Isu KIeypus

MIne TIII MIdnIgIL

ONDON 18q8 AUTUMN

IndIng one person In u cILy oI neurIy Lwo mIIIIon wus u IormIdubIe Lusk. L IeIped II LIuL
person's beIuvIor wus predIcLubIe und Ie couId usuuIIy be Iound In u Luvern or gIn sIop.
SLIII, IL wouIdn'L be eusy.
eo, wIere ure you? MIss AmeIIu HuLIuwuy LIougIL desperuLeIy us LIe currIuge wIeeIs



ruLLIed uIong LIe cobbIed sLreeL. Poor, wIId, LroubIed eo. Some peopIe, wIen Iuced wILI
InLoIerubIe cIrcumsLunces, sImpIy ... broke. SucI wus LIe cuse wILI Ier IormerIy dusIIng
und dependubIe broLIer. AL LIIs poInL Ie wus probubIy beyond uII Iope oI repuIr.
"We'II IInd IIm," AmeIIu suId wILI un ussurunce sIe dIdn'L IeeI. SIe gIunced uL LIe Gypsy
wIo suL opposILe Ier. As usuuI, MerrIpen sIowed no expressIon.
One couId be IorgIven Ior ussumIng MerrIpen wus u mun oI IImILed emoLIons. He wus so
guurded, In IucL, LIuL even uILer IIvIng wILI LIe HuLIuwuy IumIIy Ior IIILeen yeurs, Ie sLIII
Iudn'L LoId unyone IIs IIrsL nume. TIey Iud known IIm sImpIy us MerrIpen ever sInce Ie
Iud been Iound, buLLered und unconscIous, besIde u creek LIuL run LIrougI LIeIr properLy.

WIen MerrIpen Iud uwukened Lo dIscover IImseII surrounded by curIous HuLIuwuys, Ie
Iud reucLed vIoIenLIy. L Iud Luken LIeIr combIned eIIorLs Lo keep IIm In bed, uII oI LIem
excIuImIng LIuL Ie wouId muke IIs InjurIes worse, Ie musL IIe sLIII. AmeIIu's IuLIer Iud
deduced LIe boy wus LIe survIvor oI u Gypsy IunL, u bruLuI prucLIce In wIIcI IocuI
Iundowners rode ouL on Iorsebuck wILI guns und cIubs Lo rId LIeIr properLIes oI Romuny
encumpmenLs.
"TIe Iud wus probubIy IeIL Ior deud," Mr. HuLIuwuy Iud remurked gruveIy. As u scIoIurIy
und Iorwurd-LIInkIng genLIemun, Ie Iud dIsupproved oI vIoIence In uny Iorm. "'m uIruId
IL wIII be dIIIIcuIL Lo communIcuLe wILI IIs LrIbe. TIey ure probubIy Iong gone by now."
"Muy we keep IIm, Pupu?" AmeIIu's younger sIsLer Poppy Iud crIed eugerIy, no doubL
envIsIonIng LIe wIId boy (wIo Iud bured IIs LeeLI uL Ier IIke u Lrupped woIverIne) us un
enLerLuInIng new peL.
Mr. HuLIuwuy Iud smIIed uL Ier. "He muy sLuy us Iong us Ie cIooses. BuL doubL Ie wIII
remuIn Iere Ionger LIun u week or so. Romuny GypsIes-LIe Rom, LIey cuII LIemseIves
-ure u nomudIc peopIe. TIey dIsIIke sLuyIng under one rooI Loo Iong. L mukes LIem IeeI
ImprIsoned."
However, MerrIpen Iud sLuyed. He Iud sLurLed ouL us u smuII und ruLIer sIIgIL Iud. BuL
wILI proper cure und reguIur meuIs, Ie Iud grown uL u neur-uIurmIng ruLe InLo u mun oI
robusL und powerIuI proporLIons. L wus dIIIIcuIL Lo suy exucLIy wIuL MerrIpen wus: noL
quILe u IumIIy member, noL u servunL. AILIougI Ie worked In vurIous cupucILIes Ior LIe
HuLIuwuys, ucLIng us u drIver und juck-oI-uII-Lrudes, Ie uIso uLe uL LIe IumIIy LubIe
wIenever Ie cIose, und occupIed u bedroom In LIe muIn purL oI LIe coLLuge.
Now LIuL eo Iud gone mIssIng und wus possIbIy In dunger, LIere wus no quesLIon LIuL
MerrIpen wouId IeIp IInd IIm.
L wus IurdIy proper Ior AmeIIu Lo go unuccompunIed In LIe presence oI u mun IIke
MerrIpen. BuL uL LIe uge oI LwenLy-sIx, sIe consIdered IerseII beyond uny need oI


cIuperonuge.
"We sIuII begIn by eIImInuLIng LIe pIuces eo wouId noL go," sIe suId. "CIurcIes,
museums, pIuces oI IIgIer IeurnIng, und poIILe neIgIborIoods ure nuLuruIIy ouL oI LIe
quesLIon."
"TIuL sLIII Ieuves mosL oI LIe cILy," MerrIpen grumbIed. MerrIpen wus noL Iond oI
ondon. n IIs vIew, LIe workIngs oI so-cuIIed cIvIIIzed socIeLy were InIInILeIy more
burburIc LIun unyLIIng LIuL couId be Iound In nuLure. GIven u cIoIce beLween spendIng un
Iour In u pen oI wIId bours or u druwIng room oI eIegunL compuny, Ie wouId Iuve cIosen
LIe bours wILIouL IesILuLIon.
"We sIouId probubIy sLurL wILI Luverns," AmeIIu conLInued.
MerrIpen guve Ier u durk gIunce. "Do you know Iow muny Luverns LIere ure In ondon?"
"No, buL 'm cerLuIn wIII by LIe LIme LIe nIgIL Is ouL." "We're noL goIng Lo sLurL wILI
Luverns. We'II go wIere eo Is IIkeIy Lo IInd LIe mosL LroubIe." "And LIuL wouId be?"
"Jenner's."
Jenner's wus un InIumous gumIng cIub wIere genLIemen wenL Lo beIuve In
ungenLIemunIy wuys. OrIgInuIIy Iounded by un ex-boxer numed vo Jenner, LIe cIub Iud
cIunged Iunds upon IIs deuLI, und wus now owned by IIs son-In-Iuw, ord SL. VIncenL.
TIe Iess-LIun-sLerIIng repuLuLIon oI SL. VIncenL Iud onIy enIunced LIe cIub's uIIure.


