Victor laughs and drops down to take a look. He lifts it feeling the balance and checks the sword to see if it’s straight. “I can’t wait to hear the story behind this tale.”
“Well, that tale will have to wait, I’m afraid. It’s time for Master Jonah’s bath,” Mrs. Evert says from behind them.
“Can I bring my sword?” He asks glaring at her with suspicion. “Yes, but not into the water. You wouldn’t want to split the wood.”
Summer hurries to follow them, brushing past Victor, she heads back to her room. Just before she opens her door, she hears Jonah yell for her. She turns as he catapults down the hall and into her waiting arms. “Thank you, Miss Summer, for my treasure.” Tears sting her eyes, and she savors the feel of his small arms around her neck.
“You are welcome, Jonah. It is a magic sword. If you place it under your pillow, it will give you magical dreams of dragons and knights.”
“And a beautiful princess like you?” He asks.
“Maybe, you will have to tell me all about it tomorrow,” she laughs as he leaps away and runs down the hall to join Mrs. Evert.
“Now I won’t have bad dreams, no more,” he is heard telling the housekeeper.
Victor is instantly at her side with a hand on her elbow, he helps her rise back to her feet. She looks up into his handsome face, and he wipes a stray tear from her cheek. “You are the true treasure in this story, Princess Summer. Thank you for giving him peace.”
“It was nothing, just a toy, Victor.” She tries to turn, but he surprises her again by opening her door.
“We are having dinner together. I hope you don’t mind.” Summer walks inside quickly, needing to put some space between them. She can’t think properly when he is so close to her.
“Of course not,” her voice fades away when she sees the room. Flowers, candles, and a fire?
“Shall we?” He leads her to the table and pulls a chair out for her and struggles not to grin. They have been set up, and he finds he does not mind one bit.
“Nous avons été créé.” Victor murmurs as he sits down opposite her.
Summer smiles with a laugh. “I agree, we have been set up. You speak French?” Victor stares at her and takes in her beauty.
“There is much we do not know about each other. You look stunning tonight.” When he leans forward to touch her face, she freezes, and her large blue eyes go wide. He turns her cheek and looks at the bruise. “The swelling is going down.” His thumb travels over her lush bottom lip and her mouth parts. “Is your mouth still sore?”
“It is still tender, but my headache is almost gone. I find the more I move around, the better I feel.” Summer sits back, forcing him to drop his hand. Now to calm her heart down!
“Excellent news. I hope you like seafood. Boston is known for its variety.” They talk and laugh over Jonah's antics, and Summer tells him stories of her own brother, Alex, over a seafood bisque soup, with biscuits. Victor tells her of his time in the Navy and about his travels. For a second course, cook serves a silver platter with stuffed fish, rice and potatoes. A lemon cake for dessert to cleanse the palette and coffee follows the main course.
“That was wonderful,” Summer says, looking at Victor. “You've all spoiled me terribly, but tomorrow, I need to get out of this room,” he laughs at her serious face.
“Of course, I can imagine how you feel being stuck inside all day. I am glad to hear you are mending so quickly, especially because we will be leaving the day after tomorrow for New York. I bought our train tickets today.”
Summer stares at him and rises to her feet. “We can’t travel by train, Victor.”
“I’m sorry I don’t follow,” he says joining her to stretch his legs.
She walks towards him and looks up. “To catch the train, we would have to go into Boston, correct?”
“Yes, but it would only be for a short time. The train leaves first thing in the morning.” He explains taking her arm, he walks with her to the fireplace and encourages her to sit down.
“Victor, you must listen to me.” Her voice and hands begin to tremble. “I have spent years at my Father’s side translating and writing his protocols. The reason this disease is so deadly is that it can spread through the air, through a cough or even a touch. Soiled clothing, rags, and so on. Anyone who comes into contact with the disease, if they do not present any symptoms, are immune, but they are still carriers of the disease. I was resistant to this version. My father believed that it required ten days of isolation to stop the spread. Dr. Rudolph is not following the protocol, and that is why it is spreading beyond the island.”
“My God, Summer! Why would he do that?” He demands.
“I don't know! Why would he purposely infect a ship full of people? Why would he send a healthy woman to a death camp? Everything he does is with one purpose in mind. To advance his status in the medical community!” Her voice rises, and she begins pacing.
She covers her face with a trembling hand, trying to block the images as they flash through her mind. Victor rises and steps in front of her and pulls her into his arms. “Death camp? Tell me what horrors have you seen? Summer what did you experience?” His mouth is so close, and he makes her feel safe.
“Don't be kind, Victor. I've seen death, so much death. Children, women, and men in various stages of decline. I fear I will never
