yself to leave him. We both knew that anything else was too great a risk, for now at least, even within the safety of my mother’s garden. And so I’

had no idea what unruly state my appearance must be in. Once safe in my room with

e long strands as best I could with brush and fresh ribbons, and even went as far as adding a few small flowers from a vase someone had placed by my bedside. The sweet smelling gi

er entire stay so far, be the one to show me this kindness? This note of sympathy for what s

ed down to supper. I was almost there when my brother’s voice, escaping my father’s private study stopped me. I hesitated, wondering if I shou

my fingers along the cool stone as I c

said, his voice brimm

oice do

or, I understood the wisdom in it. For you a

aff answered, his voice laced with the

is about

her or sent his childhood friend away? But why? It was so unlike hi

ould have cleared your head of her.

g him back the inf

to tell her when this Lord sends your carcass back to us, still s

worth t

s best to make a hasty exit before I was caught. But the door

t are you doi

I lied to him. He’d alwa

o us, though he kept a small distance betwe

n other people’s conversations.

said, unable to keep the indignation of

ve you permissio

ace showed nothing but a grim ma

sorry. I did

y. “Don’t let me catch you doing it again. Tell Fat

deep, trembling breath, turned my back to them and walked on in the flickering light of the ha

indeed have a plan, a plan he was convinced would work in securing our future together. But what if Fynn was right? What if he ended up dead? Whatever

e was no point in masking the love in his eyes if Fynn already knew. It must

my side. There was naught I could do about any of it exce

r, for he himself was missing, along with my Uncle and Lord Patrick. My Aunt was t

of vacant seats surrounding us unnerving m

e news and the men have locked

w Lord again?” I asked,

ot that it's any

ey can turn to such... Such wretched things as vio

made of all ma

have done to have my father and his two guests absent, unable to postpon

hand. It seemed the only sign of

t I could since your mother, the stars shine upon her, is not here to do it herself.” She let o

, that we’re leaving earlier than e

t so

wishes. You should know by now that we creatures of the fairer

g, or maybe it was just her way of reminding me not to leave my head in the clouds and instead

ur efforts in teaching me. I know I have

work. Everything else, my riding skills, my knowledge on etiquette and how to run a household

s firm handed than she thought appropriate for one of my gender,

wait up for your father judging by the gravity of the sit

Aunty. R

lone at the table and staring dow