As Nate emerged from the water, Lady Luxton ran forward and held out her arms. “Give him to me!” she demanded. Nate reluctantly handed the child to her. She kissed Henry’s face and squeezed him tightly. “Thank heavens you were here!” She reached to clutch at Nate’s arm. “What would we have done? Henry would have drowned.”
She turned to face Rupert, who still stood frozen. “Youalmost let him drown! What is wrong with you?”
Rupert blinked as if emerging from a trance. “I…I don’t…” He stammered. Then he turned and fled.
“Why was Henry in the lake by himself?” Nate demanded.
“He wasn’t…he was by my side. I only turned my back for a moment. Then, when I looked up, he was in the water. And that oaf did not help!”
“Never mind him. Where is Henry’s nanny? Why wasn’t she watching him?”
“I sent her to fetch his toy boat. He left it at the inn, and he was crying for it.”
Bridget watched this exchange and wondered what she ought to do. She didn’t want to walk away, and neither did she want to stay. “I’m going to check on Rupert. I think he’s had an awful shock,” she said finally.
Lady Luxton turned and glared at her. And it occurred to Bridgetthat she hadn’t even noticed her standing there.
Nate took Henry from Lady Luxton’s arms and said, “Let’s get him inside. He’s shivering.”
“We both are.” Lady Luxton continued to hold onto Nate’s arm, and Bridget watched as the three of them made their way back to Villa De Lacey. As she did, she realized with a sinking heart that Nate still and always would belong to Lady Luxton.
*
After much searching,Bridget found Rupert sitting under a large elm tree in the thicket, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth. He did not look at her as she approached him. Not knowing what else to do, Bridget sat down beside him and waited for him to speak. Perhaps all he needed was a comforting presence. But Rupert made no attempt to acknowledge her. He kept staring ahead, clutching his knees, and rocking back and forth. He seemed to be in a state of shock, and it frightened Bridget.
“Rupert,” she finally said.
He gave no answer.
Bridget couldn’t take the silence any longer. She felt the need to do something—anythingto end the frightening rocking and staring. “You mustn’t feel ashamed,” she said. “You were in shock, and you froze. There’s no shame in that. Lady Luxton was scared. That’s why she said…well, you understand. She was frightened, that’s all. Don’t take it to heart.”
Rupert turned to look at her, but his black eyes seemed blank as though he were staring right through her.
Bridget’s heart quickened. Something felt wrong.
“Henry is going to be fine.” She forced a smile. “He swallowed some water and got a terrible fright, but he is not hurt. You mustn’t worry.”
“He’s drowned, you little twit!” Rupert’s voice had deepened and become someone else’s entirely. “You watched him die, and you didnothing!”
Bridget scrambled to her feet. “Stop,” she said. “You’re scaring me.” She took a step back, but Rupert reached out and grabbed her ankle, sending her plummeting to the ground. She struggled to get free, but he held fast.
*
“Rupert!” The voicewasn’t hers; it came from behind her. “Let her go!”
Charlie was at his brother’s side. He crouched in front of him and shook him by the shoulders. “Let her go!”
Rupert released her, and she backed away from him. Rupert blinked, and then frowned at Bridget as if he had no idea what had just transpired.
“He didn’t mean it,” Charlie said, getting to his feet and helping Bridget up. “Please, it was the shock of seeing that little boy almost drown. I came as soon as I heard.”
Bridget looked down at Rupert, who still sat on the ground, looking confused.
“Are you hurt?” Charlie stepped closer to her. “Did he…”
“No,” Bridget said. “I’m fine. I was frightened, that’s all. He frightened me.”
“He didn’t know what he was doing. He wouldn’t have…it was the shock, you see.” Charlie’s pale face was creased with concern, and his dark brown eyes were soft and sympathetic, quite the opposite of Rupert’s eyes moments earlier. Then she noticed it—a small, but deep scar at the corner of his left eye.
