“You wound me.” Blake clutched a hand to his chest, as though hurt.
Jane rolled her eyes. “Ah, the melodrama.”
Blake watched in amusement as Jane seemed to search the bank for a large stick, eventually finding one and using it to swipe at the bottles. Blake watched as she guided one towards her, deftly scooping it up from the shallows.
He applauded. “Well done.”
“And you see, that is what happens if you use your wits.” Jane curtsied as Blake made his way towards her, his own bottle clenched in his hand.
“I think my way was more fun, though.” Blake shook himself as he emerged from the lake, water flying everywhere.
He peeled his sodden coat off his back, grateful for the warmth of the day. The fabric of his shirt clung to him, and as he removed his boots, they came off with a squelch.
“Yes, your way looks very fun.” Jane sounded amused as Blake emptied out what felt like several gallons of water from his shoes.
“It was. After all, what is life without a little adventure every now and then?” Blake shook his head, trying to clear water from his ears.
“I prefer my fun not to soak me to the skin. Besides, have you ever tried to do anything in a wet corset?” Jane shuddered. “It is a most unpleasant experience, let me assure you.”
“Oddly enough, I have never tried to do anything in a corset. Do you think it would suit me?” Blake posed in front of Jane, as though he were considering what he would look like in a corset.
He saw the corners of her lips curl into a smile, though she attempted to hide it. Instead, she shook her head and said, “Perhaps that is what I should have made my prize—you having to wear a corset.”
She gave him an appraising look, and Blake met her gaze, feeling a recklessness rise inside him. He chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair. “That ismostimproper.”
“I thought you wanted me to be improper?” Jane countered.
“And when exactly did you start to care about what I want?” Blake cocked his head, his question both a challenge and a suggestion.
Do you care about it?
“I do not,” Jane said quickly, turning away from him.
“Do you not?” he murmured, catching himself as he made to move towards her.
Flirting was one thing, but him standing beside her sopping wet and without shoes would be a scandal. He would not risk that.
“No.” Jane noticed something on the ground, though Blake could not see what it was as he attempted to wring out his sodden shirt without taking it off.
He met with limited success. “Perhaps I simply want you to have more fun.”
“Why do you care if I have fun or not?”
“Everyone should live a life they enjoy. Otherwise, they turn into miserable shells of themselves.”
“Well, I would hate for such a fate to befall you,” Jane said, and Blake caught a distinctly mischievous note in her voice. “Perhaps you should have some more fun. After all, I do know how you enjoy it.”
“What do you—” He squinted at her and realized that she was holding the bottle containing his clue in her hand. “Oh, you would not dare.”
“Wouldn’t I?” Jane asked, raising her arm as though to throw the bottle.
“I did not think you were a cheater.” Blake moved towards her.
“I am not. As someone once told me, I just want to ensure that you are sufficiently challenged on this adventure.” Jane grinned widely, her eyes alive with a fiery determination as she threw the bottle into the lake.
Blake gaped at her, feeling a mix of frustration and admiration. “I cannot believe you did that.”
“You will find, my dear Duke, that I am full of surprises.” Jane moved away from him, pulling her clue out of the bottle in her hand.