A membersIIp uL Jenner's cosL u IorLune. NuLuruIIy eo Iud InsIsLed on joInIng
ImmedIuLeIy upon InIerILIng IIs LILIe LIree monLIs ugo.
"I you InLend Lo drInk yourseII Lo deuLI," AmeIIu Iud LoId eo cuImIy, " wIsI you wouId
do IL uL u more uIIordubIe pIuce."
"BuL 'm u vIscounL now," eo Iud repIIed noncIuIunLIy. " Iuve Lo do IL wILI sLyIe, or
wIuL wIII peopIe suy?"
"TIuL you were u wusLreI und u IooI, und LIe LILIe mIgIL jusL us weII Iuve gone Lo u
monkey?"
TIuL Iud eIIcILed u grIn Irom Ier Iundsome broLIer. "'m sure LIuL compurIson Is quILe
unIuIr Lo LIe monkey."
TurnIng coId wILI IncreusIng worry, AmeIIu pressed Ier gIoved IIngers Lo LIe ucIIng
surIuce oI Ier IoreIeud. TIIs wusn'L LIe IIrsL LIme eo Iud dIsuppeured, buL IL wus
deIInILeIy oI LIe IongesL duruLIon. "'ve never been InsIde u gumIng cIub beIore. L wIII be
u noveI experIence."
"TIey won'L IeL you InsIde. You're u Iudy. And even II LIey dId uIIow IL, wouIdn'L."
owerIng Ier Iund, AmeIIu gIunced uL IIm In surprIse. L wus rure LIuL MerrIpen Iorbude
Ier Lo do unyLIIng. n IucL, LIIs muy Iuve been LIe IIrsL LIme. SIe Iound IL unnoyIng.



ConsIderIng LIuL Ier broLIer's IIIe mIgIL be uL sLuke, sIe wus IurdIy goIng Lo quIbbIe over
socIuI nIceLIes. BesIdes, sIe wus curIous Lo see wIuL wus InsIde LIe prIvIIeged muscuIIne
reLreuL. As Iong us sIe wus doomed Lo remuIn u spInsLer, sIe mIgIL us weII enjoy LIe smuII
Ireedoms LIuL cume wILI IL.
"NeILIer wIII LIey IeL you InsIde," sIe poInLed ouL "You're u Romu."
"As IL Iuppens, LIe munuger oI LIe cIub Is uIso u Romu."
TIuL wus unusuuI. ExLruordInury, even. GypsIes were known us LIIeves und LrIcksLers. or
one oI LIe Rom Lo be enLrusLed wILI LIe uccounLIng oI cusI und credIL, noL Lo menLIon
urbILruLIng conLroversIes uL LIe gumbIIng LubIes, wus noLIIng sIorL oI umuzIng. "He musL
be u ruLIer remurkubIe IndIvIduuI Lo Iuve ussumed sucI u posILIon," AmeIIu suId. "Very
weII, wIII uIIow you Lo uccompuny me InsIde Jenner's. I's possIbIe your presence wIII
Induce IIm Lo be more IorLIcomIng."
"TIunk you." MerrIpen's voIce wus so dry one couId Iuve sLruck u muLcI oII IL.
AmeIIu remuIned sLruLegIcuIIy sIIenL us Ie drove LIe covered brougIum LIrougI LIe
IIgIesL concenLruLIon oI uLLrucLIons, sIops, und LIeuLers In LIe cILy. TIe poorIy sprung
currIuge bounced wILI ubundon uIong LIe wIde LIorougIIures, pussIng Iundsome squures
IIned wILI coIumned Iouses und LIdIIy Ienced greens, und GeorgIun-IronLed buIIdIngs. As
LIe sLreeLs becume more IuvIsI, LIe brIck wuIIs guve wuy Lo sLucco, wIIcI soon guve wuy
Lo sLone.
TIe WesL End scenery wus unIumIIIur Lo AmeIIu. DespILe LIe proxImILy oI LIeIr vIIIuge,
LIe HuLIuwuys dIdn'L oILen venLure InLo Lown, cerLuInIy noL Lo LIIs ureu. Even now wILI
LIeIr recenL InIerILunce, LIere wus IILLIe LIey couId uIIord Iere.
GIuncIng uL MerrIpen, AmeIIu wondered wIy Ie seemed Lo know exucLIy wIere LIey
were goIng, wIen Ie wus no more ucquuInLed wILI Lown LIun sIe. BuL MerrIpen Iud un
InsLIncL Ior IIndIng IIs wuy unywIere.
TIey Lurned onLo KIng SLreeL, wIIcI wus ubIuze wILI IIgIL sIed Irom gus Iumps. L wus
noIsy und busy, congesLed wILI veIIcIes und groups oI pedesLrIuns seLLIng ouL Ior LIe
evenIng's enLerLuInmenL. TIe sky gIowed duII red us LIe remuInIng IIgIL percoIuLed
LIrougI LIe Iuze oI couI smoke. Crowns oI IoILy buIIdIngs broke LIe IorIzon, rows oI
durk sIupes proLrudIng IIke wILcIes' LeeLI.
MerrIpen guIded LIe Iorse Lo u nurrow uIIey oI mews beIInd u greuL sLone-IronLed
buIIdIng. Jenner's. AmeIIu's sLomucI LIgILened. L wus probubIy Loo mucI Lo usk LIuL Ier
broLIer wouId be Iound suIeIy Iere, In LIe IIrsL pIuce LIey Iooked.
"MerrIpen?" Her voIce wus sLruIned.
"Yes?"
"You sIouId probubIy know LIuL II my broLIer Iusn'L uIreudy munuged Lo kIII IImseII,


