Dear God.
He had to get her away from him before his body responded as he feared it might at any second. Already, a flare of desire was coursing through him as if to test his resolve. Damn it. They were pulling a wet, slimy creature out of the water. How the hell could he be getting aroused?
She shifted her weight once more, moving against him and...
Matthew cursed in frustration. She was trapped in his arms but if he let go and she didn’t, that blasted fish would likely haul her straight into the water.
Right. He needed to focus. On the task at hand. Not her.
“I want you to let go,” he said, his jaw brushing hers as he spoke.
There was a pause, and then, “You do?”
Matthew’s stomach clenched. Her voice was breathy and far too seductive for what they were doing. “Yes. Absolutely. Let go now and duck under my arm.”
“All right. If you think you can manage it on your own.”
“I can.” Certainly better than he could with her. Hell, she stood so close his brain could barely function. So if he hoped to convince his body it was meant to be fishing instead of engaging in an entirely different kind of sport, he needed her gone.
She huffed a breath, no doubt because she wanted to take credit for the catch as well, but did as he asked.
Sensible girl.
Matthew repositioned his grip and tried to reel in the line, but every time he thought he was making headway, the line would slip back out.
“I think the teeth have been ground off the gears,” he said and glanced around. There was quite a large group of onlookers now, all gawking at his inexpert efforts. Matthew searched for the biggest man among them and called out, “You, there. Can you hold this steady for me while I murder that beast?”
This was personal now. Miss Townsbridge was watching. She’d said she wanted the fish and if getting it for her was what was required in order to earn her respect, then so be it. He sure as hell wasn’t going to fail.
With this in mind, he handed the fishing rod to the man whose help he’d enlisted and began removing his boots.
“What are you doing?” Miss Townsbridge asked as she rushed to his side.
“Catching that fish,” Matthew said. He handed her his hat and gloves, shrugged out of his jacket, and retrieved the blade he always carried with him.
“Lord Brunswick.” Miss Townsbridge said, her voice both stern and perplexed, and containing something else - something that sounded a lot like admiration. “You’re not going in there are you?”
She pointed at the murky water.
“That is my plan.”
“But you’ll get wet.”
“I expect so. Yes.”
“But–”
“You told me you want that fish. The reel is done for, so this is the only way.” He leaned in close to her and quietly murmured, “Most women would have settled for the bouquet. I must confess you’re quite unusual. Interesting, I should say.”
“You really don’t have to do this.”
Matthew merely smiled and headed for the water. It no longer mattered if Miss Townsbridge retracted her request. He was still going in. Because nothing ever got the better of him. Not even a damn fish.
Chapter Three
SARAH COULDN’T STOP smiling. It was ridiculous how happy she was right now in light of how irritated she’d been with Brunswick earlier. The superior tone he’d used as he’d presented her with the roses had grated on her every nerve, prompting her to completely forget her reason for wanting to see him again. The comment he’d made later about not wanting her as a friend or confidante but solely as a means by which to secure his lineage hadn’t helped.
His stance on marriage had bothered her to the point where she’d wished herself a million miles away from him. Perhaps because it stood in stark opposition to everything she wanted for herself. Allowing high emotion to guide her actions had not been the least bit useful. Thank goodness, he’d followed her. Otherwise she’d be cursing herself right now for wasting the chance she’d been given to further her acquaintance with him – to give him the friendship he’d clearly stated he did not want.
She glanced at him now. Drenched from head to toe, he walked beside her, a sack containing the carp he’d harpooned with his knife flung over his right shoulder.
A smile threatened to capture her mouth. “Thank you for catching that for me.”
“You’re welcome.”
She bit her lip, told herself to resist the urge to tease him, only to find herself saying, “We should do this again sometime.”
He glared at her. “I don’t think I’m ever going near a lake again.”
She understood. Even though the water had only reached his waist, the lakebed had been slippery, the carp impossible to wrestle while keeping his balance.
Sarah laughed, earning her another glare. It wasn’t funny. It really wasn’t. But the memory of him splashing about in the Serpentine made her laugh once more. “I’m so sorry.”
His only response this time was a grunt.
“At least you got it in the end.”
“Indeed.”
“And might I add that you looked quite dashing when you emerged from the water, holding the carp up like a trophy.”
Truth was, he’d looked rather scandalous with his white shirt and breeches plastered to his solid frame. She flushed just thinking about it.
He shook his head and finally smiled, just a little. “I think I’m beginning to understand why you’re still unattached, Miss Townsbridge. You’re clearly attracted to the bizarre.”
“Not at all,” she answered gamely. “But I did enjoy your company today. Far more than I expected.”
“Then I gather you still intend to call on me tomorrow for a tour of the folly?”
“If you will permit.”
They arrived at her door and she called for the butler to come and assist them. Brunswick handed over the fish and the servant went to deposit it in the kitchen.
“You’ll have to bring your parents or one of your brothers. A maid won’t suffice when it comes to paying an unmarried man a visit in his home.”
“Not to worry. I have no interest in ruination.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” He cleared his throat and gave a short bow. “Good day, Miss Townsbridge.”
Sarah bobbed a small curtsey. “Your Grace.”
“Well?” Athena asked as soon as the door was shut.
Sarah jumped. “Goodness. Where did you come from?”
“I live here as well. Now tell me, how did it go?”
Sarah started climbing the stairs with Athena in her wake. “He’s not an easy man to ignore.”
“So what happened?”
“We talked, argued, made up, and caught a fish.” Sarah turned left at the top of the landing and continued toward her bedchamber in silence. Apparently, her sister had no idea what to say to any of this. Which was fine since Sarah wasn’t sure how to explain it or what to feel or anything really. The morning hadn’t gone as she’d expected - not even close. Rather than hating every second she’d spent in Brunswick’s company, she’d ended up enjoying herself tremendously. “He’s actually not that bad.”