Unveiled (7 page)

“Oh my.” Nellie smoothed her hair and reddened, reaching quickly for her robe. “It’s Christopher Scott, Charles Pepper…and I think one of the Forrester boys. Oh, and there’s Peter Tyler.”

“It’s scandalous for them to see us like this,” her sister chimed in, snatching up her own robe. “My Lord, when Mother hears of this…”

“Well, she won’t unless you tell her,” Margaret responded. “I certainly don’t plan to tell mine. Why, Bertie, I think you’re blushing. Don’t worry, I think Charles would be delighted to see you in your costume. Yoo-hoo!”

Margaret waved broadly, attracting the men’s attention. They approached the girls, chuckling as Bertrice dived beneath the umbrella and Margaret stood up, displaying her costume to its best advantage. Katie stayed where she was, picking up a dime novel and pretending to be engrossed in the story. A shadow fell across her page and she was forced to look up, observing Christopher’s wicked smile.

“I’m charmed, Miss Pemberton. I had no idea you’d be here today.”

Katie closed the book. “Most gentlemen avoid this beach in the morning,” she said, emphasizing the word “gentlemen.” “They know we come to bathe.”

“My apologies. We had no idea. Although I can’t really say I’m sorry.” Christopher gave her a look that seemed to sear right through the thin costume she wore and she had to fight to keep from crossing her arms over her breasts.

“Mr. Scott,” she whispered so she wouldn’t attract the others’ attention, “you have got to be the rudest, most insulting man I have ever met.”

“I know.” He seemed saddened by her appraisal, but she didn’t miss the laughter in his eyes. “So are you saying you’ve agreed to marry me?”

Katie gasped. “I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth.”

“I see.” He smiled back, not in the least insulted. “What would it take, then? Aren’t I rich enough, handsome enough? I’ve already proven my charm.”

“And humility,” Katie agreed.

“Then perhaps I just haven’t presented myself well. I am Christopher Scott, of the Philadelphia Scotts. I live on Walnut Street in the family estate. I play a good game of poker, terrible billiards, and mediocre chess, unless there is money involved.”

“That’s very noble of you.”

“My friends call me Chris.”

“Of which you have many, I’m sure.” Katie opened her book and resumed reading. “Please feel free to go on, Mr. Scott. I find this horribly fascinating.”

“Do you believe her?” he asked Bertrice, who was still hiding from Charles beneath the umbrella. “I daresay I get more sympathy from a pit bull.”

“Mr. Scott.” Margaret flounced up beside him. “It is so hot out here, and I was just saying to Mr. Pepper how nice a walk would be. Would you care to accompany us?”

Christopher hesitated for a moment, just long enough for Katie to peer up from her book and give Margaret a scathing glance. Chuckling quietly, he rose from one knee and brushed the sand from his trousers.

“No, I think not. Thank you, anyway. There’s a brace of snipes a few miles down. I think I’ll engage in some real sport this afternoon, one where I stand half a chance.”

Katie merely nodded when he made his farewells while Margaret joined Charles and started down the beach. Bertrice emerged a moment later, obviously upset.

“I can’t believe he just went off with her like that.”

“Don’t worry, Margaret is just like that,” Nellie said reassuringly. “I know Charles likes you. He was looking at you the whole time.”

“Do you think so?” Bertrice asked anxiously.

Katie agreed. “I think he only left with Margaret because he didn’t think you were interested. You have to stop hiding from him. You’re giving him the wrong idea.”

“That Mr. Scott sure seems intent upon you,” Bertrice said happily. “Why, no matter what you said to him, he kept coming back for more. I’ve never seen a man more taken with a girl.”

Nellie and Mary exchanged a look, but Katie simply shrugged.

“He just wants what he can’t have, just like most men. I should tell him yes and really upset him.” She shivered, though the idea wasn’t as distasteful as it should have been. Christopher Scott was beginning to get on her nerves. And he was a distraction she couldn’t afford.

