He had built it for me. My family had come for the ground-breaking, including Louisa, who was now at home for her lying-in. Alice, fully recovered in health but not quite in spirit, had stayed to watch the progress. We were all hoping that a change of scenery would bring back the excitement and easy laughter that had disappeared with her illness. She would join us for the formal ceremonies celebrating the completion of the lake this afternoon—if it didn’t rain.
But this morning it was just me and Gregory.
“I’m ready.”
He stepped into the boat, took my hand, and helped me in. I settled on the seat across from him as he untied the rope.
The boat jerked when he pushed off the dock, then eased into a slow, rocking movement. I leaned back to admire the way his coat bulged as he strained at the oars.
“It’s going to rain,” I said.
He looked over my head into the distance. “The storm is some way off yet.”
Tilting my face to the rising sun, I closed my eyes.
“You’re going to end up with freckles,” he said.
I opened one eye and squinted at him. A breeze ruffled his hair. His tanned skin made his blue eyes even more stunning than normal, and his smile revealed a small crease—not quite a dimple—in his cheek. My heart began to race.
I shrugged, knowing it would do nothing to hide the way he affected me but hoping to convey indifference all the same. “I’ve already caught a man. He’s bound to me, freckles or no.”
Gregory frowned. “Poor chap.”
Dipping my hand in the water, I brought it up quickly and splashed him.
“That wasn’t very wise, Margaret, considering I’m the one with the oars.”
I lifted a brow, straining for unconcern even as a smile tugged at my lips. Dipping my hand in the water again with the intent of getting him really wet, I was thrown off balance when the boat lurched to the side. Gregory yanked my hand out of the water and flicked it so the water landed on me.
“Gregory!” But I was laughing too hard to resist him.
“Looks like I’ll have to distract you until we arrive at the island.”
I smiled when his lips found mine.
By the time Gregory’s rowing sent the boat butting against the small dock near the gazebo, the clouds were overhead, blocking the sun. I held on to the dock while Gregory secured the boat.
We made it only two steps up the hill when the clouds let loose. The warm spring rain streamed down, soaking us in seconds. I grabbed Gregory’s hand and we raced toward the gazebo.
Once out of the rain, he stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. I leaned into him, the rise and fall of his chest at my back warming me better than any blanket as we watched the confusion of ripples dancing across the water.
“I told you it would rain,” I murmured.
“Are you worried about getting back?”
I shook my head. With his arms around me, his chin resting on my head, and the rain plinking on the roof above us, I felt more safe and comfortable than I ever had before.
On an impulse, I slipped from his arms and walked into the downpour.
“Margaret, what are you doing?”
I tossed him a smile, lifted my head to the sky, stretched out my arms, and welcomed the rain.