A Lady's Prerogative

by Annabelle Anders

  Natalie scowled. “Yes, that.”

  Garrett did not budge. He merely continued looking at her expectantly.

  “Oh, fine. Please, my lord, would you trade seats with me?”

  Garrett laughed and moved to one side, careful to lean inward so as not to tip the boat. Natalie edged around the opposite side, and they managed to exchange seats without mishap. She confidently took the oars and began rowing. She had obviously done this before, as she did not dig the oars into the water too deeply, but just slightly to skim the boat along.

  He took the opportunity to lean back and relax. She was strong for a girl. He decided the pink made her look about sixteen. Her exertions, however, brought attention to certain attributes that were most definitely not sixteen. His eyes fixed on a droplet of sweat that clung to the top curve of her breast. And then the material of her skirt slid upwards, revealing pink slippers and smooth silk stockings.

  They had rowed to the back of the island. They were completely unobserved, utterly alone.

  Garrett reached forward and grasped her ankle.

  Natalie stopped rowing. Her face revealed uncertainty as to how she might respond to his boldness. He knew she resented him for calling a halt to their other…encounters. Even though it was for her own good as well as his.

  His touching her now was an impulsive move. He’d simply had the urge to wrap his fingers around her leg, and the next thing he’d realized, he’d done just that.

  “You, sir,” she said, “are impertinent.”

  “My lord,” he corrected her again.

  “That, too.”

  Garrett smiled. He could not remember a time when he’d last smiled this much. He leaned forward, sliding his hand to just below her knee. His fingers massaged her calf muscle lightly.

  Natalie reached her foot forward. “So this”—she indicated his touch—“is mutually exclusive from love?”

  Well.

  That was effective.

  Garrett released her and sat back on his seat. Did she want an answer?

  He searched her expression.

  Yes, she did.

  “I believe it is.” He would not lie. “Unlike that love you told me about that controls a person and leaves them feeling guilty, passion can be exceptional on its own.” He shrugged. “I believe passion to be a benefit one ought to experience with a spouse. I believe if one vows to forsake all others, then one ought to have every intention of doing just that.” He looked off across the lake, surprisingly not sure where his words came from. “And if there is no passion within the marriage, fidelity would bring with it a great deal of sacrifice for both partners.”

  This was why he avoided the idea of marriage. Unlike many members of the ton, he was not of a mind to carry on with a mistress after he’d taken a wife.

  “And friendship?” she persisted. “And trust?”

  Garrett lifted his shoulders to show her he’d not considered these questions. “I suppose both of those ought to exist within a marriage.”

  “Well, my lord, I think if you take passion and throw in some friendship and trust, well, that then is love.” She pulled back on the oars again. “You are as much a romantic as I. You wish for love in your marriage as well.”

  Garrett leaned his elbows on his knees and contemplated her. “Oh, hell.”

  Natalie continued rowing, smoothly, quietly, both of them lost in thought. A few unthreatening clouds appeared in the flawless sky. Birds flitted from tree to tree, and a wisp of wind rustled the leaves.

  “And where does romance fit into this ideal relationship consisting of trust and friendship and passion?” Garrett asked, breaking the silence, as though there had been no pause in their conversation.

  Natalie tilted her head and closed her eyes.

  “ ‘The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

  but tell of days in goodness spent.

  A mind at peace with all below.

  A heart whose love is innocent.’ ”

  Garrett chuckled. “Ah, yes, Lord Byron. That fellow has ruined ladies throughout the kingdom with his drivel.”

  Her eyes narrowed at his comment.

  Yes, yes, a heart whose love is innocent described Lady Natalie perfectly. He paused, before continuing:

  “ ‘She walks in beauty, like the night

  of cloudless climes and starry skies;

  and all that’s best of dark and bright,

  meet in her aspect and her eyes…’

  But the lady Byron refers to has raven tresses, I believe.”

  “Is that the romance you refer to, my lord?” Natalie drawled. “What do you think romance is, after all?”

