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Jostled a bit, Elena clung to the side of the seat until the rocking smoothed out. Placing her hands on her lap, she gazed out through the window. The silence in the carriage was deafening as they made their way over the stoned bridge, heading to the forest.
In the corner of her eye, she noticed Gabriel shifting his weight in the seat, getting more adjusted. He crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes without a single word to her. A prick of remorse filled her as she watched him. It was as if he deliberately ignored her.
Maybe he is just tired. God kens where he slept. Could be he just needs a bit of a shut-eye and will be his cheerfully annoying self in a bit.
But… what if he doesnae talk to me again? I was cruel to him last night and havenae been the most accommodatin’ wife.
Oh, let him have his ire. Suits me if he never speaks to me again. Then I’ll nae have to keep up pretenses between us.
Elena tried to fall asleep, but she found it near impossible. Her mind raced and shifted as it went over the argument again and again. Finally, she jerked her head up and let out a huff of frustration. Her eyes darted to Gabriel, surprised her little bout didn’t wake him.
She turned to face the window as the day dragged on. It seemed with each passing moment the carriage grew hotter. Elena pulled out her fan to try and cool herself off, but with no cool breeze, it was pointless. All the fan did was pour more hot air on her.
The glimmering of water filtered through the passing trees, catching Elena’s eye. She found herself dreaming of dipping into the waters and feeling the coolness on her skin. In the corner of her eye, she spied Gabriel. His eyes were wide open and locked on the window as traces of sweat streamed down his cheeks.
Pulling in a longing breath, she arched her eyebrow.
“Mind if we take a detour?” he asked as he lifted his hand up and knocked on the roof of the carriage.
Elena tried to hide her smile as the carriage came to a stop. She had been locked in that small box for so long, that her legs were beginning to cramp. Gabriel threw open the door and Elena sucked in the musky scent of pine and moss.
“It is much hotter today than yesterday,” Gabriel said eyeing her. His head nudged to the west where she had noticed the sun dancing on the surface of the water. “Care to come wit’ me down to the water? A quick swim might help to ease the discomfort of the day.”
It wasn’t a question. Elena wondered for a moment if he was willing to leave her there if she said no. But the cool, refreshing water called to her like a siren.
“A swim would be nice,” she answered as Gabriel turned to his servants.
“Yer more than welcome to come too,” he said to the driver of the carriage. “Tis a hot day and we all could use a bit of a break.”
The brutish-looking driver turned his attention to Elena a moment before shaking his head. “Nay thank ye, but enjoy yerselves.”
Gabriel shrugged as he turned to Elena. Her eyebrows rose as Gabriel turned and started walking down the slope to the loch. Elena gasped as she realized he wasn’t waiting for her. If she wanted to go, she’d have to go on her own.
Using the trees to brace against the slips of the mossy rocks, she made her way to the loch. Her mouth dropped in shock as she watched Gabriel stripping before her. His boldness scared her, and she quickly turned her back on him.
“Ye dinnae think I’d be jumpin’ in wit’ my clothes on now, did ye?” he asked as drops of water landed on her arms.
“Nay of course nae,” she said, feeling a rush of embarrassment. “And neither can I, so turn around.”
“Yer actually goin’ to come in, are ye? That’s a surprise.”
“And why nae? I’m just as hot as ye are. Now turn. Some of us here arenae as brass as others. And even though we’re married, I expect ye to be a gentleman.”
“And when have I ever nae been one?” he answered as Elena watched him turning his back to her.
A slight huff of disappointment perked her ears. She waited for some noise to reassure her that he had turned before she glanced over her shoulder. Peeking at him a moment, she found his back to her as he swam further into the loch. Carefully, she began undressing. As each layer dropped to the ground, she felt herself getting cooler until the light breeze kissed her skin through the thin layer of fabric.
“Are ye comin’ in or nae?” he shouted. “Or will ye just be puttin’ a toe in and say ye swam wit’ me?”
“I’m gettin’ in now,” Elena said as she cautiously moved to the water’s edge. Letting the water lap over her toes sent chills through her. She found herself eager to rush in. Throwing off her inhibitions, she dove headfirst, allowing the cool, scrumptious water to wash over her.
Coming up for air, she giggled. “At least now I’ll ken yer washed.”
“I never smelled to begin wit’,” Gabriel said as Elena moved closer to him.
“Aye, ye did,” she teased. “Like a mule.”
“I thought ye said it was a pig,” Gabriel said with a playfulness in his tone. For a moment, Elena wondered if the water had washed away the tension between them. She knew she was at fault for the argument last night, but as she tried to find the words to apologize, she found her foot grazing off a slippery slope.
