He pulled her tighter against his chest. “By the time you make it off the beach, the bottom of your skirts, your footwear and stockings will be beyond salvation. Stop fighting me and I’ll have you sorted out in a moment. At the rate we are moving, anyone could see us together and I don’t care to contemplate the assumptions they will make.”
The township would question her virtue if she were caught alone with him on a night like this. During the day was one thing if they were simply walking side by side, but out at night—everyone would get the wrong idea.
She ceased her struggles and he set her atop the grassy slope gently. Her skirts slapped wetly as he released her legs and he caught a handful of the sodden garment and squeezed out as much seawater as he could manage. “You should not be out at night alone,” he scolded and then urged her toward home. “Anything could have happened to you.”
She shrugged. “I do thank you for your help. A wave caught me unawares.”
“You must know it is dangerous for you to be out alone.”
“It is dangerous for a woman anywhere. Even stepping onto a terrace for a breath of cool air can place her reputation in jeopardy.”
“So being caught kissing you would not be in your best interests.”
She sighed. “My brother would be very angry with me if he ever found out I’d allowed you to.”
“Still, it is an enjoyable pastime. Kissing you,” he clarified.
She shifted subtly away from him, and shivered. Walter quickly tore off his coat and wrapped her in the heavy wool without asking her leave. “You need to wear a thicker coat at this time of year.”
She shrugged again.
He leaned into her a little. “When I saw you on the beach, I thought I’d found another bit of lost property.”
She hugged his coat tighter around her and struggled on. “As apt a description as any.”
“You were not at Imogen’s birthday dinner tonight.”
Mellie sighed. “No.”
“Why not?”
“I was not invited,” she whispered softly.
That startled him. In times past, no matter what might be preferred, Melanie had never been excluded from an entertainment. His own sister delivered the most stinging cut. It would be noticed, remarked upon, questioned.
When he married Melanie, he would have to do something about Imogen so future snubs did not occur. He had not revealed to Imogen the details of Andy’s death yet, and how Melanie had suffered such a terrible shock at a young age. But he might have to. It could soften the friction between the two women so peace was restored.
“I’m sorry.” He put his arm around Melanie and briskly rubbed her arm. “I could have done with your company tonight.”
“You did not enjoy dining with Mr. Lane, his wife and daughter?”
Dear God, of course she would know who would be in attendance. There were few secrets in Brighton kept longer than a day. “Mr. Lane likes the sound of his own voice very much. Miss Lane chatters. Sets a man’s teeth on edge. I had littl
e conversation with the mother. They are likely still at Imogen and Peter’s. I left as soon as I possibly could.”
She glanced at him swiftly then glanced away again. “She’s a lovely young woman. Very accomplished.”
“To someone else’s standards perhaps.”
She said nothing to that.
“Every man has them, you know.” He laughed to himself. He had very high standards indeed. He didn’t think there was another woman to match them but the woman at his side. “But it doesn’t do to mention them out loud or other people start making plans for your future.”
She shrugged off his coat and pushed it toward him. “I am warmer now. You should put this back on before you catch a chill yourself.”
“And I had best see you safely home.”
“I can find my own way,” she said quickly, attempting to dismiss his protection.