  Garrett raised one hand and rubbed his chin in an honest attempt to appear thoughtful. “Flowers? A waltz? Moonlit walks in the garden? Or perhaps around a lake?” He lifted one eyebrow as he made his last suggestion.

  “You are hopeless, and a cynic to boot,” Natalie said in exasperation.

  Garrett opened his arms wide. “At last, you understand me. Although I prefer you think of me as a realist.”

  “ ‘So we’ll go no more a roving,

  so late into the night,

  though the heart be still as loving

  and the moon be still as bright…’ ”

  Natalie spoke the words softly.

  Garrett knew this one as well.

  “ ‘Though the night was made for loving.

  And the day returns too soon.

  Yet we’ll go no more a roving

  by the light of the moon.’ ”

  Both contemplated the words they’d spoken as Natalie continued to row.

  “It isn’t all drivel, Garrett Castleton.” Natalie broke the silence.

  Natalie was tired from rowing but would never make such an admission. Lord Hawthorne had tilted his head back and closed his eyes. No man ought to have such long lashes. Relaxed, sitting in the boat in his shirtsleeves, he looked both virile and vulnerable at the same time. What a pair they were! It seemed that neither she nor Lord Hawthorne knew what they wanted from one another. Well, they did not know what they wanted long term, anyhow.

  When he’d grasped her leg and slid his hand along her calf, she’d had to call upon all of her willpower not to edge closer to him. A shiver ran through her at the thought of his hand travelling higher up her leg.

  Jostling the boat, Garrett shifted and lay back leisurely, resting his head upon his folded jacket. He looked as though he might even fall asleep. How did men do this? Fall asleep in such uncomfortable positions? Her brothers had this same ability. It vexed Natalie that she required the perfect position, the perfect mattress and pillow to even contemplate falling asleep. Tempted to splash Garrett, she examined him instead. Relaxed, his jaw dropped the tiniest bit, parting his lips. His chest rose and fell evenly. Ironically enchanted, she noticed a small dimple just below the right corner of his mouth that she hadn’t observed before. She wanted to reach out and touch it. She wanted to kiss him there.

  Of course, she would not do so. He had humiliated her enough already.

  He’d advised her upon what merits a good marriage could hold. Not to himself. To some other unsuspecting gentleman, one who might allow her as much freedom as she desired.

  But she would never desire a man who would allow her such control. What fools women were! What a fool she was! She wanted independence, autonomy, and yet she also wanted…something else…If she were honest with herself, she might admit she would like to know more of Garrett Castleton.

  She liked his sense of humor. She liked the looks of him for certain. She liked that he was something of a rake, but she also admitted to herself that he was a gentleman. He had displayed hidden depths of honor on more than one occasion.

  And now he had quoted poetry to her.

  Even though he admitted to being cynical—a realist—his voice had caressed her with the poet’s words.

  Natalie’s train of thought shattered as she turned the boat toward the dock and—oh, no—this could not be
! Baby Bear was running wildly with Mrs. Tinsdale chasing far behind. The leading string dragged behind the pup, who easily caught sight of Natalie, his mama, out on the lake. With a new purpose and destination, Baby Bear ran to the end of the dock and took a flying leap into the water.

  He sank like a stone.

  Acting on pure instinct, Natalie threw herself into the water, kicking desperately to reach her tiny puppy. She didn’t feel the wet or the cold. Her Baby Bear had disappeared under the water and Natalie needed to find him, now!

  Frantically reaching through the murky water, Natalie grasped the leading string and pulled the puppy to the surface for some air. In doing so, however, she lost the buoyancy her arms would have provided. She attempted to kick to keep herself from going under, but her dress had wound itself tightly around her legs.

  She felt her first moment of fear when she swallowed a mouthful of water instead of air. Oh, no! If she went down, then so would Baby Bear. Her feet were bare, but as hard as she tried to kick herself free of her skirts, they gave no mercy.

  And then strong hands grabbed her.