Margaret returned much more quickly than anyone would have anticipated, Katie thought in satisfaction. The lunch was eaten, and the girls stretched out on their blankets for an afternoon nap. Within moments they were all asleep. Katie was unable to find that refuge for herself, even with the help of the book. Used to a vigorous life, she found the leisure of the wealthy excessive and could seldom find the need for a daytime nap.

Getting to her feet, she decided to walk along the surf, enjoying the weather and the water. Kicking the waves, she was oblivious to everything until she reached a small inlet several hundred feet away. A motion in the water caught her attention and she gasped, realizing she wasn’t alone.

A man was in the ocean.

Katie watched in shocked fascination as he stood in the waves like an Adonis. His body was partially hidden by the water, but even from the distance she could tell that he wore little or nothing. When the surf seemed just right, he turned and dived into the water, allowing the waves to carry him to shore.

Katie reluctantly admired his form. He was a good swimmer, obviously used to this life and having ample time to polish his skill. As he rose she saw that he was in excellent shape, his body lean and muscular, moving with a deceptive grace. Wading into the ocean again, he swam out to the deeper part, his body slicing through the waves like a half-human, half-sea creature.

She didn’t know when she recognized him, but within moments, knew it was him. Vexed that he swam as well as he danced or probably anything else, she nevertheless couldn’t take her eyes from him as he moved expertly through the water.

A dark pile of something on the beach caught her attention, and when he had his back to her, she crept closer and saw that it was his clothes. The temptation was overwhelming. A mischievous impulse possessed her and she snatched them up, tossing them behind a sand dune. She managed to get back to the beach, where her friends were slowly awakening, and she strolled forward, whistling in pure innocence.

“Fan! I was worried about you,” Bertrice said, obviously relieved. “I awoke a few minutes ago and you were nowhere in sight.”

“I was walking,” Katie said, managing to hide her laughter. “In fact, you all must come. I thought I saw a dolphin.”

“A dolphin!” Even the Misses Mitchell were excited, and for once Margaret had no sarcastic comments. Snatching up their robes, the girls then donned them and ran down to the water’s edge to admire the creature.

Katie hid her laughter as Christopher looked up, obviously startled by his unexpected company. He glanced quickly to the shore and saw that his clothes had disappeared. Hearing feminine giggles, he could do nothing but stand waist-deep in the water while the girls tittered in embarrassment.

“Why, it’s Mr. Scott!” Katie cried out innocently. “I didn’t recognize you without your cravat.”

The girls hid their faces and laughed while her eyes boldly met his. A slow smile came to his face as he quickly envisioned what had happened, and who was behind it. Sketching a bow that was not as graceful as it might have been under other circumstances, he braced his hands on his hips and gave them a bright smile, determined to make the best of the situation.

“Good afternoon, ladies. I would invite you in, but I think
Godey’s
would frown on that, don’t you?”

Bertrice nearly fainted with embarrassment while the Misses Mitchell dissolved into laughter. Katie grinned, then waved her hand.

“Why don’t you join us, then? We don’t mind the company.” She gave him a smile as brilliant as his own, her face a study in innocence.

“Why, I think I will.” He started to walk toward the shore, then stopped when Bertrice began fanning herself as if she really would faint. “I’m just joking, ladies, though it may come to pass if I have to stay here much longer. I’ll be wrinkled through to the knees.”

The girls laughed, then, red-faced, ran toward the beach where the picnic awaited. “Miss Pemberton!” Christopher called. There was something in his voice that made Katie stop and she turned, looking at him with such a droll expression that he had to laugh himself. “Where are my clothes?”

“I don’t have the faintest idea,” Katie said, widening her eyes. “And I have to join my friends—”

“Get them,” he said sternly. “Or I will come out now. And that will make two scandals for Fan Pemberton.”

Katie sighed, then retrieved his clothes and tossed them on the beach. Running away without looking back, she heard his laughter behind her, but she didn’t care in the least. She’d won this round, and it was worth every risk to see the confident Mr. Scott become uneasy, even for a moment.

