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“U h…” Nic glanced down at Tabitha, who he was still practically laying on. Her eyes were now wide and the color was leaving her pretty face again. But this time, he knew it was for different reasons. Drat! He needed to say something quickly.

“Um, Miss Tabitha? Oh, thank heavens.” He slowly lifted himself off her, but rested on his knees. “You’re breathing. I thought you had—had—” He made his voice choke on purpose as he blinked back pretend tears. At least he’d hoped the onlookers thought that he was trying not to cry.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded and placed her hand to her bosom.

“Yes, Mr. Woodland. I’m breathing fine now.

I thank you for rescuing me.” She struggled to sit up, so he helped by taking her arm and pulling her to an upright position.

She glanced at the people around them. “I’m fine now, thanks to Mr. Woodland. ”

Sighs of relief passed through the crowd.

Some people even stepped forward to pat Nic on the shoulder and congratulate him.

Soon, they started leaving, but the two older women remained, unmoving…

and gaping. Nic wanted to hand them back their noses and tell them to keep it out of his business, but he was supposed to be the kind, forgiving, clergyman, and Frederick would never say such a thing to these women.

He stood and brushed off the sand from his trousers. “Allow me to help you up.” He reached his hand for Tabitha to grab.

“I thank you, again.” She clutched his hand and stood. She released him and swiped the water off her face and hair. “I…I don’t know what happened.” She glanced at the ocean, shaking her head.

“I was wading through the water, and the next thing I knew a wave had hit me and pulled me under.”

“It was the most frightening thing I’d ever seen,” Mrs. Smythe said, breathless.

“Indeed, it was.” Nic nodded. “I saw her go under, and I didn’t know if I would be able to reach her soon enough.”

“But Mr. Woodland,” Miss Talbot spoke softly, “I thought you told us you couldn’t swim. Yet,” she pointed toward the water, “I watched you swim out to Miss Paget.”

Growling under his breath, he glanced at Tabitha. Her eyes were large and frightened. He was going to ruin the disguise, he just knew it. Yet, it had been worth it to save Tabitha.

“Oh, my,” Tabitha gasped. “Mr. Woodland, you don’t suppose…”

Confused, he shook his head, wishing he could read her thoughts right now. “What?”

“Do you suppose the Lord had wanted you to save me, so He helped you to swim because you don’t know how?”

He wanted to hug her for her quick thinking. He’d do it later when they were in a private setting.

Sucking in a quick breath, he laid on the dramatics, mainly for the two older women. He glanced up into the sky and steepled his fingers against his lips. “Miss Tabitha, I believe we have all witnessed a miracle just now.” He swallowed hard. “Thank you, Lord, for strengthening our faith.”

When he finally tore his gaze away from the heavens and looked at Miss Talbot and her sister, he was relieved to see they wore different expressions.

Apparently, they had believed the ruse and figured they had just been witness to a miracle.

But in truth, this had been a miracle. God had helped Nic to find Tabitha and save her.

“Miss Tabitha?” he asked, turning his attention back to her. “I think I should get you home before you catch a chill.”

Nodding, she wrapped her arms around her chest, hugging herself. “Yes, I believe that’s wise.”

He bowed to the two older women. “If you will excuse us.”

“Of course, Mr. Woodland. Take care, Miss Paget.”

He found the clergyman coat and draped it over Tabitha’s shoulders. Before leaving, he scooped up his cravat and folded it.

Both he and Tabitha’s steps were hurried as they headed toward Mrs. Burls. When he knew they were far enough away from curious ears, he said softly, “I’m so very grateful I was able to get to you in time.” He glanced at her.

She sneaked a peek, but then quickly looked back at the road.

“Nic, you…you almost caused suspicion.” She looked at him again; her gaze slowly wandering over his wet shirt that melded to his frame.

“I think Mrs. Smythe and her sister will be thinking of you differently now. Unless of course, your cousin is as muscular as you are.”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “No, Frederick is not. I do realize that I could have given away my true identity, but…I had to save you. I don’t know what I would have done if you had—” His voice choked for real this time, and he breathed deeply, calming his emotions.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat, my lovely. I’d do anything to protect you. ”

“Thank you, Nic. I—I—don’t know how to thank you enough.”