  In one sweeping gush, she burst above the surface of the water. She gasped and coughed as her deprived lungs sought to replenish themselves. Baby Bear was kicking and squirming, reaching his little black nose out of the water. Only when an arm wrapped itself around her ribcage did she become aware of the security of a very solid chest behind her head.

  “Don’t struggle with me. Relax and lean back. I’ve got you.”

  Garrett’s voice. His deep, gravelly command infused incredible relief.

  Trusting completely, Natalie tilted her head back and rested it on his shoulder. He would pull them to safety. Baby Bear crawled up her front and tucked his nose under her chin.

  “That’s my girl,” he said. “Keep your head back just like that, sweetheart.” His voice reassured her as he used his other arm and his legs to pull them toward the shore. His breath caressed her nape when he spoke.

  The rhythm of Garrett’s movements changed when his feet touched bottom. Not releasing her, he slogged both of them to the water’s edge. When they reached the shore, Natalie collapsed on the ground in relief, Garrett’s arm still around her. He breathed heavily, whether from his exertions or the panic of the last few moments, Natalie did not know. Like a rag doll, she sprawled helplessly face down on the shore. They both lay beached in the mud and slime accumulated there until Garrett rolled her over and studied her in concern.

  “You are unhurt?” His voice sounded strained.

  She could not answer right away. His gaze was mesmerizing. She liked feeling this close to him. Being held by Garrett Castleton felt safe. It felt right. She wanted to tuck her face into his neck and leave it there forever. The spell couldn’t last, however, as she was gradually aware that her precipitous leap had been witnessed by all her mother’s guests. Concerned bystanders were about to descend upon them mercilessly. Baby Bear added to the mayhem when he began barking and yelping frantically.

  He was very protective.

  But Natalie could not look away from Garrett. His gaze burned with emotions she did not understand—tenderness, and then fear, and…anger.

  “I shall live.” She quipped. His expression remained serious—too serious. In an attempt to tease him into a lighter mood, she smiled hesitantly and added, “Good day for a swim, don’t you think?”

  Garrett merely shook his head, and a dark scowl appeared.

  Pushing himself away from her, he now rested on his heels. His expression lacked any amusement whatsoever. Shuddering, he took a deep breath and then scrubbed his hands over his face.

  “What,” he growled through gritted teeth, “in bloody hell was that all about?” All tenderness had been replaced with fury. “You did not see Riverton had reached out to pull…Baby Bear…out of the water? You risk life and limb for a…for a…What the hell is that animal anyway?”

  Natalie suddenly felt the cold.

  “Hush,” she said. She reached for Baby Bear and pulled him close. The little pup stopped barking and was now shivering from head to tail. Natalie placed some reassuring kisses on the dog’s head just as her mother arrived and, in a frantic motion, threw a blanket about her shoulders. Did her mother not see that half of her person remained in the water?

  “Natalie! You scared me to death! Why ever would you jump into the water like that?” She looked over her shoulder and gestured for one of Natalie’s brothers to come and assist them. Thank God it was Stone. At least he possessed a sense of humor.

  “I needed to save my p-p-pup-py.” She shivered.

  “Stone,” Lady Ravensdale addressed her son. “Get Natalie inside at once.” She glanced at Natalie where she still lay halfway in the water, very close to Lord Hawthorne and her lips tightened. “Along with everything else we’ve dealt with, we don’t need your sister falling ill.”

  But that was not why her mother flailed in such a panic. Glancing down at her dress, Natalie saw that the pink material had turned transparent from the water. No wonder her mother had thrown the blanket over her!

