Page 27 of Summer

“I was not eavesdropping. I simply did not wish to break your intimacy,” I reply pointedly. There is a servant at the door, assuring they are not alone and without chaperone. I stroll across the room and seat myself across from Aaoric, avoiding Summer’s eyes as best I can. Her gaze burns along my face, and I do not need to look up to know she hasn’t taken her eyes from me.

“We were just chatting about the plans of the day,” Aaoric says. His tone is halted, something he does when he is lying. He’s never been good at it, it’s why he’s so poor at cards.

“Ah, yes. What is on the agenda today?” I ask.

“Well…there’s, uh…” Aaoric stutters.

“I was just mentioning how I’d like to visit the lake,” Summer says.

“The lake?” I echo, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes – it is on your property, is it not?” Summer asks.

“It is,” I allow.

“Have you never been? I thought this was your childhood home?” Summer asks, returning my raised eyebrow.

“Gennelle has never favored the lake,” Aaoric tells her.

“Why? Did something happen?” Summer asks, far too intrigued for my liking.

“Nothing happened. We shall explore the lake, if it’s your wish,” I say dismissively. I cast Aaoric a warning glare not to speak any more about it.

Breakfast is served, and I am glad for the silence that follows. Aaoric and Summer do not continue whatever conversation they were having before I arrived, and I do nothing to stir up a topic. Summer doesn’t appear at all affected by what happened last night. She doesn’t mention it, doesn’t avoid speaking to me.

I don’t know what to make of it. I try not to think on it more as we change for an afternoon at the lake.

The journey to the lake takes nearly an hour, but Summer insists we walk. After we left, the servants were instructed to bring a cart along to carry our lunch and anything we might need, including a ride back to the cottage. Summer is in better shape than when she first arrived, but she still takes frequent breaks with my brother.

We reach the lake, and she collapses in the shade of the trees, panting from exertion. I wonder how she can be so fond of walking yet so awful at it. She waves Aaoric and I away as she rests in the shade.

“The lake is a strange choice for an afternoon with your betrothed,” I tell Aaoric.

He sighs and turns to me. “If you’re going to accost me again…” he starts.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” I argue.

“Fine,” he says, and leads me along the side of the lake. We’re still within sight of where Summer rests in the shade, but far enough that our words are hidden from her and the servant that followed us here.

“I caught Summer trying to run away two weeks ago,” he says, a smile breaking over his face.

I cannot mask my surprise. My jaw drops, my eyes widen, and I nearly cast a glance to Summer before Aaoric grabs my chin to keep it steady.

“We’ve devised a plan,” he continues.

“A plan?” All sensible thought has fallen from my head, replaced with the sound of my heart, beating in my ears.

“For her to escape, and me to remain unwed for as long as I’d like. Well – at least another few years, perhaps longer if it works well,” he admits.

“How in the stars do you plan to manage that?”

“She dies,” he replies, his smile widening.

“You’re going to kill her?” I cry too loudly.

Aaoric glares at me. The servant is too far to hear, but they look at us curiously. Aaoric leads us a few paces farther, motioning to a rock for me to sit.

“No, of course not. We’re going to fake her death on our wedding day. I will be the despondent widower, given appropriate time to mourn my beloved. Father won’t chase after her because he’ll think her dead!” He rocks back and forth on his toes, pleased.