But Summer shook her head at him. “You cannot take the whole village. And if you could, what of the other villages? Would you try to save them all? Lord Argent is a harsh master, and his son is cruel, but he owns these lands, to do with as he wills.”
Gently, she put Laurence aside, and rose to her feet. She shook out her skirts and patted her hair, flaming down her back like some kind of burning river. Her expression firmed, determination marking her features. “You should go, my lord. He will return, and I’ll give him what he wants.”
Laurence set up a fresh howl at her words.
Sir Isaac’s jaw dropped, his expression one of mixed indignation and awe, and he gazed at her helplessly. “Wait…you’re actually being serious here? Miss, I’m afraid I can’t follow your orders — for one thing, a good Knight never walks away when the prospect of danger is imminent,” he stated and sat up straight, fixing her with a pointed glance.
“Please don’t call me th—” he began, only to be interrupted by an agonising wail escaping from the small boy and he cringed, only wanting to help. He didn’t know which wishes to follow. “Please…it would be in your best interests to come with me, Summer.”
“My lord, you were right. If I allow you to take me away, he will only punish those I love.” She wavered slightly, and Laurence clung to her ankles.
“You promised mamma,” he whimpered again. “You promised!”
The resolve slid from her face, looking down at him. Helplessly, she put her hand on his head. “Laurence, Sir Kit will make sure you are all taken care of,” she said, though there was little force behind her words. “He promised.”
“No, no!” the boy shrieked. “Don’t go with the bad man!” Abandoning her ankles, he ran over to Sir Isaac, grabbed the knight’s hand, and pulled, trying to drag him over to Summer. “Fix it,” he insisted.