Page 24 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

Once they were bare except for their shifts, Gertrude helped them place their belongings in a raised compartment. “It will keep everything niceand dry,” she declared.

They had no sooner secured their possessions, when the cart lunged, startling Kat.

Beth squealed with delight.

“The horses are pulling us into the water,” Gertrude explained.

Kat closed her eyes and prayed.

She was still asking God to keep the sharks at bay when Gertrude tapped her on the shoulder.

“Are you ready, my lady?”

Not if she had a million years to prepare. Still, she opened her eyes.

Smiling, Beth pulled the curtain serving as a back door aside. The sea foamed and gurgled until it eventually became one with the horizon.

“Wait for me, Miss—”

Before Gertrude finished her directive, Beth leaped from the cart, landing with a splash.

“Oh, my heavens,” Kat murmured as her trepidation turned into concern for her cousin. She flew to the curtain and peered into the water.

Beth had disappeared into its depths.

“She’s a brave one.” Gertrude hummed in appreciation.

How could the blasted woman be so unconcerned? Kat’s favorite cousin was drowning.

“Please help her,” Kat begged.

Beth’s head and shoulders jutted from the water. “Oh, Kat, it’s glorious. You must come in.” Radiating pure joy, Beth jumped up and down, her arms waving and splashing.

A large wave rolled toward her.

“Beth, be careful,” Kat called.

Her warning was too late. The wave overtook Beth and knocked her over.

Kat brought a hand to her heart. Her cousin was lost to the sea.

But, a second later, Beth’s head bobbed out of the water. She sputtered and spit, and then laughed from deep in her belly.

It seemed that, like Evan, the sea filled Beth with pleasure. What Kat wouldn’t give to be so carefree. She could do this. She would dip in that rumbling water.

Gertrude lowered herself into the waves. Her wool dress floated up around her. Thereupon, she helped Kat descend the stairs.

Kat dipped her toe into the bitter water and squawked. Her short-lived bravery fled with the icy sting. She hesitated, one foot in the water, one on the stairs, her hand in Gertrude’s. Meanwhile, Beth played at being a porpoise, and from beside her, Anna’s dipper pushed her into the water, then yanked her back out at least a half-dozen times.

“Come, my lady.” Gertrude tugged.

Kat fought her pull. “Wait.”

“What, my lady?” Gertrude asked.

“I do have an ailment. I am afraid of everything. And I do not want to be. I want to be more like…”

Her cousin might vex her, but she was so carefree and adventurous. Kat pointed at Beth. Additionally, she wanted to be more like… She sighed. It was time to accept the truth. She wanted to be more like the man she both disliked and desired.