Still she swam, not wanting to surface too soon. Spots swam before her eyes, and her arms and legs grew numb. Harder she pushed until finally she could go no farther without air.
With a quick upward thrust, she broke the surface of the water. She gulped in air then kicked below the water once more.
A hand gripped her shirt and yanked upward. She came up gasping again.
“It’s all right now,” Ridge said in her ear.
She went limp against him, her chest heaving with exertion. She chanced a look over her shoulder, surprised to see so much distance between them and the ship.
“Over there,” Ridge said, pointing to the shoreline.
They swam, the current tugging them, until they were close enough to heave themselves onto the muddy bank.
India rolled over on her back and closed her eyes. Her energy was spent. They laid there a long while, neither speaking. Their harsh breaths could be heard over the swirl of the water and the distant sounds of the city.
Finally Ridge sat up. “Are you all right?”
She nodded, unable to form a coherent sentence.
He pushed himself up then extended a hand down to her. She grasped it and he pulled her up to stand beside him. Water dripped from her clothing, and goose pimples dotted every inch of her body.
She looked down at her shirt in dismay then promptly crossed her arms across her bosom. “Any idea where we are?”
He shook his head then looked around. “We’ll walk to the nearest road. Hopefully we aren’t too far from the posting inn where Robby dropped a bag for us.”
He held out a hand to her, and after only a slight hesitation, she slipped her hand into his and allowed him to lead her forward.
“Now who is this Lord Clarence?” she asked as they walked.
Ridge sighed. “He’s a leech. His primary accomplishments are stealing accomplishments from others.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a nice chap.”
“He feigns interest in antiquities and archaeology, not because of a passion for history, but out of greed.”
“A grave robber.”
Ridge glanced sideways at her. “I suppose you could liken him to one.”
“So you think he’s after Pagoria?”
“If there is rumor of treasure, then yes, he is interested.”
“But isn’t that why you are interested?”
He stopped then looked at her, something remarkably like hurt flickering in his eyes. She sighed. Was there a rule that stated she must say the wrong thing at the wrong time?
“I’m sorry, Ridge.”
“Of course, that is what you must think of me,” he said.
He dropped her hand and continued walking forward.
“No, it isn’t,” she said softly. “Not anymore.”
Chapter Sixteen
They posed a bedraggled sight, walking toward the posting inn where Ridge had made arrangements for horses. India continued to wring water from her shirt as they trudged the last few steps to the stables.
