A Well-Trained Lady (Seasons of Change Book 4)

by Jess Heileman

  His eyes settled back on me. “And yet it’s proving harder than I’d care to admit.”

  My heart leapt in betrayal, but I laughed to cover it. “I’m taking that as an admission that any further advance on your part is solely based on your desire for my fortune.”

  “Don’t forget your ample connections.”

  I dropped his arm and started forward, sending him one more playful smile before lifting my skirts to make haste towards the others. I did not trust myself to be alone with him for a moment longer.

  Ruth saw me approaching and left Mr. Treynor and Sarah to greet me. “Come, Bella,” she said, gripping my arm and pulling me forward. “You must come feel the water.”

  I planted my feet as well as I could in the sand. “Just with my hand, you mean?”

  “If that is what you wish.” Ruth gave my arm a tug to keep me moving forward.

  I released a breath and followed, unable to find the harm in such a trivial thing.

  When we reached the shoreline, I bent low to touch a wave on its retreat. Despite the heat of the day, the cold water sent a shiver through me, and I could not keep a smile from my lips.

  Ruth watched me with an excited expression. “Delightful, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you must go wading with us. There is nothing so grand as the pull of the water on your feet and ankles.”

  I stood, shaking the water from my hand. “I believe my fingers will be the only thing to venture in today.”

  Ruth’s bottom lip jutted out in a most overdone manner.

  “You must not look at me like that, or I shall be forced to inform you that it is unacceptable for a lady to remove her shoes and stockings in the company of gentlemen.”

  Ruth pursed her lips. “Very well. I shall not press you further to spare myself the lecture on how a proper lady must conduct herself at the seashore. I would not miss going in the water on such a fine day for anything.”

  I had no intention of correcting her silly logic and instead glanced around to find Augustus standing next to Miss Whitmore, watching me with a satisfied smile.

  My face pinkened under his consideration. “Do you plan to wade in the sea, Augustus?”

  He took a few steps toward us. “If you do.”

  I tipped my head to the side. “You are fully aware I will not.”

  “Then neither will I.”

  “Well, I will.” Ruth sat herself in the sand and began removing her shoes and stockings. “Who will join me?”

  Sarah eagerly plopped herself in the sand to begin removing her shoes also, as did Mr. Treynor with his boots and jacket. Miss Whitmore smiled at us and gave a small lift of her shoulders before doing likewise.

  “It seems we are the only ones abstaining,” Augustus said, looking behind us.

  I glanced over my shoulder, and to my great shock, Mrs. Brundage was pulling the stockings from her feet as well. I couldn’t help but laugh, and the sudden desire to join them overwhelmed me. When I tried to force it away, it refused to go.

  Augustus drew closer. “You are contemplating getting in.”

  “No, I am not.”

  A smile pulled at one side of his mouth. “You are. I know that look.”

  The others were now entering the water, their invigorating laughs drifting on the breeze. “It would be completely improper.”

  “And completely enjoyable.”

  I bit at my lip and gave a resolute shake of my head. “I cannot.”

  His hand lifted, grazing my arm ever so gently with his finger. “Think of how refreshing the water would feel on your skin.”

  Despite the way my skin prickled from his touch, I sent him a pointed glare. “Do you have no limits to your persuasion, sir?”

  He laughed. “Not when, on our last outing, you so generously admitted I need only press you a little harder and you will comply.”

  “You will not relent, will you?”

  “I will. Once you get in.”

  I looked back to the sea, my heart racing as I allowed my foolish desires to overcome reason. “Very well.” He was assessing me with wary eyes when I met his gaze, and I was certain he did not believe me. I hardly believed it myself. “But you must not watch as I take off my stockings.”

  With a hint of a smile on his lips, he turned from me.

  I sat, making quick work of removing my half-boots and discreetly untying my stockings before rolling them up and shoving them inside my shoes. I pulled off my gloves, and after a brief quandary, also removed my bonnet.

  My stomach was aflutter as I stood and faced him. “I am ready.”

