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“It is safer to travel at night The clothing I have brought for both of us is black While shrouded in blackseen We can be in Ports I have secured us two horses in the village, and need to take this one to the tavern on our way out of the area Then we can be on our way”

Seeing no reason to object to his plans, Rose nodded and began to eat, all the while blatantly ignoring the aard tension that now lay between them

CHAPTER NINE

Later that night, when dusk had bathed everything in an orange glow, Rose left the cosy confines of the small hut While it had been a welcolad to leave it behind The memories she had of the place were less than welcoed her relationship with Barnaby forever

“Do you want to walk to the village or ride?” Barnaby asked as he led the horse out of the lean-to

“I alk,” she replied eyeing the heavy boots on her feet It was the first time she had ever worn such items They felt heavy and cumbersome It would be a blessed miracle if she didn’t fall flat on her face She could only hope she didn’t have to run anywhere At least they would keep her feet warm and dry

“Let’s go” Barnaby closed the door to the hut and followed her

He had tried several ti the uncoly conservative with each response she had given him until the last question he asked her had been answered with nothing

Once outside of the tavern, Rose stood in the shadows and watched Barnaby disappear into the yard with the horse Moe animals, both of which danced excitedly on the end of the reins Barnaby held loosely in his hands Rose’s sto to ride one of the like it before and wasn’t sure where to start, but absolutely refused to ask Barnaby what to do Instead, with her chin tipped up defiantly, she waited until Barnaby reached her and began to check the girth and stirrups When he was done, he stepped back and looked at her

“Just step into the stirrup and swing yourself up if you can,” he suggested gently

Rose sat atop the huge animal and was too immersed in fear to pay any attention to Barnaby until he side her

“We need to go this way,” Barnaby whispered with a nod toward the end of the road

“Why are hispering?” Rose breathed “Chadwick isn’t likely to be around still, is he?”

Her eyes widened when Barnaby nodded

“Really?” Rose frowned She didn’t believe it but didn’t want to argue with him