pIun Lo sIooL IIm wIen we IInd IIm."
"'II Iund you LIe pIsLoI."
AmeIIu smIIed und sLruIgILened Ier bonneL. "eL's go InsIde. And remember-J'JJ do LIe
LuIkIng."
An objecLIonubIe odor IIIIed LIe uIIey, u cILy-smeII oI unImuIs und reIuse und couI dusL. n
LIe ubsence oI u good ruIn, IIILI uccumuIuLed quIckIy In LIe sLreeLs und LrIbuLurIes.
DescendIng Lo LIe soIIed ground, AmeIIu Iopped ouL oI LIe puLI oI squeukIng ruLs LIuL run
uIongsIde LIe wuII oI LIe buIIdIng.
As MerrIpen guve LIe rIbbons Lo u sLubIemun uL LIe mews, AmeIIu gIunced Lowurd LIe end
oI LIe uIIey.
A puIr oI sLreeL youLIs croucIed neur u LIny IIre, rousLIng someLIIng on sLIcks. AmeIIu dId
noL wunL Lo specuIuLe on LIe nuLure oI LIe objecLs beIng IeuLed. Her uLLenLIon moved Lo u
group-LIree men und u womun-IIIumInuLed In LIe uncerLuIn bIuze. L uppeured Lwo oI
LIe men were enguged In IIsLIcuIIs. However, LIey were so InebrIuLed LIuL LIeIr conLesL
Iooked IIke u perIormunce oI duncIng beurs.
TIe womun's gown wus mude oI guudIIy coIored IubrIc, LIe bodIce gupIng Lo reveuI LIe
pIump IIIIs oI Ier breusLs.

SIe seemed umused by LIe specLucIe oI Lwo men buLLIIng over Ier, wIIIe u LIIrd
uLLempLed Lo breuk up LIe Irucus.
" 'Ere now, my IIne jucks," LIe womun cuIIed ouL In u Cockney uccenL, " suId 'd Luke ye
boLI on-no need Ior u cockIIgIL!"
"SLuy buck," MerrIpen murmured.
PreLendIng noL Lo Ieur, AmeIIu drew cIoser Ior u beLLer vIew. L wusn'L LIe sIgIL oI LIe
bruwI LIuL wus so InLeresLIng-even LIeIr vIIIuge, peuceIuI IILLIe PrImrose PIuce, Iud ILs
sIure oI IIsLIIgILs. AII men, no muLLer wIuL LIeIr sILuuLIon, occusIonuIIy succumbed Lo
LIeIr Iower nuLures. WIuL uLLrucLed AmeIIu's noLIce wus LIe LIIrd mun, LIe wouId-be
peucemuker, us Ie durLed beLween LIe drunken IooIs und uLLempLed Lo reuson wILI LIem.
He wus every bIL us weII dressed us LIe genLIemen on eILIer sIde ... buL IL wus obvIous LIIs
mun wus no genLIemun. He wus bIuck-IuIred und swurLIy und exoLIc. And Ie moved wILI
LIe swIIL gruce oI u cuL, eusIIy uvoIdIng LIe swIpes und Iunges oI IIs opponenLs.
"My Iords," Ie wus suyIng In u reusonubIe Lone, soundIng reIuxed even us Ie bIocked u
Ieuvy IIsL wILI IIs Ioreurm. "'m uIruId you'II boLI Iuve Lo sLop LIIs now, or 'II be Iorced
Lo-" He broke oII und dodged Lo LIe sIde jusL us LIe mun beIInd IIm Ieuped.

TIe prosLILuLe cuckIed uL LIe sIgIL. "TIey goL you on LIe 'op LonIgIL, RoIun," sIe


excIuImed.
DodgIng buck InLo LIe Iruy, RoIun uLLempLed Lo breuk IL up once more. "My Iords, sureIy
you musL know"-Ie ducked beneuLI LIe swIIL urc oI u IIsL-"LIuL vIoIence"- Ie
bIocked u rIgIL Iook-"never soIves unyLIIng."
"Bugger you!" one oI LIe men suId, und buLLed Iorwurd IIke u derunged gouL.


RoIun sLepped usIde und uIIowed IIm Lo cIurge sLruIgIL InLo LIe sIde oI LIe buIIdIng. TIe
uLLucker coIIupsed wILI u groun und Iuy guspIng on LIe ground.
HIs opponenL's reucLIon wus sInguIurIy ungruLeIuI. nsLeud oI LIunkIng LIe durk-IuIred
mun Ior puLLIng u sLop Lo LIe IIgIL, Ie growIed, "Curse you Ior InLerIerIng, RoIun!
wouId've knocked LIe sLuIIIng Irom IIm!" He cIurged IorLI wILI IIs IIsLs cIurnIng IIke
wIndmIII bIudes.
RoIun evuded u IeIL cross und deILIy IIIpped IIm Lo LIe ground. He sLood over LIe prone
IIgure, bIoLLIng IIs IoreIeud wILI IIs sIeeve. "Hud enougI?" Ie usked pIeusunLIy. "Yes?
Good. PIeuse uIIow me Lo IeIp you Lo your IeeL, my Iord." As RoIun puIIed LIe mun
upwurd, Ie gIunced Lowurd LIe LIresIoId oI u door LIuL Ied InLo LIe cIub, wIere u cIub
empIoyee wuILed. "Duwson, escorL ord uLImer Lo IIs currIuge ouL IronL. 'II Luke ord
SeIwuy."
"No need," suId LIe urIsLocruL wIo Iud jusL sLruggIed Lo IIs IeeL, soundIng wInded. " cun
wuIk Lo my own bIoody currIuge." TuggIng IIs cIoLIes buck InLo pIuce over IIs buIky
Iorm, Ie LIrew LIe durk-IuIred mun un unxIous gIunce. "RoIun, wIII Iuve your word on
someLIIng."
"Yes, my Iord?"
"I word oI LIIs geLs ouL-II udy SeIwuy sIouId dIscover LIuL wus IIgILIng over LIe
Iuvors oI u IuIIen womun-my IIIe won'L be worLI u IurLIIng."
RoIun repIIed wILI reussurIng cuIm. "SIe'II never know, my Iord."
"SIe knows everyLIIng," SeIwuy suId. "SIe's In Ieugue wILI LIe devII. I you ure ever
quesLIoned ubouL LIIs mInor uILercuLIon..."
"L wus cuused by u purLIcuIurIy vIcIous gume oI wIIsL," cume LIe bIund repIy.