  His gaze skirted over my bare feet. “You are in earnest, then? You truly intend to get in?”

  I lifted an accusatory brow and set my hands on my hips. “You always were a bad influence on me.”

  “Someone has to be,” he said, shrugging off his jacket and removing his waistcoat. It wasn’t until he started untying his cravat that my gaze lifted enough to notice his amused expression.

  I diverted my eyes, feeling vulnerable without the shade of my bonnet to hide my blush. “I think I shall wet my toes.” As I neared the water, an incoming wave stretched up toward me, and I hitched my skirts higher than was proper, stepping into the cool water just as it retreated. The pleasure that ran through me was familiar, similar to that of wading in streams. Another wave drew close, and I took a few more cautious steps, allowing the water to wrap around my ankles.

  “Bella, you got in.” Ruth hurried toward me, her skirts gathered and draped in one arm, the other arm swinging at her side.

  The cold water from her movement splashed on the bare skin of my arms, causing me to draw back. “But I shall not get in as deep as you,” I said, noticing how the hem of her dress was already soaked through.

  Ruth’s gaze followed mine to her collected skirts. “It will dry.” She paused before pulling back her foot and kicking water in my direction. “As will yours.”

  I gasped as the water made contact with my skin a second time, and my body went rigid. “You should not have done that.” Ruth’s hands lifted in apology, but my smile betrayed me. “I may be out of practice, but you know I could once paddle with the best of them.” Gathering my skirts in one arm, I leaned down and splashed the retreating water in her direction.

  A delighted squeal reached me in near unison to the water she paddled back at me.

  “Where are my reinforcements?” I called, glancing at the others.

  Miss Whitmore and Sarah gladly joined in, and the sound of shrieks and giggles echoed around us, my own interspersed with theirs.

  Men’s laughter from the shore caught my attention, and I glanced over to find Augustus and Mr. Treynor watching us with amused expressions. “Surely you are not going to just stand there and watch me be defeated?” I called.

  Augustus started in our direction, but when he came close enough, I concentrated my attack on him.

  “Traitor,” he said, lifting his hands to shield himself from my meager attempts.

  As he neared, I moved deeper to keep him from apprehending me, the bottom of my skirts now hanging limply in the water.

  “Bella,” Augustus called, pointing behind me, and I thought he meant to cause a distraction when a cold wall of water hit against me with such force, it set me off balance. The momentum thrust me toward him, and Augustus reached out in time to grasp my hand as I tumbled forward onto my knees. My breath caught as the cold water moved over my lower back and legs, but Augustus pulled me upward just in time to prevent a full submersion.

  Remorse was evident in his face as he took hold of my arms and lifted me to my feet. “I …” His words trailed off as we both glanced down at my soaked day dress clinging to my body and the white muslin fabric embedded with sand. “I’m so sorry.”

  His apology conjured a whirlpool of memories from our youth—him always asking forgiveness for something he had convinced me to do against my better judgment. Without warning, a laugh burst from me.


  “Bella?” Augustus asked, sounding more concerned by my laughter than consoled.

  A confirmation of my joyous state shot through me. “I am well. More than well, actually.”

  A grin pulled up on one side of his mouth. “And you realize you are soaked through from the waist down?”

  I nodded, burrowing my toes into the coarse grains of sand beneath my feet as another wave pressed against me. “And I have not felt so alive in years.”

  He looked back at the others standing in the shallower water, their expressions equally concerned. “All is well,” he called. “Bella decided she would like to try sea bathing.”

  Without another thought, I put my arm beneath the water and pulled up a handful of wet sand, tossing it toward him. It spattered across his buckskin breeches and shirtsleeves.

  He looked down at the mess I’d made, and when his eyes lifted to mine, they were full of familiar mischief.

  As he started toward me, my heart leapt, and I lifted a hand in concession. “I now realize I should not have done that.” My laugh betrayed me.

  He shook his head as he drew closer, determination in his features. “That is twice now you have attacked me with no provocation.”

