CHAPTER 4

With no one around, I took off my shirt and placed it on the ground, on top of my boots and socks. I wanted to take off my pants, but if anyone caught me swimming in the lake, it would be less embarrassing to have them on—and easier to explain…I hoped.

My feet tingled as they entered the cold water. The urge to step out of the water and just go home was high.

"You came, I'm ever so thankful," a voice said.

One foot slipped on the soft mud. Before I had a chance to save my dignity, I slid into the water with a splash. My chest felt tight for a moment as it adjusted to the cold water that reached to my shoulder. I sat there on what I assumed to be the muddy bank of the lake. I'd have to try to wash the mud out before Ma saw it.

"Oh dear, are you okay?" Miss Hannah asked.

Looking over my shoulder, I saw her standing there in a pale blue dress. In her hands, she held several fluffy looking towels.

"I'll live. You move quietly," I said. My hand wiped away the drips of water trailing down my face.

She smiled. "Years of practise. I brought a lantern if you think lighting it would help."

My gaze turned to the manor house. Any servant who wanted to earn extra coin wouldn't think twice about turning me in. Worst would be if Lady Catherine employed an estate manager, some were known for cruelty and wouldn't think twice seeing some poor man, or woman, hang from the end of a rope.

"Best keep it unlit. Is anyone from the house likely to come this way?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Mother has gone to London for several days. The gamekeeper will be at his cottage, no doubt enjoying the break from her demands of the current pheasant count. Even the housekeeper is tucked away in bed. I had to convince my maid, Kitty, to help get me out."

"Estate manager?"

"We should be fine."

"Best not keep you out too long. There's plenty of people still out and about in town." My gaze returned to the dark water. It was now or never. "I'll see if I can locate the ball. How big is it?"

Miss Hannah held out her hand. "It sits in the palm quite nicely. About this big." She held her fingers apart, looking serious as she moved her fingers slightly, unsure of the size I'd wager. Still, even sitting in the mud, drenched in water, I could look at her and time would fly. She lowered her hand, her gaze on me. "I thought maybe you wouldn't come. So many say things and never follow through."

"I keep my word. Best find it while the moon is out."

As I slid into the water, I heard a plop nearby. A frog swam past me and towards the centre of the pond. Frogs were becoming a creature I'd prefer not to deal with. Those Grimm brothers certainly picked a creepy-looking creature for the girl to fall for.

The frog swam on the surface for a while before diving under. Not wanting to be shown up by a frog, I took in a breath and dived as well. The water was dark with the moonlight only picking out some of the plants and rocks.

Water swirled as my arms reached to swim further towards the middle of the lake where I had rescued Miss Hannah from. The frog, ever trying to show off, swam in front of me. I eyed the slimy thing until it began to swim towards the surface again. I'd have to do the same soon.

Kicking my feet, I descended to the bottom of the lake. My fingers brushed against the dirt, causing it to swirl up. With no sign of a golden ball, I resurfaced. The cold air attacked my face as I breathed it in.

"Any luck?" Miss Hannah called from the bank.

Treading water, I used my arms to turn. Water ran down my face, obscuring a clear view of her.

"Not yet."

I breathed in before diving again. So much darkness. Plant leaves brushed against my hands, sending a chill through my body. Reaching out, my fingers felt the water become ground. My hands moved along the bottom, stirring up whatever lay down there. From the corner of my eye, I saw something shine. I turned my head and swam towards it.

The frog put in another appearance, swimming towards the same thing I was. For a little critter, he sure could move fast. A spray of bubbles surrounded my legs as I kicked harder, determined to beat the slimy thing to the object. Despite my best effort, he got there first. The frog sat smugly on it, daring me to take it.

That little frog prince had no idea who he was dealing with. I hadn't made it this far in life working at a mill and still having all my hair and fingers. With a slowed whoosh of my hand, I grabbed at the golden ball that glinted from the light that reached it. My fingers wrapped around the smooth surface as the frog released it and instead held onto my hand. The ball felt cold and smooth against my skin; the frog felt like some sort of weird underwater caterpillar.

Turning, I swam up to the surface with the ball and frog. Any frog at that point would have enough sense to swim along, but not this one. Instead, it remained on my hand even as I swam towards the water's edge. With a heave, I dragged my water-logged body onto the grass.

"Any luck?" she asked.

I held my hand out—the one with the frog still attached

"A frog? It's very…shiny, but not quite what I need."

"I know. The little bugger caught a lift." I shook my hand, and he tumbled to one side, his little feet holding on as his back legs dangled. "Oh, come on, let go."

"Seems a very determined fellow," Hannah said.

"Determined or in need of being locked away." I gave my hand another shake. He held on. I looked up at Miss Hannah to see her covering her mouth. "It's not that funny."

"I beg your pardon, but from here it is. Let me help."

Miss Hannah walked over and crouched beside me. I could smell lavender as she leaned forward and pried the frog from my hand. She gently placed the green enemy on the grass beside me. I eyed it and it continued to stare at me.

"Here, before it decides to hang on again," I said. I held out the ball towards her. "I really hope that was what you lost."

"Oh yes. Yes, it is."

She took the ball from my hand, a smile on her face. Why did all that feel worth it just to see her smile?

"Here, I brought some towels. You are soaked through." With the ball in her hand, she retrieved the towels from the grass behind her. She wrapped one around my shoulders. The scent of lavender again. "You'll have to sit by the fire to warm yourself when you get home."

How do you tell a lady that when you get home, the wood won't go on the fire? Wood cost money, and rather than spend it on heating, we all went to bed early. The firewood was only for the stove.

"I will."