by Fiona Miers
“Where is the attendant and the dipper?”
Her mother’s voice caused her to tear her gaze from the men. Her mother had positioned herself onto a wooden chair, ready to be lowered down into the water.
The only problem was that due to her large stature, it required the assistance of the attendant of the bathing machine as well as the dipper, but neither one was anywhere to be seen.
“Perhaps they are assisting another bather?” Dotty suggested.
Abigail’s mother glanced incredulously at Dotty and then at Abigail, infuriated that the attendant was not there to cater to her.
“I am certain they will be here shortly, Mother,” Abigail said.
“I cannot wait for them. Lower me into the water.”
Abigail gaped at her mother, who was not in the least bit fazed at her expression and folded her arms. Instead, she waited to be lowered into the water. Abigail exchanged glances with Dotty, who shrugged simply.
“Very well,” Abigail said.
Very carefully, Dotty assisted her in lowering the ramp, and Abigail began to push the chair forward and into the water.
“It is rather chilly.” Mrs. Roth giggled as the water touched her naked feet.
Abigail pushed the chair forward a little more. Her mother was heavier than she recalled, and she strained against the chair to move it.
“Why are you sounding out of breath, Abigail? I am the one who requires medical care, not you, dear,” Mrs. Roth said, again with a snippy chuckle.
Abigail narrowed her eyes, but Dotty’s reassuring gaze prompted her not to utter a word and she continued to push the chair down the ramp.
“Miss Abigail?”
“Dotty?” Abigail glanced at her.
“What is that in the distance?” She pointed to the horizon.
Abigail narrowed her eyes and stared at the place Dotty pointed at.
“Is that a wave?”
“Oh, dear,” Abigail gasped, and she and Dotty tried to push her mother’s chair back up the ramp.
The large wave reached them faster than anticipated and Abigail felt her grasp slipping. The wave rose and crashed right against the bathing machine. The chair toppled over and Abigail let out a scream as it slipped from her grasp.
Her mother fell head-first into the water with a large splash.
“Mother!”
Chapter Three
James enjoyed his morning swim more than he’d anticipated. The tension in his muscles eased as the water enveloped him and he lay on his back, floating. The sky above him was a brilliant blue, not a cloud in sight, and James closed his eyes as he wished for the world around him to just fade away.
Drawing in a deep breath, he sank down into the water, fully submerging himself. Then he kicked his legs and broke through the surface, stretching out his body once more to float.
Although the sounds coming from the main bay did disturb the silence he wished for, he didn’t complain. He’d loved water and swimming since he was a young boy and that skill came in handy while he was a soldier. His swimming strength had assisted in many secret operations and his superiors had noticed. It had also saved his life on more than one occasion.
The disturbing image of James dragging an injured and near-dead soldier across the beach appeared in his mind, and the gut-wrenching feeling inside his stomach made his muscles contract. He wasn’t sure how long he would still be plagued with these visions, but he was certain it would be for a long while.
For a moment he wondered whether he should call upon Charles’ physician simply for an examination, and to perhaps hear what the man had to say. He quickly dismissed the idea as preposterous.
James opened his eyes to vanquish the images in his mind, as well as silently scold himself for letting his mind run away from him. Even though James had been seen and been given the all-clear from the service physician at the time of his return home, he was convinced he suffered from a kind of trauma. He was haunted by the ghosts of the dead soldiers.
But despite the nightmares and visions, and terribly realistic flashes he had of his time as a soldier, he did not regret his choices. He’d learned discipline while in the army, and the camaraderie he’d found in war made even his close relationships with his biological brothers pale in comparison.
The soldiers had become his brothers, his confidants, his family. They confided in one another, laughed together, sobbed together. They celebrated victories, suffered through losses and James would never forget any of them.
Those men provided him with support in more ways than he would ever be able to explain. And it mattered to him.
It also scarred him with haunted memories that tormented him at the most inconvenient times. But at least he’d made it home alive, unlike some.
He should be grateful.
The Melton brothers had experienced their share of differences but their bond was strong enough to withstand most obstacles. They understood one another—mostly—and James looked forward to seeing his younger brothers as well.
James averted his eyes from the blue sky overhead and realised he had drifted away from the secluded cove and towards the end of Weymouth Bay utilised by females. The women didn’t frolic as freely as the men did, as they were constricted by bathing dresses. James couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be wearing those as he glanced down at his naked torso.
He drew in a deep breath and as he was about to swim back to the beach, to where he had tied Fortego to a wooden post, he heard a panicked scream.
A lady’s scream.
He turned in the direction of the sound and at the edge of the beach, right beside a large section of sharp rock formations rising out from the soft sand, stood a bathing machine in the water. There was a young woman crouched down atop the contraption, reaching out her arm towards the water.
An older woman splashed around in the water along with another person, who James couldn’t see properly. There was no attendant at the beach, or anywhere in sight, for that matter.
He had to assist them.
James swam across the water as fast as he was able, undeterred by the fact that he was naked as well.
