by Wendy Vella
“So, is that your true nature?” Primrose teased. “Bossy?”
“I can be.”
“I can be like that too, so at least we will have some wonderful debates.”
Primrose felt lighter than she had in days, and she had to thank Benjamin Hetherington for that. Today he’d kissed her and made her realize what could be between two people. If she never experienced that kind of emotion again, she could at least remember this day. Plus, there was now Heather in her life.
She’d woken up this morning the exact same Primrose who went to bed last night, but by midmorning she’d changed somehow. Now she had received her first kiss and made a new friend. Surely the day could not get better than that.
“We have known each other for an hour, perhaps two, and it is as if we have always been friends,” Heather said. “I don’t really have many friends, just acquaintances.”
“No one really wants to associate with me because of my inferior birth and lack of dowry.” Primrose went for honesty. “It does not bother me, but I must say it is wonderful to have met you… again.”
“I am ashamed to say there are many aspects of society I find unworthy. So many rules and high standards. It’s quite tiring.”
“Very,” Primrose agreed. “I’m always terrified of putting a foot in the wrong direction. I shall return to Pickford and be quite happy to leave it all behind at the end of the season.”
“That makes me sad, as we will not see each other.”
“But we can write every week.”
Heather sighed. “I don’t want to marry someone I don’t like.”
They were huddled together looking back down the river, awaiting the arrival of the boats. No one could overhear their conversation.
“Then we must find a man you do like,” Primrose whispered. “Is there anyone?” She looked at her new friend. “There is, I can see it in the way you’re avoiding my eyes.”
“You don’t know me well enough to know that,” Heather scoffed.
“Come, tell me who it is at once.” What had happened in the wood carving shop slipped into her head. Could it be Mr. Caton that Heather had taken a liking to?
Heather looked left and right, then shook her head. “No, I don’t want to voice his name.”
“What a terrible chicken heart you are.”
Heather just smiled and kept her mouth closed.
“I will find out, you know,” Primrose said. “My brother says there is no secret in our entire village that I do not know. He thinks Wellington should have used me to interrogate people.”
“They are coming!” Heather pointed to the river.
“I will not be deterred, but for now we shall watch the boat race.”
And she was happy to do just that beside her new friend.
Chapter Eleven
Looking upstream, she saw the first boat.
“Allow me to run a commentary for you.” Lady Levermarch had arrived and positioned herself between Heather and Primrose. “You will not know some of the locals.”
“Oh, yes please,” Heather said.
The first boat appeared, and it was filled with people. In fact, too many people for the size. They were dressed in bright colors and wore scarfs on their heads.
“That is the Fletcher family, and they always dress like pirates. Mr. Luke Fletcher is married to my sister Isabella; he is seated in the rear. His family live in a lovely big house here in Twoaks.”
“Twoaks is what the locals call Two Oaks, is that correct?”
Lady Levermarch nodded.
“There seem to be many people in that boat,” Heather said. “I hope it will stay upright.”
“It will. They’ve been doing this for years, and all know how to swim.”
“How can they pass each other when the river is so narrow?” Primrose looked up and down the winding ribbon of water.
“Race is a loose term for these events. It’s really more a parade, and a great deal of the time is spent splashing each other. There”—Lady Levermarch pointed downstream—“is the only area wide enough for the boats to pass, so if they are to make their move it will be there.”
Lady Levermarch continued with her commentary and infused it with wit that had Primrose, Heather, and those close enough to hear laughing.
“Lord Dobberly is something of an eccentric. That is his boat, and he always just sits in the back on a chair, dressed like Henry the Eighth. We fear if he is tipped in, he’d drown, weighed down as he is by so much clothing and gold.”
He did look very grand seated in the rear of the little boat, waving regally.
“He runs the Two Oaks Derby.”
“I’ve heard of that, it’s run in winter,” Heather said.
“Yes,” Lady Levermarch sighed. “We, and many of the locals, have tried to get him to change it, but he will not yield. It has been run on December the twenty-first for many, many years.”
“I’ve heard the race can be quite brutal,” Heather added.
“My sister rode in it one year… the eldest one.”
Looking for Lady Ryder, they found her with several children attached to her skirt.
“She has a far more robust constitution than appearances suggest.”
“I’ve never done anything daring,” Primrose said. “It is not in my nature.”
“Rubbish. I saw you leap into that water to rescue that dog. If that is not daring, I don’t know what is,” Lady Levermarch said.
Was she daring? No, Primrose didn’t believe it. She had always wanted to do something out of the ordinary, but the opportunity had just never arisen. The most daring thing she’d done was help Mrs. Putt bake a cherry cake, and then deliver it to Herbert. He had not been pleased when she’d called on him alone and had hastily sent her away. He’d kept the cherry cake, however.
Herbert was definitely not daring.
“Never fear, ladies, there are still plenty of years ahead of you to be daring,” Lady Levermarch added, leaning over the railing.
“In that boat are Jenny and Freddy. She was our housekeeper and married Lord Ryder’s steward. They are wonderful.”
The middle-aged couple beamed up at those on the bridge, smiles wide as they waved at Lady Levermarch and her sisters. Jenny, as Lady Levermarch called her, had flowers all over her hat, and Freddy wore a black waistcoat with brass buttons.
