“Lily, at least keep your chemise on,” Rose said.
“For goodness’ sake, Rose, there’s not another person within sight.”
Lily lifted the delicate garment over her head and ran into the water where Alexandra was already splashing around. The warm waves flowed over her naked form like a sensual embrace. Her mind wandered to the bath she had shared with Daniel that morning, but she shooed the thought away. She drifted over to Alexandra, where the water was nearly five feet deep. Her breasts floated on the surface as she splashed her cousin.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful,” Alexandra said, grinning, “if some young men came by right about now?”
“That would be embarrassing, Ally.” But Lily couldn’t help giggling.
“No, it would be hilarious,” Alexandra continued. “They would be embarrassed beyond measure. They would see us frolicking about like two naked water nymphs, laughing and splashing each other. They would probably fall right off their horses!”
Lily turned to where they had left their clothes. “You were kidding, weren’t you Ally? I see a horse yonder.”
“Oh my.” Sophie gestured to them. “Stay under the water. If he comes close enough to see, duck your heads at the same time.” She pulled Rose away behind a cluster of large trees.
“Who could it be other than some servant out and about?” Lily said.
“You’re probably right,” Alexandra agreed. “Let’s just keep our treasures under the water unti
l he goes away.”
“Oh dear God.” Lily gulped.
The beautiful hair she had washed and caressed earlier drifted in the slight breeze. Daniel sat atop a majestic black stallion. He wore a brown riding outfit and his shirt was open at the neck. His hair blew softly in the warm April breeze.
“What is it, Lily?” Alexandra nudged her arm. “Do you recognize him?”
“I’m afraid so. It’s the duke.”
“I’m going to faint,” Alexandra said.
Lily steadied her cousin. Their secret would be safe with Daniel, she was sure, but she didn’t know how to tell Ally without divulging her affair. “He probably doesn’t see us. Come on, let’s just move over here, towards the rocks, until he goes away.”
Daniel rode closer, guiding his horse around the piles of clothing. He looked out into the pool. Ally was turned away, but his eyes met Lily’s. She gave him a quick nervous grin. His head rolled back in gales of laughter as he turned his horse around and rode away. When she could no longer see him in the distance, she poked Ally. “You can turn around now. He’s gone.”
“He saw us,” Alexandra said. “I heard him laughing.”
“He couldn’t have known who we were. Our backs were turned. There’s no need to worry.”
“He may have recognized you, Lily. I saw you dancing with him last night.”
Lily’s skin heated, though not from the steaming bath. “While he was dancing with me, he wasn’t looking at my back. How would he recognize me?”
Rose and Sophie returned as Lily and Ally stepped out of the water.
“It was the duke!” Sophie said.
“Yes, we know,” Lily said. “I’m sure he didn’t know who we were.”
“He’s so handsome,” Ally gushed.
Lily looked away. “Of course, he’s attractive, but you know his reputation.”
“I think I could overlook a reputation to dance with such a delectable man,” Alexandra said dreamily. “How was he?”
Lily jumped backward. “What do you mean by that?”
“As a dancer, of course, you ninny. What did you think I meant?”