Page 23 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“Lord Wellspring,” Anna said. “My friend Robert Dickens is enjoying your company. Thank you for making him feel welcome.”

“Robert Dickens?” Evan asked.

“Buttons. His name is Robert Dickens,” Anna said.

Kat swallowed the bittersweet lump in her throat. “I believe it was my mother who decided to call him Buttons. ‘The butler who is as cute as a button,’ she used to say.”

“My sister did have quite a sense of humor for a duchess,” Aunt Justine said.

Alexander blushed. “Buttons…er, Robert, joined us while I painted Katrina earlier today.”

Really, there was no need for Alexander to explain himself or be embarrassed that he enjoyed the company of someone of a lower class. For heaven’s sake, Anna was Kat’s sister-in-law, and the woman had become her dear friend. Sowhy the odd tension in the air, and why were the men shuffling their feet as if uncomfortable?

Kat finally met Evan’s gaze. He was sucking on the inside of his jaw as he often did when lying or being a general scoundrel. The heavy silence was probably his fault—just like everything that had gone wrong the last few days.

A master at conquering the social lull, Aunt Justine waved her hand toward the caravan of colorful wooden carts atop massive wheels, attached to the horses dotting the beach. “Gentlemen, please excuse us. We have a sea-dipping date.”

The men wished them luck and continued toward Yardley Manor.

Aunt Justine clasped Kat’s hand and pulled her onto the pebbles, prattling away. “While we change in the cart, the horses pull it into the water. And there is no need to fret. An experienced dipper helps you with everything.”

Helps? Since she was reasonably certain that the Amazonian-sized women lugging the ladies about in the water were trying to drown their unfortunate victims, Kat snorted.

“You come out on the other side, where an umbrella shields you from public view,” Aunt Justine declared as breezy as if this were not a dangerous undertaking. “’Tis all very respectable.”

And terrifying. Kat wrapped her arms around her torso as they approached a pair of red carts sitting so high off the ground, they required steps to enter.

“Good day.” Aunt Justine waved to the two long-legged women clad in blue wool approaching them.

One bent her knees to peer into Kat’s eyes. “My lady, there ain’t nothin’ to be afraid of. I’m Gertrude, and I’ll take excellent care of you. I’m quite strong.”

Hercules himself would not make Kat feel safe.

The next few minutes were a blur. Anna and Aunt Justine pushed aside a curtain and disappeared into the cart beside them. Beth dragged Kat up the stairs and into a dark wooden box that did nothing to allay Kat’s fears.

“You did not bring a maid to help you change?” Gertrude asked.

“There is no need,” Beth said. She turned in a circle, then posed. “Our new bathing dresses are quite easy to get in and out of.”

“Lovely indeed and so fashionable. What ailment do you suffer from?” Gertrude asked Beth.

“I’ve been gluttonous,” Beth said. “I have not ceased eating sweets since I arrived in Brighton.” She leaned close to whisper, “I also am gluttonous when it comes to men.”

A lady should not go about announcing such indelicate things.

“Elizabeth Fletcher,” Kat reprimanded.

Palms up, Beth shrugged. “How will the dip cure me if I am dishonest?”

Gertrude bobbed her head. “Yes. One must be honest for us to prescribe the correct number of dips. Ten works well for ailments such as yours. Lady Katrina, your nervous affliction will require twelve dips.”

Kat bristled. “I most certainly do not have any ailments or afflictions.”

Beth snorted indelicately.

“You should change,” Gertrude said.

Without hesitation, Beth stripped. Kat struggled to breathe as she removed her boots, stockings, and dress.