“Of course, Sweetkins,” she called back, trying to sound teasing and nonchalant which was somewhat undermined by her chattering teeth.
A moment later, she felt a strong hand on her wrist, and Dominic pulled her out of the water. The boat swayed ominously, and for a moment, Charlotte thought they would both fall back into the freezing lake. Thankfully, they did not.
“You are freezing!” Dominic exclaimed.
“I-I-I- am f-f-f-f-innnne,” Charlotte tried to say, but her teeth were chattering too badly.
“You will catch your death.” Dominic shook his head and hastily took off his own coat. “Here, wear this. It will at least keep you warm until we can get you back to the house.”
“But what about the event?”
“Dash the event. I am not risking your health for this competition. We need to get you warm and dry and settled with a good cup of tea.”
“But…”
“No buts.” Dominic shook his head and began to turn the punt around and head back the way they came.
As they did, Charlotte was aware of a few of the other participants calling to them, and her cheeks reddened further as she realised just how silly she must look.
“Did Dorson dunk you, My Lady?”
“You’ll be in the doghouse tonight, Dorson.”
“Oh, Charlotte!” The last voice was Cecily’s, and it was coming from the shore. “Honestly, Dominic, I cannot believe you dunked your fiancée in the water.”
“It was not on purpose,” Charlotte tried to say, but her chattering teeth made it all but impossible.
“Come, let us get you to the house and out of those wet clothes.”
“That is where we were heading.”
“Make yourself useful, cousin, and run to the kitchens, and have them arrange some soup and tea for Charlotte.”
Dominic looked between Cecily and Charlotte, apparently reluctant to part from her side. It tugged at her heart strings, but she nodded to him.
“I will be fine. Cecily will help me back to the house, and I am sure something hot will be most welcome.”
“If you are certain.”
“I am, Sweetkins,” Charlotte said, using the nickname to tease him.
Dominic smiled at her. “All right, Precious Plum.”
He sprinted away, and Charlotte found herself smiling despite the cold. Cecily fretted over her as she escorted her back to the house, and Charlotte was glad that her stepmother was otherwise occupied. She did not think she could cope with her disapproval at that moment.
“I shall lend you one of my dresses,” Cecily said as she beckoned Charlotte into her room.
“What? But I have plenty of my own.”
“Yes, but my room is closer, and we have a fire lit. Besides, if your stepmother is anything like my own mother, I suspect you will be in for an earful, and that is the last thing you need.”
“That is true.”
“So that settles it. Cecily handed her a dress. Here, wear this green one. It will bring out your eyes.”
Cecily’s dress fit surprisingly well, and Charlotte was immensely grateful for the opportunity to avoid her stepmother. Perhaps Lady Bellmore was not the ogre she’d supposed, but Charlotte did not desire another complication to confuse her.
They tried to dry her hair as best they could and eventually deemed that Charlotte was presentable enough to make the journey to the dining room where Dominic was waiting with tea.
