She heard the floorboards creaking but quickly spoke up, “Yes, up yonder—over yonder. You may not see it very well because of the lily pad, but it is right there. You see?” she said excitedly, pointing.
He bent over slightly, which is what she had hoped he would do, and narrowed his eyes.
“I’m afraid I cannot?—”
She placed her hand on the small of his back—aware how inappropriate it was—but then slightly pushed him to the right. “You see, if you will just turn a little, you will see it if?—”
“I think I see it!” he said.
She was momentarily confused. As far as she was aware, there was nothing in the water but lily pads and frogs. However, he leaned forward, evidently assuming that she was going to hold him back if he should fall. Instead, she pushed—ever so slightly. Just enough to make him take another step forward.
He turned to her, a bright smile on his lips. “I think it is a rainbow trout,” he said.
“Indeed,” she said, and then moved just enough so that she bumped into him to give him the last bit of push he had needed.
“Oh!” he called, as his arms flailed.
“Lord Pendleton!” she said. “Do be careful! The end is very slippery!” she added, knowing it was far too late for such a warning.
He lost his footing and fell forward, arms and legs in the air. He flailed for a moment as the top hat he had been wearing flew into the air.
Then he splashed down like an ungraceful toad, connecting with his stomach first. Water sprayed into the air, and lily pads flew from their prior positions, bouncing across the water as the man flailed about.
“Goodness!” she said and clasped her hands in front of her mouth. “What a disaster,” she said. If he looked up, she would look horribly concerned—but in reality, she was suppressing a laugh. Then, recovering herself, she turned and rushed down the pier.
“Help! Help!” she called. “Lord Pendleton fell into the pond!”
Already, someone was running down the path from the main house toward them. But to her surprise, it wasn’t a footman. It was Nathaniel.
“What has happened?” he called. “I saw him fall from the porch. What did you?—”
“Me?” she exclaimed, her voice a little too high. “Why would you think I did anything? He fell. I told him about a wonderful fish I thought he would be interested in, and he fell. It is not my fault that he is un?—”
He looked at her, eyes narrowed, but then dashed past her to the pier where Lord Pendleton had managed to grasp onto the edges. His arms and upper body were already out, but he struggled to get free.
“Pendleton!” Nathaniel shouted as he ran, his footsteps booming over the wood. For a moment, Evelyn silently wished that perhaps he too might fall in—for that would have indeed been a successful day. But he didn’t. Instead, he leaned down, grasped the older man under the arms, and heaved him out.
Pendleton stood there, water dripping out of every pore.
He shook his head like a dog after a bath, water spraying everywhere. She remained on the edge of the pier, leaving the men to do whatever they were going to do next. Laughter sat at the base of her throat, desperately wanting to come out, but she controlled herself.
“You!” Pendleton said and pointed at her. “You pushed me!”
“I did no such thing,” she said. “I attempted to hold on to you so you would not?—”
“Nonsense!” he said. “You pushed me.”
She made her way toward him now, head held high and shoulders back.
“I am a duchess. I would not stoop so low as to push my visitors into the water, especially not those whom I am entertaining as potential?—”
He shook his head and ran his hands through his hair. Beside him, Nathaniel looked as though he had seen a ghost. Water had speckled his powder-blue shirt and waistcoat, making them look darker in spots.
“I assure you, Lord Pendleton,” she said, “I only wanted you to see the glorious rainbow trout.” She repeated.
“Well, that is nice that you know they are in the pond,” Nathaniel said, before turning to Lord Pendleton. “Why don’t you come to the house? Let me get you towels and some dry clothing.”
Pendleton shook his head. “I would rather walk back to my estate dripping wet than step into your house with that woman.”