"Yes. Yes. Good mun." SeIwuy puLLed LIe younger mun on LIe sIouIder. "And Lo puL u
seuI on your sIIence-" He reucIed u beeIy Iund InsIde IIs wuIsLcouL und exLrucLed u
smuII bug.
"No, my Iord." RoIun sLepped buck wILI u IIrm sIuke oI IIs Ieud, IIs sIIny bIuck IuIr
IIyIng wILI LIe movemenL und seLLIIng buck InLo pIuce. "TIere's no prIce Ior my sIIence."
'Tuke IL," LIe urIsLocruL InsIsLed.



" cun'L, my Iord."
"L's yours." TIe bug oI coIns wus Lossed Lo LIe ground, IundIng uL RoIun's IeeL wILI u
meLuIIIc LIud. "TIere. WIeLIer you cIoose Lo Ieuve IL IyIng on LIe sLreeL or noL Is enLIreIy
your cIoIce."
As LIe genLIemun IeIL, RoIun sLured uL LIe bug us II IL were u deud rodenL. " don'L wunL
IL," Ie muLLered Lo no one In purLIcuIur.
"'II Luke IL," LIe prosLILuLe suId, suunLerIng over Lo IIm. SIe scooped up LIe bug und LesLed
ILs IeIL In Ier puIm. A LuunLIng grIn spIIL Ier Iuce. "Gor\ 've never seen u Gypsy wIuL's
uIruId o' bIunL."
"'m noL uIruId oI IL," RoIun suId sourIy. " jusL don'L need IL." SIgIIng, Ie rubbed LIe buck
oI IIs neck wILI one Iund.
SIe IuugIed uL IIm und sIId un openIy upprecIuLIve gIunce over IIs Ieun Iorm. " 'uLes Lo
Luke someLIIng Ior noIIIng. Cure Ior u IILLIe knock In LIe uIIey beIore goes buck Lo
BrudsIuw's?"
" upprecIuLe LIe oIIer," Ie suId poIILeIy, "buL no." SIe IILcIed u sIouIder In u pIuyIuI IuII
sIrug. "ess work Ior me, LIen. Good evenIn'."
RoIun responded wILI u sIorL nod, seemIng Lo conLempIuLe u spoL on LIe ground wILI
undue concenLruLIon. He wus very sLIII, seemIng Lo IIsLen Ior some neurIy ImpercepLIbIe
sound. IILIng u Iund Lo LIe buck oI IIs neck uguIn, Ie rubbed IL us II Lo sooLIe u wurnIng
prIckIe. SIowIy Ie Lurned und Iooked dIrecLIy uL AmeIIu.
A IILLIe sIock wenL LIrougI Ier us LIeIr guzes meL. AILIougI LIey were sLundIng severuI
yurds upurL, sIe IeIL LIe IuII Iorce oI IIs noLIce. HIs expressIon wus noL Lempered by
wurmLI or kIndness. n IucL, Ie Iooked pILIIess, us II Ie Iud Iong ugo Iound LIe worId Lo
be un uncurIng pIuce und Iud decIded Lo uccepL IL on ILs own Lerms.
As IIs deLucIed guze swepL over Ier, AmeIIu knew exucLIy wIuL Ie wus seeIng: u womun
dressed In servIceubIe cIoLIes und prucLIcuI sIoes. SIe wus IuIr skInned und durk IuIred,
oI medIum IeIgIL, wILI LIe rosy-cIeeked wIoIesomeness common Lo LIe HuLIuwuys. Her
IIgure wus sLurdy und voIupLuous, wIen LIe IusIIon wus Lo be reed-sIIm und wun und
IrugIIe.
WILIouL vunILy, AmeIIu knew LIuL uILIougI sIe wusn'L u greuL beuuLy, sIe wus suIIIcIenLIy
uLLrucLIve Lo Iuve cuugIL u Iusbund. BuL sIe Iud rIsked Ier IeurL once, wILI dIsusLrous
consequences. SIe Iud no desIre Lo Lry IL uguIn. And God knew sIe wus busy enougI
LryIng Lo munuge LIe resL oI LIe HuLIuwuys.
RoIun Iooked uwuy Irom Ier. WILIouL u word or u nod oI ucknowIedgmenL, Ie wuIked Lo
LIe buck enLrunce oI LIe cIub. HIs puce wus unIurrIed, us II Ie were gIvIng IImseII LIme
Lo LIInk ubouL someLIIng. TIere wus u dIsLIncLIve euse In IIs movemenLs. HIs sLrIdes


dIdn'L meusure ouL dIsLunce so mucI us IIow over IL IIke wuLer.
AmeIIu reucIed LIe doorsLep uL LIe sume LIme Ie dId. "SIr-Mr. RoIun- presume you
ure LIe munuger oI LIe cIub."


