"Esme," Genny said, wringing water from her sleeves, "on a scale from one to ten, how furious is Lord Woodmere?”
“Eight.Possibly nine.But Alexandra is a ten, and she is on our side."
"Excellent," Genny said."Then I would call that a victory.”
“Ladies,” Mother reprimanded.
Esme smiled despite the damp chill creeping up her legs.
A victory, she thought, had never before involved so much water.
By the time James returned to Langley house, the morning's chaos had arranged itself into distinct images.He had not often found himself in such a condition while feeling so...exhilarated.
Esme, hair unbound and streaming, eyes wide from the shock of cold.
The strangled sound she'd made before it became laughter.
The feel of her wrist in his hand, slim and strong and very much alive.
He dropped into a chair by the window.
"What are you smiling at?"Magnus asked from the doorway, without preamble.
James covered by reaching for the decanter."Your soothing bedside manner, clearly."
Magnus leaned against the jamb, arms folded.His hair still damp.
"Alexandra has already sent three notes," he said."One to Lady Woodmere, one to Genny, and one to that odious gossipmonger Lady Cardigan, making the entire thing sound like a farce staged for the amusement of the children.By tonight, the story will be that we all fell in on purpose as a philanthropic demonstration."
James relaxed a fraction."Efficient, as always."
"She also informed your mother that you distinguished yourself," Magnus went on."By not drowning anyone and by looking appropriately wretched."
"High praise," James murmured.
Magnus's gaze sharpened."And Esme?"
"Cold, damp, furious," James said."And...laughing."
"You like that," Magnus said.
It was not a question.
James toyed with the glass."I like that she laughs at all.The Season seems designed to beat the laughter out of her."
Magnus studied him."You are in deeper than you intended."
“Parish the thought.”James turned his attention to his tumbler.
“Woodmere will be looking for someone to blame."
"The ducks are first," James said."Alexandra has already written a ballad about their villainy."
"After the ducks," Magnus said.
"Then me," James took a deep drink."He made that clear."
"Do you blame yourself?"Magnus asked.
