Stewart relayed a story of a comical incident at school. Natasha laughed so hard her stomach hurt. She wiped the tears from her eyes. Her body heated. The river looked too tempting. Stewart reached for his textbook to study. Natasha rose, pulled up the skirt of her dress to reveal her ankles, and waded into the water.
“You were swimming earlier today, were you not?” he asked. “Your hair is damp.”
“Indeed. I was in the water shortly before you arrived. Do you enjoy swimming?”
“Very much. Momma believes my sister and I are as fish in the water. If the weather is agreeable, I shall wear proper attire and join you tomorrow. Please continue. I’m yet to have the pleasure of seeing you swim.”
Intending to remove her dress, she stepped onto the grass and walked past Stewart. Glancing over her shoulder, he had shifted his body, watching her. She lowered the hem of her dress.
“Stewart,” she pleaded.
He didn’t move.
“Please turn around.”
“Am I to keep my back to you the entire time you are in the water? I have no intention of keeping my eyes closed when I join you tomorrow,” he informed her.
“I admit this appears foolish, but I cannot contemplate removing my dress in front of a man. My husband will be the one and only man who witnesses such a display. Please,” she begged. “It is not appropriate.”
“Natasha. I am not suggesting anything that is inappropriate. You are about to reveal your swimwear. Nothing more.”
“Stewart. Please,” she demanded, her voice more forceful.
“You’re being foolish,” he grumbled. “But, as you wish.”
Natasha pulled her dress off, ran past Stewart, and splashed into the water. Immersed, she turned and watched as he removed his shoes and socks and sat on a large rock, allowing his feet to dangle in the river. She was enjoying the water, but he was hot sitting in the sun.
“I’m sorry. I’m overcome with regret. With guilt. I’ll return to the shore and sit by your side.”
“Nonsense. Enjoy the river. I shall be by your side tomorrow.”
Refreshed, Natasha swam to the edge and settled on the grass beside Stewart. With her palms behind her, she leaned back and closed her eyes, allowing the warm sun to dry her.
“Natasha.”
She sat upright and looked at Stewart.
“I would be honoured if you would agree to dine with my family. I would like the opportunity to introduce you to my parents and sister.”
She shifted her attention to the water. Her mind scrambled for an acceptable reason to decline. Natasha Hathaway would have accepted the invitation forthwith, but Princess Natasha could not consider the request. Her father forbade any association with commoners. She would lose her freedom if this topic were mentioned within the walls of the castle.
“My humble apologies, Stewart, but I’m expected to dine with my family,” she replied, avoiding eye contact.
“I would be honoured to accept an invitation to dine with your family. I would love to meet your brothers, your governess, as well as your parents.”
Natasha’s heart broke. She would rather die a thousand deaths than subject Stewart to her father’s ridicule. That was, assuming he would even allow Stewart through the gates and into the building she called her home.
“I beg of you. Please don’t ask again. My family assumes I spend my days on my assignments. If they knew how my time was spent, I’d lose what little freedom I have.”
That night, once alone in her chambers, she wrote:
Dear Diary,
He asked me to meet his family today….
* * *
So absorbed in her novel, Natasha didn’t hear anyone approach.
“I was expecting to find you in the water.”
Natasha jumped, terrified she had been found by one of her father’s men.
“My apologies. I assumed you heard me. I’ll make more noise as I approach in the future.”
She placed her hand on her chest. “Stewart. You’re early,” she responded, trying to justify her reaction.
“Nay. I couldn’t find my bathing attire. If Vicki or Momma knew I’d be in the water, my sister would be by my side at this moment.”
Stewart began to undo his shirt. Natasha turned her head and covered her eyes. She heard him chuckle.
“My dear, you will not see anything inappropriate.”
Stewart was mocking her. She removed her hands and opened her eyes.
“I assure you,” he continued, his eyebrows raised. “I’m properly attired.”
He began to unfasten his trousers. Natasha closed her eyes again.
“You have yet to begin removing your dress. I’ll be in the river and you’ll be standing in the grass watching me. The intent was to swim together. Vicki has been by my side when I prepare to go in the water.”
Natasha did not appreciate the comparison. This situation was different. “Your sister. Your sibling.”
“As you wish. Once refreshed, I will wait patiently for you to join me.”
With her eyes still closed, Natasha considered the situation. Stewart would be able to watch her from the water. She regretted her decision to sit on the grass until he arrived that afternoon. She opened her eyes. Stewart kicked his trousers off.
“Nanny would be appalled.”
Within a minute, Stewart ran past her, splashing into the river. She continued to remove her dress. When she joined him in the water, he clapped his hands with delight.
“The first race between Stewart and Natasha, and the victory with an indisputable lead goes to Stewart,” he boasted.
“A race? You could have warned me.”
“Would you have changed any quicker?”
Natasha attempted to glare at him, but the humour of the situation curled her lips. She couldn’t argue. It was true. They were in the river almost an hour before Natasha worked her way back to the bank.
“If you desire acceptance into university, you must complete your studies. As your study partner, I will not tolerate tardy assignments.”
“You are worse than my parents,” he grumbled with mock resentment. “Such attitude.”
“You are yet to meet Nanny.”
“If that is an invitation, I would be honoured to accept,” he responded. His tone was filled with sincerity.
Natasha ignored him, walked out of the water, sat on the grass and picked up her novel.
“And your assignments?” he questioned, joining her on the grass.
“I’m pleased to state my assignments were completed earlier today.”
“Aren’t you proud,” he teased.
Unsure how to respond to his wit, she continued reading, allowing her swimwear to dry.