Neither one of us said anything about Miss Lewis jumping of her own accord.
I lifted Miss Lewis at the same time she stepped up, her heavy skirts snagging on the brush at our sides. Once she was free of the water and small branches, I climbed out. My hand went to my chest to assure that the ruby ring I treasured was still safely beneath my shirt. I sighed with relief when I felt the small lump.
Miss Lewis immediately put distance between us. She straightened her drenched shoulders and adopted a composed expression quite unlike the terrified one she had borne when I had rescued her only moments before. She primly adjusted her kid gloves and clasped her hands in front of her before she addressed me. “Thank you for your assistance, Lord Camden.”
Her calm, matter-of-fact voice sounded as if I had just passed her the salt at the dinner table or happened to open her carriage door.
“My pleasure.” I didn’t mean for the words to come out like a question, but I didn’t understand the sudden shift in her behavior. Most women would have succumbed to sobs by this point, but she had collected herself in mere seconds of being on land. When she lifted her chin, still dripping with water, I realized it was her dratted pride that kept heremotions in check. The realization nearly spurred a laugh, but I held it in for her sake. She had been traumatized enough for one afternoon.
“Yes, thank you, Atlas,” Augusta said. “Mother would not have liked it if I had drowned my companion.”
Miss Lewis whirled toward me, losing a little of her composure. “Dear me, your meeting, Lord Camden. Will you miss it?”
Ah, yes. Dr. Newman. It had taken weeks to arrange the meeting and the train would be gone by the time I reached the station. But how could I be angry? After all she had endured, she had remembered my plans and expressed her concern. I wrung out the edges of my sleeves with my hand. “I just remembered. My meeting was postponed.”
Or it would be once I sent Dr. Newman a missive.
“How fortunate.” Miss Lewis’s words were skeptical, and she eyed me with a disbelieving frown.
What was fortunate was that I had taken the time to meet with my guards about the estate’s security this morning and had happened to have walked this direction on my way back to the house.
“I must add my own thanks for aiding Miss Lewis,” Augusta said to me. “That was very good of you.”
“That reminds me. WhydidI have to aid Miss Lewis? Where were you?”
Augusta sighed. “Before you get upset, I did not do this on purpose. Honest. I forgot that I had asked the stable master to wax my oars for me. I ran the entire way, but it seems I was not fast enough.”
I shook my head. I should have known that Augusta was behind this whole mess.
“No need to fret,” Miss Lewis said. “I am well enough now, as we can all see. Once I change, we can get back to your lessons.” She speared mewith a knowing look. “I wouldn’t want anyone to think I am shirking my duties.”
And just like that, I was reduced from hero to impertinent acquaintance.
“We should make a run of it.” Augusta stepped anxiously toward Miss Lewis. “Heaven forbid my mother finds you in such a state.” My sister tucked her arm into Miss Lewis’s damp one and pulled her toward the path.
I reached for my boots and watched them go.
Miss Lewis looked back over her shoulder at me one last time, but I pretended not to notice. I needed no more reminders of her when I had plenty from the water to remember. Besides, she was clearly a proud, headstrong woman, and I did not want her to feel embarrassed for her fears. We all had them.
Some of us even had nightmares to go with them.
I slid on my boots and shook out my jacket. The scene from the pond played in my mind at least three times before I reached the house. I had become obsessive about my accident and my efforts to discover both my attackers and my rescuer, but for the first time, something else occupied my mind. I wasn’t certain what to make of it. I would give Miss Lewis this: She certainly knew how to make an impression. Our first few interactions had been quite memorable. I half feared what would happen next.
Regardless, I would be a gentleman and try to put Miss Lewis at ease. For Augusta’s sake, I could be sociable if I tried. I had agreed to give Miss Lewis a chance in our comfortable employ—although comfortable was negotiable after our little swim—and I would do as I promised if it killed me. I had my own second chance to earn.
Chapter 13
Estelle
Dread filled me at the thought of facing Lord Camden at dinner. I dragged my feet down the upstairs corridor to stall the inevitable. I was mortified over what I mentally referred to as theboat incident. I refused to call it reckless conduct, panicked behavior, or insane stupidity, even though the memory included all the before-mentioned disgraces. I had to salvage my pride at least for myself. After the way I had mauled Lord Camden, I already knew it would not be possible to do so for him.
Nora had given me a stern lecture as she had fixed my coiffure. No one had been more shocked about my wet state yesterday than my dear, sweet maid. I suddenly wished to digress to governess, where I was not permitted to dine with the family at all. Now I had to face Lord Camden, my twice rescuer, over a plate of steaming food, all while pretending to be a dignified human capable of tutoring his sister.
“Mercy,” I muttered. I would rather run away from home all over again.
Indeed, I had completely lost my appetite.
“Is there a reason you’re walking so slowly?” Augusta asked, coming up beside me.