“Ah, now this is the boat I was waiting for. My husband and his brothers. One hopes they overturn.”
“You don’t want them to make it to the end?” Primrose asked, her eyes finding Benjamin Hetherington.
He’d taken off his jacket, like his brothers, and she could see the muscles in his arms working as he swung the paddle.
Primrose had told herself repeatedly that if she married it would be to a comfortable man, so why was she suddenly fixated on this one? Perhaps it was because he would never be anything to her and she felt safe doing so? Did that even make sense?
“Hello, darling!” Lady Levermarch waved to her husband. He waved back, the smile on his face filled with love.
I don’t want that, Primrose reminded herself looking away from Benjamin Hetherington. Besides, he said he had no wish to marry. And he wouldn’t marry her anyway. No, they were merely going to help each other get through the season, and then she’d go back to Pickford and marry Herbert.
Primrose tried to tell herself that this thought did not depress her, but it did.
“Come, we shall hurry down to the bank, then we can see the finish!”
In seconds Heather and Primrose were following Lady Levermarch—Phoebe, as she insisted they call her.
They made it as the two boats were neck and neck. She felt the excitement build. Primrose couldn’t help the shriek that came out of her mouth. Looking to the bridge, she watched Lady Jane’s mouth open, no doubt censuring her to behave like a lady, but she ignored it. There was too much fun to be had.
There were many boats now crammed on the river, all the occupants waving to those watching. People we
re shouting insults and encouragement, and soon Primrose was caught up in the excitement.
Looking at the water, she vowed that this time she would not end up in there. Today she would stay dry and not do anything to disgrace herself.
“Drop that stick at once, Amanda!” Lady Levermarch said to her daughter. “You will not throw that at your father.”
The young girl had a cheeky look on her face.
“I wasn’t throwing it at Papa, I was throwing it beside his boat so it splashed him.”
“Oh, well then, go right ahead. I should like to see that also.”
This woman really was like no other noblewoman she’d met before.
“You looked shocked, Miss Ainsley.”
“Oh no, not at all.”
“I find the direct approach works in life, or you shall spend your days behaving in ways others want you to and not being yourself.”
Wasn’t that the truth.
Mr. Caton joined them then, saving Primrose from having to reply. “If I may suggest you do not go too close to the edge, ladies, as they will be attempting to splash each other and anyone they can reach.”
Primrose looked at Heather. Her friend’s cheeks were once again filled with color, and she was looking anywhere but at him.
“Jeremy, how lovely to see you!”
“I saw you this morning, Phoebe.”
“Perhaps you did, but it is still lovely to see you again. Have you come to splash the people in their boats?”
“Lady Althea did ask if I would attempt to throw water at her husband, as she is unable to come down here herself.”
He seemed a gentle man from what she had seen. Primrose thought he would be a lovely match for Heather, but doubted her family felt the same way.
“I’ll splash him, too!” Phoebe yelled up to Lady Althea Dillinger, who stood at the railing. She waved.
“Excellent,” Mr. Caton said.
“Have you been introduced to Miss Ainsley and Miss Fullerton Smythe, Jeremy?”
“Not officially.” He had a lovely smile. “It is a pleasure to meet you, ladies.”
They both curtsied.
“Would you like to see what I purchased in the carving shop, ladies?” He raised a small wrapped parcel that he held in one hand.
“I would!” The words rushed out of Heather’s mouth with a bit more force than was warranted, but Mr. Caton did not seem to mind.
“We shall compare, then,” he said gently.
Primrose handed Heather the bag holding their purchases.
“Excellent,” Lady Levermarch said, slipping her arm through Primrose’s.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing at all, Miss Ainsley. Come, we shall heckle people. It’s something I’m particularly good at.”
Primrose threw a look at Heather; her friend’s head was lowered next to Mr. Caton’s. Glancing up at Lady Fullerton Smythe, she couldn’t read her expression, but doubted it was a happy one.
Chapter Twelve
Every time Alex dipped his paddle, he managed to splash Ben.
“You will receive my paddle in the back of your head if you continue doing that,” he growled.
“What?”
“That will do,” Finn said as he always did and had done since they were children.
No one made Ben revert to childish ways quite like his twin brother.
“Your fair ladies are blowing you kisses,” Ben said, looking up to the bridge, then beneath it to where Phoebe stood with Primrose.
“More like throwing stones,” Alex drawled, waving to Hannah.
He wondered what had Primrose frowning. He watched Sanders move to her side, lean closer, and say something to her. Surely she could see the man was about as interesting as a bowl of gruel.
“Did you just growl?” Alex asked.
“What? Of course not. Gentlemen don’t growl.”
“Actually, I heard it,” Finn added.
“Move it, real men are coming through!”
Ben turned to see Will Ryder and his brother. They had Ace in their boat, which gave them considerable strength.
The river was just about at its widest part, and soon those with a competitive streak would be attempting to pass.
“Paddle!” Ben roared. And suddenly the race was on. They swept under the bridge.
“Gentlemen,” Ace scoffed as they drew level. “You’re all soft.”
