Not again.
He snapped them open as she stepped into the water and crossed to the center. Using a cherub’s wing for support, she climbed onto its head.
Christian chuckled. “Well, that’s not something you see every day.”
“She’s…” Isaac blinked as she stretched her arm toward the bird, who sat unmoving from its perch on the hand of Venus, just beyond reach. She shifted her footing, going onto her tiptoes on the cherub’s round head.
Incredible. The thought flitted through his mind, there and gone in an instant. “Out of her mind.”
As soon as he spoke, she began to wobble. She jerked her hand down and reached for the wing. Too fast. The movement twisted her and her feet slipped into thin air. With a yelp, she fell backward into the fountain. Her legs flailed, sending water splashing in all directions.
“Are you going to do something, or do I have to be the one to go play hero?” Christian’s dry voice cut through his shock.
Son of a bitch.
Isaac unbuttoned his jacket and tossed it to his friend. “I cannot believe this is happening,” he muttered.
He strode forward. “Miss Montclair, are you alright?”
She stood next to the cherub, brown eyes wide, water running down her face. His gaze followed a stream to where it disappeared beneath her neckline. A surge of heat slid through him—the periwinkle dress clung to her almost as scandalously as her chemise had on the island, once again leaving very little to his imagination.
“Oh dear.” She wrung her hands, her earlier blush spreading from her cheeks all the way down to her chest. Damn. He needed to stop looking there.
With a heavy swallow, he extended his hand. “Come, let me help you out.”
She sloshed over, her face tucked down and took his hand. When she lifted her leg to step out, the weight of her sodden skirts caught on the stone and she pitched forward. He dropped her hand and caught her around the waist, his fingers pressing tight against the wet silk and soft flesh below.
With a grunt, he lifted her free and set her next to him, ignoring the thump of his pulse in the most inconvenient place. He released her and took a step back.
A flutter of green appeared in his peripheral vision and he ducked. Something landed on his shoulder and he nearly swiped the parrot off him.
“Don’t move!” Miss Montclair edged to his side.
He went perfectly still, eyeing the proximity of a sharp beak to his face. “He doesn’t bite, does he?”
“Sometimes.” She reached out and gently took the bird, her knuckles grazing his cheek. “And it’s a she.”
Isaac stayed in place as Samantha ran over with a towel and pulled Miss Montclair toward the house. He lifted his hand and wiped a few drops of water from his cheek as Christian brought him his jacket.
Thank goodness he was leaving, because this exasperating woman threatened complicated feelings. Feelings he didn’t have time for.
Chapter Eight
Josephine yawned andsnuggled deeper in her sheets. The plush mattress and soft bedding might be enough to make her decide to stay abed all day. Yes, definitely the bed. Not the embarrassment from yesterday’s dreadful fountain mishap. Her fingers drifted down to her sides, where she remained quite certain the lieutenant’s handprints had been seared into her skin.
With a sigh, she rolled to face the ceiling, unable to stop the heaviness pressing down on her. He would leave the next morning and shatter all of her ill-formed plans. Destiny, it turned out, did not like being taken in hand. Everything had been ruined, her future no better than it had been back on the island.
No. Though her plans to spend more time with the lieutenant had evaporated, there was still an entire city to explore and new faces to meet. She would make the most of her stay in Savannah.
A knock came from her door and Abigail poked her head inside. “Oh good, you’re awake. I came in earlier but you were still sleeping. Figured you could use the rest after your journey. I’m sure you didn’t sleep well on the ship.” Lola sat perched on her shoulder. “I hope it’s alright I took her down to breakfast with me. She was making a ruckus and I feared she’d awaken you.”
Josephine smiled. “Of course. She was probably upset about missing her morning meal.”
Abigail giggled. “She did steal several pieces of fruit.”
“I hope you’re prepared for her to think you’re now her new best friend. She’s highly motivated by food.”
A wide smile spread across Abigail’s face. “Oh, good, because I adore her.” She reached up and stroked Lola’s green feathers.
