An Unconventional Countess (Regency Belles of Bath 1)

‘I’m impressed. I know sailors who take longer when we beat to quarters.’

He gave her a conspiratorial grin, opened the front door and they crept out together. There was still a chill in the air, accompanied by a faint smell of dampness, but as they walked around the east side of the house and out of the shadows, she was enveloped in a burst of morning sunshine.

‘Now can you tell me where we’re going?’ she asked as they hurried across the lawn.

‘You’ll see in a few minutes. According to the steward there’s a path leading through the woods.’

They found it easily, though it was less of a path than a trail, meandering lazily back and forth beneath a canopy of silver birch and oak. The trees were mostly leafless, but the ground beneath was carpeted with old leaves and branches.

‘Wait.’ Samuel came to a halt as the trees started to thin again. ‘Close your eyes.’

‘Close my eyes?’ She gave him a sceptical look. ‘That doesn’t seem like a very intelligent thing to do in a wood. What if I walk into a trunk or trip over a root?’

‘I won’t let you, I promise. Take my hand and I’ll lead the way.’

‘All right.’ She did as he asked, every nerve ending quivering as his fingers closed around hers. Neither of them were wearing any gloves and the touch of skin against skin sent a thrill of excitement racing down her spine.

‘It’s just a few more steps. Here we are.’ Samuel sounded distinctly proud of himself when they stopped walking again. ‘You can open them now.’

Anna opened her eyes and gasped. They were standing on the rim of a dip in the tree-lined hillside that contained a spectacular water garden. There was a waterfall at one end, about ten feet in height, pouring into a river that ran in a perfectly straight line down the valley. To her delight there was even a bridge and some stepping stones connecting the two banks of the river, on both sides of which were a series of circular and semi-circular pools, each with a statue in the centre.

‘It’s beautiful.’ She breathed a sigh of admiration and then laughed. ‘And I was afraid that you’d miss being close to the water! Can we go down for a closer look?’

He grinned, as if he’d been hoping for such a response, and led her down a series of small wooden steps. He was still holding on to her hand, she noticed, though she made no attempt to pull hers away, either. Somehow it felt right, as if their fingers were meant to be entwined.

‘It’s like a secret garden,’ she marvelled as they wandered slowly towards the river.

‘It’s supposed to be. The steward said that my cousin had it built about eighteen years ago. The river used to be wider, but he had it reshaped and channelled into these ponds. Apparently, he wanted it hidden away so he could surprise visitors.’

‘He succeeded in that. What are the statues?’

‘They’re mostly Grecian, I believe. This one, for example, appears to be two sirens.’

‘You really must feel at home.’

‘I’m not sure sirens are a good sign. I was fortunate enough never to meet any at sea.’ His fingers tightened subtly. ‘Only on shore.’

She gave him a chiding look. ‘I’m not a siren.’

‘No? You lure men into your shop with sugary treats.’

‘You make them sound like horses. They’re perfectly at liberty to walk past.’ She stopped halfway across the bridge and looked around. ‘This is stunning.’

‘It is...’ He kept his gaze on her as he spoke. ‘But there’s one more thing I want to show you.’

‘More than all of this?’

‘This is impractical. Beautiful, yes, but not even knee-deep by the look of it. No use at all for swimming.’

‘I can’t swim.’

‘Then you’re in good company.’ He grinned and tugged on her hand again, leading her up the side of the waterfall and back into the trees. ‘Neither can most of the men in the King’s Navy.’

‘Isn’t that dangerous?’

‘Not as long as they stay on board their ships, but it’s a good idea to learn.’

‘Not today, thank you.’