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The estimative was they would have to ride two miles to the castle It would not kill her, for sure

To her servants “Please, detach the horses and follow”

The castle’s silhouette becaainst the lead sky Initially, a Norh the centuries, it kept the lines of its original construction, she fathonificent on the top of a hill The granite radient of greys in the horizon

They dismounted in the inner bailey and the leader of the three showed her into the great hall The smell of stone and wood invaded her nostrils with a pleasant ancient touch The building, the furniture appeared in perfect conditions and well h many pieces seemed to be from the time the Normans erected the structure Annabel took an i to the pile as she always had a passion for all things ure, but the abode reflected his praise for his family’s history

“This way, my lady” The leader, ushered her; the other two disappeared somewhere

She followed him upstairs into a panelled chamber, probably the former solar and now a study The door closed behind her and Annabel took precious seconds to adjust to the diht in the interior

“Welcorave voice ca

Heat laced with ice washed her skin She would recognise that sound anywhere in the world It made her want to run To which direction was the question Toward it? Away from it? The doubt forced her to freeze on the spot She turned briskly in his direction, struggling to regain her composure, as her mind tried to reconcile his presence with the information of his absence Swiftly, she left the questions for later and faced the situation at hand

Curtsying with natural elegance, she addressed him “Lord Blackthorne”

Rohs, a name that suited the man all too perfectly, stood before her, tall, broad and impassive

He trod to her lazily, his ed colour with the lighting of the day and had otten summer