Hopeless Heart

“If I don’t try it, I won’t know if I like it,” she whispered. “This is for me, not them.”

Once at the lake she studied the trees surrounding it carefully in case she was not alone. The only sounds were the rustling of the leaves high above and the occasional tweet of a bird. Still, vulnerability hovered over her. It felt as though she was about to commit a sin which was ridiculous really because she was hurting nobody. If anybody was going to come out of this the worse for wear, it would be her when she ended up with influenza from the cold water.

Before she talked herself out of it, Georgiana began to remove her boots. Her hands visibly shook as she removed her shawl and undid the buttons on her dress. She studied the trees all the time, and positively trembled with trepidation by the time she managed to remove her outer clothing. It was, by far, the most risqué thing she had ever done in her life. It was as terrifying as it was invigorating, and she wasn’t naked yet.

Bracing herself, she quickly divested herself of her underthings. She was shocked and thoroughly appalled at how wantonly she enjoyed standing in the open air completely naked. It was thrilling, reckless, hedonistic, and terrifying. The only time in her life she was completely naked was in her room, with the door locked and the shutters closed tightly. Her nipples on her up-tilted breasts peaked at the same time that goose bumps broke out all over her body. In spite of this, she wasn’t cold; she was scared. Scared of being caught and scared of what might happen once she got into the water. Scared of being naked out in the open and scared that she might never find peace in her life and skinny dipping might not give her with the answers she craved.

Aware that she would never get any answers while dithering at the side of the lake, she slowly began to walk into the water. The frigid liquid immediately stole all trace of warmth from her skin and made her breath hitch in her chest. Still, she forged onward and, step by tentative step, submerged herself into the silken embrace of the water.

Will remained frozen in place and stared. He should stop her but didn’t want to startle her because he couldn’t do anything to help if she fell beneath the water. Stunned, he stared blankly at the pile of her clothing before he slowly turned his stupefied gaze back to the woman who should be wearing them.

The sight of her in all of her naked glory was now indelibly printed on his mind. Each time he blinked, the image of her was there, waiting to haunt him. The sight of her made his body react with an eagerness to that he had never expected. He had certainly never experienced this invisible pull of attraction toward any woman as strong as it was toward Georgiana. He was stunned, appalled, horrified, and downright intrigued to know why it was there. Why now? Why her? Why was it so difficult to ignore?

While he waited for her to finish her swim, he scoured the trees surrounding the lake for anyone else who might be watching this wonderful display of feminine brazenness. As he did, he became aware of an overwhelming surge of possessiveness that swept through him with startling ferocity. It left him staring at the woman in the water in disbelief because of the new emotions she drew forth within him. He should leave, for her sake as much as his own. But, now that he had seen her in the water, it would be irresponsible to leave her all by herself.

“She might drown,” he murmured quietly as he studied the deep blue of the clear water. Strangely, it rather felt as though he was the one at risk of being submerged.

Georgiana shivered. It was foolish to loiter. Her toes were already numb. If she wanted to skinny dip without catching a cold she needed to go deeper into the water. With that in mind she took a deep breath and ducked beneath the surface. Thankfully, the resultant discomfort was temporary, and she was soon able to enjoy her first foray into skinny dipping.

“How wonderful,” she murmured as she began to splash about in the water.

She rolled onto her back and stared up at the blue sky. Watching birds flutter this way and that, she floated from one end of the lake to another. When she became aware of the looming bulk of the stone border at her head, she flopped over and tried to put her feet on the bottom. Her toes barely touched the soft sand but she was able to tip-toe tentatively from one side of the lake to the other. She contemplated getting out and jumping in again like she had watched her brothers do on many occasions but didn’t want to leave the luxury of the water and so contented herself with trying to swim.

Suddenly, the loud snap of a twig shattered the silence. Georgiana spun around, her narrowed gaze scouring the trees for an intruder. There was one. Only a person would make that sound.

“Who is there?” she called. “Show yourself.”

The soft rustle of leaves drew her attention to the trees just beyond her clothing.

“You!” she gasped in dismay, her eyes wide with horror.

“What on earth are you are doing?” Will demanded. He worked hard to keep his expression devoid of life, and lifted on arrogant brow while he waited for her to reply.

“That is glaringly obvious, isn’t it?” Georgiana snapped indignantly. “More importantly, what on earth are you doing here? Do you intend to try skinny dipping yourself?”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wished she hadn’t spoken. Her cheeks flamed with mortification. A part of her scandalously wanted him to do just that while inwardly she was still battling with the realisation that he had seen her undergarments. He had to have seen them; they were only a few feet in front of him. Given the clarity of the water, he would be able to see her if she ventured any closer.

“Where have you been all day? Your parents are worried,” he admonished.

“I don’t see that is any concern of yours, or theirs. I am one and twenty now. I don’t need their permission to go out,” she retorted.

“You are under your father’s protection, Georgiana,” he replied patiently but firmly.

“I am not on a lead,” she snapped. “I don’t see why I should run to them for permission for everything I want to do.”

“Do you realise how reckless you are being?” Will prompted, ignoring her protest.

He was trying to keep his mind off the fact that every time she moved, or even breathed, the water swished around her and he was blessed with a tantalising glimpse of pale feminine flesh that was simply captivating.

“Now turn your back,” she ordered, eager to get her clothing back on.

“Why?”

“Because I wish to get out,” she replied pertly. “Unless you want a personal view of everything God gave me, turn around.”

Will promptly did just that.

Georgiana studied his back suspiciously, her eyes narrow. “Just how long have you been there?”