* * *
Lizzie lay on a blanket in the dappled shade of an old elm tree not far from the clapper bridge. She was penned on one side by a wicker basket containing the remnants of a luncheon long since eaten, on the other side by a pile of discarded bonnets and coats.
The duke’s musicians played Mozart on the far side of the river. The music rippled over the water while traces of clouds drifted over the hazy sky.
The duke swam well, she noticed, at least he hadn’t drowned yet. He made a circuit of the island, stopping every few strokes to look down. The Rackham sisters watched him with a lively interest, but only the youngest one dared approach the clapper bridge and stand on it as he swam underneath in britches and shirt.
The littlest girls played in the shallows, chattering to each other, watched by Dace. He flicked water at them. They retaliated with squeals and soon had him wet from head to toe.
The duke swam back to take his place as guardian of the young girls. Lizzie saw him smile at them. The glimpse she caught was rather nice.
The duke caught her eye with an expression of lazy disdain, mingled with what could only be Felmont lust. Lizzie gave him the Felmont stare. He did not intimidate her as he did the older two Rackham sisters, the ones who were even now studying too closely how his wet clothes clung to his body.
A shadow fell over her. “Sleeping beauty awakens at last. My heart is broken, you didn’t wait for my kiss.” Dace claimed his kiss and tried not to drip cold water on her. Lizzie laughed at him. She enjoyed the sight of him as much as the Misses Rackham enjoyed watching the duke.
Dace dropped down to sit beside her, his arm cool around her waist. “What’s Jim doing here?”
He pointed across the river to where James rowed inexpertly, while his companion, Rax, shouted instructions clearly overheard above the music. “Haven’t you ever rowed before? Aim upstream or the current will take us down to the village.”
Neither oar struck the water at the same time.
Rax stood up. “I’ll do it!”
“Sit down,” shouted Jim. “You’ll tip us over. I can do it.”
“Let me take the oars,” insisted Rax.
Lizzie saw the boat wobble precariously as the two tussled over the oars. She went with Dace to stand on the clapper bridge.
He called across the water. “Is everyone safe at home?”
“Aye,” Jim called back. “If I don’t drown first, I’ll tell you what I came to tell you. Good afternoon, Lady Felmont.” He tried to stand to greet Lizzie and was saved from a wetting by Mr. Rackham, who grabbed him by the arm and thrust him back in his seat.
Lizzie laughed at them and retreated, to let Dace go on his own to haul James out of the boat.
Dace waved as if to say everything was well at the Folly, then he led James away to talk in private.
Lizzie Tempest Ruins A Viscount (Felmont Brides Series Book 1) Page 58