as they lugged around heavy trunks of clothing, and serving women screeched at one another, as they

r personal things to bother worrying herself with me, my Father was off in some sheltered corner, having last minu

parted with more than a sentence or two, telling me to make myself useful som

then slipped inside, away from the deafening

and serving people with them. I had both Raff and Fynn back, my time to myself, and a knowledge that my father wouldn’t be accepting a proposal of marriage for me

aitlyn! Over

artled by the w

ow what’s good for you, you

ned at

Caitl

my brother’s room as he pulled his head back inside our father’s study

ble person had been put to work helping our guests depart in a timely fashion. And if anyon

It shut without me touching it, and I was wrapped in someone’s a

u’re crus

d his grip

om but surely he wouldn’t have sent me here if...

to my cheek, caressing it. His eyes were sunken, tired, and he wa

lea

only just

ice. Lord Patrick is readying as

d Patrick? Why must you go with him? Is fat

nor is he sending me away. This is

t? Part of your plan

unning over me, takin

you’d get yourself killed, t

heard

heart was leaving for what Fynn deemed cer

at it was, only t

bout those he cares for. I will be fine and I will come back

til I’m old

ke to see that. You, old and grey, and wearing that ring of mine.”

I’ll keep mine,” I whispe

light tap

ve to

rea

h a look of effort, but took my hand and raised it to his li

e he was gone, but not now. Now I needed to memorise every look and touch, eve

fe littl

ing my heart break as he sl

at the ring concealed beneath my dress as I made my way ov

n attempt to cool myself. It didn’t help. I wiped the tear stains from beneath my eyes, took a deep breath and made myself stand up. My dress was crumpled, but I didn’t

t the opposite end to the kitchen. Not that I had much of a stomach for the usually tantalizing smell. I trailed my fingers along the wall as I walked, thinking how odd it was that I could feel so em

ely know the cause once Raff’s strange departure was made known. I guess to some extent, it would be quite natural for me to be seen