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Henry tore the paper open. The directions were short but clear.
“Go!” Sir Mulgrave’s deep voice called from somewhere on the cliff above him. “We’ll cover you.”
* * *
A wave crashed against Dinah, and she shivered. Though the water receded again, this time it didn’t even drop below her shoulder. Her arms were once more tied behind her back, the rope connecting her to a large rock. She had hoped, when she’d first seen where Spade intended to leave her, that he might assume, as a woman of wealth and means, that Dinah had never learned to swim and simply leave here there. No such luck. He’d tied her up and then left with a smirk across his face. Another wave rolled in, and Dinah had to hold her breath until it settled. If anyone was coming for her, they had better do it soon.
“Dinah!” someone shouted.
Henry. That was Henry’s voice.
“Here,” she called out, but then caught a mouthful of salty water. As the wave receded, she sputtered and coughed.
A hand wrapped around hers.
Henry tugged at the ropes, causing them to momentarily bite deeper into her wrists. Dinah bit down a cry then drew in a quick breath. Another wave beat against her. The ropes loosened. Dinah pulled hard, but the ropes tightened once more.
Henry’s head surfaced. “Almost there. Don’t pull until I tell you.”
Dinah only responded with a nod, as another wave was coming their way.
Henry disappeared once more, and she felt his fingers working across her wrists. Though Dinah felt the ropes loosening again, this time she kept her arms as they were. Another wave, and Henry came up for breath. He ducked down again just as a second wave hit. Dinah had to crane her chin upward to find breath.
Henry’s hands wrapped around her forearms, pushing them out and away from the rock. She was free.
He surfaced. “Can you swim?”
The elation at finally being free caused Dinah to smile. It probably appeared vulgar to him, but she couldn’t hold it back. Now that she was free to stand up fully, the water only came to her elbows. Plenty deep, but not guaranteed to drown her. “What kind of a knighted-tradesman’s daughter do you take me for?”
Henry’s arm wrapped around her waist, and he drew her in close. In the last rays of sunlight, she could make out the ferocity of his gaze. Gracious, but she loved that intense stare of his. He smelled of seawater, but underneath that was a musk she’d steadily grown to love these last couple of months. He pressed his forehead against hers. They were both soaking, and yet Dinah could not ever remember feeling warmer.
“I am so sorry,” he whispered.
“You came,” she said. “That’s all that matters.”
He cupped her cheek. “I was an idiot for ever making you doubt it.”
Dinah went on tiptoe, letting the next wave help push her upward. She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “I know our union was only one of convenience, but I think we have the potential to be the passionate love match we both deserve.”
Instead of responding, he simply kissed her back. Fully, completely. His arms holding her close to him, her fingers twisting about his too-short hair. Dinah realized, then, that Henry kissed very much the same way he stared. Intensely, in an all-consuming way. Nothing else existed but her and him and that kiss.
A wave hit them and nearly set them toppling over.
“We’d best get out of here before the water rises any higher,” Henry said, taking hold of her hand. “If I don’t get you back to your father soon, he’s going to have me hung.”
“Father is here?”
“Of course,” he said, as they cautiously made their way toward the cave’s entrance. “As are Uncle Jeffrey, Mr. Wilson, and even Mr. Harding.” He turned toward her. “They all care about you.” Then his expression turned mischievous. “Though only I get to do this.” He leaned in and kissed her once more.
