Scandal at Dawn (A Regency Rhapsody Novella) (9 page)

“I suppose that’s true,” said Robert. “I was glad to see you, however.”

“You didn’t even know me.”

“I knew you immediately,” he said. “Your spirit was instantly recognizable—provoking, in the best sense.”

“You are making things up,” she said, but without rancor. In fact, it would be lovely to believe the nonsense he was spouting. Especially as he was so close to her. He could have kissed her, if he tried.

Emily tilted her head in an unconscious invitation. Robert responded to the gesture, leaning even closer. “Emily…”

A sudden splash of water doused the mood, along with the edge of her skirts and his shoe.

“Oh, bother,” she said. “Does this mean the tide’s coming in?”

“That’s the sort of thing you’d have to ask a sailor.” He shook one foot, his expression disgusted. “Blast. Well, that’s in keeping with both my luck and my timing when it comes to you. One might say I was all wet.”

“If this devolves into puns, I’ll have to leap into the sea to escape.”

“Then I’ll not dampen the mood further.”

“Mr Griffin!”

“Yes?” he asked, too innocently.

“
Stop
it.”

“I like you better when you’re berating me, rather than when you’re silent.”

“Don’t tease me. I’m all too aware I can’t keep my mouth shut.”

“You’re so diverting it’s never occurred to me to wish otherwise.”

“Speaking of diverting…” She pointed to a light on the water she just noticed. “What is that light?”

Robert followed her finger. 

The odd light bobbed and shook on the water, as waves partially obscured it for a second, then revealed it again as it crested.

“A boat, I expect.” His voice became much lower. “A small one.”

He was right. The light belonged to a longboat making its way toward the shore. Their shore. Emily watched as the boat came closer. “They’re going to beach here.”

“Undoubtably.”

Emily shivered. Real smugglers would never appear at the beach directly below Caldcliff House, would they? And yet, Caldcliff House suddenly felt very far away, as inaccessible as the moon. “Maybe they’re just local fishermen, out for a pleasure cruise at night, through reef-infested waters.”

“I doubt it,” Robert said.

“We should leave.”

He shook his head. “It’s too late for that.“

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