page21 (1/2)

‘Perhaps,’ Miss Holton said, sounding unconvinced ‘In any event…’ she looked away, her voice dropping to a gruff murmur ‘…I expect Mama never asked for rowing up, all I ever heard was how pretty my cousin was, hoell she played the pianoforte and how beautifully she painted Her behaviour was always the standard Mama held up for me to copy’

Unsure hohether he ought to halt the stream of words, Greville remained silent as she rushed on, ‘It wasn’t so bad while Papa was still alive He took , let me jump all the fences, even promised to teach me to shoot, until Mama found out and forbade it I was already too “unnatural” a fe me, she said

‘They didn’t let ht she died, and then only for aback to her first narrative ‘She was already beyond recognising anyone They rushed h Airl concluded bitterly

Even the old Greville, before his experiences had given hi of his fellows, couldn’t have failed to be ret ‘I’ers to resist the urge to pat her on the back or gather her in his arms

With the speed of a jack rabbit darting away fro hound, her face cleared and she put on a deter on to you, who can have no interest in those events? It’s all in past, anyway With A soon, I intend to stay here with Uncle James He’ll not make me return to school or try to turn me into someone I’m not Now, the castle ruins are just around the next turn’

He had to admire her quick recovery, accomplished, praise Heaven, without any clu the misery of days he’d spent aboard the prison hulk, confined with the other impressed men while they awaited transport to the Illustrious, he’d experienced the awful sense of being powerless and absolutely alone in world Miss Holton’s situation was by nothe support of those nearest to you and being forced into a position you did not as so he understood only too well If her behaviour sometimes bordered on the churlish, perhaps she had cause

Leaving Billy with the horses by the remains of the old curtain wall, Miss Holton led hie, oval open space ‘You can see the remnants of ere stables and storehouses, and over there, the keep’ She gestured towards the square stone tower at the cliffside end of the expanse ‘Being as useful as a lookout point during the centuries as it was at its construction, it has reood repair Shall we look within?’

Nodding, he followed her across the open space towards the arched entryway ‘Duke Willia the coast, with orders to build a fortification and hold it against attacks by wild Cornishles and Saxons,’ she said, pacing through the doorway ‘Supplies were kept below, so the defenders could hold out for quite some time, even if the bailey as—’

She stopped abruptly, frowning Looking over her shoulder, Greville saw the remnants of a stamped-out fire on the stone floor

‘The tower has never been secured, but Uncle Ja,’ Miss Holton said ‘Do you think a poacher was here?’

‘Probably not—the heights are barren, with no cover to entice gae from a storm’ Greville didn’t believe that, but he had no intention of voicing to Miss Holton the suspicion that had sprung immediately to mind as soon as he saw the remains of the fire

Neville Tour, with its unie areas belooulda vessel to land its cargo as it was a secure, dry place to stash it

Indeed, so about the whole area, from the bailey into the tower, set the hair on the back of his neck prickling Might so them?

All his protective instincts at high alert, Greville said, ‘I believe I’m a bit weary, Miss Holton Shall we head back?’

‘You don’t wish to see the cellars?’

‘Another ti use of the place, he had no intention of descending to the storage areas and letting Miss Holton discover contraband—or be knocked over the head by a free-trader anxious to protect his cargo Not when he had not even a knife on him hich to defend her

The ploy worked; instantly solicitous, Miss Holton took his arm and walked with him back across the bailey The itch between his shoulder blades didn’t abate until they left the castle enclosure to room with their horses

Billy helped Miss Holton ht as they trotted back towards Ashton Grove, he’d report his findings to Lord Bronning and suggest he send a party—a large, arate

The sunshine and htful as the journey out After they’d reached the stables and turned their horses back over to the staff, Greville walked Althea back to the manor