Page 105 of Impossible
“What’s that?” Gradon turned his head, pausing his strokes.
“Would you stop for a moment?” She wanted to see if she could just sit in the wherry and become accustomed to the motion of the water. Perhaps she could start to relax a little.
The waterman frowned. “I shouldn’t.”
“Would it help?” Prudence asked her.
“I think it might and I’d like to try.”
“I’ll double your fee,” Evie said to Gradon. “Just stop for a few minutes so Miss Treadway can acclimate herself. It’s terribly important.” She flashed him a coquette’s smile, her lashes fluttering, and Ada thought Gradon would probably refund their money rather than take twice what they’d already paid.
The waterman smiled dizzily, and for a moment, Ada feared he actually would careen into the river. “For a few minutes.” He sat down abruptly, setting the long oar across his lap.
“Ada!”
“Did you hear that?” Prudence asked, looking off into the distance.
“Ada, wait!”
Yes, Ada had heard that. She squinted and saw another boat coming at them. A moment later, she recognized Max. He wasn’t wearing a hat.
“Ada, thank goodness I found you.”
Now it was Prudence and Evie who gripped Ada tightly.
“Move closer,” Max said loudly to his waterman.
The man shook his head, but Ada couldn’t hear what he said.
“What the devil is he doing?” Gradon asked, tipping his hat back on his head. “Does he know ye?”
“Yes,” Ada answered, her heart swelling. He’d come looking for her. On the river.
“He won’t let me come closer!” Max shouted. “Says he’ll be fined or something.” He sent a glower toward the waterman, and Ada could practically hear him growl. She covered her mouth as she giggled. That was the beast she’d met.
“It’s too dangerous for him to come closer,” Gradon warned. “He might capsize or take us down with him.”
Panic seized Ada’s lungs. “Don’t come any closer!” she cried.
Even from this distance—which was at least twenty yards—she could see his face fall.
“I love you, Ada,” he shouted. “I know you probably don’t want to hear that. It certainly wasn’t in my plans, but I love you most desperately.”
Between her trepidation about being in the wherry and the sudden appearance of the man she’d thought she couldn’t have, Ada’s heart was racing. He loved her?
He went on, his voice loud and clear across the water. “I was a rotter last night. I don’t care what you’ve done. I won’t judge you, just as you haven’t judged me.” He wiped his hand over his face. “I don’t know what I did to deserve that kindness from you, but it saved me completely. I owe everything to you.”
Ada raised her voice. “No, you don’t. You are so much more than what you’ve suffered.”
“Only because you showed me. You’ve shone your light and given me the path from the darkness. I know who I want to be. Your husband, if you’ll allow it.” He knelt in the wherry. “Ada, will you marry me?”
Other boats had gathered—as close as was safe apparently—and the occupants were watching. An eerie silence had fallen.
“This is the most romantic thing I’ve ever witnessed,” Evie murmured.
Prudence beamed. “It’s absolutely fitting for Ada.”
“But—” Ada struggled to find words.
