“I can lean against the railing,” Molly answered.
While waiting for the maid to remove her shoe, Dara took stock of her surroundings. Even though it was a bit early for the fashionable world to promenade around, there were a good number of people out and about. A group of dandieswho always overdressed for a mere walk in the park were huddled together while one shared some story. There was a shout of male laughter, and they all moved closer to the speaker as if not wanting to miss a word.
Other women walked with servants, and there were families out with the nurses for a stroll. The children ran ahead or in circles, enjoying being outside.
On the other side of the bridge, on a nice patch of grass, two men were apparently discussing a horse. The animal was a handsome bay. There were also a number of carriages with their tops down.
And Dara realized that she should have been paying attention to the world around her instead of stewing in her own thoughts. It was one of those summer days that made one happy to be alive—
The thought froze in Dara’s mind as she realized the rider on the horse was Mr. Brogan.
Of course. Here she was, finally feeling as if all was not lost, and he appears. The man was an annoying pest.
She frowned. The path would take her right by him. She wasn’t ready to face him yet. She needed to be composed, sophisticated...distant.
At least she now knew he wasn’t at Lady Whitby’s... although he could be there later. She refused to let herself think about it. Or him.Or that Elise was probably anxiously waiting for him to arrive—
“I’m ready to walk, Miss,” Molly said.
“I’ve changed my mind. I wish to return to the house.” Dara pivoted and started back the way they came. She ran the chance that a caller might see her. Well, so be it—
A woman screamed and began shouting, “My baby! Help!” She stood on the very edge of the Serpentine’s bank, her arms reaching out.
Dara’s heart caught in her throat when she saw why the woman was in a panic. About ten feet from the shore, a child of no more than three or four was flailing in the water. Little hands reached up as if to grasp hold of air even as its head sunk below the surface, and then nothing. The water closed over the child.
Turning to the dandies who had wandered over to see what was happening, Dara begged, “One of you go after the child.”
They looked at her in horror. The tallest mumbled he couldn’t swim and, “Who knows how deep it is?”
Another just shuddered his response and advised her to send for the Humane Society. It was a good suggestion. The Royal Humane Society kept boats at hand for just such rescues—but how long would it take to summon them?
How long did the child have now that it was underwater?
The sobs of the mother had set off an alarm to everyone within hearing distance, and yet Dara realized no one was coming to help, at least not in time. They craned their necks, and some ran over, but there was no action.
She glanced at where the child had gone under and knew she could not stand on this grassy section of bank and wait. She knew too well the danger.
Dara could also swim. Her father had taught her. He’d insisted. Swimming wasn’t her favorite thing to do, but she was too aware of what would happen if no one did anything.
She tore off her bonnet, heedless of pins. She dropped it and her reticule on the ground, shouting at Molly to watch her things, and leaped into the water.
Chapter Eleven
A lady should always speak, sit, and move with elegance and propriety.
The Rules (according to Dara)
A lady should be more than a mere chair cushion.
Tweedie’s response for breaking such a rule
The water was deeper and colder than Dara had anticipated. Her heart seemed to stop as she tried to adjust to the temperature. No wonder the child had run into trouble.
Water filled her shoes, weighing her down. What was she doing? This was madness.
And then a calm voice inside her said,Save the child.
Doubt was replaced with a fierce determination.
