.
Rachel watch Reuben surface, and pull in air. His black hair was plastered to his head, and water glittered on his lashes, and trailed down his cheeks. He reminded her of Poseidon, a god rising from the water.
“Did you find it?” she asked, her pulse beating with hope.
Reuben shook his head, and she was staggered by the disappointment.
“As I said,” Frederick began, but he was cut off once more, as Reuben inhaled before dipping back into the black pool.
The prince shook his head, and led his very reluctant sister away.
Susanna spoke to Nash. “Do you think your brother will find the jewel?”
Nash replied rather loudly, as though he wanted the crowd to hear. “My brother found an enemy of the crown in one of the bloodiest wars yet. A jewel will not defeat him.”
There was a murmur that went through the crowd. There were at leave twenty people about now, with children among them.
Rachel narrowed her eyes at Nash, and took her parasol from Lucille. She felt wretched that she’d allowed Reuben to go into the water at all. Now if he failed, Society would know by day’s end.
Reuben surfaced again and then stared at the water. The determined look in his eyes made him utterly handsome. There were giggles from the crowd.
Rachel crouched on the ground and whispered, “Reuben, it’s all right. You don’t have to do this.”
But he wasn’t listening to her, and a moment later he was gone, giving himself once again, to the water.
She stood.
Lucille asked, “I could have the footman bring you a blanket, so that you may relax, my lady.”
Rachel frowned and nodded. She had no idea how long Reuben planned to be in the lake, but had a strong feeling he would not come out until her jewel was found. He was stubborn and mad.
And she realized she loved him. “And go to a nearby inn, and bring luncheon for three, and yourself.” The least she could do, was make sure Reuben and Nash were fed. She could see hints of the viscount’s white shirt, as he moved in the water. He would tire himself soon.
Lucille left, and a footman returned moments later with a blanket. Reuben had surfaced at least five times, since.
She sat, as Susanna said her goodbyes.
“Your soldier seemed to have a single-minded devotion to your cause. I admire that. Do write me, whether or not he finds your headdress.”
Rachel promised to do just that, not bothering to correct her friend about whether or not Reuben was hers, for if he asked again, she would court him. How could she not, after all this? Susanna only knew a little about Reuben’s tenaciousness.
Lady Graves departed with her, and Rachel turned back toward the lake.
A half hour passed, and the crowd began to move away. It was now past the fashionable hour to be in the park.
Luncheon was brought, a stew with bread, and Rachel invited Lucille to sit with her.
Nash had sat without asking, and had only grinned when she looked back at him.
When an hour passed, Reuben approached the edge of the water, but didn’t get out.
The crowd was gone now.
Rachel moved to the very edge of the blanket, so that their faces were less than a foot apart. “Come out of that water, this minute.”
“No.” His green eyes were focused on her, and then he looked at the blanket. “You brought food?” Water trailed closed to his mouth.
“For you,” she whispered, and had to fight not to reach out and let her finger trail where the drop had been. “Come and eat. My footman has a towel for you.”
He turned to her again. “I’m not getting out, until I find your mother’s headdress.”
Her eyes widened. “You remember it was my mother’s?”
“Why do you think I’m in here?” He nodded his head to the food. “Bring the food to me. I’ll eat quickly.”
“You’ll get it wet, if you touch it like this,” she said.
“Then feed me,” his gaze challenged hers.
Rachel glanced around, and noticed that besides Nash and Lucille, they were truly alone, and both pretended to be occupied with the trees and the sky, ignoring her conversation with Reuben.
She returned her gaze to Reuben, and then slowly moved toward the blanket. She grabbed the bread first, and brought it to him. As she fed Reuben from her hand, she couldn’t help but think of those paintings of servants who waited on their kings, in such a way.
She watched as his strong teeth bit into it, his eyes locked with hers.
She shivered as he chewed and saw the grin that spread on his face.
REUBEN DOUBTED he’d find the headdress. He was watching the movement of the lake and calculating where it might have gone, but suspected he might fail.
