Jane exhaled shakily and slipped away from him, quickly returning to the blanket.
Thomas watched her walk away as he tried to cull the lust within himself before joining them. Jane handed him a glass of lemonade, turning back to Reuben as he picked up another sandwich. Suddenly, she frowned and tilted her head, looking as though something was amiss.
Moments later, she asked, “Darling, where is your hat?”
Reuben stared at her for a moment, then he gasped suddenly and put both of his hands on his head. Thomas glanced behind them at the areas they had played, spotting the hat moments later.
He’d stared to rise up but Jane moved quicker, urging him to remain seated.
“I’ll get it, do not worry.”
Thomas nodded, opting to watch Reuben in her absence. She had only been gone a minute or two when he heard a loud splash and when he turned back, Jane was gone.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Jane!”
It had been such a silly little accident, Jane thought they would laugh about it afterwards.
A particularly strong breeze had blown the had a few feet away, out of Jane’s reach just as she had attempted to pick it up. She only intended to move after it quickly to prevent what had happened to take place again, but it would seem she had not only underestimated the closeness to the lake, but also failed to note of the obstacles in her path.
And so, she tripped, and fell into the lake.
It was a shocking occurrence, but she was not far from the shore so she tried to swim back, only for strong arms to wrap around her and pull her out of the lake. She resurfaced with a gasp, coughing up water as she clung to him, still trying to process what had just transpired.
“Easy,” Thomas prompted gently. “Breathe slowly, not too deeply or you could choke.”
Jane did as he instructed, swallowing around the lump in her throat before inhaling slowly. Soon, her breathing evened out and she told him shakily,
“I-I'm fine. So, you can let me –”
He ignored her, walking back to the blanket as he snapped at his valet.
“Take Reuben back to the estate, James. Now.”
The valet reached for Reuben but the child stepped way from his grasp, trying to see if Jane was all right, but Thomas did not stop walking, carrying Jane back in the direction of the estate.
“I really am all right now, Thomas. You can let me go. It was just a small mishap – our wonderful day doesn’t have to end because of it,” she tried to convince him.
“It is already over.” He told her coldly as he carried her the rest of the way into the house.
Mrs Greene was shocked at the state of the duchess but before she could kick up a fuss, the duke ordered.
“Have a fire lit up in the drawing room and then bring some blankets, along with a basin of hot water and a fresh pot of tea.”
He took Jane to the drawing room, lowering her onto a settee as a maid walked in, her arms laden with blankets. Thomas took them from her and she turned her attention to the fire place, quickly trying to get a strong flame going.
Jane thought Thomas’s reactions were a bit... much, over a small accident that had not really caused any harm. She was about to make another attempt to convince him that she was just fine, despite what he believed, but as he pulled the blankets over her, she couldn’t help but notice his hands were shaking.
This discovery surprised her and she couldn’t help but feel bad that she had caused him so much worry. But before she could speak, he stood, apparently satisfied with his work to help her regain her body warmth and he took his leave.
Jane thought he would be back soon, but every time someone opened the door, it was not him who stepped through it.
The hot water arrived and she was told to soak her feet in it while she sipped her tea before the fire. Eventually, Reuben arrived, escorted by his nanny.
Jane pouted as he flung himself into her arms, undoubtedly as worried about her as his father had been, so she wasted no time soothing him.
“I'm all right, I'm all right,” she assured him, stroking his back slowly. “I promise you; I am just fine. I am sorry we couldn’t enjoy our picnic to the fullest. We will do so next time; you have my word.”