People on the bank waved and yelled encouragement, and Ben put his shoulder into the next paddle stroke. They surged forward.
“Oh, do hurry!”
He knew that voice. Turning his head, he found Primrose on the bank with Phoebe and Miss Fullerton Smythe.
“Paddle faster!”
“I’m trying!” Ben roared back at her.
He ducked as a paddle swung his way, and he turned to see Ace smiling.
“Sabotage!” Finn roared. The boats then slowed as the occupants resorted to splashing each other. Ace went into the water first, but they all heard the clunk as his head hit the side of the boat.
“He could have knocked himself out!” Ben roared.
“Can he swim?” Alex asked when he did not appear.
“Yes,” Will said. “But not very well.”
Everyone looked, but it was a cry from the bank that alerted him. Looking to where Primrose was running, he found her further downstream. Ace appeared, his body floating facedown in the water.
Someone screamed as Ben dived in, followed by the rest of the men. They swam as fast as they could, but to his horror, it was Primrose who reached Ace first. She held his head above the water.
“He’s unconscious!” she yelled.
Ben could hear people yelling, but his focus was on reaching Primrose and Ace; he did so seconds later.
He held Ace from the left, and Alex moved closer and took the right side. Between them, they swam him to the shore.
Hands soon grabbed Ace and hauled him up onto the bank. Ben turned to find Primrose, but she was still struggling toward the bank. The current was a great deal stronger than it appeared.
“Grab her!” he roared at Will and Finn, who were closest.
They did, and towed her to the shore. Ben then grabbed her under the arms and pulled her upward.
“Is he all right?” Primrose asked, easing out of his grip.
“His eyes are opening,” Mr. Caton said. “Come on, Ace.”
“Oliver!”
Ben looked up to see Thea running down to them.
“Don’t run!” Ace roared, struggling to sit. “For God’s sake, slow down. I am fine!”
His face was ashen, but he seemed coherent. A trickle of blood ran down his forehead.
“I hit my head, but I am all right.” He caught Thea close as she dropped down beside him, holding her as if she was made of spun glass. “I lost consciousness only briefly,” he added.
“Yes, well, you are alive and rational,” Thea said, patting his cheeks. “But obviously you shall need to be checked over by a doctor.”
“Must I? I hate doctors.”
“And yet I only need to sneeze and you call one.”
“That’s different,” Ace grumbled.
“Come, we need to get you back and into dry clothes,” Thea said. “But first I must hug Miss Ainsley close and tell her that she is wonderful.”
“Oh no… really—” The words were cut off as Thea did exactly as she’d said she would. Uncaring of the wet now seeping into her clothes from Primrose’s once again soaked dress, she squeezed her hard.
“Thank you, my dear.”
“Yes, thank you, and you, Ben.” Ace gripped his hand.
“Primrose.” Miss Fullerton Smythe reached for her. “You are so incredibly brave. I was struck still with fear, but not you. You leapt in—”
“Recklessly,” Ben added. “Without thought to consequence yet again.”
“I was not reckless, I did what needed to be done!” She snapped at him. “You were too far away to reach him in time. He was about to go und
er again.”
“And I cannot swim,” Mr. Caton said, looking at Ace. “I will now be rectifying that.”
“I am well, Jeremy,” Ace said. Ben hadn’t realized they were friends, but their hands gripped and held briefly, showing him he was wrong.
“Come, you need to get back to Rossetter and dry off—once again,” he added as she shivered.
“I was not reckless,” she said again.
She was actually daring to argue with him while standing there shivering like a drowned rodent. Her dress clung to her every curve, her bonnet was gone, and her hair hung in a long wet tail.
“Yes, you were, but now is not the time to argue. Now we need to get warm… again.”
“I have no time to argue with you, Mr. Hetherington. Lady Jane is calling me.”
Lifting her chin, and her sodden skirts, Primrose squelched away as haughtily as you please. Leaving him with a feeling he couldn’t quite define.
“She was incredibly brave, Ben,” Finn said. “And likely right. She reached Ace just as he was about to go under again.”
“She will drown one of these days. You cannot continuously plunge recklessly into water wearing a dress and always survive.”
“Well, let us hope she does not make a habit of it,” Alex added.
“One can only hope that three times is enough for one lifetime.”
“Three?” Finn queried.
“I meant two,” Ben lied.
“Did you?” Alex raised a brow, and Ben gave him a look that suggested retribution if he didn’t back him up. “Two it is.”
“You seem extremely interested in Miss Ainsley, Ben. Care to tell me what is going on between you?”
“There is nothing to tell you, Finn.” His eldest brother clearly didn’t believe him as he snorted, but said nothing further.
“As I said earlier, there is something between you and that woman. My question is, what?” Alex whispered in his ear.
Ben snapped his teeth together to stop from saying anything further and made his way up to the bridge behind the others.
A cart was plodding over the bridge as they arrived. It was hailed, and the wet members of the party were loaded onto it. Ben lifted Primrose, and she stiffened up like a board but offered him a curt thank-you. She then kept her distance from him and travelled back beside Miss Fullerton Smythe, who was clutching a parcel of something close to her chest.