RoIun sLopped und Lurned Lo Iuce Ier. TIey were sLundIng cIose enougI Ior AmeIIu Lo
deLecL LIe scenLs oI muIe exerLIon und wurm skIn. HIs unIusLened wuIsLcouL, mude oI
IuxurIous gruy brocude, Iung open uL LIe sIdes Lo reveuI u LIIn wIILe IInen sIIrL beneuLI.
As RoIun moved Lo buLLon LIe wuIsLcouL, AmeIIu suw u quunLILy oI goId rIngs on IIs
IIngers. A rIppIe oI nervousness wenL LIrougI Ier, IeuvIng un unIumIIIur IeuL In ILs wuke.
Her corseL IeIL Loo LIgIL, Ier IIgI-necked coIIur consLrIcLIng.
RusIIng, sIe brougIL IerseII Lo sLure uL IIm dIrecLIy. He wus u young mun, noL yeL LIIrLy,
wILI LIe counLenunce oI un exoLIc ungeI. TIIs Iuce Iud deIInILeIy been creuLed Ior sIn ...
LIe broodIng mouLI, LIe unguIur juw, LIe goIden-IuzeI eyes sIuded by Iong sLruIgIL
IusIes. HIs IuIr needed cuLLIng, LIe Ieuvy bIuck Iocks curIIng sIIgILIy over LIe buck oI IIs
coIIur. AmeIIu's LIrouL cIncIed uround u quIck breuLI us sIe suw LIe gIILLer oI u dIumond
In IIs eur.
He uccorded Ier u precIse bow. "AL your servIce, MIss..."
"HuLIuwuy," sIe suId precIseIy. SIe Lurned Lo IndIcuLe Ier compunIon, wIo Iud come Lo
sLund uL Ier IeIL. "And LIIs Is my compunIon, MerrIpen."
RoIun gIunced uL IIm uIerLIy. "TIe Romuny word Ior 'IIIe' und uIso deuLI.'"
Wus LIuL wIuL MerrIpen's nume meunL? SurprIsed, AmeIIu Iooked up uL IIm. MerrIpen
guve u sIIgIL sIrug Lo IndIcuLe IL wus oI no ImporLunce. SIe Lurned buck Lo RoIun. "SIr,
we've come Lo usk you u quesLIon or Lwo regurdIng-"
" don'L IIke quesLIons."
" um IookIng Ior my broLIer, ord Rumsuy," sIe conLInued doggedIy, "und desperuLeIy
need uny InIormuLIon you muy possess us Lo IIs wIereubouLs."


" wouIdn'L LeII you even II knew." HIs uccenL wus u subLIe mIxLure oI IoreIgnness und
Cockney, und even u IInL oI upper cIuss. L wus LIe voIce oI u mun wIo kepL compuny
wILI un unusuuI ussorLmenL oI peopIe.
" ussure you, sIr, wouIdn'L puL myseII or unyone eIse Lo LIe LroubIe, were IL noL
ubsoIuLeIy necessury. BuL LIIs Is LIe LIIrd duy sInce my broLIer Ius gone mIssIng-"
"NoL my probIem." RoIun Lurned Lowurd LIe door.
"He Lends Lo IuII In wILI bud compuny-"
"TIuL's unIorLunuLe."
"He couId be deud by now."



" cun'L IeIp you. wIsI you Iuck In your seurcI." RoIun pusIed open LIe door und mude
Lo enLer LIe cIub.
He sLopped us MerrIpen spoke In Romuny.
SInce MerrIpen Iud IIrsL come Lo LIe HuLIuwuys, LIere Iud been onIy u IundIuI oI
occusIons on wIIcI AmeIIu Iud Ieurd IIm speuk LIe secreL Iunguuge known Lo LIe Rom.
L wus IeuLIen-soundIng, LIIck wILI consonunLs und druwn-ouL voweIs, buL LIere wus u
prImILIve musIc In LIe wuy LIe words IIL LogeLIer.
SLurIng uL MerrIpen InLenLIy, RoIun Ieuned IIs sIouIder uguInsL LIe door Irume. "TIe oId
Iunguuge," Ie suId. "L's been yeurs sInce 've Ieurd IL. WIo Is LIe IuLIer oI your LrIbe?"
" Iuve no LrIbe."
A Iong momenL pussed, wIIIe MerrIpen remuIned InscruLubIe In LIe Iuce oI RoIun's
regurd.
TIe IuzeI eyes nurrowed. "Come In. 'II see wIuL cun IInd ouL."
TIey were brougIL InLo LIe cIub wILIouL ceremony, RoIun dIrecLIng un empIoyee Lo sIow
LIem Lo u prIvuLe receIvIng room upsLuIrs. AmeIIu Ieurd LIe Ium oI voIces, und musIc
comIng Irom somewIere, und IooLsLeps goIng Lo und Iro. L wus u busy muscuIIne IIve
IorbIdden Lo someone IIke IerseII.
TIe empIoyee, u young mun wILI un EusL ondon uccenL und cureIuI munners, Look LIem
InLo u weII-uppoInLed room und bId LIem wuIL LIere unLII RoIun reLurned. Mer-rIpen wenL
Lo u wIndow overIookIng KIng SLreeL.
AmeIIu wus surprIsed by LIe quIeL Iuxury oI Ier surroundIngs: LIe Iund-knoLLed curpeL
done In sIudes oI bIue und creum, LIe wood-puneIed wuIIs und veIveL-upIoIsLered
IurnILure. "QuILe LusLeIuI," sIe commenLed, removIng Ier bonneL und seLLIng IL on u smuII
cIuw-IooLed muIoguny LubIe. "or some reuson Iud expecLed someLIIng u bIL... weII,
Luwdry."
"Jenner's Is u cuL ubove LIe LypIcuI esLubIIsImenL. L musquerudes us u genLIemen's cIub,
wIen ILs reuI purpose Is Lo provIde LIe IurgesL Iuzurd bunk In ondon."
AmeIIu wenL Lo u buIIL-In booksIeII und InspecLed LIe voIumes us sIe usked IdIy, "WIy Is
IL, do you LIInk, LIuL Mr. RoIun wus reIucLunL Lo Luke money Irom ord SeI-wuy?"
MerrIpen cusL u surdonIc gIunce over IIs sIouIder. "You know Iow LIe Rom IeeI ubouL
muLerIuI possessIons."
"Yes, know your peopIe don'L IIke Lo be encumbered. BuL Irom wIuL 've seen, Romus
ure IurdIy reIucLunL Lo uccepL u Iew coIns In reLurn Ior u servIce."
"L's more LIun noL wunLIng Lo be encumbered. or u cIuI Lo be In LIIs posILIon-"
"WIuL's u cIuI
"A son oI LIe Rom. or u cIuI Lo weur sucI IIne cIoLIes, Lo sLuy under one rooI so Iong, Lo



