Page 17 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

Lia and Verina laughed, as the viscount said, “Bring your boat next to mine, Traywick. There. Good.” He rested his oars and held out his hands. “Come to me, Celia. ”

Tray lifted Celia by her waist, placing her in their boat. Lord Cressley secured his niece, kissing her on both cheeks.

“Are you having fun, little love?”

“Picnics are very fun,” she proclaimed.

Tray and the viscount agreed to race from the middle of the lake to the shore where the others still gathered. They lined up their boats, side-by-side, close but not so close that they couldn’t row properly.

Celia shouted, “Go!” and they took off.

Lia held tightly to the girl as their boat cut quickly through the water. Both Tray and Lord Cressley had shed their coats, and she could see how broad the viscount’s shoulders were. How large his biceps were. How he rowed with strength and ease.

They reached the finish line first, followed immediately by Tray and Verina. Celia crowed her delight.

“We won! We won!” She leaped from Lia’s lap and threw her arms about her uncle.

“We did,” he agreed, kissing the top of her head. “But a good winner never gloats.”

“What’s gloats?”

“To brag about your triumph. Winning,” he amended, when Celia looked confused.

“What do we do then?” Celia asked.

“We offer our hand and shake that of our opponent. Tell them that they ran a good race. And give them a very large smile.”

“Let me,” Celia insisted. She thrust out her hand, and Tray took it, looking solemn, but Lia saw the mirth in his eyes.

“It was a good race,” she said, shaking Tray’s hand. Then Celia beamed. “And we won!”

“You most certainly did,” Tray agreed.

Everyone was laughing now, both in the boats and onshore.

“Let us put the boats back,” the viscount said. “Would you like to get off here or stay? ”

“Stay,” Lia and Celia said without hesitation.

Lord Cressley picked up his oars and moved them through the water with barely a splash, heading back toward the boathouse. When they reached the shore, he got out first, then lifted Celia from the boat. She stood on the shore waving at Verina and Tray, who were fast approaching.

The viscount gave Lia his hand. The boat rocked slightly as she moved and he released her hand, catching her by the waist, causing her heart to slam against her ribs.

He picked her up with ease and set her on the shore.

She was afraid if he spoke, she wouldn’t hear him because the blood pounded so fiercely in her ears.

“Thank you,” Lia managed, taking Celia’s hand and leading them in the direction back to the others. All the way, her pulse beat rapidly, as if she had run a long race.

What was happening to her?

Tia had traveled along the path next to the shore, coming to meet her. She slipped her hand through Lia’s arm, and Lia released her grasp on Celia’s hand. The child ran ahead of them.

“Are you all right?” Tia asked, looking concerned.

“Yes,” she said, sounding strangled and anything but all right.

Tia halted them. “You like him. Lord Cressley.”

She looked at her twin helplessly.

“You do,” Tia whispered. “I thought you did. You seemed so at ease with him. That is why I took Celia away, so that the two of you might have a few minutes alone to yourselves.” Tia snorted. “Well, as alone as you can get at a picnic, with Mama and Aunt Agnes looking on.”

Her sister started moving again, and somehow, Lia managed to pick up her feet.

“He is quite handsome. And charming,” Tia said. “Do you think you will wed him?”

“I have only met him,” she said, shaking her head. “How do I know something such as that?”

“Aunt Agnes knew right away when she met Uncle George,” Tia insisted. “Do you love him?”

“I do not know. I do not think so. Or... perhaps... oh, I cannot say. Please, do not mention any of this to anyone.”

Tia looked offended. “I never tell anyone what the two of us talk about.”

They were coming close to the others now. Celia had already arrived. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Tray and Lord Cressley fast approaching behind them, Verina with them.

“He wants me to go with Celia and him to Kidsgrove tomorrow. To look for toys and clothes.”

Tia frowned. “I doubt Mama would let you go alone with them. I will volunteer to come along. Verina and Justina would also go. I can steer them away. We could run our errands separately, then we could all meet up for tea and a scone.”

“You are brilliant,” Lia said.

Her twin smiled widely. “Perhaps I will become a matchmaker in London and put couples together during the Season. I will experiment on you and Lord Cressley first.”

Laughing, Tia released her and picked up her skirts to run. Lia did the same, and they ran the short distance to the others. Her sister collapsed onto the empty blanket they had eaten their picnic on, while Lia went straight to her mother and aunt.

“Remember, Lord Cressley wishes to speak to the both of you about Celia and how to go about employing a governess for her,” she said, out of breath.

“Have him join us,” Mama said.

But Aunt Agnes looked at Lia a long moment, as if she knew something was afoot. “Yes, have Cressley come and sit with us, my dear.”

She turned and met Tray and the viscount. “Mama and Aunt Agnes wish to speak with you, my lord,” she told Lord Cressley. “About engaging a governess for Celia.”

“Thank you,” he said, striding off.

Tray looked at Lia. “Thank you for inviting Lord Cressley today. I hope we will strike up a friendship, especially after I complete university. In the meantime, I asked him to ride with us the day after tomorrow. Remember, we are going to tour some of the Lake District on horseback.”

“That was a lovely gesture, Tray. Thank you for inviting him. I believe Lord Cressley is in need of a few friends. He was reluctant to leave his fellow officers behind when he sold out.”

“Cressley will be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood,” her cousin proclaimed. “Come, Lia. I have worked up a thirst with all that rowing.”

“And I worked one up watching the two of you row,” she teased.

Larsen poured them both some lemonade, and they joined Verina and Justina.

Lia would see the viscount tomorrow in the village and again while they rode about the area. That would make for four days in a row. Something told her that she would know where her heart stood at the end of that time.