Page 21 of Snapdragons
They clearly were not the only people to decide the day would be well spent in that setting. A small group had gathered a few yards away. What appeared to be a young family was equally as far in the other direction. A third group sat on blankets and cushions even farther along the banks.
In the end, they chose a spot just beyond the third group, on the other side of a small boat launch. The location afforded them a great deal of privacy while not being at an inconvenient distance from the inn. The coachmen and stableboys were invited—encouraged—to join in the leisurely meal, and they did so, but in their own grouping, a bit apart.
Through slight maneuvering, Mr. Seymour managed to see his sister seated beside Digby. Lucas tossed a knowing look at Nilesand Kes. It seemed there was some truth to Lucas’s theory that the focus of Mr. Seymour’s matrimonial aim for his sister was shifting.
Did that mean hers was as well?
The moment the question flitted through his mind, Niles pushed it aside. If the Seymours’ efforts were adjusting, that would help him in the end. And as Kes had pointed out, Digby was well able to look after himself. Their easy abandonment of him was reason for Niles to breathe more easily. Instead, he found himself with yet another thing to feel guilty about: Digby’s growing inconvenience.
“I suspect one of you Gents might be known as the Sorcerer or some such thing,” Miss Seymour said. “This is the most cooperative weather we’ve experienced since arriving in England.”
“Alas,” Lucas said dramatically, “we do not have a Sorcerer. The Jester.” He motioned to himself. “And”—he motioned to Kes—“Grumpy Uncle.”
That brought a surprised smile to Miss Seymour’s face.
Lucas motioned to Digby. “The King.”
That didn’t seem to surprise her at all.
Lucas turned to Niles.
“I know this one.” Miss Seymour said. “Puppy.”
“Either he told you his moniker,” Digby said, “oryouought to be known as the Sorcerer.”
She pulled her eyes wide. “You’ll never know which,” she said in a foreboding voice.
Digby looked expectantly in Niles’s direction.
“I won’t risk the wrath of a possible sorceress by spilling her secrets,” Niles said.
“Wise,” Lucas said, overly solemn.
“Do they truly mean to call you the Sorceress?” Mr. Seymour asked his sister in a heavy whisper. He didn’t seem to realize, orat least appreciate, that they were joking.
“Of course not, Liam,” Miss Seymour answered.
Her brother looked at them all, clearly unsure how he ought to respond.
Violet smoothed over the uncomfortable moment by insisting they all begin eating. They distributed the food, and everyone settled in to enjoy the meal. Their conversation was general and friendly, and Niles was entirely content to let the people around him speak.
His attention wandered. The coachmen and stableboys were skipping rocks on the lake water. The family they’d passed on their way from the inn appeared to be enjoying their meal. The group nearest them was sitting on their cushions, watching as two of their servants stood at the end of the boat launch, placing items in a rowboat. The younger of the servants watched the water nervously, poor lad. Someone was out on the lake already, rowing slowly on the calm water.
Niles returned his gaze to the group around him and found Miss Seymour watching him, perplexed and inquisitive. Had she said something to him and he hadn’t heard? Was she expecting him to make conversation? Was she simply letting her frustration with his engagement defection show?
But the expression left her face almost immediately, replaced by a light smile. Niles didn’t know what to make of that either.
Sometimes she studied him. Sometimes she laughed. Sometimes she smiled. Sometimes she watched him with suspicion. Penelope Seymour was impossible to sort out.
Without warning, Lucas tore off his buckled shoes and, as he sprinted toward the boat launch, pulled off his coat and tossed it to the ground without slowing.
The nervous younger servant was nowhere to be seen, with the other motioning frantically toward the water.
Niles jumped to his feet and ran in that direction as well. Aheadof him, Lucas dove off the boat launch and into the water. Niles could hear frantic voices behind him, likely as worried about Lucas as the missing young man. But Niles knew Lucas could swim like a fish.
At the edge of the launch, Niles dropped onto his belly, ready to reach out when he was needed. Kes was beside him a moment later.
In the water, Lucas had an arm around the young man, pulling him to the surface a short distance from the boat launch.
