Later that day, with a coaching ticket to Mecklemerry, the village in which her Aunt Ruth lived, clutched in her hand, Georgiana walked back to Cranbury. With each step she took she grew increasingly reluctant to go back at all, even for a few hours’ sleep.

As she walked she contemplated just how much screeching her mother would do about the length of time she had been gone. It was horrible to admit even to herself that unlike most people, she wasn’t planning what to do once she reached the safe confines of her bed chamber. No, she was contemplating just how long she would have to endure her mother making pointed references to her wayward and selfish daughter. Even taking a little time today for herself had made her life more unbearable and staying in Cranbury virtually impossible.

Determined not to worry about the place she lived until she reached it, Georgiana turned her thoughts to the list of adventures she wanted to try. She did indeed want to experience everything she had mentioned to Theresa, and more besides. Although she knew Theresa considered it nothing more than a pipe-dream, Georgiana knew it was considerably more than that. Her need to spread her wings a little had nothing to do with her broken heart. It was a very real and very personal cry for freedom and something that if denied would cause her even more heartbreak.

“I am going to live with my aunt and I don’t care if anybody likes it or not,” she declared defiantly as she sauntered slowly down the lane.

Of course, there was one person she hadn’t considered in all of this–her aunt. She had no idea if Ruth was even at home right now and wasn’t able to find out until she got there. Her plans would all go horribly wrong if she travelled all that way only to find Ruth had gone away somewhere, and was not expected back for several weeks.

Now that the day had warmed up, and Georgiana had spent the better part of the afternoon walking, she was hot, sweaty, and tired.

“Tilpit lake,” she whispered aloud as she studied the long line of trees in the distance.

The mental image of the pristine waters of the small lake she often visited when she wanted time alone suddenly swam to the forefront of her mind. The villagers rarely ventured near the lake or woods because of their haunted reputation. The lake itself was surrounded by a tangle of weeds, and was extremely difficult to get to even in the height of summer, but was the perfect place for her to rest and gather her thoughts before she faced going home.

Without giving it a moment’s thought, she went in search of the path that would take her where she needed to go. All the while, she contemplated how early she would need to leave the house in the morning to reach the coaching office in time to catch her coach. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the solitary rider behind her.

 

Will recognised Georgiana even from a distance. He immediately grew annoyed that her friend didn’t seem to be with her.

“Damned fool female,” he grumbled as he studied her retreating back.

He nudged his horse after her, and decided to try to find out what troubled her while he escorted her home.

It helps that you don’t want to go home, and are happy to find a diversion that delays it, a small voice warned him, but he ignored it, mainly because it was the truth.

The huge manor house he had just taken over from his father was the last place he wanted to be right now, not least because every time he stepped through the door his mother appeared and began to bleat on about marriage.

Eager to forget all about it, he focused his attention on his quarry, and urged his horse to walk faster when Georgiana disappeared into the trees.

 

Georgiana’s stomach flipped nervously as she contemplated what she intended to do. She had been to this lake on many occasions in the past but had never once even considered skinny dipping in it. Now, it was something she was going to try while the opportunity was there.

“I must be mad,” she muttered under her breath. In spite of her words she lifted her skirts and stepped over the debris littering the forest floor until she reached the small lake nestled deep within the foliage.

“If I don’t try it, I won’t know if I like it,” she whispered. “This is for me, not them.”

Once at the lake she studied the trees surrounding it carefully in case she was not alone. The only sounds were the rustling of the leaves high above and the occasional tweet of a bird. Still, vulnerability hovered over her. It felt as though she was about to commit a sin which was ridiculous really because she was hurting nobody. If anybody was going to come out of this the worse for wear it would be her when she ended up with influenza from the cold water.

Before she talked herself out of it, Georgiana began to remove her boots. Her hands visibly shook as she removed her shawl and undid the buttons on her dress. She studied the trees all the time, and positively trembled with trepidation by the time she managed to remove her outer clothing. It was, by far, the most risqué thing she had ever done in her life. It was as terrifying as it was invigorating, and she wasn’t naked yet.

