Page 28 of His Stolen Duchess

“It isn’t a waste,” he said firmly. “You’re my wife. I won’t have you living in fear of something so easily conquered.”

Her lips parted, searching for another excuse.

“No more arguing,” he added, before she could speak. “I’ll teach you. It’s settled.”

“Fine,” she muttered, clearly reluctant. “Perhaps in a few weeks, once I’ve settled?—”

“Tomorrow morning,” he cut in.

Georgina whipped her head around and stared at him. “Tomorrow?”

“Yes,” he said, already turning back to the trees. “We start at dawn.”

Before she could gather a protest, he was already striding away, leaving her standing there in stunned silence, her gaze bouncing between him and the lake that had ruled her fears.

Lysander didn’t glance back, but a faint, knowing smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he disappeared into the trees.

Teaching her to swim might be the best decision he ever made, or it could be the worst.

Only time would tell.

Chapter Nine

“Iwasn’t sure if you would come,” Lysander said.

“What is that supposed to mean, Your Grace?” Georgina challenged.

“I see that we are off to a good start,” the Duke said, rolling his eyes. “Not everything said to you is a slight, Duchess. I was not sure if you’d come here this morning due to your fear of the water, which means you have shown bravery.Thatis all I mean, but you can take it as you please.”

“No, I didn’t mean…” Georgina tried to look only at Lysander and not at the lake behind him. Yet, it seemed to loom up like a towering, shadowy menace, ready to swallow her whole. “I am merely nervous about the water.”

“Then I shall handle you with care.”

The Duke didn’t smile, and that put Georgina more at ease than if he had been grinning. It was a serious matter to her, and he was treating it seriously. It wasn’t some jape to him. He wasn’t there to make fun of her, and she appreciated that.

She carefully examined the Duke for the first time since arriving at the lake that morning. He wore loose linen breeches and a light linen undershirt. Bridget had supplied Georgina with a long flannel bathing gown before her departure. The sleeves and legs were long, and it buttoned up to her neck.

“What do we do now?” Georgina asked. “I sincerely hope you don’t expect me to jump straight in.”

“Where did you get that idea?”

She bristled. “I’ve heard many people claim it’s the way to learn.”

“That is foolish. Come, take my arm, and we shall go in together. We can take this as slowly and gently as you wish.”

She blinked. “Oh.”

“What?”

“I never saw you as the slow and gentle type,” Georgina commented as she approached the Duke.

“Looks can be deceiving,” the Duke growled.

Georgina clutched his arm more tightly than she might have under any other circumstances, even though they weren’t yet near the water’s edge. The thought of what lay ahead made her fingers dig into his arm as though the ground might give way beneath them.

“I will not let you go.” Lysander’s voice was as calm and steady as ever as he guided her through the shaded trees and toward the lake’s edge.

They had changed behind a screen set up near the bank, a practice common enough in the privacy of an estate. Georgina still flushed at the memory of stepping out in her bathing gown. It clung to her figure more than her usual attire, though it was nothing near indecent.