Page 22 of The Rake and the Cake

“You’re here with Brook?” a voice asked.

Aisling, who had been on her way back to the elf in question with two drinks in hand, paused and nodded politely. “I am. Are you a friend?”

The elf was tall and broad, with bright hair and a stiff bearing at odds with his easy smile. “I was. I think. I’ve been trying to get this to her all week, but I think she’s ducking me.” He held out a little golden ear-cuff in one large, bluff hand. “Would you see it gets to her?”

Aisling glanced around, uncertain what she should do with the two glasses in her hands.

“Oh, I’ll take one!” He helpfully did so.

She put the cuff into her bodice, checked it was secure, and said, “I doubt she’d be ducking you, though. She’s right over there.”

“Oh, she is ducking me.” He chuckled. “But you know how it goes. I was last summer, you’re this summer.”

Aisling smiled because she felt it was expected, not because she understood the joke.

“Anyhow, thanks. Have fun—you look beautiful, by the way.” And he handed her the other drink and took off into the crowd again.

Aisling stared after him, mind whirring like one of Darra’s steam engines, trying to understand what had just happened.

“What did he want?” Brook stomped up to her.

“Oh. He had a—here.” Aisling handed Brook her drink, then reached into her bodice for the cuff. “He said he’s been trying to give you this, but he thinks you’re hiding from him.”

Brook stared suspiciously at the cuff as Aisling dropped it onto her hand.

“Are you hiding from him?” Aisling asked.

“Well, yes, but…” Brook huffed. “I thought he was… I didn’t realize he had this. I must’ve lost it last year.”

“Yes, he did say something about him being last summer.”

Brook snorted out a laugh. “He was. And I thought he was annoyed that I disappeared without saying goodbye and then…” She glanced up, caught Aisling’s eyes. “Really? He just wanted to return something to me?”

“He seems very pleasant,” Aisling said quietly.

“No. I mean, yes, he is. He’s called Sunny for a reason.” Brook frowned at the cuff again. “Well, more fool me. I’ll have to thank him, now.”

“He was your lover last year? And you didn’t say goodbye?” Aisling didn’t know why she asked; obviously that was what had happened, Brook had just said it.

“Lover is a strong word.” Brook wrinkled up her nose. “He has nice shoulders, though.”

“He does,” Aisling said, smiling briefly. Then her stomach felt as if she’d eaten a whole vat of raw dough, of a sudden. “Why didn’t you say goodbye?”

“Oh, I just…” Brook stuffed the cuff into her own corset and waved the question off. “You know how it is, when things have played out. No point making a whole drama of it, is there? He’s one of Aldian’s guards, and they all bore the tits off me.”

“And so…?”

Brook nodded. “Yes.”

Aisling frowned. Had she actually answered the question already? Or…?

“It went very well with your parents!” Brook said brightly. “They’re lovely.”

“Oh. Yes, I mean, they try,” Aisling said half-heartedly. “I…”

“Are you all right? You look pale,” Brook asked, taking her arm.

Aisling allowed it. “I think I’m just tired. I should probably get back to the wagon.”