Chapter 11 #2
“It’s not their fault they stumbled upon us,” he was saying, “but their gossip will do us no favors. I don’t care what is said about me, but I’ll not have you maligned.
” He turned to adjust his clothing. “They’ll not be cheap, as I’m certain we’re the most fascinating thing they’ve ever come upon whilst fishing.
Have they recognized you, do you think?”
“I can’t see their faces. Possibly.”
“Either way, everyone has a price. I’ll send them on their way with pockets full. Then, I’ll swim for the boat. After that,
I’ll fetch you from this island. Will you be alright for ten minutes?”
“Yes.”
He turned back. “Danielle?”
She pushed up on her elbows. “Yes?”
He hesitated, shook his head, said nothing. He opened and closed his hands at his sides, he wiggled his fingers, but he did
not reach for her. His expression was cautious, and repentant, and a little afraid.
“Yes?” she repeated.
He shook his head again and she let out a shivery sigh.
“I can manage,” she told him and looked away. She did not want him to be cautious, and repentant, and afraid. She wanted him
to be bold and eager. She wanted him to want her, despite the complicated circumstances that brought them together. The betrothal.
The mansion. Her heritage, whatever it was.
Of all the things Dani wanted in that moment—beginning with dry clothes and ending with clarity from her parents—his desire
for her should matter the least. She knew this. And yet—
“Go before they run,” she said, sitting up. “I’m perfectly safe here.”
He began to back away. “Do not attempt to swim,” he ordered. “Your skirts are too heavy. I’ll return shortly with the boat. We’ll get you sorted. Try to peel off your shoes if you can?”
She took a deep breath, brushed her hands together, and stared at her feet. She nodded.
He whipped the hair out of his eyes and looked to the opposite shore. “You lot! Fishermen,” he shouted to the boys. “I’ve
an offer for you. Stay where you are, I’m coming to you.”
He assumed the position of a dive and then speared his body into the water. The pond swallowed him with a small splash, and
he was gone. She heard noises of shock and awe from the boys on the opposite shore.
Indeed, Dani thought, reaching for the first sodden shoe. She peeled off the satin slipper—they were ruined, to be sure—and glanced
up, watching the surface of the pond where he’d disappeared. He crested the water yards out, his face turned to the side to
breathe, strong arms arching through the air. He swam with strong, efficient strokes. Geese darted from his path. On the shore,
the boys had begun to inch backward.
He was on his feet five yards from the shore, trudging from the depths like Poseidon. Water sluiced down his sinewy body;
his shirt was translucent, sticking to his muscled chest. He flipped his hair again, spraying droplets. The boys froze at
the sight, huddled together with pails and poles.
Dani stopped watching. He was beautiful and commanding but also the source of so many questions. He’d made this revelation—she
could not deny this colossal “thing” had been revealed. But there was so much more to understand.
Across the water, she heard the rise and fall of his voice, but the words were not clear.
She stared at her feet. The satin of her second shoe had dyed her foot purple.
Or perhaps that was simply the color of her skin when it was puckered by cold pond water.
So many things in Dani’s life felt suddenly cold and puckered.
She heard a shout and looked up. The boys were running excitedly into the trees, pails swinging at their sides, and the captain
dove back into the water. He cut a fast line to the boat, his strokes strong.
Dani sighed. Of course nothing about her had changed with his great revelation. Her alleged royal identity felt no different
than her everyday life. What felt very different—what felt remarkable and exciting—was the presence of Captain Bannock. He
had the courage to tell her what no one else had. He listened to her; he seemed to be interested in what she had to say. He
would share the potential of Eastwell Park with her. And, of course, he was undeniably attractive; imposing and strong and
masculine.
So what came next? Dani had no idea. She wanted to kiss him again but he behaved so strangely every time they kissed. And
the details of their betrothal remained vague. She was not against marrying him; even without the promise of Eastwell Park,
she was not against it. But she would like to know more about why.
At the moment, she knew only that her hat was lost, her shoes were ruined—her dress was ruined. Her hair was unbound and dripping.
Miriam and Whittle would be shocked and appalled but oh, how prepared she was to go toe-to-toe with the two of them. Her future
with Captain Bannock might be blurry, but she had twenty years of history with Miriam and Whittle, and this night it would
come sharply into focus. The condition of her clothes and hair was insignificant compared to the reckoning the three of them
would have.
“Did you remove your shoes?” called the captain from across the pond. He’d recovered the boat and begun to punt in her direction.
“I can wade out to you,” she called back.
“No, no. I’ll land the boat on the beach and help you. Stand back. Mind the rock and driftwood. The water is murky; God only
knows what it conceals.”
“Yes,” she said on a sigh, watching him as he pushed his way to her. “Murk. God only knows what it conceals.”