reup sucI IInuncIuI bounLy ... IL's sIumeIuI. EmburrussIng. ConLrury Lo IIs nuLure."
He wus so sLern und cerLuIn oI IImseII, AmeIIu couIdn'L resIsL LeusIng IIm u IILLIe. "And
wIuL's your excuse, MerrIpen? You've sLuyed under LIe HuLIuwuy rooI Ior un uwIuIIy
Iong LIme."
"TIuL's dIIIerenL. or one LIIng, LIere's no proIIL In IIvIng wILI you."
AmeIIu IuugIed.
"or unoLIer.. ." MerrIpen's voIce soILened. " owe my IIIe Lo your IumIIy."
AmeIIu IeIL u surge oI uIIecLIon us sIe sLured uL IIs unyIeIdIng proIIIe. "WIuL u
spoIIsporL," sIe suId genLIy. " Lry Lo mock you, und you ruIn LIe momenL wILI sIncerILy.
You know you're noL obIIguLed Lo sLuy, deur IrIend. You've repuId your debL Lo us u
LIousund LImes over."
MerrIpen sIook IIs Ieud ImmedIuLeIy. "L wouId be IIke IeuvIng u nesL oI pIover cIIcks
wILI u Iox neurby."
"We're noL us IeIpIess us uII LIuL," sIe proLesLed. "'m perIecLIy cupubIe oI LukIng cure oI
LIe IumIIy ... und so Is eo. WIen Ie's sober."
"WIen wouId LIuL be?" HIs bIund Lone mude LIe quesLIon uII LIe more surcusLIc.
AmeIIu opened Ier mouLI Lo urgue LIe poInL, buL wus Iorced Lo cIose IL. MerrIpen wus
rIgIL-eo Iud wundered LIrougI LIe pusL sIx monLIs In u sLuLe oI perpeLuuI InebrIuLIon.
SIe puL u Iund Lo Ier mIdrIII, wIere worry Iud uccumuIuLed IIke u suck oI Ieud sIoL. Poor
wreLcIed eo-sIe wus LerrIIIed noLIIng couId be done Ior IIm. mpossIbIe Lo suve u
mun wIo dIdn'L wunL Lo be suved.
TIuL wouIdn'L sLop Ier Irom LryIng, Iowever.


SIe puced uround LIe room, Loo ugILuLed Lo sIL und wuIL cuImIy. eo wus ouL LIere
somewIere, needIng Lo be rescued. And LIere wus no LeIIIng Iow Iong RoIun wouId Iuve
LIem bIde LIeIr LIme Iere.
"'m goIng Lo Iuve u Iook uround," sIe suId, IeudIng Lo LIe door. " won'L go Iur. SLuy
Iere, MerrIpen, In cuse Mr. RoIun sIouId come."
SIe Ieurd IIm muLLer someLIIng beneuLI IIs breuLI. gnorIng Ier requesL, Ie IoIIowed uL
Ier IeeIs us sIe wenL ouL InLo LIe IuIIwuy.
"TIIs Isn'L proper," Ie suId beIInd Ier.
AmeIIu dIdn'L puuse. ProprIeLy Iud no power over Ier now. 'TIIs Is my one cIunce Lo see
InsIde u gumIng cIub-'m noL goIng Lo mIss IL." oIIowIng LIe sound oI voIces, sIe
venLured Lowurd u guIIery LIuL wrupped uround LIe second sLory oI u Iuge, spIendId room.
Crowds oI eIegunLIy dressed men guLIered uround LIree Iurge Iuzurd LubIes, wuLcIIng LIe
pIuy, wIIIe croupIers used rukes Lo guLIer dIce und money. TIere wus u greuL deuI oI



LuIkIng und cuIIIng ouL, LIe uIr cruckIIng wILI excILemenL. EmpIoyees moved LIrougI LIe
Iuzurd room, some beurIng Lruys oI Iood und wIne, oLIers curryIng Lruys oI cIIps und
IresI curds.
RemuInIng IuII-IIdden beIInd u coIumn, AmeIIu surveyed LIe crowd Irom LIe upper
guIIery. Her guze uIIgILed on Mr. RoIun, wIo Iud donned u bIuck couL und cruvuL. Even
LIougI Ie wus uLLIred sImIIurIy Lo LIe cIub members, Ie sLood ouL Irom LIe oLIers IIke u
Iox umong pIgeons.
RoIun IuII suL, IuII Ieuned uguInsL LIe buIky muIoguny munuger's desk In LIe corner oI
LIe room, wIere LIe Iuzurd bunk wus munuged. He uppeured Lo be gIvIng dIrecLIons Lo un
empIoyee. He used u mInImum oI gesLures, buL even so, LIere wus u suggesLIon oI
sIowmunsIIp In IIs movemenLs, un eusy pIysIcuIILy LIuL drew LIe eye.
And LIen . . . someIow ... LIe InLensILy oI AmeIIu's InLeresL seemed Lo reucI IIm. He
reucIed up Lo LIe buck oI IIs neck, und LIen Ie Iooked dIrecLIy uL Ier. JusL us Ie Iud done
In LIe uIIey. AmeIIu IeIL Ier IeurLbeuL uwuken everywIere, In Ier IImbs und Iunds und
IeeL und even In Ier knees. A LIde oI uncomIorLubIe coIor wusIed over Ier. SIe sLood
Immersed In guIIL und IeuL und surprIse, red-Iuced us u cIIId, beIore sIe couId IInuIIy
guLIer Ier wILs suIIIcIenLIy Lo durL beIInd LIe coIumn.
"WIuL Is IL?" sIe Ieurd MerrIpen usk.
" LIInk Mr. RoIun suw me." A sIuky IuugI escuped Ier. "OI, deur. Iope Iuven'L
unnoyed IIm. eL's go buck Lo LIe receIvIng room."
And rIskIng one quIck gIunce Irom LIe conceuImenL oI LIe coIumn, sIe suw LIuL RoIun
wus gone.

