Page 308 of Desires of a Duke Collection

“Yoo-hoo, Celia, Elias, are you there?” someone called out to the swimmers from the bridge.

“If that is Cousin Elizabeth, I am going to shoot myself,” CeCe said, turning to her brother and treading water.

“C, sometimes you can be so selfish,” he replied solemnly. “You could at least shoot me first.”

“Oh, there you are by that tree. Can you not hear me?” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Do get out of the filthy water, Celia. I think it is bad enough that your mother has allowed you to follow the terrible example of your brother all these years, but to swim about in your shift like some light skirt is too far beyond the pale.”

“I could shoot her, and we could both live!” CeCe reasoned with a sly look.

“You always were the smart twin,” Eli teased.

With a laugh, both twins swam over to the sand to dry off. Seeing that she had her cousins’ attention, Elizabeth marched over to where they now sat, drying in the sun.

“Hello, Elizabeth,” Eli called out to her, rising and executing a polite bow. “Please forgive me for not greeting you properly, but I am a little damp, as you can see. What brings you to Mangrove Manor?”

“Mother was certain that I needed a change of scene. The season was so very dull this year, especially without my favorite cousins to keep me company.”

CeCe scowled. They had never been close cousins. Elizabeth liked to criticize every move that CeCe had made since birth. Just because she was a year older than the twins, Elizabeth didn’t need to tell them how to make their every move. Blast it! Why had she come?

“I’m sure that the other debutants are lost without you there to guide them. Are you certain it was wise to leave your friends to their own devices?” Eli said with a smirk.

CeCe snorted and grinned at Eli.

Elizabeth wasn’t sure if they were playing a trick on her. “I tried to explain that to Mother, but she insisted that we remove to the country until the gossip... err, I mean... because it was so very dull.”

So, there was a story there, CeCe mused, interested in what had sent the Dragon of London and her daughter running from their beloved ton.

“CeCe, I think it is deplorable that you would comport yourself so. Especially in the out of doors where practically anyone could see you. Have you no shame?” Elizabeth sniffed and turned her nose up.

“I’m in a bathing costume, Eliza,” CeCe gritted out. “It’s perfectly acceptable for mixed company. However, I am swimming in the comfort of our own lake, on our own land. So even if I were in my shift, which I am not, I still wouldn’t be meeting the masses like I would in Hyde Park. Stop overdramatizing everything.”

“Well, I never!” Elizabeth huffed and turned to leave.

“Well, you always!” CeCe mocked quietly while Eli pulled her to her feet.

“We best head in. Who knows what stories she is going to relate to Mother or to Aunt Stephens,” Eli shuddered just thinking about his dreaded aunt. The twins had dubbed her the Dragon of London: she was mean, spiteful, and annoying, and those were her best qualities.

***

As CeCe trudged down the front stairs after Yvonne had helped her clean up and change, she heard Charles. Just at the sound of his voice, her spirits automatically lifted, and she quickened her pace to greet him.

“Charles!” CeCe exclaimed, coming to take his two outstretched hands. “I’m so very glad that you are here.”

Charles smiled down at the vision in front of him and gently ran a thumb over her cheek. “I see that you have gotten a bit of sun today.”

CeCe laughed. “You know how much I hate bonnets, and Eli and I had a lovely swim after our ride.”

“Some would consider that the sun may give them spots. Nobody wants that,” Elizabeth said cattily.

CeCe always had a delightful sprinkling of freckles across her nose. She tensed in anger, but before she could respond, Charles replied, “How sad that some are not aware that these spots are kisses from the angels and should be coveted and not scorned.”

Elizabeth hastily added, trying to get back into his good graces, “Oh yes, of course you are right, Mr. Rotherford. I am not one of those people who abhor them. How silly they are.”

“Sure, you’re not,” CeCe said dryly. “And why are you calling him Mr. Rotherford? You’ve known Charles for years.”

Elizabeth stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “I would never be so vulgar or familiar with a gentleman’s name without his permission.”

Thankfully, Eli arrived in time to prevent fisticuffs. “Ladies, you look lovely as always. Good to see you, Charles!” They pounded each other on the back as men often did. “I appreciate you and your family checking in on CeCe and Mother while I was away. “

CeCe looked confused. “Did you write to Eli about our welfare, Charles? “

Charles blushed to the tips of his ears.

Eli was quick to steer the conversation. “I had asked him to look in on you both until I could return. He said that you were an excellent nurse, C. Like I would expect any different.”

CeCe smiled. “Yes, medicine is definitely not to be my calling in life. I’m so grateful Mother is truly on the mend. Where is she, by the way?”

Elizabeth spoke up. “I believe that the Baroness and Mother are taking tea in the conservatory.”

“I see,” CeCe replied. “Did they want us to join them?”

“I’m certain they are likely settled in for the afternoon to have a comfortable chat,” Eli answered.

“We wouldn’t want to disrupt that,” CeCe smiled, happy that she was to avoid at least one unpleasant and unexpected visitor for the moment.

“Speaking of mothers. My own asked me to invite your family and guests for a picnic and games at Rotherford Hall this upcoming Saturday,” Charles said..

“That would be wonderful!” Elizabeth replied gleefully.

The twins were also happy to accept but wished their present company did not have to go with them.