Page 70 of A Well-Trained Lady

I glimpsed Augustus atop his steed a way off. “Nearly,” I said aloud, before I could stop myself.

Ruth followed where my line of sight had just been. “Are you referring to Augustus being more wonderful to look at?”

My face pinked, and I cursed my careless tongue. Surely I knew better. “Of course not,” I said, feigning innocence. “I only meant that it is difficult for anything to rival London in my eyes.” But when my gaze returned to the silver line on the horizon, I knew there were two places I now preferred over London—the sea and Fairhaven.

Ruth filled the silence with her own comparison of London and the seaside until the carriage rolled to a stop.

The door swung open to reveal Augustus with his beaver hat beneath one arm, his windblown hair making him appear even more handsome than I cared to notice. Instead, I focused on the slight breeze that made its way through the open door, carrying in a waft of salt air. I drew it in, certain I could never grow tired of such an invigorating scent.

Augustus extended his hand to aid his mother from the carriage before offering it to Miss Whitmore. The way she smiled at him as she exited sent a rush of absurd jealousy through me, and I reminded myself, yet again, that Miss Whitmore’s affection was of no consequence to me. After Sarah and Ruth descended, Augustus held his hand out to me.

I gripped it in mine, taking in the brilliant view as I stepped down next to him. A stretch of golden beach led right out into the sea. The others were already on their way to where the gentle waves crashed against the shore. “Look at that,” I said, still in awe. “To think I might have lived my whole life with only a vague notion of what I was missing.”

Augustus’s eyes remained fixed on me. “I know precisely how you feel.”

I laughed, refusing to take him in earnest. “Do you know what I think?” I took hold of his arm, pulling him forward.

“What is that?”

“It is most unfortunate that London Society is not agreeable to you, for I daresay you’d be quite a hit among the ladies with your constant flattery.”

He squinted, looking out at the horizon. “Well, considering I only have a meager fortune and no title, I doubt I would find much success in Town.”

The reminder of his situation made my stomach knot, but I waved it away as though such things didn’t truly matter. “You must not underestimate how enticing you are. You could readily persuade an heiress to fall in love with you.”

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.