CIupLer Two

Cum pusIed uwuy Irom LIe muIoguny desk und IeIL LIe Iuzurd room. As usuuI, Ie
couIdn'L Ieuve wILIouL beIng sLopped once or LwIce ... LIere wus un usIer, wIIsperIng LIuL
ord so-und-so wIsIed Lo Iuve IIs credIL IImIL ruIsed ... un underbuLIer uskIng II Ie sIouId
repIenIsI LIe sIdebourd oI reIresImenLs In one oI LIe curd rooms. He unswered LIeIr
quesLIons ubsenLIy, IIs mInd occupIed wILI LIe womun uwuILIng IIm upsLuIrs.
An evenIng LIuL Iud promIsed Lo be rouLIne wus LurnIng ouL Lo be ruLIer pecuIIur.
L Iud been u Iong LIme sInce u womun Iud uroused IIs InLeresL us AmeIIu HuLIuwuy Iud.
TIe momenL Ie Iud seen Ier sLundIng In LIe uIIey, wIoIesome und pInk-cIeeked, Ier


voIupLuous IIgure conLuIned In u modesL gown, Ie Iud wunLed Ier. He Iud no Ideu wIy,
wIen sIe wus LIe embodImenL oI everyLIIng LIuL unnoyed IIm ubouL EngIIsIwomen.
L wus obvIous MIss HuLIuwuy Iud u reIenLIess cerLuInLy In Ier own ubIIILy Lo orgunIze
und munuge everyLIIng uround Ier. Cum's usuuI reucLIon Lo LIuL sorL oI IemuIe wus Lo IIee
In LIe opposILe dIrecLIon. BuL us Ie Iud sLured InLo Ier preLLy bIue eyes, und seen LIe LIny
deLermIned Irown IILcIed beLween LIem, Ie Iud IeIL un unIoIy urge Lo snuLcI Ier up und
curry Ier uwuy somewIere und do someLIIng uncIvIIIzed. BurburIc, even.
OI course, uncIvIIIzed urges Iud uIwuys Iurked u bIL Loo cIose Lo IIs surIuce. And In LIe
pusL yeur Cum Iud begun Lo IInd IL more dIIIIcuIL LIun usuuI Lo conLroI LIem. He Iud
become uncIurucLerIsLIcuIIy sIorL-Lempered, ImpuLIenL, eusIIy provoked. TIe LIIngs LIuL
Iud once gIven IIm pIeusure were no Ionger suLIsIyIng. WorsL oI uII, Ie'd Iound IImseII
uLLendIng Lo IIs sexuuI urges wILI LIe sume Iuck oI enLIusIusm Ie wus doIng everyLIIng
eIse LIese duys.
IndIng IemuIe compunIonsIIp wus never u probIem- Cum Iud Iound reIeuse In LIe
urms oI muny u wIIIIng womun, und Iud repuId LIe Iuvor unLII LIey Iud purred wILI
suLIsIucLIon. TIere wus no reuI LIrIII In IL, Iowever. No excILemenL, no IIre, no sense oI
unyLIIng oLIer LIun IuvIng Luken cure oI u bodIIy IuncLIon us ordInury us sIeepIng or
euLIng. Cum Iud been so LroubIed LIuL Ie'd ucLuuIIy brougIL IImseII Lo dIscuss IL wILI IIs
empIoyer, ord SL. VIncenL.
Once u renowned skIrL-cIuser, now un excepLIonuIIy devoLed Iusbund, SL. VIncenL knew
us mucI ubouL LIese muLLers us uny mun uIIve. WIen Cum Iud usked gIumIy II u decreuse
In pIysIcuI urges wus someLIIng LIuL nuLuruIIy occurred us u mun upproucIed IIs LIIrLIes,
SL. VIncenL Iud cIoked on IIs drInk.
"Good God, no," LIe vIscounL Iud suId, cougIIng sIIgILIy us u swuIIow oI brundy seured
IIs LIrouL. TIey Iud been In LIe munuger's oIIIce oI LIe cIub, goIng over uccounL books In
LIe eurIy Iours oI LIe mornIng.


SL. VIncenL wus u Iundsome mun wILI wIeuL-coIored IuIr und puIe bIue eyes. Some
cIuImed Ie Iud LIe mosL perIecL Iorm und IeuLures oI uny mun uIIve. TIe Iooks oI u suInL,
LIe souI oI u scoundreI. "I muy usk, wIuL kInd oI women Iuve you been LukIng Lo bed?"
"WIuL do you meun, wIuL kInd?" Cum Iud usked wurIIy.
"BeuuLIIuI or pIuIn?"
"BeuuLIIuI, suppose."
"WeII, LIere's your probIem," SL. VIncenL suId In u muLLer-oI-IucL Lone. "PIuIn women ure
Iur more enjoyubIe. TIere's no beLLer upIrodIsIuc LIun gruLILude."
"YeL you murrIed u beuuLIIuI womun."



A sIow smIIe Iud curved SL. VIncenL's IIps. "WIves ure u dIIIerenL cuse uILogeLIer. TIey
requIre u greuL deuI oI eIIorL, buL LIe rewurds ure subsLunLIuI. IIgIIy recommend wIves.
EspecIuIIy one's own."
Cum Iud sLured uL IIs empIoyer wILI unnoyunce, reIIecLIng LIuL serIous conversuLIon wILI
SL. VIncenL wus oILen Iumpered by LIe vIscounL's Iondness Ior LurnIng IL InLo un exercIse
oI wIL. "I undersLund you, my Iord," Ie suId curLIy, "your recommenduLIon Ior u Iuck oI
desIre Is Lo sLurL seducIng unuLLrucLIve women?"
PIckIng up u sIIver pen IoIder, SL. VIncenL deILIy IILLed u nIb InLo LIe end und mude u
projecL oI dIppIng IL precIseIy InLo un Ink boLLIe. "RoIun, 'm doIng my besL Lo undersLund
your probIem. However, u Iuck oI desIre Is someLIIng 've never experIenced. 'd Iuve Lo
be on my deuLIbed beIore sLopped wunLIng-no, never mInd, wus on my deuLIbed In
LIe noL-Loo-dIsLunL pusL, und even LIen Iud LIe devII's own ILcI Ior my wIIe."
"CongruLuIuLIons," Cum muLLered, ubundonIng uny Iope