F
IVE

K
atie was still chuckling when she came down to dinner that night. Every time she pictured Christopher in the water, and his expression when he realized she’d taken his clothes, she couldn’t help but laugh. Although she’d never admit it, a part of her had been a little distracted by his very masculine form. No armchair philosopher, he evidently led a vigorous life and it showed. A surge of feminine excitement tingled through her as she envisioned him in the ocean, his lean body only partially concealed by the gray-blue water. Stop it, she told herself. The fool was conceited enough without her admiring him. Still, to see him discomfited was worth any price.

“That dress is lovely, Fan. The blue really sets off your eyes and hair,” Ella said with a fond glance at her niece. She indicated a chair. “I must say you’ve enjoyed your outing today. I’ve never seen you in such high spirits.”

Katie smiled softly as she took the seat. It was getting easier and easier to think of herself as Fan Pemberton, and she found that she responded to that name almost as quickly as she would to her own. “We had a great time. I saw Mr. Scott today in the ocean. I have to say it was very revealing.”

Eileen brought in the dinner plates, then slammed them out on the table. “Sounds like a fool notion to me,” she remarked. “Bathing in that ocean near naked! In my day young ladies wouldn’t think of such a thing.”

She emphasized the word “ladies.” Katie gave her a sharp look while Ella nodded.

“In your day you would have been perfectly correct. But these are modern times, and doctors now approve of exercise. And all of the fashionable young ladies are so engaged. It is a good way to socialize, outside of the formal customs of a dance or a ball.”

Before Eileen could argue, there was a knock on the door. “I believe that is our dinner companions,” Ella said sweetly, with an absentminded air. “Would you mind setting out two extra places? I think I forgot to mention that we were having guests.”

Katie looked at Eileen in confusion, but the housekeeper seemed to have no more idea than she about their dinner plans. With a shrug, Eileen left the room to answer the door, then returned a moment later.

“Yes.” Ella nodded, then turned to Katie. “Mr. Scott is here, with his aunt. Let’s join them in the front room, dear, and leave Eileen to her work.”

Katie froze, staring at Ella Pemberton in disbelief. It was he—Christopher Scott! She knew she would run into him again; it was inevitable. But she wasn’t quite prepared to meet him the same day she had set him up so admirably.

Swallowing hard, she glanced quickly into the mirror, wondering how Frances would handle this. What she saw didn’t help. She was too tall, her hair unfashionably black, her nose sprinkled with freckles. She looked like a poor Irish girl, not the niece of this wealthy woman. And now she had to get through a dinner with Christopher Scott and his aunt seated across the table from her!

“Miss Pemberton.” Christopher gallantly greeted the older woman first, his expression a model of politeness. Dressed in an immaculate dark suit with a sparkling white shirt, he looked every inch the gentleman and entirely too handsome. Katie didn’t wonder at the attention he received from the other girls. When he finished greeting Ella, he turned to her and his smile deepened. She could hear the laughter in his voice as he bowed to her, then insisted on taking her hand.

“My dear Miss Pemberton. It has been too long since we’ve…seen each other.”

Katie fumed, longing to snatch back her hand, but there was no way she could object without attracting Ella’s attention. She noticed his aunt was looking at her closely, as if curious about her reaction. Katie forced a sweet smile.

“Yes, it has been. Did you enjoy your swim today, Mr. Scott? I noticed you seemed right at home in the water. Much like a shark, or a barracuda, I would think.”

He threw back his head and laughed, while taking a seat beside Ella and Eunice. “Yes, I am an accomplished swimmer. I must say the tide was very rough today. It carried off just about everything, including some personal articles. Did you have any such problem?”

He wouldn’t…he wouldn’t tell Ella what she’d done. She could just imagine the older woman’s reaction when she heard that her genteel niece had carried off the clothing of this gentleman, just to make him a laughingstock. Somehow Katie was sure Ella wouldn’t get the joke. Fighting to keep her composure, she managed another bright smile, though her eyes implored him.