“Help!”
“There, Miss. Look.”
Two different female voices could clearly be heard as James swam towards them and as his feet touched the sand below the water, he looked at the two women. The young woman atop the bathing machine wore a simple grey dress, and it appeared as though she was the maidservant to the older female spluttering and splashing in the water. The other young woman was in the water, desperately trying to keep the older female above water.
“Allow me to assist,” James said, and the younger woman turned towards him.
James was instantly taken aback by her beautiful face and dark brown hair. Of course, her tresses were wet and stuck to her face, but she was striking, nonetheless.
The older woman was quite hefty, and James understood why the two young females were unable to hoist her out of the water and back into the overturned wooden chair on the ramp.
“Turn the chair around,” James said as he glanced at the maidservant, and she immediately did as she was told.
James gazed at the older woman, placing his arm around her shoulders. “I need you to stop splashing and grab the railing.”
The older woman nodded, her brown eyes wide as dinner plates.
“You and I will hoist her up,” he said to the younger woman. “And you will ensure she is safely in the chair.”
The maidservant nodded. Together, James and the young woman hoisted the older woman up and out of the water, while she pulled herself up with the aid of the railing, as well as the maidservant. Once she was safely in the wooden chair on the ramp, James helped the young woman to steer the bathing machine back to the beach, but they did not make it very far, as they were not strong enough.
The water level was, however, not as high any longer, and James noticed the young woman’s gaze swiftly brushing over his naked torso.
“My since
rest apologies for my indecent position,” he said.
She glanced away. “Thank you for your assistance.”
“What on earth happened?” He panted, out of breath.
“My mother was advised by her physician to bathe in the ocean, for her health. As Dotty and I lowered Mother into the water, an unusually large wave crashed over us and her chair toppled over, landing her in the water. The attendant is nowhere to be found.”
James nodded, unable to look away from her beautiful features. Her bright blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight and her flushed cheeks made her appear jovial and youthful. After a long moment of staring at her with no response, he turned to the bathing machine and stepped towards it. “Are you all right?”
“Never been better,” the older woman said, spluttering and coughing.
“Should we get her back to the beach?”
“Not in the manner you are dressed,” the maidservant said with a giggle. “Or shall I rather say, undressed.”
Throughout the entire rescue attempt, James had forgotten that he was nude, and his cheeks flushed as he sank down into the water. “It would appear I have found myself in a rather embarrassing situation. I sincerely apologise.”
“There is no need. You rescued my mother, and we are truly grateful,” the beautiful woman said. “And there is no need to be embarrassed. Frankly said, in my eyes, you are quite the hero, clothed or not.”
James chuckled self-consciously and raked his fingers through his hair, attempting to make himself as presentable as possible. Despite failing miserably, judging by the sparkling eyes of the beautiful young woman standing in front of him, whose attributes were not disguised by the usual bathing dress, neatening his hair did not matter much.
“And who may I inquire is the beautiful woman who deems me a hero instead of a highly inappropriate nude man?” James asked.
Her cheeks coloured even more as she chuckled and lowered her gaze momentarily. “My name is Abigail Roth, and by what name does the heroic man who rescued my mother go by?”
The corners of James’ mouth curled up as he chuckled in amusement, unable to tear his eyes away from Miss Abigail Roth. “James Melton, younger brother to the Duke of Waign.”
“You are a lord, and here I am, a simple miss addressing you inappropriately,” Abigail apologised and cringed.
“There is no need to apologise. I am only a man. There is no need for such formalities.”
Abigail’s brow furrowed and she shook her head. “My mother would certainly not approve of that, but of course, I would not wish to insult you.”
“We would not want that,” James said, a grin forming on his lips.
A moment passed between them, as though they were the only two people in the world. The water rose and dipped around them, and it was only when Abigail’s mother called out to her that Abigail broke their stare. They turned their attention to the bathing machine, where two attendants wheeled the large compartment onto the beach.
“I must go, regrettably. But it was most delightful to meet you, James,” Abigail said.
“Likewise, Abigail. I do hope our initial meeting does not cause you to intentionally ignore me when we meet again in Weymouth.”
“Certainly not. Although my mother may choose an alternate route once she catches sight of you,” Abigail said, but as James glanced at the beach, he noticed a group of people gather around the bathing machine and Mrs. Roth. She was theatrically motioning with her arms, most certainly is sharing her near-death ordeal.
“Or perhaps she will use every moment of her existence to sing your praises,” Abigail said wryly and glanced at James. “I do apologise in advance for all the attention she is sure to place upon you.”
“Wonderful,” James said jokingly. “Allow me to make a quick and undetected getaway. I will most certainly see you again, Abigail.”
“I certainly hope so.”
The smile on her face was radiant, and James could not help but smile as well. He watched as Abigail made her way back to her mother on the beach before he turned himself around and swam back to the secluded cove from which he had come, all the while thinking of Abigail and the lasting impression she had created in his mind.
