On the hottest days, Alice would wade into the lake, letting the cool water refresh her as she swam quietly along its surface. She’d spend time moving at a measured pace, gliding from one end to the other, finding relief from the warmth of the sun. She would float, pause to take in the tranquil surroundings, the soft rustling of leaves, and the coolness of the water around her.
The constructions had taken up so much of her time that Alice had barely had the opportunity to enjoy the peaceful moments by the lake that she cherished. She shut the book in her hand and sat up.
"Should we take a swim?" Alice asked Lavinia and Emma.
They turned from their books and stared at her, puzzled.
"A swim?" Lavinia echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"In the lake?" Emma added. "Here? Now?"
"Why not?" Alice grinned, her excitement evident. "The sun is shining, and the water looks inviting. It’ll be fun. I do it all the time."
Emma exchanged a hesitant glance with Lavinia, clearly weighing the idea. "But what about our clothes?" she asked, glancing down at her dress. "We aren’t dressed for it."
Alice rose to her feet. "We can always dry off afterward. It’s just a bit of fun, and besides, who will see us here? We can swim, and then run up to the dressing room to change."
Lavinia shook her head with a chuckle. "Alice, I would prefer our quiet time by the lake, thank you very much. But you should definitely go have fun."
"Yes, really," Emma added. "Have fun, but just know that we will eat all the pastries before you return."
"Eat them," Alice said and kicked off her shoes, feeling the soft grass beneath her feet.
Without hesitation, she dashed into the water, fully clothed, splashing as she went. The coolness enveloped her, and a smile instinctively formed on her face. She squeaked loudly, making her way to the middle of the lake.
Alice let herself float in the water, her body supported by the gentle waves. She gazed up at the sky, letting the sunlight dance across her face. In that moment, watching the blue sky, she missed her family. It was odd, and she found it absurd, seeing as she had been relieved to leave home two years ago, but now she missed her old room. The garden she always spent time reading, the drawing room...
"Are you having fun, Alice?" Emma yelled.
"Yes!" she yelled back and giggled. "Are you sure you don’t want to come in?"
"We’re all right!" Lavinia answered.
Alice shut her eyes as she continued to float through the water. But then, a sudden shout pierced the serene atmosphere.
"Alice!"
Victor’s voice echoed across the lake. It was so sharp and urgent that Alice gasped audibly. The sound startled her, causing her to lose her balance momentarily as she struggled to steady herself in the water. She kicked her legs, attempting to regain her position, but the shock of his arrival threw her off.
"Are you mad?" Victor called out, his brows furrowing in disbelief as he rushed closer. "Get out of there! Right now!"
Victor stood at a good distance from the lake, angry. Alice’s heart raced, not just from the surprise of his presence but also from the effect his tone had on her. She wanted to protest, but instead, she quietly swam to shore, exiting from the water.
"May I ask why, Your Grace?" she questioned, approaching him in drenched clothes. "I was just having a swim."
There it was again. The anger in his eyes that looked a lot like fear, the trembling of his hands, as if he were trying to contain a storm within himself. It was a juxtaposition that confused her; the fierce exterior he presented clashed with the vulnerability that flickered behind his gaze.
But then, the anger in his eyes was unmistakable, burning with an intensity that made her stomach twist. He stood rigid, his jaw clenched tight, and the muscle in his cheek twitched slightly, that Alice figured she was probably just imagining the vulnerability she had seen.
Victor’s eyes narrowed as he stepped forward. "You are never to step foot in this lake again," he said firmly.
Alice blinked repeatedly in surprise. "And why not?" she asked. "I like swimming in the lake."
"You are not to step foot in that lake ever again," he repeated, louder this time. "I do not know what you were thinking, but I will not have this madness in my home. Occupy yourself with other things, but never do that again. Am I understood?"
Victor didn’t wait for her to respond before storming off with Roberts following behind him.
"Madness?" she muttered, her arms crossed tightly against her chest as she watched him walk away.
