Page 6 (2/2)
Her father addressed the officer "Bra you to train a company of four-and-twentyan African lion to serve a barn cat’s purpose But it is a position of command, and one I’m free to offer you And it’s only a month If you do ith itafter ful look passed between the men, and Bra o, she’d wished for nothing more than to see the back of this man and his party And now, she found herself forced into a th, he stood, pulling on the front of his coat "Very well, then"
"Excellent" Rising to his feet, Papa clapped his hands together and rubbed them briskly "I’ll write to the duke forthwith Susanna, you’re always fond of walking, and there’s ample time before dinner Why don’t you show thethe rown over with grass
The path was a familiar one Over the years she’d resided in Spindle Cove, Susanna must have walked it thousands of times She knew each curve of the land, every last mottled depression in the road More than once, she’d covered this distance in the dark of night with nary aher elbow in his strong, sure grip She hadn’t realized he was following so close Just when she thought she’d regained her balance, his heat and presence unsteadied her all over again
"Are you well?"
"Yes I think so" In an effort to dispel the aardness, she joked, "Mondays are country walks; Tuesdays, sea bathing"
He didn’t laugh Nor even s on ahead to take the lead His strides were long, but she noticed he was still favoring that right leg
She did what a good healer ought never do She hoped it hurt
Perhaps, with that swooping tackle in the road, he had saved her fro a few toes But if not for hier in the first place If not for hihwoods settled in at the roo house Poor Diana Poor Minerva, for thatand resilient, at least
They climbed the rest of the way in silence Once they crested the sandstone ridge, Susanna pulled to a stop "Well," she said between deep inhalations, "there it is, my lord Rycliff Castle"
The castle ruins sat perched at the tip of an outcropping, an arrowhead of green heath jutting over the sea Four stone turrets, a few standing archeshere and there, a bit of wall This was all that relish Channel, now turning a lovely shade of periwinkle in the di minute as the men took in the scene Susanna kept quiet, too, as she tried to see the ancient fortress through fresh eyes As a young girl, she’d been taken with the romance of it When one viewed the castle as a picturesque ruin, the absent walls and ceilings were the best features Theparts were invitations to drea upon this as a prospective residence, however, she could only is Or perhaps hives
"And the village?" he asked
"You can see it frorass that had once been the castle’s courtyard, to the bluff, where they could overlook the crescent-shaped cove and the valley that sheltered her beloved conificant With any luck, it would re a closer look toe English village Hardly worth your ties, a church, a few shops"
"Surely there’s an inn," Lord Payne said
"There is a rooe of the bluff "The Queen’s Ruby But I’m afraid it is completely occupied at this time of year Summer visitors, you understand, come to enjoy the sea" And to escape men like you
"An inn won’t be necessary" Lord Rycliff walked slowly about the ruins He propped a hand against a nearby wall and leaned on it, as if to test the wall’s soundness "We’ll be staying here"
This statement was received with universal incredulity Even the stones see the words as false
"Here," the corporal said
"Yes," Lord Rycliff said "Here We’ll need to begin settling in, if we’re to htfall Go see to the carts, Thorne"
Thorne nodded his co the way they’d come
"You can’t mean to stay here," Lord Payne said "Have you seen here?"
"I have," Rycliff answered "I’ That’s what militiamen do"
"I’m not a uess he didn’t Not in those fine boots, at least
"Well, you camp now," Rycliff said "And you’re a ain, Braade"
"I’ you a choice You need to learn some discipline, and this is the perfect opportunity" He cast a glance around "Since you’re so fond of setting blazes, see if you can start a fire"
Susanna put a hand on Rycliff’s sleeve, hoping to clai attention His intent gaze ranged over her face, searching out her every feature and flaw
"Forgive the interruption," she said, releasing his sleeve "But surely ca isn’t necessary My father may not have made the express invitation as yet, but I’ at Sule" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>