Page 22 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“Eaton, you look as if you were in the fencingpisteand lost.” Wellspring sniffed him. “And you smell bloody foul.”

Evan swiped a palm over his sweat-soaked brow. Damnation. It had been a hell of an afternoon.

“I think I need fresh air,” he said. “Let us head to the overlook we picnicked on yesterday.”

“Do you have all of your sketching supplies?” Wellspring asked.

Evan tapped his satchel. “Of course.”

“Not to be an arse, Eaton, but you are quite forgetful.”

Evan tensed, preparing to tell Wellspring to go to hell. Instead, he swallowed his bitter lump and chuckled. “Bugger off, Earl. Now let us go.”

Chapter nine

June 30th, 1818

Wearing her fashionable seaside bathing dress, Kat strolled along the busy street arm in arm with Anna and Beth. Aunt Justine walked ahead of them, the emerald feather adorning her Leghorn hat blowing in the breeze beneath her green parasol. Kat might be worried about a million things—Lord Greyson’s threats, her absurd attraction to Evan Eaton, Alexander deciding he didn’t wish to court her, sea creatures biting off her toes—but her lavender Berlin silk was not one of those things. Its lace trim was exquisite, and its pelisse style ensured it was quite comfortable. No one would guess that she had slipped into it in mere moments.

“I am truly excited,” Beth said. “I hear the sea makes your skin glow.”

But eels and jellyfish filled that water. Kat winced.

“Ethan swears by it,” Anna said. “He takes a dip every day when it is warm enough.”

“But this is England. ’Tis never warm enough to immerse oneself in that.” Kat pointed at the endless blue water.

“My heavens,” Beth declared. “You do take the fun out of everything, Katrina Harrington.”

Anna squeezed Kat’s arm affectionately. “I have never suffered an ailment until now. So this will be my first time, too.”

But her sister-in-law looked so healthy. “What ailment?” Kat asked.

Anna bit her bottom lip. “Well, I have been unable to conceive a child.”

Kat’s cheeks caught fire at the mere mention of Ethan and Anna engaging in baby-making. “Does sea dipping help with that?”

“We will see,” Anna said. “I am willing to try anything.”

“I do not have any ailments,” Kat said. “So I have no idea why I let you all talk me into this.”

“Unless you count how uptight you are.” Beth grinned mischievously. “I suppose a dip in the sea might knock that right out of you. Or freeze it out of you.”

Kat halted, jerking the three of them to an abrupt stop. The glare she bestowed on her cousin was wasted, for Beth was preoccupied with waving and smiling at someone.

“Hello, Alexander. Hello, Evan,” Beth called.

Kat followed Anna and Beth’s gaze. The handsome duo stood on the path, talking to Aunt Justine. Evan held a sketch pad, and Alexander carried a leather satchel.

Beth tugged on Kat’s arm, dragging her forward. Unable to meet Evan’s gaze and smile, Kat peered into the earl’seyes. Alexander’s brilliant smile solidified her feelings. Lord Wellspring would be her affianced.

“We went to the beach to sketch,” Alexander said. “But we forgot…”

“Our pencils,” Evan finished.

“Yes. Our pencils.” Alexander tapped the satchel he carried and winced. “Empty except for a telescope and a moldy apple.”

Lord Wellspring let fruit mold in his art satchel? Nay. He was much too tidy. On the other hand, Evan Eaton probably carried entire rotting orchards in his art satchels. Well, if Evan actually was an artist and had a satchel. Which was entirely preposterous. Art took discipline and talent. The good Lord above would not bless the scoundrel with a perfect physique, beautiful eyes, skill, and discipline.