  Seeing as he had no intention of being pacified by my empty attempts, I turned to flee, but he bounded forward, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me into the air. By the time he set me down in front of the others, I was laughing so hard I could hardly draw a breath. “As you were all witness to her treason, I bring her before you to ask what punishment should be imparted.” His arms remained around my waist, holding me close against him to prevent my escape. “Opinions? Verdicts?”

  “Grant her mercy,” Sarah said.

  “I concur.” Ruth smiled, taking in my drenched skirts. “She seems to have received sufficient justice already.”

  “Hear! Hear!” Mr. Treynor called.

  Miss Whitmore also wore a smile on her face, though I was certain it could not be real, and the thought chastised me. How would I feel if the man I loved had his arms wrapped around another woman? A woman who had declared to me that she was set on obtaining someone else’s suit? But was I still set on that offer? With Augustus so near, I was certain I was.

  “See, there?” I said, attempting to twist enough in his arms to look up at him. “I believe it is unanimous.”

  “No.” Augustus said, pulling me tighter and making my heart pound against my chest. “As I am also voting.”

  “The wronged do not get to sit on the jury.”

  “So you admit that I have been wronged?” He glanced between the others. “Does anyone wish to recant their pardon now that she has so willingly admitted her guilt?” Augustus turned us toward Mrs. Brundage. “Mother? What say you?”

  “As though I would let you enact a punishment on poor Miss Godwin.” Mrs. Brundage’s blue eyes sparkled. “Her nature is such that she would not act without first being provoked.”

  Augustus’s laugh vibrated through me. “Now I am to be blamed for Bella’s offense? Where is the loyalty?”

  “It is here,” Ruth said, batting water toward us.

  Following her example, everyone joined in, tossing water in our direction. Only Mrs. Brundage made her way to shore, laughing from the safety of the beach.

  Augustus released me, moving between me and the others as he struck the water with such force it flew about wildly.

  Laughter again danced through the air, and I remained close to Augustus, allowing his large frame to block most of the water being flung in our direction.

  By the time we were too exhausted to carry on, and more sodden than any of us could have foreseen, we made our way toward the blanket laid upon the sand. The ladies sat, spreading our skirts and tucking in our feet, while the gentlemen stood nearby.

  I lifted my hand to my hair, not surprised to find my coiffure askew and several pieces dislodged completely. I set about removing the pins until my dampened curls hung loose around me.

  I felt Augustus’s gaze upon me, and despite my better judgment, I met it. His eyes were as warm as the sun, and my skin tingled under the heat of them. I took in his sandy-colored hair, also a mess from the water and the breeze, before allowing myself the briefest glance at his dampened shirtsleeves clinging to his skin. A most pleasing physique displayed beneath the thin layer.

  When I returned my consideration to his handsome face, he lifted a brow. This time, I simply smiled and shrugged off my wayward appraisal, making him chuckle.

  “What is past that bend?” Miss Whitmore asked, stealing our attention.

  She looked further down the beach, where the shoreline seemed to curve inward and disappear.

  “Likely more beach,” Augustus said, squinting in the bright light.

  Miss Whitmore stood. “I think I should like to find out.” She looked about our party. “Would anyone care to join me?”

  “I’m too exhausted.” Ruth gave an apologetic pout, leaning on her elbows in a most unladylike position.

  “How about you, Augustus?”

  My eyes darted to Augustus’s profile, my chest constricting at the thought of them wandering off together.

  He sent her a knowing smile that only served to heighten my vexation. “I would very much appreciate that.”

  To my shock, Miss Whitmore looked to me, appraising the shock I could not hide. “Miss Godwin, would you care to join us also?”

  Though I longed to jump to my feet and make certain the two of them did not venture off alone together, what right did I have to claim him? Particularly when he seemed eager to go along. “I believe I’m too wet to venture anywhere at the moment.”

  Miss Whitmore’s eyes flickered to Augustus, before she moved in front of me and offered an insistent hand. “There is nothing better for drying off one’s skirts than walking.”

