a megrim. “My darling, I know you are unhappy with the way this summer has materialized. I know you are frustrated at your present circumstances, but really, must you jump into the lake in the middle of my garden party?”
More guilt! She had not meant to embarrass her mother.
