Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Thomas asked as he walked with Vivian to the edge of the lake.
It was the day after his grandmother’s ball, and much to Thomas’s frustration, Vivian had decided that she wanted to try fishing.
Of all things, why did she have to choose this?
Her hair was tied in a bun, and she wore a pretty blue dress Thomas had never seen before. There was something different about her that he could not quite place. She had been beautiful before, but there was something in her bearing.
It was as if she were more at home in her own skin. Thomas frowned, trying to make sense of it while also being prepared to catch her lest she slip on the mud and fall.
“For the last time, Thomas, yes. I definitely want to try fishing. Your cousin loves it, and it is a beautiful day. Look, the sun is shining.” Vivian pointed at the blue sky above them.
There was not a cloud in sight, and the sunlight was warm on their skin, despite the brisk breeze. Thomas glanced at the lake in front of them, at the small waves that the wind worked up.
He nodded toward it. “The lake will be freezing.”
“Then it is a good thing I do not plan on swimming in it.” She gave him a sweet smile that was all daggers and continued walking.
“It will involve a lot of waiting around.” Thomas fell into step beside her. “Hours of it, and that is if we are lucky.”
Vivian shrugged. “I can be patient.”
“It will be boring. You will not be able to read your book.” Thomas gestured to the book he had brought with him. “You will need to pay attention to the line.”
“I am sure I will find some way to amuse myself. I can always talk to your cousin.” Vivian gestured toward the dock where Dominic waited for them.
Thomas warned. “The fish might be strong.”
“I think I can handle it,” Vivian sighed.
Thomas pointed to the ground around them. “It will be muddy; you could ruin your shoes.”
“These are old anyway.” To his frustration, she remained completely undeterred. “You are the one who encouraged me to figure out what I want, Thomas. So that is what I am doing.”
I did say that, but why must she insist on doing something both boring and potentially dangerous?
Thomas gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. “You will note that neither Charlotte nor Andrea has joined us.”
“Just because they do not enjoy it does not mean I will not,” Vivian replied.
Thomas looked at the water dubiously, thinking of just how easy it would be for Vivian to fall in. “Are you sure you do not want to do something else?”
“Quite sure, Thomas. I am sure your cousin and I will have a wonderful time, and that I will love fishing. And at the very least, even if I do not, it will be nice to get some fresh air.” Vivian waved to Dominic as they reached the dock, taking his hand as he helped her up the stairs.
“Ah, Elington—have you decided to join us? I am afraid I have only two rods.” Dominic gestured to the tackle spread across the dock.
“Do not worry, Dorson, I am simply spectating.” Thomas held up his book. “I will be over here, reading.”
“He is worried something might happen to me.” Vivian rolled her eyes, but Thomas thought he saw a smile flit across her face.
“You will be perfectly safe, I promise.” Dominic bowed to her.
Thomas sat down on a nearby bench and opened his book. The bench was close enough to the dock that he could easily keep an eye on things.
He turned a page, barely taking in the words as he tried not to look up at his wife.
She wants to fish; fine, let her fish.
Vivian yelped, and Thomas looked up in time to see her yank her hand back from the bag of bait on the floor. “They are alive!”
Dominic made an apologetic gesture. “Ah, yes, I should have warned you. We use live bait as it helps attract the fish.”
“If touching the worms is too much for you, we can always return to the castle,” Thomas called with a half smile on his face.
“I thought you wanted to read your book?” Vivian pointed to the book in his lap.
“I am,” Thomas replied.
“How skilled a reader you must be to be able to read whilst not even looking at the page.” Vivian arched an eyebrow at him.
“If you hold that worm much tighter, you will squash it.” Thomas gestured to the worm that was wriggling in her hand.
“You are welcome to do it yourself if you think you would do a better job.” Vivian gestured to the hook in her hand.
“And deprive you of the experience you so desperately wanted? Perish the thought.” Thomas looked back down at his book.
He heard Vivian mutter something distinctly unladylike under her breath, and only just managed not to smile. Though he tried not to, he could not help but keep glancing up at her to see how she was getting on.
The tip of her tongue poked out from her mouth, and when she finally managed to get the worm on the hook, she let out a shriek of delight that sent a rush of warmth through his body.
She looked like a schoolgirl who had just found the best treasure. A smile threatened to steal onto his face, and Thomas hastily returned to his book.
“And now, it is time to cast out.” Dominic’s voice drifted to him, and Thomas looked up in time to see Dominic demonstrate the technique.
He watched as Vivian tried to imitate his cousin, clearly struggling with the rod’s length and weight, but determined to do it herself.
Has she always been this stubborn?
Dominic watched the set of her jaw and the way she placed her feet. Every muscle in her body seemed tense, and though it took her a few attempts, she eventually managed to cast the line out.
She turned to face him with a broad smile on her face. “I told you I could do it.”
“Well done, now all you have to do is wait until you catch a fish.” Thomas gestured to the line, keeping his face even as he felt a well of pride on his wife’s behalf.
She turned away from him, and he went back to his book. Perhaps I was worried about nothing. After all, Dorson is here, and he would not let anything happen to her. He suspected that Vivian would soon grow tired of fishing.
It was not the most thrilling of sports, and as he watched her watching the line, he had a sneaking suspicion that much of her conviction stemmed from his own attempts at dissuading her.
Is this what things will be like from now on? She had not tried to kiss him again, not since that night, and he told himself he was relieved.
Maybe her increased stubbornness chipped away at his relief. After all, while he enjoyed her fire, he did not want to see her get hurt because of it.
He sighed and returned to his book, realizing that he had been reading the same line over and over.
