Page 21 of A Perfect Engagement
“I’ve got you. Stop kicking. I’ve got you.”
Charlotte’s panic subsided somewhat. She coughed up more water. Then she leaned back against Daniel’s shoulder. She could feel his legs kicking as he trod water, keeping them both afloat. Relieved, she noted Susanna had made it into the other boat which floated about twenty feet away. All she could see was Susanna’s booted feet in the air and her mass of blue skirts. Rivenhall must have yanked her in at the last second, landing her face down on the floor of the craft. He peered across at them with concern.
“Are you two all right?” Rivenhall asked.
“Yes—” Daniel started.
“No! I am not all right!” Charlotte called out indignantly. She’d almost drowned. Her dress was ruined. She reached up, ripping the soaking wet bonnet off her head. The silk flowers were destroyed and covered in green algae. Ruined. She could hear shouts from the shore. Still clinging to Daniel, she turned in his arms, looking over his shoulder. A crowd of about a dozen people gathered along the shore gawking at them. She buried her face in Daniel’s jacket with a groan.
Susanna, who finally righted herself, knelt with hands on the side of the boat and a pained expression on her face. “Sorry,” she shouted.
Daniel moved Charlotte next to him and began to move them toward the shore with one arm around her waist; he used the other to push through the water. “Lovely morning for a swim, don’t you think?” The man actually grinned.
Maybe it was that blasted dimple or maybe because of the amusement shining in his eyes, but Charlotte’s anger started to recede. Her lips curled up into a smile. She used her fingers to push back dripping hair from his brow. How did he meet disaster with such good humor?
“Thanks. Here, I think you can touch the bottom now.” He stopped, and sure enough, when she put her feet down, she could touch the bottom. They stood there for a moment, eyes locked, his arm still wrapped tightly around her waist. Even though she should be cold from the frigid water, the length of his body pressed against hers suffused her with heat. His eyes roamed her face, landing on her mouth. His fingers at her waist flexed. He was going to kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her. Would his lips be as hot as the hand at her back? Shocked at her traitorous thoughts, she jerked back from his grip. Unfortunately, as she attempted to move away, her wet dress hindered any leg movement, and she stumbled in slow motion.
Daniel’s arm came around her once more, and this time, he scooped her up with one hand under her knees. “You’ll never make it out with these skirts.” He began slogging to shore.
They emerged from the water slowly right into the knot of guests who stood on the grassy bank. Charlotte’s face flamed. “We are all right. Just a mishap. Nothing to worry about.”
“Let’s get you up to the house. You must be freezing.” Daniel didn’t pay any attention to their gawkers. He plowed directly through them, guests stepped back quickly from his path or risked getting wet.
“You can’t carry me all the way to the house!” she squeaked. She was not lightweight under normal circumstances, but with the addition of yards of soaking wet fabric, she would be even more cumbersome. She squirmed, trying to wiggle out of his arms.
“Why not? You doubt my strength?” He strode across the lawns.
“I’m a waterlogged mess. I must weigh a ton,” she protested. Would the embarrassment never end?
“Hardly.” He bounced her up several inches into the air then caught her with ease. She shrieked in surprise. “You are light as a feather to me.” He tossed her up again. This time the sound which escaped her came out more like a crazed giggle. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
“Don’t do that again.” She tried to look stern. But he just grinned like a fool; clearly, he was having too much fun. He continued to carry her up to the terrace without any sign of strain. He wasn’t out of breath even the tiniest bit as he set her feet down on the flagstones. She pushed at wet strands of hair that fell in her face. “Gah! I must resemble a drowned rat!”
Daniel reached out and pushed back a dripping chunk of hair from her brow. His fingers ran lightly down her cheek.
“No, I’m sorry to say, it’s tragic…” he shook his head, “but you still look beautiful, even sopping wet.”
She rolled her eyes and brushed off his comment. “We can’t walk through the house dripping water. It’s bad enough half the guests have seen me like this.”
Daniel stepped back and gave a great shake like a dog after a bath before slicking back his hair. “Perhaps the servant stairs? Is there another door to get inside?”
“Yes, of course. This way.” She hefted her sodden skirts and started toward the left side of the house. Her ankles were showing no doubt, but she wasn’t going to give Daniel any more reasons to carry her around. She stumbled once, but his strong hand grasped her elbow and steadied her. He didn’t let go but instead walked close as they approached the big wooden door which opened into the kitchen.
As they entered, the bustle of the kitchen came to an abrupt standstill. Greer and six of his kitchen staff stood open-mouthed in shock. Charlotte quickly released her skirts and gave them a small wave. Daniel was standing so close behind her, she could hear his quiet chuckle. Really! There was nothing funny about this whole embarrassing ordeal. Her falling into the lake would be gossip for weeks. Somehow though, Daniel’s silent laughter became infectious. As Greer babbled, “Miss Charlotte, w-what? In God’s name…W-why??” Charlotte found herself giggling. She took pity on poor Greer.
“We had a boating accident. I’m fine, just wet. We are going to sneak up the back stairs if that’s all right.”
Nobody had moved, all the servants paused in mid-task like some crazy tableau, stared with wide eyes at the two of them making puddles on the floor. She glanced over her shoulder at Daniel. His twitching lips barely contained his mirth. She put a hand over her mouth to stifle another giggle.
“We’ll just go upstairs to change.” She grabbed Daniel’s hand and pulled him across the room toward the stairs. With every step he took, his shoes made a loud squishing sound that echoed in the silent room. Daniel paused halfway across to address Greer.
“Could you have Mrs. Brewster organize baths for both Miss Grisham and me, please? We don’t want to smell like the lake at dinner.”
Charlotte giggled again. Tugging on his hand, they stumbled to the stairs. She had to gather her skirts once again into a large sodden bundle to climb the narrow servants’ stairs, but Daniel kept a firm hand on her back as they ascended. By the time they reached the top of the stairs, they were both full out laughing. Her worries about what everyone would think about the incident were almost forgotten until her mother approached. She barreled down the corridor toward them at full speed. Charlotte’s mood immediately sobered, and she let her skirts fall to the floor, running her hand over the wet fabric to smooth it down. Daniel stopped short right behind her as he too spotted her mother.
“Lord Almighty, what’s happened? I was informed you fell into the lake!” Her mother scowled at her, hands on her hips.
Daniel stepped out next to Charlotte. “It is true, Lady Markham, our boat overturned. You may blame me for my poor boating skills. I shall stick to entertainments on dry land from now on.”