“Well, for now, just resting and not becoming sick will be thanks enough.”

When she glanced at him again, he winked. A smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. Heavens, he loved seeing her this way. “Is the luncheon still planned for this afternoon, or do you think your aunt will cancel it now?”

She shook her head. “I won’t let her cancel it.”

When he walked her to the doorstep, he stopped and faced her. “Then I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Yes.” She shrugged out of his coat and handed it back to him.

He bowed. “Until later, then.”

He turned and strolled back toward the street.

He didn’t hear her open the door, so he knew she was watching him.

Happiness grew in his chest and he nearly burst with excitement.

Perhaps she’d now realize how much he had changed, and in doing so, her heart would soften and allow him to court her properly.

In due time , he told himself. Everything would work out, he was certain of it.

*

With her hair dry and restyled, and wearing another dress, Tabitha perched upon the edge of the chair, sitting with a straight back and hands folded in her lap as she conversed with Mr. Jacobs.

She’d tried to relate what had happened to her this morning without worrying the elder ladies, but Aunt Clara was in a dither.

Even Mrs. Stiles wanted to cancel their afternoon activities, but Tabitha wouldn’t have it.

She felt well enough to have company. Not only that, she needed a distraction from her confused thoughts.

Before today, she was determined to put Nic from her mind. She’d convinced herself that his feelings for her weren’t real. Yet this morning’s rescue only proved to her that she didn’t know what to think of Lord Hawthorne.

The tenderness and care in his eyes had been real. His endearing words made her heart clench, and she wanted to cry. And he risked exposing his true identity to save her…yet he wasn’t upset over it, either.

She inhaled an uneven breath. Oh, why couldn’t her heart and her mind meet so that she wasn’t so torn over this?

She focused back on Mr. Jacobs, smiling her best for him. Even through all of this turmoil, she still felt Nic’s station in life was too above hers, and it would be hopeless to dream of a life with him.

No matter, she must see if she and Mr. Jacobs suited. Tabitha was saddened when he’d told her his daughter had caught a chill and couldn’t attend the luncheon. Nevertheless, she’d get to know Mr. Jacobs a little better without his daughter present.

For some reason, he seemed more charming today.

Tabitha wasn’t sure if it was because she decided to give this man a chance to impress her, or if Mr. Jacobs was actually different from the man she’d talked with before.

Either way, he made her laugh, and at this time in her life, that was something she needed.

Nic makes me laugh, too… Quickly, she stopped the thought from going any farther. It wasn’t wise to have such hopes.

Unfortunately, Aunt Clara and Mrs. Stiles didn’t look very happy with the attention she gave to Mr. Jacobs.

They both sat on opposite chairs, watching her closely with critical eyes.

Whenever Mr. Jacobs said something to them or glanced their way, they’d quickly change their dark expressions to a happy one.

But the second he took his focus off them, their analytical stares returned.

It worried Tabitha that Mr. Jacobs would see—or feel—the uneasy current in the room, but he was polite and didn’t say anything. He didn’t even act uncomfortable, for which Tabitha was relieved.

Her gaze moved to the door. Where was Nic? She expected him to arrive early for the luncheon, mainly because of the way he’d acted this morning. Although he knew she was fine, she thought for sure he’d still come to check on her.

Concern rooted deep into her chest. Had something bad happened to him?

Hopefully, he hadn’t caught a chill from rescuing her.

Or perhaps his lateness stemmed from something else.

After all, he and his cousin were looking for a thief.

What if something unexpected happened? What if Nic was lying injured somewhere and nobody knew?

The knock on the door startled her, and she jumped in her chair.

Sally walked slowly into the hall and to the door and let Nic in.

A mixture between happiness and relief rushed through Tabitha and she became anxious to see him again.

She sat a little taller and smoothed her hands down her gold dress with white-laced bodice and underskirt.

Nervously, she reached up to her ringlets before remembering she’d restyled her hair after her near-drowning experience.

Instead, she had swept her hair into a chignon, and only wisps of curls hung near her ears.