  I lowered my brow, completely astonished by her determination. Did she not want to get Augustus alone?

  “Do come along, Bella.” Augustus’s voice was imploring, as was his inviting smile.

  Looking back to Miss Whitmore’s hand still outstretched toward me, I took hold of it, and she aided me to my feet.

  “Sarah,” she said, glancing to our side, “why don’t you join us also?”

  Sarah rose to her feet without hesitation.

  “We shall not be gone long,” Miss Whitmore said to Mrs. Brundage. “And I shall help you set out the picnic upon our return.”

  Mrs. Brundage glanced between the four of us. “Very well. But do not venture too far.”

  “Don’t forget your bonnet,” Ruth said, leaning forward to retrieve it from the spot on the blanket where I’d set it.

  I glanced up at the blue sky above us, the slight breeze moving through my dampened locks. “It’s too fine a day for a bonnet.”

  Her lips parted, but I turned to join the others before she could correct me.

  We nodded our agreement and set off for the bend in the coastline.

  It didn’t take long before we arrived where the shore jutted inward, and we found a small cove where a rising slope eventually became a cliff face at the far end.

  “How lovely.” Miss Whitmore latched her arm with Sarah. “And look, a small footpath. Should we explore a little further on?” Sarah nodded her agreement, and the two made haste toward an unidentifiable path without so much as a glance behind them.

  Reluctant to follow them through the unwieldy terrain, I glanced back at Augustus, who appeared unconcerned in keeping up. “Are you coming?”

  He shook his head, the mischievous glint in his eyes stilling me. “They won’t be away long. Come, let us talk.”

  The two of them disappeared from view on the other side of an incline, both moving much too swiftly. My lips parted, and I looked back to Augustus. “You planned this?”

  He lifted his hands, his palms facing me, as though to demonstrate his innocence. “Candace was the instigator. And when she sets her mind on something, she’s a difficult one to refuse, especially when it e
ntails a moment alone with you.”

  My heart raced in my chest so swiftly I could not keep my thoughts focused on why Miss Whitmore would organize such a ruse.

  Augustus extended a hand, and I glanced down at it but did not move. “I don’t trust myself,” I said, surprised by my own admission.

  He did not lower his hand. “Perhaps you should.”

  I drew in a steadying breath. “No. Everything my heart is telling me contradicts what I know to be true—the very thing I have sought to obtain these last many years.” And the very thing I had sought to avoid. Love.

  “Could it not be possible that your heart is aware of something your mind is not?”

  With every quickened beat, hope pulsed through me. Was he right? I hardly knew. But before I could stop myself, I took hold of his hand.

  He pulled me closer, the heat of his body causing a shiver to move through me. I did not move away.

  “Are you cold?” he asked, placing his warm hands on my arms, the gentle caress of his fingers moving along my skin.

  I shook my head, unable to voice that it was his nearness that caused the trembling. I knew precisely what he meant to say to me, what I would say in return if I could not convince myself to be stronger. The thought was terrifying and yet exhilarating.

  His hands settled on my waist, making my breath catch. “Bella.” His voice was soft and near. “I cannot allow you to leave Fairhaven without declaring my feelings.” He paused, releasing a shaky breath. “I love you, Bella. I always have.”

  Always.

  His words stirred something deep within me, and I was reminded of Ruth’s song. Love is a rose heart buried deep. Though all barren from above, still alive it e’er will keep. My love for Augustus had never died, just as his love for me had not, but it had simply laid dormant those eight years, weathered and broken from no fault of our own. Yet now the roots were stronger and eager to grow into something beautiful. And I yearned for it to grow again. I would give anything for it to flourish.

  The realization made me want to laugh and cry all at once, but no sound came. Instead, I lifted my hands to rest upon his chest. His shirt was still damp, and the pace of his racing heart was in rhythm with my own. I could scarcely draw a breath knowing what would follow, but then I tipped my chin upward, closing the space between our lips until they were only a moment apart from touching.