“You have a bite!” Dominic’s voice echoed around them as Vivian let out a yelp and grabbed the rod. “Quick, reel it in.”
Thomas was on his feet, his book forgotten on the bench. He watched as Vivian struggled with the rod, her face red with exertion. His heart sped up, and he moved toward her.
“It must be enormous!” Vivian cried out as she fought with the fish.
“Keep going,” Dominic called as he fetched a net. “Pull!”
Thomas watched as Vivian heaved the rod. There was a splash, and then a silver fish lay flopping on the deck. Vivian clapped her hands in delight, and Thomas felt his heart settle back down.
Until the fish flipped up and hit Vivian. She dropped the rod as she shrieked in alarm. It tumbled toward the lake, and as she grabbed for it, she stumbled. Thomas lunged forward, but he was too far.
Her arms windmilled furiously, and then she was in the water, sinking below the surface. Bubbles popped up, but she did not emerge.
“Vivian!” Thomas sprinted and dove in after her.
The water was icy cold. It stole all the air from his lungs, but he did not care. The only thing on his mind was Vivian. He squinted in the murky water and spotted a flash of blue.
He struck out toward her and realized that her dress had been tangled in some debris on the lake floor. Her eyes widened when she saw him, fear clear on her face.
He grabbed the tangled fabric and tugged it free, wrapping his arms around Vivian and kicking off from the floor. Their heads broke the surface together, and he sucked in a breath.
She coughed and spluttered, and he held her tight as he swam back to the shore with her. The cold air stung his lungs, and he heard her teeth chatter as he lifted her from the water.
“Get to the house and have them light a fire and fetch us some towels and warm clothes.” Thomas barked at Dominic, who nodded and sprinted back toward the manor.
“Are you all right?” Thomas murmured, cradling Vivian in his arms. “Were you hurt?”
Vivian coughed and shook her head. “I could not come untangled. Do you think your cousin will be upset that I lost his rod?”
“Rods are replaceable. You are not.” Thomas tightened his grip on her, feeling her lean against his neck.
He stomped across the lawn, moving as fast as he dared on the slick and muddy ground. He could not tell if the thundering heart he felt was his or hers. His breath fogged up the air around them.
“You are shivering,” Vivian murmured.
“So are you.” Thomas focused on holding her in his arms, on not letting her drop. “We are nearly at the house, though; we will get you warm and dry.”
The house was a flurry of commotion as servants rushed forward, fussing over Vivian and Thomas.
“There is a fire in the drawing room for you, Elington.” Dominic called over the throng of servants. “It will save you the long trek to the Eastern wing.”
Thomas nodded. The castle was so large that even at a run it would take him precious minutes to get to their room, and as Vivian shivered harder in his arms, he did not want to waste even a moment.
Safety first, then privacy. He refused to let her go, carrying her into the drawing room and helping her out of her sodden coat.
He turned and glared at anyone approaching the room as the servants helped Vivian disrobe, wrapping her in a shift and a blanket.
When he turned back, she was standing by the fire, shivering, the blanket wrapped tightly around her. Her skin was pale; her lips blue. Her dark hair was plastered to her head. He moved toward her, rubbing her arms in an effort to warm her.
“You should take off your coat.” Vivian gestured to his own sodden clothes. “You will catch a cold.”
“Anyone might think you were trying to seduce me, Vivian.” He tried to sound teasing, but his teeth chattered too much.
“Or a sensible person would realize that I do not want my husband to get sick.” Vivian moved toward him and tugged off his wet coat. “Now take off your shirt and wrap yourself in a blanket.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Thomas peeled off his shirt and coat, but kept his trousers on.
He wrapped a blanket around his shoulders as he kicked off his boots and socks, moving to stand beside Vivian near the fire. She was still shivering, and he pulled her closer to him.
She leaned against him and slowly stopped shivering. Where he held her, warmth spread through his body, and he felt his muscles start to ease.
“Promise me you will never go fishing again,” he murmured in her hair.
He felt her laugh, the sound vibrating against his chest. “I promise. The closest I want to get to a fish is a dinner plate.”
“Good.” Thomas wrapped his arms around her.
“I still do need to find a hobby, though.” Vivian looked up at him.
“So long as you choose something less dangerous, I do not mind.” Thomas brushed her wet hair from his face, relieved that the color was returning to her skin. “I do not want anything to happen to you.”
His chest tightened at his words, and he saw her eyes soften. He felt her rest a hand against his cheek. “Nothing is going to happen to me, I promise.”
An impish grin stole across her face. “Although it was rather nice being carried into the house like some princess rescued by a gallant hero.”
“There are easier ways to get me to play the courageous knight Vivian.” He smiled at her.
She arched an eyebrow at her. “Are there?”
“You only have to ask.” He felt another shiver run through his body and frowned.
“You are still freezing.” Her eyes widened, and she tried to disentangle herself from his arms, but Thomas could not bring himself to let her go. “Thomas, let me put another log on the fire.”
“I will be fine, I swear. I do not get sick so easily.” He tried to give her a reassuring grin, but it was interrupted by a sneeze.
He felt her slip from his grasp. She threw a log onto the fire and gave him a frank look. “You will do if you keep playing the fool, and then there will be no one to rescue me when I fall into lakes.”
There will be no one to rescue me. The words pierced him, and he thought of his mother, the way she had wasted away when his father had died. You are being ridiculous.
He sneezed again. He felt a lump in his throat.
“Come on, hold me by the fire and we will warm up together.” Vivian tugged him to her.
He wrapped his arms around her. She was safe; that was what mattered. A little sneeze meant nothing.
No one to rescue me.
The prickle of unease spread through him.