Bracing herself, she quickly divested herself of her underthings. She was shocked and thoroughly appalled at how wantonly she enjoyed standing in the open air completely naked. It was thrilling, reckless, hedonistic, and terrifying. The only time in her life she was completely naked was in her room, with the door locked and the shutters closed tightly. Her nipples on her up-tilted breasts peaked at the same time that goose bumps broke out all over her body. In spite of this, she wasn’t cold; she was scared. Scared of being caught and scared of what might happen once she got into the water. Scared of being naked out in the open and scared that she might never find peace in her life and skinny dipping might not give her with the answers she craved.

Aware that she would never get any answers while dithering at the side of the lake, she slowly began to walk into the water. The frigid liquid immediately stole all trace of warmth from her skin and made her breath hitch in her chest. Still, she forged onward and, step by tentative step, submerged herself into the silken embrace of the water.

 

Will remained frozen in place and stared. He should stop her but didn’t want to startle her because he couldn’t do anything to help if she fell beneath the water. Stunned, he stared blankly at the pile of her clothing before he slowly turned his stupefied gaze back to the woman who should be wearing them.

The sight of her in all of her naked glory was now indelibly printed on his mind. Each time he blinked, the image of her was there, waiting to haunt him. The sight of her made his body react with an eagerness to that he had never expected. He had certainly never experienced this invisible pull of attraction toward any woman as strong as it was toward Georgiana. He was stunned, appalled, horrified, and downright intrigued to know why it was there. Why now? Why her? Why was it so difficult to ignore?

While he waited for her to finish her swim he scoured the trees surrounding the lake for anyone else who might be watching this wonderful display of feminine brazenness. As he did, he became aware of an overwhelming surge of possessiveness that swept through him with startling ferocity. It left him staring at the woman in the water in disbelief because of the new emotions she drew forth within him. He should leave, for her sake as much as his own. But, now that he had seen her in the water, it would be irresponsible to leave her all by herself.

“She might drown,” he murmured quietly as he studied the deep blue of the clear water. Strangely, it rather felt as though he was the one at risk of being submerged.

 

Georgiana shivered. It was foolish to loiter. Her toes were already numb. If she wanted to skinny dip without catching a cold she needed to go deeper into the water. With that in mind she took a deep breath and ducked beneath the surface. Thankfully, the resultant discomfort was temporary, and she was soon able to enjoy her first foray into skinny dipping.

“How wonderful,” she murmured as she began to splash about.

She rolled onto her back and stared up at the blue sky. Watching birds flutter this way and that, she floated from one end of the lake to the other. When she became aware of the looming bulk of the stone border at her head, she flopped over and tried to put her feet on the bottom. Her toes barely touched the soft sand but she was able to tip-toe tentatively from one side of the lake and back again. She contemplated getting out and jumping in again like she had watched her brothers do on many occasions but didn’t want to leave the luxury of the water and so contented herself with trying to swim.

Suddenly, the loud snap of a twig shattered the silence. Georgiana spun around, her narrowed gaze scouring the trees for an intruder. There was one. Only a person would make that sound.

“Who is there?” she called. “Show yourself.”

The soft rustle of leaves drew her attention to the trees just beyond her clothing.

“You!” she gasped in dismay, her eyes wide with horror.

“What on earth are you are doing?” Will demanded. He worked hard to keep his expression devoid of life, and lifted on arrogant brow while he waited for her to reply.

“That is glaringly obvious, isn’t it?” Georgiana snapped indignantly. “More importantly, what on earth are you doing here? Do you intend to try skinny dipping yourself?”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wished she hadn’t spoken. Her cheeks flamed with mortification. A part of her scandalously wanted him to do just that while inwardly she was still battling with the realisation that he had seen her undergarments. He had to have seen them; they were only a few feet in front of him. Given the clarity of the water, he would be able to see her if she ventured any closer. With that, she ducked deeper beneath the surface and glared at him.

“Where have you been all day? Your parents are worried,” he admonished.

“I don’t see that is any concern of yours, or theirs. I am one and twenty now. I don’t need their permission to go out,” she retorted.

“You are under your father’s protection, Georgiana,” he replied patiently but firmly.