Chapter Four
Abigail’s heart pounded in her chest as she reached her mother, Dotty and the two attendants on the beach. The size of the crowd took her by surprise and she caught her breath as she approached her mother.
“Are you all right, Mother?”
“Yes, of course, but gazing upon you, my dear, perhaps I should ask you that same question.”
Abigail cocked her head and her brow furrowed. “Whatever do you mean, Mother?”
“Your cheeks are flushed pink and your breathing is ragged. Not at all the type of response one would associate with being in the chilled water of Weymouth Bay.”
Dotty smirked and cleared her throat. “Or perhaps something else triggered such a response.”
Abigail pursed her lips and fought the compulsion to look back over her shoulder. By then, James would have returned to from where he had come, and there would be no trace of him.
Unable to fight the urge, she glanced back and was deeply disappointed when she saw only the blue water in the distance. Even if he had been a figment of her imagination, she would always recall his face.
“Where is the heroic young man who rescued you, Mrs. Roth?” The attendant’s voice was filled with apprehension and Abigail turned back to her mother and Dotty.
“Perhaps he did not care for all this unwanted attention,” Abigail said, and turned to her mother. “Shall we return home, Mother? Such an eventful morning certainly could take a toll on your health.”
Her mother looked like a large, drowned rat, but her eyes were beaming from all the excitement.
But she said, “I do feel rather tired, my dear. Perhaps it is best that we return home. I shall request for the attendants to assist me back to our carriage.”
“Are you certain, Mother?”
Mrs. Roth nodded and fobbed Abigail off. “You truly do trouble yourself too much about my wellbeing.”
“Rightfully I should. Who else will?” Abigail placed her hand on her mother’s shoulder and flashed her a reassuring smile. “I most certainly did not mean for this to happen.”
“Oh, my dearest daughter. This was not your fault. There was no possible way you could have known.”
“As long as you are all right,” Abigail said.
Mrs. Roth covered her daughter’s hand in hers and she smiled with reassurance.
As the attendants assisted her mother towards the carriage waiting at the designated carriage area on the edge of the beach, Abigail stared at the horizon for a few moments until Dotty stood beside her.
“Did you manage to ask his name?”
Abigail smiled momentarily, failing to hide the dreamy expression on her face. “Indeed.”
“And?”
“Dotty, I will tell you, but you simply cannot tell Mother. She will grow unnaturally enthused and I do not wish for her to be disappointed.”
“You are afraid this might crush your mother’s hopes in you finding a husband,” Dotty said. “Even after you have made it abundantly clear that you have no interest in men or marriage?”
“Precisely.”
“Yet, I have never seen you gaze upon any man the way you gazed upon your mother’s rescuer. Not even Lord Timothy.”
The very mention of the earl’s name to her ears was enough to cause turmoil inside Abigail’s belly, but she secretly knew it to be the truth. She had indeed loved and adored Lord Timothy, but there was something inexplicable of the attraction she felt towards James.
Perhaps it was seeing his wet, naked torso that increased her temperature and caused her heart to pound so viciously in her chest. Or perhaps it was the heroism he had displayed by rescuing her mother so selflessly. Perhaps it was even the feeling of security she felt as she gazed into his eyes, which looked back at her with the assurance that everything wou
ld be all right.
Whichever reason it was, it left Abigail feeling overwhelmed and flushed, and she did not care for it one bit.
Dotty lowered her head. “My apologies. I did not mean to dredge up old and painful memories of the past.”
“What is done is done, Dotty. I am just not used to his name being mentioned, that is all. I am perfectly fine. His lies and betrayal stung me, but I have learned from my lapse in judgment. It is in the past, and it is best we move forward with our lives.”
Dotty looked at her apprehensively and cocked her head. “I would most certainly not blame you for finding the young hero attractive.”
“It was another momentary lapse in judgement. I should truly learn to have less of those in future,” Abigail said as she stepped away from Dotty and made her way across the beach towards her mother, already midway to their carriage. “Come along, Dotty.”
At the townhouse, Mrs. Roth and Abigail were seated by the hearth, enjoying tea and biscuits, warming themselves after their ordeal at Weymouth Bay. Of course, it had not been as traumatic for Abigail. She could only imagine what her poor mother felt.
Abigail looked at her mother as she sipped her tea. Abigail shivered with cold and her thoughts immediately drifted to James, and she wondered what the handsome man was doing at that very moment. Had she made an impactful impression on him? One as large as he had made on her.
She bit her lip and silently scolded herself for thinking such foolish things. Carefully placing the teacup back on the saucer, she stared out in front of her.
“Is there something on your mind, my dear?”
Abigail looked at her mother and her brow furrowed. “Why would you ask me such a question, Mother?”
“You seem preoccupied.”
“I must admit, the events of today rather shook me and I am still processing it all. Feeling you slip from my grasp and into the water terrified me. I cannot imagine losing you, Mother.”
“My dear, it is all right. I am perfectly fine.”