Yet, as he held Rachel’s eyes, he felt more like a champion than ever. He had her attention, and with it, he realized just how much he never wanted it to go away, how much he cherished it and could possibly do so, for the rest of his life.
He finished the bread from her hands, and wondered when the last time anyone had ever cared for him this way. She smiled down at him, in a way that he could feel to the very depths of his soul. The air cooled his exposed parts quickly, but she warmed him with her presence.
Perhaps his brother had been right, about doing what was most satisfying.
Nash stood, at that moment. “You’ll be needing dry clothes when you’re done. I’ll go fetch them.” He was nearly gone, when the dutiful lady’s maid stood, as well.
“My lady, would like me to fetch you your book from the carriage?”
“Please,” Rachel said, before the lady’s maid retreated.
The park was quiet except for the brushing of the grass, as Rachel moved to get the stew, and brought it Reuben’s lips. He balanced the bowl on his lower lip, and took as much of the savory meat and peas as he could handle, before backing away.
He felt some slip down his chin, but didn’t worry for it. It would be gone the moment he went back under the water.
Rachel laughed. Her hair had come loose when she’d lost her headband. It trailed in the air with the wind. “You have a little...” She produced a handkerchief from her pocket and then froze. Something passed in her eyes, and Reuben stilled as she leaned forward and brushed her lips along the corner of his mouth, and down his chin. Her soft tongue jutted out.
His body caught fire, and he tilted his head to catch her mouth.
It was the most pleasant kiss in his life. Her soft breaths and playful caress poured over and through him, like a balm to his very brokenness.
He started from the water, rising with the intent of laying her out on the blanket.
The brushing of feet on grass startled him, and he immediately pulled away, before dipping back into the water. He stayed close to the surface and could hear Rachel speaking, likely to her lady’s maid.
He moved away as he thought more of his wishes for his future, and less about the jewel.
And that was when he saw it. The new angle of the sunlight cut through the lake, and made the diamond glitter. He swam toward it, grabbing it from where it rested, halfway covered in rocks.
When he surfaced he turned to Rachel, and found that not only was Lucille there, but of all people, Lord Dabney and another older gentleman, who stood beside Rachel. She looked slightly distraught.
Both men looked over at Reuben. Dabney wore a frown, while his friend looked on in confusion. Had they seen the shared kiss?
Reuben moved toward the shore and walked out of the water. His clothes immediately adhered to his flesh. He held out the jewel toward Rachel. “My lady.”
Rachel took a shattering breath and lifted it from his hands. “Oh, Lord Eastridge. Thank you so much.”
The gentleman Reuben didn’t know, laughed. “Oh, the old jewel loss. Your mother likely used that trick to gain the attention of more than one suitor.” He seemed in good spirits as he gazed down at Rachel, with more than a bit of open affection. He was gray and large, but clearly, wealthy.
Rachel blushed at the comment. “I assure you, my lord. I did not lose it purposefully.”
Dabney frowned. “One would hope not, my lady.” Then he looked at Reuben. “I say, Lord Eastridge, that was quite the show.” Though he didn’t sound like he approved of Reuben’s actions at all. “I can’t think of any proper lord who’d have actually dared to step in that filth, jewel or not.”
Reuben didn’t regret going in. “It was a costly item, and one very dear to the lady’s heart.”
“And for Lady Florentia,” the man speaking, was the one Reuben did know. “One might do anything. The headdress is an essential part of her custom.” His eyes twinkled at Rachel, but Reuben wondered if the man were seeing Rachel, or her mother.
Rachel smiled. “Lord Eastridge, I can see you already know Lord Dabney. This is the Earl of Fosse.”
Lord Fosse bowed. “My lord.”
Reuben nodded his head to the man and made his greetings. Then he looked out and saw Nash heading their way. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Rachel turned to him with wide eyes. “You’re leaving?”
“We’ll speak again,” he promised.
She held his eyes and nodded in return.
“Lady Lush,” Dabney called. “Allow we gentlemen to see you to your carriage.”
Reuben watched Lucille gather Rachel’s things, and then turned to walk over to his brother.
“Have you made a decision?” Nash asked.
“Yes.”