“I am not on a lead,” she snapped. “I don’t see why I should run to them for permission for everything I want to do.”

“Do you realise how reckless you are being?” Will prompted, ignoring her protest.

He was trying to keep his mind off the fact that every time she moved, or even breathed, the water swished around her and he was blessed with a tantalising glimpse of pale feminine flesh that was simply captivating.

“Now turn your back,” she ordered, eager to get her clothing back on.

“Why?”

“Because I wish to get out,” she replied pertly. “Unless you want a personal view of everything God gave me, turn around.”

Will promptly did just that.

Georgiana studied his back suspiciously, her eyes narrow. “Just how long have you been there?”

“I just got here,” Will replied, desperately trying to ignore the sound of swishing water that belied her departure. “Get out. I will take you home.”

“I don’t need you to take me home,” she snapped. “I can get there myself.”

Will sighed. “You are not ten years old any more, Georgiana. This is highly inappropriate behaviour,” he chided, trying to keep the heat out of his voice. “Your mother is back at that house fretting. Your father has locked–actually locked–himself in his study and refuses to come out. Your brothers went to see your father but he refused to speak with them. They then refused to take tea with your mother and left, which upset her even more. If that hasn’t caused enough problems, you-” he pointed one accusatory finger at her over his shoulder, “-you are out here like a recalcitrant child completely oblivious to everything but your own selfishness.”

He realised then that he had temporarily forgotten his need to keep his back to her. The arresting sight of her petticoats clinging desperately to her dampened flesh made sweat pop out on his brow. Although he quickly turned back around, he couldn’t ignore his body’s instant reaction.

Georgiana wrestled her dress over her head. “How dare you call me selfish?”

Her voice was temporarily muffled, but she knew he heard her because she kept her gaze trained on him the whole time. His shoulders tensed the way she had seen them do on many occasions in the past when he was angry or deeply offended about something.

Well he can be offended. I don’t care anymore, she mused waspishly, and took a moment to squeeze her hair out while she tried to decide how to handle the situation.

 “I dare because you are,” Will replied. He leaned one shoulder nonchalantly against a tree in a casual pose that hid the tension within him.

“You arrogant swine,” she snapped. She was so incensed that she didn’t notice his startled glance as he pushed away from the tree and turned to face her again. Nor did she notice the long, sweeping look he gave her. Instead, she stalked up to him and poked one finger into his chest.

“Every day of my life I get told what to do, what dress to wear, where I am going, which social function I simply, positively, have to attend, and I am given no choice in the matter. I am told what I should wear for God’s sake, and I am one and twenty!” She was yelling at him but something in her refused to stop. “All the time I push aside what I want to do, and where I want to go, just to live a normal and relatively peaceful life–and you have the audacity to call me selfish? What I want to do doesn’t feature in anybody else’s selfish world, especially yours. Nobody bothers to ask me what I want. Now, I have heard that you are to marry someone of your choosing, yet I have to sacrifice every second of my bloody day looking at material, ribbons, bows, shoes, and material for dresses while listening to Cecily carp on and on incessantly about what she wants, where she should consider we go, what she wants me to wear, all because of your wedding. I can’t stand it.”

For the first time in her life she wanted to hit someone. More importantly, she wanted to give Will the smack upside the head she believed he needed. Not least because he had chosen to marry sodding Penelope Smedgrove!

When he merely stared at her as though he had no idea who she was she glared at him in complete disgust.

“You, sap that you are, listen to Cecily’s utter tripe and swallow it while she manipulates you into doing her running about for her. I am sure she has blistered everyone’s ears about how wayward I am for going out with my friend and taking a walk because she wants to sit inside and make bloody wedding preparations for your stupid wedding.” Once again she poked him in the chest. “What about what I want?”

She didn’t wait for him to respond. Instead, she spun on her heel, swept up her boots, and walked into the trees to put them on before she hurt her feet. Riding high on a tide of fury, she battled with trembling fingers while she tugged on her laces, completely oblivious to the blissful warmth that stole over her as soon as her chilled toes were covered.

“Damn him,” she muttered. “Damn them all.”