Page 97 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
“Simon,” she began hesitantly.
“My boots are already wet,” he said with a sigh. “The water is coming in too fast for me to row to shore.”
She told herself the chill of foreboding she felt was silly. “We’re not that far. I can swim.” Once again she used his shoulder for leverage as she moved past him.
“Your heavy clothes will be a problem, but I’m a good swimmer. I can help.”
She bit her lip and looked toward shore. “It really isn’t far.”
“I’ll row as far as I can. It’s too bad there isn’t a bucket to bail with.”
“I’ll use my umbrella.”
“You can try. But first, remove as many petticoats as you can.”
She stared at him. “What?”
He kept rowing. “I don’t know how many you have on under there, but it will be easier to swim without them. And who’s going to see you?”
She blushed. “Very funny.”
She reached up beneath her skirt and fumbled at her waist with the ties to the first petticoat. Water was up well above her ankles now, and the boat moved slower and slower.
“Hurry, Louisa,” Simon said, as sweat poured down his face.
She lifted her bottom and pulled the petticoat down. “You should remove your coat.”
“Good idea.”
She took off two more petticoats, leaving her skirt looking strangely deflated. Her wet legs felt almost bare with only her drawers and skirt covering them.
The boat was now at a dead stop, and the water lapped at her seat, soaking her hips.
“Are you ready?” he asked. “You’ll have to navigate for the swim as well.”
“I’m ready. Let me swim alone first. Maybe I won’t hold you back.”
He said nothing, although he didn’t look convinced.
In silence, they sat still as the water rose higher, faster.
“Let’s jump,” he said. “I don’t want either of us getting caught on something and pulled under with the boat. I’m going in first so that I can help you swim. Then stand on the seat and jump toward me.”
Before she could even speak, he’d jumped in and came sputtering to the surface.
“Can you stand?” she asked.
“No. Hurry!”
She gathered her wet skirts in her hands and stepped up onto the seat. The boat still rocked though almost completely submerged. Then she leapt. The shock of cold water was followed almost immediately by Simon’s flailing hands. She caught one and let him pull her to the surface, where she gasped in a breath. He put an arm around her ribs, and she could feel him kicking his legs to remain on the surface.
“Are you all right?” he said near her ear.
She spat water. “Fine. We need to swim toward the shore behind you. You go first.”
“I’m not leaving you behind me.”
“It will be easier for me to guide from behind. Just go!”
