Page 69 of Summer of Sacrifice

Still, she blew him a little kiss and caught the line between his brows smoothing out as she darted from the window and into the hall to meet him outside.

Nothing could beat Summer nights. When the heat of the sun finally relents, and the breeze is enough to cool but not chill, and the fireflies come to dance amongst the flowers as the butterflies and bees have all begun to slumber. She inhaled the scent of grass and blossoms, listening to the music of crickets and cicadas.

Cal was waiting for her near the back kitchen door, just inside the garden. He was so handsome in a carefree way, dressed in pants and a white shirt, sans waistcoat and sleeves rolled up. As soon as he saw her, his face broke into a smile again, and he walked to meet her as if he couldn’t stand the wait of the last few steps it would take for her to reach him.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured as he kissed both her cheeks. Without waiting for a response, he took her hand and led her through the grounds. “It’s a bit of a walk. Is that all right?”

“What is a Summer night without a walk?” She beamed at him and he squeezed her hand.

They didn’t speak on their trek, which turned out not to be all that long anyway. Though the silence between them was comfortable, there was something tangled in it, too, and Seleste couldn’t quite discern what. Cal still seemed uneasy, his shoulders stiffer than usual. A small hill rose before them and Cal stopped at its base. “It’s on the other side of this hill—what I want to show you.”

“Then climb, we shall.”

He didn’t return her smile this time and it caused the knot in her stomach to tighten. Instead, he silently led her up the hill, stopping at the top.

Seleste gasped.

Noir Bay stretched out in the distance, far enough away that the crashing of waves was a gentle murmur. Below them, a lush field of sunflowers swayed in the moonlight.

“My heart,” Seleste whispered.

Cal seemed to take that as a good sign, as he tugged her along down the hill toward a blanket spread out amongst the sunflowers. She caught sight of a picnic basket and a bottle of wine before she pulled him to a stop and faced him.

“Before we continue, tell me what is bothering you.”

It was hard to tell in the milky, pink light of the moon, but she thought he blushed. He sighed and looked adorably bashful. “I’m worried you’re angry with me.”

“Angry with you?” she couldn’t help but smile for how sweet this man was, even if she had worries of her own.

“Yes. For speaking to my father about becoming the girls’ governess without asking you first.” He ran a hand down his freshly shaven jaw. “I thought if I asked you first you would have tried to talk me out of it.

“I would have,” she said softly, and he looked down. Seleste gestured to the blanket. “You have a lovely set-up here. Let’s sit.”

“Uh oh,” he grumbled, and she laughed, hoping it would dispel some of their trepidation.

Together, they sat on the white blanket embroidered with poppies. “I’m not angry with you.” His face brightened, so open compared to when she’d first met him over a moon ago. “But I don’t understand why you did it.” She twirled a few strands of her braids around and around her finger. “I feared it was due to embarrassment.”

Cal looked completely confounded, his face twisting into confusion with squinted eyes and his brows drawn together. “Embarrassment? I don’t understand.”

“Of me.”

The colour drained from his face. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out as he leaned closer. “Is that what you think?” he finally said. “That I’m embarrassed of you, so I wanted to ensure you weren’t a maid any longer?” He took both of her hands in hers. “Seleste, that is the furthest thing from the truth. I love my sisters, and I believe my mother is doing them a great disservice by limiting their education. Hades, it’s the only thing my father and I can agree upon.”

He kept eye contact with her, his gaze imploring her to believe him. “When I saw you with them this afternoon... You are so good with them.” A smile curved his lips. “And they actually listen to you. Not to mention, you seemed happy.” A brief pause, punctuated by his adoring smile.

“In fact, aside from when you’re with me”—he puffed up his chest in exaggerated pride, deflating with a huff when she laughed—“you seem the happiest with the girls. You are brilliant, and kind, and everything I wish for them to be when they grow up.”

Cal leaned in and kissed her cheek, pulling back to look at her again. “But if this isn’t something you want to do, I can retract it. No one has told the girls yet. I wanted to ensure you were pleased with the arrangement before we did so.”

A sweet peace filled Seleste, dispelling the knot of worry with finality. She reached up to cup his cheek in her hand. “I’m delighted to be the young ladies’ governess. Thank you, Cal.”

A wide grin spread across his face. “Rest assured that I do not care if you are a maid. Or a princess. Or a witch. Or a peddler.”

He leaned in close and brushed his lips lightly to hers. When he pulled back, his eyes remained fixed on her mouth. He kissed her again, then moved in to gently press his lips against her neck, his next words, a breath against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. “I think you’re incredible.”

Cal pulled back, his gaze fiery and intense.

Seleste smiled, this thing between them heady and intoxicating to the point she didn’t think they needed any of the wine he’d brought.

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