Undine -

Chapter 5

SUNDAY dawned with the promise of another searing day. Sophie dressed for breakfast in a cool knee length lemon muslin with tiny puffed sleeves. She tripped down to the dining room filled with anticipation of the boat trip and wondering if Michael had remembered his promise. She wasn't disappointed.

'Good morning.'

Michael glanced up from his newspaper as she entered the dining room. His eyes followed her as she took her place at table and poured coffee.

'Did you sleep well?'

'Like the proverbial log,' Sophie answered. 'Must be the mountain air.'

'It's the silence. The total stillness of this area.'

'I think you're right! No cars or planes or passing traffic. It's heavenly.'

'I'm glad you like it.'

'Oh, I love it. It's like getting closer to nature, isn't it? The city strips that away, makes you forget there are trees and grass and breath-taking beauty.'

At her words, Michael's expression altered subtly. Sophie saw the green irises darken, felt a momentary thrill at the intensity of his gaze. To hide her emotions, she busied herself with stirring more cream into her coffee.

He wore faded jeans and a thin white tee shirt that clung to his body. His arms were muscular and tanned. Sophie kept her eyes studiously on his. 'How long does it take to row to the island?'

'About half an hour.'

She slid her eyes over to the long case clock hanging on the dining room wall.

Michael, not taking his own eyes off the newspaper, murmured, 'Don't worry, I'll have you back before Elizabeth rises.'

The boathouse lay two hundred yards to the left of the bay flanked by a small jetty. The row boat was already moored, bobbing in the water like long, brown nutshell. Michael assisted Sophie to a seat at the prow.

'You're not nervous, are you?' he asked.

'No,' Sophie answered stoutly, then added, 'well, not much.'

'You're perfectly safe.'

'I know. I'm just...being me.'

'Are you ready?'

Sophie nodded and gripped the seat with both hands. Michael rowed expertly, dipping the oars cleanly and with barely a splash. Every so often, she allowed herself the luxury of glancing surreptitiously at the play of muscles rippling on his chest and arms. If Michael noticed, he gave nothing away. As they crossed the water, Sophie's confidence grew and she began to enjoy the cooling breeze and fresh metallic smell of the water.

'How deep is the lake?' she asked at length.

'Not as deep as you think.'

'That's not an answer.'

'You don't need to know how deep it is.'

'I'd like to know.'

'Why?'

'Because.'

'Because what?'

Sophie baulked, then peered down into the water. 'Because it looks so inviting, because I have this ridiculous urge to dip my fingers in it.'

'Then do it.'

'I don't know how deep it is.'

Michael's eyes narrowed. 'You can drown in twelve inches of water, Sophie.'