fortress of stone and timber, hidden deep

ree hours. Her legs were stiff

here was cleaner, sharper, s

rling said, exten

n she looked at the ground.

Mr. Sterling

He looked impressed, or perh

rophies. Stags with glassy eyes, bear skins rug on th

s," Sterling said, passing her off to a s

p a winding staircase to the second fl

," she said. "Bathing water has be

ing ears. She stumbled back from the door, her hand flying to her throat as if in terror. Only when the foots

to look a

ful. And it w

dspread was embroidered with irises.

s a s

la Lynn. Lilac was her col

vited a mistress; he

l of perfume sat there. She uncorked it

ane," she

ed her efficiently, scrubbed her with scented

brought was dee

t perfectly. Not a s

had the best tailors in the world, or Adell

ited. The sun began to set, casti

d of hooves thund

t to th

erent here. In the ballroom, he was a statue. Here, he was alive. His cheek

ed. He l

t at he

in the frame, a dark silhou

e impact of his gaze. He stood there for a long moment

e heavy fron

s on the stair

mmer. This was it. Th

e picked up a book of poetry. She

stopped outs

cked. The ha

or swu

smelled of horse and leather and winter air. His eyes were

Lloyd,"

was low,

p from the book.

sty," she