The boat rocked again, and he gripped the edges harder. He was vaguely aware of sounds but could not focus on them.
“Dominic. Dominic!” He felt a hand on his cheek, warmth spreading from the touch of her fingers. “Sweetkins!”
He jerked his head towards Charlotte’s voice. His eyes found her green ones. He followed the movement of her lips, and then he felt something tickle under his nose. He breathed in the smell of crushed lavender.
The nausea started to fade. He breathed in again. He was aware of Charlotte counting, and he began to match his breaths to her count. He let himself lean into her reassuring touch.
“There. Good. Keep going; you are safe. I am here. You will be well, Sweetkins,” Charlotte murmured, her fingers gently stroking his face.
He did not trust himself to answer, instead focusing on his breath. He had no idea how much time had passed, but eventually, the world returned to normal.
Charlotte was still cupping his cheek, her face so close to his that he could almost see her eyelashes. She seemed to realise how close they were and hastily dropped her hand. He missed the warmth of it almost immediately.
He tried to smile at Charlotte, but it felt thin and weedy. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Charlotte looked worried. “What happened?”
“It was the press of the crowd, I think. I hoped if I ignored it, it would go away.” He massaged his neck. “I have never been very good in such situations. Still, it did mean we have a good punt.”
“Is there anything I can do that might help in future?” Charlotte asked.
“You help just by being there,” he replied without thinking.
She flushed and looked away. He cleared his throat and tugged at his collar.
“You know, ignoring such things rarely makes them better. Perhaps, in the future, you will simply reach for the lavender instead.” Charlotte gestured to his pockets.
“I forgot to get any.” He shrugged and patted himself as if to demonstrate just how empty his pockets were.
“Then I will have to make sure you always have some on you.” Charlotte shook her head and then pursed her lips thoughtfully.
“Always?” Dominic teased even as his heart skittered in his chest.It must be left over from my attack.
“Well as long as we are together,” Charlotte amended, her colour deepening in a most endearing way. “Perhaps that is what I shall get you when we reach the other side.”
“I think there are lavender gardens on that side of the lake.” Dominic frowned as he tried to remember.
“Wonderful.” Charlotte looked at him, clearly still worried about him. “Are you sure you are well?”
“I just… Oh.” Despite his best efforts, at some point, Dominic had lost his grip of the pole.
It was resting on the edge of their punt which was moving in the opposite direction. He dove towards it and managed to grab it with a triumphant yell. Unfortunately, his yell was drowned out by a splash.
He turned around in time to see Charlotte tumble from the punt and into the water.
Chapter Twenty-Four
A REFRESHING DIP
As Charlotte hit the water, she had time to reflect that she had chosen a most inopportune moment to return to her seat. This reflection was followed closely by a gasp as the cold hit her.
She kicked her way to the surface, coughing and spluttering. She wiped the water from her eyes and glanced around.
“Charlotte! Are you okay?” Dominic called, his face white.
“I am fine,” she called back, remembering the panic that had settled in a moment before.
“Stay there, I am coming to get you.”