  As Stone swooped her up and away from Lord Hawthorne, Natalie looked back for one last glimpse of her hero. Although Darlington had tossed a second blanket on the dry ground beside him, he’d made no move toward it. The poor dear looked poleaxed. But that was not all she noticed. His white linen shirt, now plastered to his chest, revealed the stark definition of his muscular build. The sight of a man ought not be able to make a young lady’s mouth water, but what was a girl to do? It seemed his legs were not the only part of his body so well honed…

  Chapter Fourteen

  It took several minutes for Garrett’s racing heart to slow down to a normal pace. Despite being just a few strokes from shallow water, he’d felt utter despair when Natalie’s blonde head disappeared beneath the murky depths. It was insanely stupid of her to jump into the water wearing so many petticoats and skirts. And to save a puppy! Yes, he’d concluded the creature was a beloved pet to her.

  In an effort to clear his head, Garrett shook it side to side and drops of water splattered on the ground around him. Her mother had been none too happy with them, and now Darlington hovered about, scowling. Matters were growing complicated—far too complicated.

  Garrett accepted Viscount Darlington’s outstretched hand and allowed the man to pull him free of the mud he’d been wallowing in. Damned if his legs didn’t feel just a little shaky.

  “My sister has some explaining to do,” Darlington groused. Natalie’s oldest brother spoke evenly, stoically, in fact, but just then, a shudder ran through him. He’d obviously realized the danger his sister had been in. Darlington bent forward to retrieve the blanket and tossed it at Garrett. “My family owes you our thanks. The lake is clouded with mud this time of year, and once a person becomes submerged…”

  “She believed her pet to be drowning,” Garrett interjected matter-of-factly as he wrapped the blanket around his shoulders. Now that his adrenaline had passed, the chill of the water was setting in. “Damn, I liked these boots,” he added, looking downward.

  “I was unaware, as was the rest of my family, that my sister owned a pet.” Darlington began walking toward the front of the manor with Garrett. “Of all the fool things to do…”

  Garrett for some reason felt it necessary to defend her actions. “She must hold a depth of feeling for the little rascal.” The image of horror on her face just before she jumped convinced him of this. His boots made a squishing sound with each step he took. Thank God she had not been alone. Perhaps ladies ought not to float about on lakes in multiple layers of fabric and lace. Damn society and damn fashion.

  Upon reaching the steps, Garrett sat and attempted to remove his boots. It would not serve well to traipse boot-loads of lake water onto the shiny parquet floors for the servants to clean. Viscount Darlington, understanding the difficulties involved in removing a snug-fitting pair of hessians, went down on his haunches and tugged on one of the offending articles. Garrett once
again marveled at this family. They lived in complete opposition to the notions his father had valued. Not often did the heir to an earldom perform valet services.

  “My thanks, Darlington.”

  The viscount nodded cordially, and the two men proceeded into the house. The viscount stalked in the direction of the study, while Garrett climbed the stairs to change into dry attire. Not in any way accustomed to having the service of a valet, Garrett was pleasantly surprised to find Marcus already preparing a hot bath and warming towels for him in his quarters. The thoughtfulness brought a calm to Garrett he had not often felt. At least some small things in his life were in order.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Natalie kept quiet while Tinny assisted her with a long hot bath and then combed out her hair by the fire. Tinny didn’t press her nor scold her. Although Natalie insisted she was fine, that there was no harm done from Baby Bear’s escape, the older woman remained in an unusually contrite mood.

  She’d uttered not a single protest when Natalie asked for one of the dresses from her trousseau. And those gowns had not been designed to be worn by an unmarried girl.

  Natalie needed a little extra confidence tonight.

  This particular one, made up of a deep brown satin, featured shiny gold embroidery at the hem and around the bodice. The dress, designed to be worn without a petticoat, was refined and stylish. It was something only a married woman might wear or perhaps a widow even.

  Turning to admire herself in the looking glass, Natalie’s spirit’s dipped when her mother entered. Most likely Lady Ravensdale came to scold her.

  Except that…her mother wore a look of unexpected approval when their eyes met in the mirror. Lady Ravensdale raised her eyebrows. “I must say I like this outfit more than the confection you wore earlier.”

  “Tinsdale selected the pink.” Natalie inserted just enough disapproval in her tone for her mother to understand. “It is what happens when a lady is dressed by the same person who also once changed her nappies.”