Page 47 of Just About a Rake


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“Oh, right, thank you for the jacket.”

No need to thank me, love.But before anything could be said further, their hosts arrived at their spot. “Lady Leonora,” Lady Brimfield remarked. “I hope Basil didn’t give you too much of fright!”

Basil? Who named a damn alligator Basil?

Lord Brimfield nodded. “Look, he returned to the water. He is harmless, I assure you.”

“I’m quite all right,” Lady Leonora murmured, clutching the lapels of his jacket with both hands. Why did that simple action make his heart skip a beat?

“Brimfield,” Heart reprimanded, “like I said earlier, that thing is not a pet!”

“I disagree,” the man said. “Any animal tamed could be considered a pet.”

“A wild animal is still a wild animal!” Heart disagreed.

“Leonora?” Harriet’s voice was worried as she and Leeds strode over, sweeping over the excited crowd. Leeds crowded close to his wife. Almost as close as Dare was with Leonora. Dare scrunched his brows together but couldn’t find it in himself to step away even though he knew he ought to. “We saw what happened in the distance. Are you sure you are all right?”

“I’m fine,” Leonora reassured her friend. She did seem to have recovered. Thank God. Her eyes found him. “What about you?”

“I’m fine, too.”

Her voice softened with concern. “You slipped and fell.”

Don’t remind me of that humiliating horror, please.“The water broke our fall.”

Her lips quirked. “You also carried me. I’m not light.”

He flashed her a row of teeth. “And I’m strong.”

All eyes turned to them.

Right. Not the time or the place.

“My apologies,” the duchess said to the group. From the corner of his eye, Dare saw Heart flinch. “I have not been properly introduced to any of you, so forgive my interference. I’m Cassandra Faiththorne, the Duchess of Crane.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” Lady Leeds said with a smile. “I’m Lady Leeds, and this is my husband, the Marquess of Leeds.”

“A pleasure meeting you.” Her gaze turned to Leonora.

Dare sighed. Could it be any more awkward? How had the witty temptress suddenly lost her speech again? “Well, no introduction is needed for me.”

“Dare,” Heart growled.

He grinned at the man. “And since Lady Leonora and I are soaking wet—you as well—before we all catch a cold, I suggest we retire home.” Like Calstone, who had disappeared. Smart man.

“No!” Lady Brimfield cried. “First, you must change here. I’ve already instructed a servant to retrieve a few sets of clothing. I cannot allow my guests to leave all wet and bedraggled.”

Bedraggled.Why thank you very much.It was rather pitiful when someone else pointed it out, wasn’t it?

“No need. I shall take my leave.” Dare glanced to Leonora while the woman continued prattling on at Heart. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Shall you be all right?”

She nodded, and Dare frowned at her rather subdued presence. This was not at all like the Leonora he knew. It was as though the sparkling woman had retreated into a shell.

“Are you sure?” he pressed.

“Dare,” she whispered, her hand snaking out to grip his wrist.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”