Shannon Drake - Reckless

“I cannot convey what a pleasure this is,” he said, and his voice was such a tremulous tenor, so full of emotion, she was afraid that her knees would give up. “You saved my life. And I am eternally grateful.”

Perhaps her adoration, despite the fact that she had been quite certain she could hide it, was far more apparent than she would have wished, because he quickly stepped back, releasing her hand. “You risked your own life. Truly, I will never thank you enough.”

She, who was usually so quick with words, found herself speechless.

“My God, and what a beautiful mermaid from the sea!” Another voice extolled, and then a second man, tall, lean and dark with deep blue eyes, stepped between her and David. She recognized him as one of David’s regular companions. “Robert Stewart, at your service. And may I say, should I ever so sadly fall into the drink, as well, Miss Adair, that you would be there to do me like service?”

“Miss Adair!” And now, it was Margaret who spoke, her voice as soft as the touch of her hand. “I’m Margaret Avery, and I, too, must express my deepest appreciation. Were it not for you being there, being so capable, brave, poor David might not… Oh, how easily he might have drowned!”

Kat felt her cheeks color; the young woman sounded so sincere, so sweet and so very admiring. The praise was beginning to make her uncomfortable. She had thought that she would revel in this moment, glory in it, and instead, she felt the need to protest.

“Please…it was…I swim very well,” she said simply.

She felt a touch on her shoulder. Hunter was behind her. She longed to shake him off, but he murmured, “Ah, but the thing of it is, you did not save just any life. You saved David’s! So here, we are all grateful—as would be the friends and loved ones of any man’s—or woman’s—life that was saved.”

Then Kat realized that Hunter was directing her toward an older man. “Miss Katherine Mary Adair, Lord Avery,” Hunter said.

She managed to offer her hand. “My Lord.”

“Jagger to my friends, my dear,” the fellow said, smiling. She liked him instantly. He was tall and gaunt, white-haired, and with a gentle smile that reminded her of his daughter’s. She felt her cheeks flame slightly as she realized that both these people, who were being so kind to her, would be appalled if they were aware that her humble sights were set on David.

Who would be affianced to Lady Margaret.

And still…

They were rich. Titled. The world was theirs. They could have anything.

She wanted only one thing in the world.

And she could not give up her quest.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you…Jagger,” Kat said softly.

“No, no, my dear, the pleasure is mine. In so many ways! We were eager to offer a reward, but it seems, according to Sir Hunter, that none will be accepted. And it is not, I’m afraid, with any thought of reward that I have championed Hunter’s suggestion that you must accompany us, both to work and to learn. We would have had to find an assistant somewhere, and Professor Atworthy will be pleased to have a student such as you. And I am quite in awe to meet your father. Mr. Adair!” he said, addressing William. “Your ships at sea entrance me. There is one on the wall in a castle belonging to a good friend, and I have long coveted it. He did not know where the artist was to be found. And now, I have made your acquaintance!” He chuckled. “The Earl of Carlyle has not yet had that pleasure, so I have one-upped the man, you see.”

Her father looked rather flushed, as she was sure she herself was. But he did stand straight and proud, as well. “Lord Avery, I must tell you, I am not a man who needs or feeds on flattery. You need not feel that you must purchase any of my pieces because of what has occurred. Your words are kind. And your sponsorship of my daughter is an incredible piece of fortune for her.”

“The apple does not fall far from the tree, dear fellow. I try to think of myself as a patron of the arts. She is so young…Sir Hunter showed me the little sketch that she did and I was instantly enchanted. Mr. Adair, you are doing us the favor.”

Lord Avery could not be judged as anything other than sincere. William Adair ceased any protest. “Lord Avery, I thank you.”

Emma appeared at the entryway. “Breakfast is served,” she said cheerfully.

Kat was still in pure bliss as they filed into the dining room.

Hunter, however, had made the seating arrangements, and she found herself not beside David, but between Lord Avery and his daughter. Lady Daws was between David and Robert Stewart—good heavens, she had managed to completely forget the woman!—and Eliza was seated next to David’s other close friend, Allan…Allan something. He was fair-haired and pleasant, and he smiled with approval when he looked at her, and naturally, she smiled when she looked back.

“What a lovely breakfast, Emma!” Margaret said cheerfully, helping herself to a slice of ham as the plate went round the table. “Ah, muffins, eggs, ham…bacon! And soon we’ll be on a ship, and off to foreign parts—we’ll miss your cooking, Emma!”

Emma nodded, pleased with the compliment, but said, “My lady, there will be fine fare aboard the ship, and in the company of such prestigious folk, I daresay, none of us will suffer.”

“But nothing will be so fine as your creations,” Robert Stewart said, and catching Kat’s eye, he winked.

Margaret shivered. “This is such an adventure for all of you! I’m not at all sure why we can’t remain right here where we are, in London. After all, London is the heart of civilization!”

Margaret’s words made Kat forget any sense of shyness, or that she was not among the company she usually kept. “But London is the heart of civilization because we English have explored so vastly, in such faraway places!”

“Bravo, Miss Adair!” David said, delighting Kat.

Margaret did not seem to take offense. She laughed. “That’s because you haven’t been wretchedly seasick for days on end. Or felt the desert sands in your mouth when you breathe! You’ll see.”

“I’ve never gotten seasick,” Kat murmured.

“Because you’re a mermaid!” Robert Stewart teased.

“No, because she has a sense of adventure,” Hunter murmured.

Lord Avery cleared his throat. “Indeed, a joie de vivre. We’ve forgotten, Hunter, I believe. I am, dear friend, sorry that I neglected to mention that we owe you a debt, as well. You, too, went diving in for David and wound up rescuing the rescuer.”

“Oh, but you see, she didn’t really need rescuing,” Hunter said, looking at Kat. Then he looked at her father apologetically. “In my fear that she should drown, I believe I caused her injury.”

“But ‘all’s well that ends well!’” Eliza quoted cheerfully.

“Indeed,” Lady Daws said, staring at Kat with narrowed eyes. “Yes, now the dear girl will have excellent opportunities, and, gentlemen,” she added, her gaze sliding from Sir Hunter to Lord Avery, “you will have works of sheer passion and genius to hang on your walls.”

“Here, here!” Lord Avery said. “When will we see some of your work, Mr. Adair?” he added.

“I…I…”

“There is a great deal of it hanging in my apartments,” Lady Daws said. “After breakfast, perhaps, we will all take a very small expedition and go see them.”

“Oh, I’m afraid not,” Hunter said. “I’m due at the museum to tie up a few loose ends with Brian. And Miss Adair must accompany me.”

“But dear Lord Avery!” Lady Daws persisted. “There is so little time left before you leave the country!”

“Hunter, you and Miss Adair go on to the museum,” Lord Avery said. “If you will forgive me, Hunter, the rest of us will go on Lady Daws’s art expedition! She is quite right. Time is a precious commodity right now.”