He swept a quick gaze over the situation. All eyes were on the reptile, and the gazes that were occasionally still cast to them couldn’t help but quickly return to the toothy danger that threatened the merriment.
More cries and gasps filled the air.
For a moment, Dare didn’t know if he should curse the alligator or praise its existence. He didn’t want to become the creature’s lunch, but for the most part, it diverted everyone’s attention away from the catastrophe that was the four of them.
A fool’s thought.
That alligator waspartof the deuced catastrophe.
A hand patted his shoulder. “Put me down.”
Dare glanced down at Leonora, her soft-blue eyes on him. “Are you sure? Your dress must be heavy.” He was having trouble walking himself. And this sponginess of each step was detestable. Also, if he could hold her just one moment longer... “We also have an alligator on our tail.” The last was meant to tease.
She peered over his shoulder. “My brother is big and slow. And he has more meat. If the creature is going to eat anyone, it is him.”
“How savage.”
Dare slowed his pace and glanced back. All the other couples on the lake had rowed to the furthest part of the shore to clear the water and give a wide berth to the alligator who lay on the embankment, unmoving.
To the side, their hosts were explaining that the thing was harmless and that no one was in danger.
Unbelievable.
“The thing is apet? Who keeps such a pet?”
“I have to agree. What do they feed him?”
“I’d rather not know.”
They reached their former spot on the blanket, and Dare reluctantly set Leonora back on her feet but stayed close at her side, ready to snatch her back up and run should danger once more present itself. She instantly removed her slippers and tossed them aside while Dare reached for his discarded jacket, but before he could drape it over her shoulders, a soft voice intercepted.
“Here take this.”
He turned, only to encounter the Duchess of Crane offering Leonora a shawl to cover herself. His gaze flicked to Leonora, who stared at the woman unblinkingly.
So conspicuous. She’d have made the worst spy.
He draped the jacket over Leonora’s shoulder. “No need. My jacket is thicker.”
The duchess turned her attention to him, slowly withdrawing her hand. He didn’t miss the ever-so-fleeting flash of annoyance. “That’s true.”
Dare almost thought she would say something about having called on him earlier that morning. Warn him away. But her gaze returned to Leonora.
“Would you like for me to escort you home?”
Dare should his head. “No need. I shall take care of Lady Leonora.” The little temptress still stood in a daze, and he didn’t know why, but he felt that she wasn’t quite ready to be in a confined space with this woman.
“You are both soaked. It’s better for you to return straight home, Lord Dare, don’t you think?”
Leonora’s brows furrowed slightly.
“It’s on my way,” Dare objected. “No trouble for me at all.”
“I’lltake her home.”
Heart.
He was looking straight at Leonora, this heated gaze not once touching Dare or the duchess. Dare secured his jacket more tightly around her shoulders, effectively yanking her from her daze.
