Summer Sins

Lila was happy and that was all that mattered. She would have given anything, everything, twice over for that happiness. Nothing else mattered.

She repeated it to herself until it ran like a constant refrain in the dark recesses of her mind.

Nothing else mattered. Only her sister’s happiness.

Not hers.

Because hers, she knew, had been blighted for ever that day when Xavier Lauran had hurled his poison at her and shown himself to be a man for whom only one overwhelming emotion was possible.

Hatred.

Xavier ate, he drank, he made polite small talk with his mother, with the priest, with his stepfather, even with his brother and his bride. But about what he had no notion. For him, the wedding breakfast was a season in hell. He was inhabiting a parallel universe, a malign, unendurable universe, one in which everything he knew was wrong. And everything he did not know—had not known—was like acid burning through his skin, etching into his flesh, his consciousness, a truth that was eating him alive.

His brother’s bride was Lissa’s sister. Not Lissa. Her sister. Who had been crippled in a car crash—a car crash that had killed their parents. Lissa had worked to support her—to earn money for the operation that would make her walk again.

Cold ran down his spine. Fingers of ice.

Words burned into his consciousness—words that were acid on his soul. The words he had thrown at Lissa that hideous morning.

He had to talk to her. Had to tell her.

The ice splintered in his spine. Tell her what? Tell her what she already knew—had known all the time?

Why hadn’t she told him? Why hadn’t she explained?

His expression tightened. He had to talk to her. Somehow. But how? When?

The endless meal was finally over. The priest got to his feet, taking his leave of the family. His mother and stepfather escorted him to a waiting car. Xavier was alone with his brother, and Lissa, and his new sister-in-law. Tension slammed through Xavier. Somehow he had to find a way to get Lissa away and in private. To his intense frustration, she was sticking like glue to her sister, hovering over her as she remained seated in the bridal chair. Then Armand was there.

‘Lila must rest a little,’ he said, coming protectively to stand behind her, placing his hands on her frail shoulders. She turned and smiled up at him.

‘No—please. I’m not too tired,’ she told her brand-new husband.

But Armand shook his head. ‘You know what the clinic said—a little exertion every day, no more. After being immobile so long, you must build your strength again little by little. And besides—’ he dropped a kiss on her head ‘—I want you rested this afternoon so that you will look as beautiful as an angel for the party tonight.’

He threw a glance at Xavier. ‘Maman contented herself with this private ceremony, Xav, but nothing on earth could prevent her pulling out all the stops for a grand party this evening. Even with such short notice as we gave her she has found a remarkable number of people to attend. So I want Lila fully rested in good time.’

He came around and with a fluid movement scooped Lila up into his arms. Lissa hovered at his side.

‘I’ll help you to your room,’ she said.

But Lila shook her head. ‘Darling Lissy—you don’t have to do that anymore. I’ve got Armand now.’ A glance was exchanged between her and her bridegroom, familiar and intimate, enclosing themselves in the privacy of the newly wed.

Then Armand spoke. ‘Xav, why don’t you show Lissa around? Maman will be plaguing the staff in preparation for this evening, and Papa will have hidden himself away in the library for a nap while she fusses. So make good your escape and show Lissa the gardens. They’re beautiful, and the views from the gazebo are wonderful.’

‘Thank you.’ Lissa’s voice was stiff. As stiff as frozen metal. ‘But I think I might rest in my room, actually.’

Her hand was caught, and Lila was tugging her gently but inexorably closer.

‘No, Lissy, do go with Xavier. Armand thinks he needs to relax. He had a punishing journey to get here in time, because we gave his family so little notice of our wedding plans, and he’s a terrible workaholic, Armand says. If he doesn’t take you around the gardens he’ll just go and get sucked into his laptop. So do go off with him. Besides …’ Her voice dropped with conspiratorial humour. ‘He’s so absolutely, gorgeously good-looking, isn’t he? And you’ve never looked lovelier, Lissy.’ Lila’s pressure on her fingers squeezed tight suddenly. ‘Oh, Lissy, I can’t believe how happy I am. I just can’t believe it.’ Then she dropped her sister’s hand. ‘Now, off you go.’ Her eyes were sparkling.

‘Yes—go, go,’ echoed Armand. ‘And, no, you do not need to check your e-mails, Xav. XeL will survive an hour longer without your attention. Go on, take Lissa round the gardens.’

Xavier was beside Lissa in an instant. He could feel her stiffen. Feel her revulsion coming at him. He didn’t care. He had to talk to her. Had to.

‘Mademoiselle?’ he said formally, indicating the French windows opening onto the gardens. Perforce, Lissa stepped through onto the terrace beyond.

Lila giggled. ‘Lissa—not mademoiselle. We’re all family now.’ She laughed as she was borne away by Armand.