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“Of course. That’s what embarrassing stories are for,” she said. “Now stop delaying.”

“I was just fourteen and had spent most of the year at school. Richard is a few years older than me, so he was already home, learning from my father about all the different aspects of running the estate.

“I was bored and resentful of the attention Richard was receiving, since I was the one who’d just returned. One morning, I saw him take a boat out onto a lake that falls on Oak Park’s property. Being a fourteen-year-old boy, I decided to race him, but I didn’t check the boat as I should’ve. I launched the thing by myself and went chasing after Richard. I shouted at him to challenge him, but then I realized that my boat was riding rather low in the water.

“It turns out that it’d been dry docked because someone had found a leak last time it had been taken out. I tried to bail water over the side, but there was so much of it I had to jump out, fully dressed and wearing boots. My brother pulled me into his boat by the back of my shirt. My only consolation was that I dripped all over him and he incurred the wrath of his valet when he went to change for supper that evening.”

“And you had to walk back soaking wet?” she asked, two fingers pressed to her lips as she tried to restrain her laughter.

“I’ve learned since then that I should probably look before I leap.”

“A failed challenge and you wound up floundering in the lake? You must’ve been so humiliated,” she said.

“I was, thank you for reminding me.”

She laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry, Gavin. It’s just the thought of you standing there dripping and furious as a trapped badger because your brother got the best of you without even meaning to.”

He laughed. “You can always rely on the foolishness of youth.”

The outline of the island came into view, and even at this distance he could see the flickering of the lanterns that hung from stakes the caretaker, Brian, had left out for them. He nodded toward the dock he knew lay ahead of them. “We’re nearly there.”

Ina twisted in her seat, giving him a tempting view of her long, elegant neck. Again he pulled a little harder on the oars and hoped that by the end of this night she’d understand his plans were about far more than just one night.

Chapter Twelve

INA WATCHED GAVIN expertly maneuver their rowboat up to the little dock that was hardly more than wood posts and some rough-cut planks lashed together.

She pulled her cloak a little closer around her, happy Ruth had had the foresight to lay out one that was lined with fur as protection against the chill coming off the water. In the dark she could just make out the figure of a man standing at the edge of the dock, waiting to throw them a rope.

Gavin hailed him with a wave. “Evening.”

“I see you made it,” shouted the man.

“Beautiful night for a row.”

The man chuckled as Gavin pulled the oars into the boat, careful to keep them from dripping on her dress. When the man threw the rope down, he scrambled to loop and tighten it around the bow cleat and then straightened.

“Just three steps up and you’re back on dry land,” he said.

With her hand in his, she allowed herself to be helped up the ladder, the man on the dock waiting at the top to make sure her boots didn’t slip on the slick metal rungs.

“Thank you,” she said as Gavin began to unload several oilcloth bags from the boat and hand them up to the man.

“Always happy to help a lady, even if we don’t see many of you around these parts,” said the man.

“What are these parts?” she asked.

“This is Daldour,” said the man, puffing out his chest as though he was greeting the Queen herself. “I’m Brian McDonald, caretaker of this island and its ruins.”

Gavin climbed up the ladder and came to stand beside her. When his hand settled on the small of her back, she had to suppress the urge to lean into him.

“I’m Mr. Gavin Barrett and this is my wife, Ina. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. McDonald.” He opened one of the bags and pulled out a bottle. “Per our agreement.”

“Ah, lovely,” said the older man, examining the bottle by the light of his lanterns. “You’ll find everything just as you requested. If you have need of anything, all you have to do is ask. I live just down the path from the dock in the cottage.”

“Thank you.” Gavin hooked the bags over his arms. When Mr. McDonald tried to hand him a lantern, he looked to her. “Would you mind?”

“Where are we going?” she asked.