“What are the two of you doing in here?” Arielle asked, a tinkling laugh escaping her. “Secret dinners?”
I froze. We’d just been talking about escape, because I thought the estate was empty of Tritons. However, if Arielle had been lurking in the halls, who knew what she’d heard? Who knew which other members of the Triton family were back as well. “I got caught up with painting,” I blurted out, wanting to divert attention. “Jacques here was kind enough to make me a meal, since I’d forgotten to eat.”
Arielle smiled at me, and when I’d first arrived here, I would’ve believed that glib laugh, her bright grin. However, after spending more time with her, I’d come to recognize a bit more of the false front. Her eyes might sparkle, but they were creeks not rivers. And her loyalty was to her family, even if she was aware of her limited role in this society.
“Did you want something to eat?” Jacques hurried to ask, seizing the moment as well. His shoulders were tense, and I didn’t miss the slight flare of panic in his gaze.
Arielle shook her head. “No, I had a big meal down in New Atlantis earlier. Still stuffed. I’m looking forward to being back up on the surface for awhile now that Papa’s business is wrapped up.”
“Good to hear,” I stated, plastering a smile on my face as surface level as hers. Maybe if I’d read her right from the start, I could’ve avoided this farce of an engagement somehow. Or maybe I’d always been destined to be a pawn for my family. I took another bite of the pasta, even though my appetite had vanished.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Jacques said with a quick bow before he departed. His eyes wouldn’t meet mine, and guilt flushed through me. Hopefully, he’d tender his resignation sooner rather than later, even if that meant losing his friendly presence in the house. I’d rather he be safe.
Arielle plunked next to me in the seat, but I didn’t feel comforted by her presence. Far from it.
Ever since the night of the engagement party, I’d been hesitant to trust her. I might be naïve, but even I could eventually see when someone didn’t have my best interests at heart. Arielle cared for her own agenda and whatever allowed her to further it.
“Were you down there painting all week?” Arielle said, swishing her feet back and forth. “You know you’re allowed to go out places. Just get a chauffeur to escort you.”
Right. Because I couldn’t drive off on my own. My best chance of escape would’ve been while the Triton family had been down in New Atlantis. Jacques was right. My window of opportunity was fast closing.
“I’ll do that,” I said. “I’ve been feeling a bit cooped up as of late.”
Even though Arielle always broadcast charm and lightness in spades, for a brief moment, I caught it.
The slight draw of her brows. The coolness in her eyes.
She’d heard our conversation.
My insides chilled.
Just as fast as a storm in the summer rushed past, her expression brightened again, all sunshine and smiles. “You’realways welcome to come dancing. Or hell, even go to brunch. Live a little, Elrich.”
I forced another bite of the pasta down my throat, even though her appearance had soured my appetite. Something was going on with the Triton family, something I was unaware of. And I had the sinking feeling if I didn’t get to the bottom of this mystery, I’d be sentencing myself to a fate worse than an arranged marriage.
The secrets that floated around in this society were deadly. One misstep, and I’d find myself a casualty.
Chapter 14
Jacques was missing.
I’d searched the past few days, trying to seek him out in his normal spots—the staff kitchen, the one out here—to no avail. I’d asked Maribella and a few of the others, but they’d given me tight-lipped answers and hurried away. None of which made me feel better about the circumstances.
My stomach churned as I raided the cabinet in the kitchen. The idea that he’d gotten in trouble lingered. Maybe Arielle had ratted him out to her father and he’d been fired.
Yet I couldn’t shake the lingering dread that curled within me, like the scorched clouds that preceded a storm. I’d gone swimming in the bay today, by myself again, and the loneliness here threatened to undo me. If I didn’t even have Jacques or the other staff to interact with, I wouldn’t survive.
Maybe an escape plan wasn’t a bad idea.
I’d spent my whole life trying to live up to my parents’ approval only to fail, and the Triton family seemed just as disinterested.
I grabbed some crackers and sliced up some cheese, arranging it on a plate, though not with the panache Jacques would have. The sound of the front door slamming drew my attention, echoing all the way to here. I carried my snack with me, taking a few absent bites as I wandered in that direction. A shuffling sounded, and the creaking of footsteps trailed after.
I followed the source until I stepped in through the doorway of one of the entertaining rooms, this one featuring a comfortable arrangement of sofas and sitting chairs as well as a large wooden bar in the corner. The copper furnishings gleamed under the low light.
Frederick paced in the middle of the room, his shoulders tight and his brows drawn.
I paused. Was there a way to get out of this unnoticed?
