Unbidden, her gaze dipped to Ethan’s broad, wet chest. Drops trickled down from his hair and hard jaw to his pectoral muscles and the dark hairs. Water spiked his black eyelashes, enhancing his emerald eyes. He met her gaze, and she focused her attention on a funny-looking cloud. It looked like a dog with an umbrella. How odd.
“I apologise for the intrusion, ladies, but David insisted on coming here,” he said.
“Mama, look.” David put his hands on Ethan’s shoulders.
“Ready?” Ethan asked, dipping into the water.
David nodded, his young face brightening. “As high as you can.”
“What are you two doing?” She tried to understand what David was doing with his feet underwater.
“One, two, three…” Ethan shoved David up and tossed him in the air.
Cora gasped. Harry hooted. David rolled back and dived into the sea, raising a wall of water. Then he disappeared.
“David.” She shot forwards, but David emerged, smiling so widely he showed all his teeth.
“Did you see it?” he asked.
“I did.” She exhaled in relief. “It was incredible.”
“Me.” Harry did the same, yelling as he flew up in the air.
“Again, again,” David and Harry said in chorus.
David jumped in and out of the water, taking turns with Harry. Ethan winced as the muscles around that long, deep scar twitched.
“David, let Lord Stark decide. Don’t be too insistent,” she said.
David composed himself in a moment. “Sorry, Lord Stark.”
“Does your shoulder bother you?” she asked.
“Don’t worry.” Ethan waved David closer. “It’s barely a twinge. I’m more than happy to play.”
“Yes.” David punched the air and jumped again.
Cora laughed. “It seems rather enjoyable.”
“Why don’t you try?” David tugged at her hand. “Would you let her try, sir?”
“Good gracious, no,” Mrs. Parker muttered, rubbing her forehead.
“Ladies don’t have fun, never,” Harry said. “Especially in the sea. It’s something to do with their nerves. The sea upsets them. They’re too delicate.” He cheekily grinned at her.
A dare. And Cora wanted to accept it. “Yes, I’d like to try, if Lord Stark doesn’t mind.”
David elbowed Harry. “I told you my mama isn’t scared of anything.”
Not quite.
Ethan stared at her for a long, intense moment before he joined his hands to form a step. “You place your foot here andyour hands on my shoulders. At the count of three, you push yourself up, and I’ll throw you up. Then gravity will do the rest.”
“Exciting.” She did as she was told, but she hadn’t considered the position brought her quite close to him.
“My lady, please,” Mrs. Parker whispered.
“Just this once, and there isn’t anyone here aside from us.” Cora giggled.
