Henrietta rushed forward. “He needs help!” Couldn’t they see that? She embraced him, wrapping her arms tight around his waist, steadying him.
Grayson’s surprised brown gaze slammed into hers, then turned back to their task. Leaning into her, Grayson freed his feet quickly and waded into the lake until he could slide horizontal in the water and slice with quick, powerful strokes toward the capsized boat.
Henrietta pushed through the crowd. “Ada! Ada!”
Ada appeared, eyes glued to the lake’s surface. “Do you see her? I can’t see her.”
Henrietta wiped the tears from her friend’s cheeks and wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “He’s a fine swimmer, Ada. He’ll find her and save her.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
“He will.”
“What if she’s—” Ada gulped.
“She’s fine. Look!”
All eyes on the shore saw what Henrietta did at the same time. Grayson had reached the boat’s edge and disappeared under the surface of the water.
Ada held her breath. Henrietta held hers, too.
“How long have they been under there?” Ada clutched Henrietta’s hands, squeezing them tight before releasing entirely. “I’m going in, too.” She pulled toward the water, but Henrietta pulled her back, held her close.
“No, Ada. Don’t. Think of how heavy your skirts will be. What if you can’t stay above water, then Grayson will have to save you, too. You won’t be any help to Pansy.”
“I have to dosomething. They’ve been under so long!” Ada’s eyes were wild, panicked.
“Look! There they are!” A yell arose from the crowd behind them, then a chorus of claps and cheers surrounded them.
Two heads bobbed above the water.
Ada collapsed in Henrietta’s arms, and Henrietta lent her friend her strength, whispering, “He’s got her! See! I told you he would.”
Pansy clung to one of Grayson’s shoulders, and he used the other arm to flip the boat right side up. An impressive show of strength and dexterity Henrietta couldn’t help but appreciate now she knew Pansy to be safe.
Grayson pushed Pansy into the boat, retrieved the oar from where it floated nearby, and climbed into the boat, too. It tipped forward under his weight, but he was inside so quickly, the boat pitched back into place on the water with a splash.
And Pansy’s giggle rang across the water.
“She’s laughing?” Ada’s voice hovered between shock and despair, joy and anger. “She’s laughing!” She’d found an emotion to focus on—anger. “How in heaven’s name can she think any of this funny?”
Henrietta felt like laughing, too. She’d held Ada tight during the time Grayson had been below the waves, but she’d wanted to crack, to plunge into the cold depths, too, and pull him back up. She’d understood her friend’s panic and despair. She’d felt it herself.
And she’d felt joy, as well, when he’d popped back up with the little girl clinging to his neck. They were safe. He was safe! Her heart felt so light it might as well drift out of her chest and up into the clouds.
“Are you laughing, too?” Ada demanded.
“I can’t help it. They’re safe, Ada!”
Ada grunted, then her face broke into a giddy grin as the rowboat slid up onto the shore. Ada and Henrietta, increasingly crowded by more arms and hands, pulled the boat farther up the grassy bank. Grayson leaped into the mud and pulled Pansy to safe, solid ground.
Ada crushed the little girl to her in a hug, and the crowd of arms surrounded Grayson, pushing Henrietta to the margins. They clapped him on the back, congratulating him on a job well done. It had been well done. Pride in him coursed through her. She turned from the group, not needed, the swelling pride in her chest inappropriate.
A hand on her shoulder stopped her progress away from the lakeshore. “Well done, Miss Blake.” Lady Pendelson’s eyes glowed in admiration.
“I did nothing, I’m afraid. Your praise should go to Lord Rigsby.”
“I saw you. Lord Rigsby made it into the water more quickly because you kept your wits while the rest of us gawked. And you held Miss Cavendish back. She could have endangered herself had she plunged in after her sister. You were instrumental, my dear, in ensuring a swift and safe rescue.” She sniffed. “I’m not surprised, myself. Opening a shop in London. Bold. Risky. You’re a formidable woman, Miss Henrietta Blake.”
