it bounced a gratifying three times. “He’s up to something. Probably just setting us all at each other’s throats for his own entertainment. But he’s a manipulative old devil, and I don’t like to have my strings pulled.”
He cast another, slightly larger stone straight into the water. For some reason, this one attracted Gun’s attention, and the dog shot after it, trailing his velvet leash behind him.
“Oh, dear, can he swim?” Juliet asked.
“Apparently,” Dan said, clearly entertained by Gun’s antics. Paddling dementedly, he vanished under the water and popped up again before Dan had made more than a slight movement in his direction. “He’s got a stone in his mouth!”
“The same one?” Juliet asked, impressed.
“Who knows?”
Gun was paddling furiously back to them, but it seemed he began to enjoy the water for its own sake, for he changed direction several times, splashing and barking, perhaps following the paths of fish he could see below.
“Oh, no,” Dan warned as Gunn eventually hauled himself out of the river and galumphed up to them, the stone still held firmly in his mouth, water streaming from his long hair. Reaching over, Dan dragged the hood of Juliet’s cloak over her head and threw one arm over her. “Take cover!”
Gun shook himself mightily. Water sprayed everywhere, which pleased him so much, he thrust his wet face between Dan and Juliet and licked them impartially until Dan hauled him off.
They were laughing so much they didn’t hear anything else until it was too late to hide.
A young couple, also laughing, were walking hand-in-hand along the opposite bank of the river. Inevitably, they gawped across the water at Dan, Juliet, and the dog. The man, a farmer of some kind, grinned and tugged his hat. Then, clearly recognizing Juliet, he dragged it off and bowed. The girl, who was nearest the water, sprang to the man’s other side in clear alarm, turning her face away until they had rounded the bend out of sight.
“Interesting,” Dan observed. “Why would she hide from you?”
“She wouldn’t,” Juliet said thoughtfully. “I think she was hiding from you.”
“How can you tell?”
“I grew up here. I’m the earl’s family. Most of the country people know who I am, like the farmer. He’s not one of our tenants, but he knew me. She didn’t, but she still hid.”
“Perhaps she hides from everyone. I just hope she doesn’t blab and get you in trouble.”
“I couldn’t really be in more trouble.”
“Then you’ll meet me again tomorrow?”
“We can meet here if you like. Just around the bend is a wooden bridge and a shortcut to Myerly over the fields. So, it’s a little bit closer for you.”
For a moment, a rare, troubled expression flickered in his eyes.
“You don’t need to pander to my boredom,” she said hastily. “I am happy to walk alone.”
“But it’s more fun with a friend,” he said lightly. He rose and stretched his hand down to help her to her feet. “For me, at least. I’ll walk with you back to the drive.”
“No, there will be more people around now, and you needn’t add another mile or so to your journey.” Suddenly, she was very aware that her hand still lay in his, that they stood close together, and that for some reason connected to those things, she could no longer breathe easily. In the chaise, he had kissed her.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She whipped her hand free and stepped back with a bright smile. “Goodbye!”
*
Dan watched her go with another twinge of unease. She had seemed suddenly eager to be away from him, as though she had sensed his doubts about future meetings. Well, he did have doubts, which had nothing to do with his wishes but with a rare and inconvenient sense of responsibility. He liked her company—too much if the truth were told—and was glad to alleviate the boredom for them both, to give her a little cheer and happiness in the midst of her troubles.
But she truly did not need any further scandal in her life, and being discovered in clandestine meetings would bring just that. However innocent they were. After all, she was innocent too in the disgrace already surrounding her.
Gun thrust his head under Dan’s hand, and he turned away from the vital, determined figure hurrying through the trees. Since the velvet leash was soggy, he let Gun lope along beside him. He was too tired after his long walk and swim to run very far.
By the time they crossed the bridge, Dan knew he could