Page 46 of Rogue’s Holiday

Chapter 10

Several days later, Chastity made her way to the breakfast room to discover Rose happily chatting with Aunt Agatha. “Good morning.” Drawn to the sideboard by enticing smells of the morning meal, she fixed herself a plate of eggs and a hot bun flavored with caraway seeds.

Taking her seat, she waited for the footman to pour her chocolate as a feeling of melancholy swept over her. The message she’d received from Letty that said she would be unable to ride this morning was certainly a part of it. It was a shame as the weather promised a glorious day and a fast race would have taken her mind off Sir Robert. Her thoughts had often drifted in his direction recently. She actually missed him, which would never do.

“I trust you both slept well,” said Aunt Agatha. “I had a terrible night, tossing and turning with vivid dreams. Too much wine, I suspect. But then one is only old once, n’est-ce pas?” She laughed at her own humor.

Rose chuckled.

Chastity took a long drink of her chocolate. “’Tis too early for that, dear Aunt.” She ate her eggs in silence thinking about the other reason for her somber state of mind. The day before, Henry Cairo had left his card when she and Rose had gone for a stroll. Lord Alvanley, too, had paid them a call while they were gone. Chastity regretted the missed opportunities since both would make fine suitors for Rose.

With little to occupy her for the rest of the morning, she thought of the circulating library on the Steyne she had yet to visit. Perhaps Rose might wish to join her. Or, she might attempt a new design for a lady’s half boot she’d been thinking about. She liked to stay busy, surrounded by friends, which made her wonder how well she would do when servants and the occasional visitor to her estate would be her only companions. Of course, Crispin would be with her. He had followed her downstairs and now sat looking up at her attentively. He was a wonderful companion but woefully lacking as a conversationalist and she did so love lighthearted raillery. Alas, Sir Robert was very good at banter.

“Now that you are both here,” said Aunt Agatha, “I must ask, have you noticed the weather has turned decidedly warmer?”

Chastity glanced at the sun streaming through the paned windows. “Well, yes, one can hardly miss that. We don’t even need a fire this morning.”

Her great-aunt’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “The good weather gave me an idea. What do you two think of our indulging in sea bathing today?”

Rose’s brow furrowed. “Will it be very cold?”

“Undoubtedly,” said Chastity’s great-aunt. “The cold seawater is thought to be beneficial to one’s health. ’Tis not just a cold bath, Rose, but a cold medicated bath, good for the circulation.”

“I would definitely favor such a venture,” said Chastity, quite taken with the idea. “I have been anticipating the delicious feel of seawater against my skin.” Letty had told her swimming naked was a sinful delight. “Must we wear clothes?”

“Chas!” scolded Rose. “Of course, you must.”

“Indeed, no,” Aunt Agatha corrected. “’Tis true those small wooden bathing machines that are towed to the water will contain loose-fitting linen gowns for us to put on should we choose, but some women prefer to bathe in no clothing at all.”

“It sounds scandalous,” said Rose, her cheeks turning red.

“It sounds marvelous!” said Chastity. “Did you never bathe in a river in the summer as a child?”

Rose shook her head. “Papa would never allow it.”

“Oh, very well. You wear the gown if you must,” said Chastity. “But, as for me, I want to feel the waves on my bare skin. Besides, we’ll be private, won’t we?”

“Why, of course!” said Aunt Agatha. “There are separate bathing areas for men and women and the women who act as dippers helping us into and out of the water keep it that way.”

“Letty doesn’t wear a bathing gown,” said Chastity, knowing Letty would never impose cloth between her skin and the sea.

“Well, that is Letty,” said Rose.

“I have seen her bathing naked,” Aunt Agatha said. “She is of a height and weight that cause her no worry for the waves. But unless you are a strong swimmer, I do recommend you accept the tether the dipper offers you so that you do not drift away. The current can be strong.”

Chastity wondered if The Rogue engaged in sea bathing. Since he came from a family of shipmasters and had sailed to the South Seas, she rather thought he could swim where an ordinary sailor might not. How she would like to sail to faraway islands where she imagined lagoons so clear one could see through the water to the sand. She tried to imagine him naked and diving into a lagoon but, since she’d only ever seen her sisters naked, the image her mind conjured was his masculine form in a gentleman’s clothing submerged in blue water. Ridiculous! A rake would be quick to doff his clothes. And no doubt just as quick to accept the favors of the island women.

After the morning meal, Chastity and Rose donned their simplest gowns and climbed into her great-aunt’s carriage that would convey them to the ladies’ beach. “A carriage is best,” explained Aunt Agatha, “as we won’t want anyone to see us on the way home. Our hair, though hidden beneath a bonnet, will surely be wet and our gowns damp, although the dippers do provide drying cloths.”

They arrived at the beach to see women flocking to the bathing machines lined up at the shore waiting for the horses to pull them to the water. The small wooden structures on wheels had one door facing the beach and one on the opposite side facing the sea. A short set of stairs led up to each. Chastity and Rose chose to share a compartment so they could help each other undress. Aunt Agatha brought her maid who would perform the same service for her.

Once inside their bathing machine, Chastity and Rose settled onto the benches and braced themselves for the tow to the sea. When the small conveyance came to a halt, Chastity shed her clothes and, urging Rose to hurry, emerged through the back door. A dipper helped her down the few steps to the water where she paused, looking out to sea, feeling the sun on her bare skin and the small waves lapping at her toes. Her skin turned to goose flesh in the onshore breeze. Rather than stand there and shiver, she gathered her courage to jump.

From behind her, Rose’s voice quavered. “Are you sure you want to swim without the gown?”

“Very sure,” Chastity said. “It will only weigh me down.” Refusing the tether the dipper offered her, Chastity plunged into the surging sea. She gasped as the icy cold saltwater embraced her tender flesh, sending a chill to her very core. Ignoring the frigid temperature, she began to swim. Soon, she became used to the cold water and found it invigorating.

Other women were leaving their bathing machines. Chastity swam past them. Even though she kept her head above the water, the spray swept across her face causing her to experience a sudden exhilaration. She loved the freedom of swimming naked. It reminded her of other times when she had defied convention, the times she had galloped across the hills of home.