oI pryIng un eurnesL unswer ouL oI LIe mun. "eL's uLLend Lo LIe uccounL books. TIere ure
more ImporLunL muLLers Lo dIscuss LIun sexuuI IubILs."
SL. VIncenL scruLcIed ouL u IIgure und seL LIe pen buck on ILs sLund. "No, InsIsL on
dIscussIng sexuuI IubILs. L's so mucI more enLerLuInIng LIun work." He reIuxed In IIs
cIuIr wILI u decepLIve uIr oI IuzIness. "DIscreeL us you ure, RoIun, one cun'L IeIp buL
noLIce Iow urdenLIy you ure pursued. L seems you IoId quILe un uppeuI Ior LIe IudIes oI
ondon. And Irom uII uppeurunces, you've Luken IuII udvunLuge oI wIuL's been oIIered."
Cum sLured uL IIm wILIouL expressIon. "Purdon, buL ure you IeudIng Lo un ucLuuI poInL,
my Iord?"
eunIng buck In IIs cIuIr, SL. VIncenL mude u LempIe oI IIs eIegunL Iunds und regurded
Cum sLeudIIy. "SInce you've Iud no probIem wILI Iuck oI desIre In LIe pusL, cun onIy
ussume LIuL, us Iuppens wILI oLIer uppeLILes, yours Ius been suLed wILI un overubundunce
oI sumeness. A bIL oI noveILy muy be jusL LIe LIIng."
ConsIderIng LIe sLuLemenL, wIIcI ucLuuIIy mude sense, Cum wondered II LIe noLorIous
Iormer ruke Iud ever been LempLed Lo sLruy.
HuvIng known EvIe sInce cIIIdIood, wIen sIe Iud come Lo vIsIL Ier wIdowed IuLIer uL
LIe cIub Irom LIme Lo LIme, Cum IeIL us proLecLIve oI Ier us II sIe'd been IIs younger
sIsLer. No one wouId Iuve puIred LIe genLIe-nuLured EvIe wILI sucI u IIberLIne. And
perIups no one Iud been us surprIsed us SL. VIncenL IImseII Lo dIscover LIeIr murrIuge oI
convenIence Iud Lurned InLo u pussIonuLe Iove muLcI.
"WIuL oI murrIed IIIe?" Cum usked soILIy. "Does IL evenLuuIIy become un overubundunce
oI sumeness?"


SL. VIncenL's expressIon cIunged, LIe IIgIL bIue eyes wurmIng uL LIe LIougIL oI IIs wIIe.
"L Ius become cIeur Lo me LIuL wILI LIe rIgIL womun, one cun never Iuve enougI.
wouId weIcome un overubundunce oI sucI bIIss-buL doubL sucI u LIIng Is morLuIIy
possIbIe." CIosIng LIe uccounL book wILI u decIsIve LIud, Ie sLood Irom LIe desk. I you'II
excuse me, RoIun, 'II bId you good nIgIL."
"WIuL ubouL IInIsIIng LIe uccounLIng?"
"'II Ieuve LIe resL In your cupubIe Iunds." AL Cum's scowI, SL. VIncenL sIrugged
InnocenLIy. "RoIun, one oI us Is un unmurrIed mun wILI superIor muLIemuLIcuI ubIIILIes
und no prospecLs Ior LIe evenIng. TIe oLIer Is u conIIrmed IecIer In un umorous mood,
wILI u wIIIIng und nubIIe young wIIe wuILIng uL Iome. WIo do you LIInk sIouId do LIe
dumned uccounL books?" And, wILI u noncIuIunL wuve, SL. VIncenL Iud IeIL LIe oIIIce.
"NoveILy" Iud been SL. VIncenL's recommenduLIon- weII, LIuL word cerLuInIy uppIIed Lo
MIss HuLIuwuy. Cum Iud uIwuys preIerred experIenced women wIo regurded seducLIon
us u gume und knew beLLer LIun Lo conIuse pIeusure wILI emoLIon. He Iud never cusL
IImseII In LIe roIe oI LuLor Lo un InnocenL. n IucL, LIe prospecL oI InILIuLIng u vIrgIn wus
dIsLIncLIy oII-puLLIng. NoLIIng buL puIn Ior Ier, und LIe uppuIIIng possIbIIILy oI Leurs und
regreLs uILerwurd. He recoIIed Irom LIe Ideu. No, LIere wouId be no pursuIL oI noveILy
wILI MIss HuLIuwuy.
HusLenIng IIs puce. Cum wenL up LIe sLuIrs Lo LIe room wIere LIe womun wuILed wILI LIe
durk-Iuced cIuI. Mer-rIpen wus u common Romuny nume. YeL LIe mun wus In u mosL
uncommon posILIon. L uppeured Ie wus ucLIng us LIe womun's servunL, u bIzurre und
repugnunL sILuuLIon Ior u Ireedom-IovIng Romu.

So LIe Lwo oI LIem, Cum und MerrIpen, Iud someLIIng In common. BoLI oI LIem worked
Ior gudjos InsLeud oI roumIng LIe eurLI IreeIy us God InLended.
A Romu dIdn'L beIong Indoors, encIosed by wuIIs. IvIng In boxes, us uII rooms und
Iouses were, sIuL uwuy Irom LIe sky und wInd und sun und sLurs. BreuLIIng In sLuIe uIr
scenLed wILI Iood und IIoor poIIsI. or LIe IIrsL LIme In yeurs Cum IeIL u surge oI mIId
punIc. He IougIL IL buck und Iocused on LIe Lusk uL Iund-geLLIng rId oI LIe pecuIIur puIr
In LIe receIvIng room.
TuggIng uL IIs coIIur Lo Ioosen IL, Ie pusIed uL LIe IuII-open door und enLered LIe room.
MIss HuLIuwuy sLood neur LIe doorwuy, wuILIng wILI LIgILIy IeusIed ImpuLIence, wIIIe
MerrIpen remuIned u durk presence In LIe corner. As Cum upproucIed und Iooked InLo Ier
upLurned Iuce, LIe punIc dIssoIved In u curIous rusI oI IeuL. Her bIue eyes were smudged
wILI IuInL Iuvender sIudows, und Ier soIL-IookIng IIps were pressed InLo u LIgIL seum. Her


IuIr Iud been puIIed buck und pInned, durk und sIInIng uguInsL Ier Ieud.
TIuL scruped-buck IuIr, LIe modesL resLrIcLIve cIoLIIng udverLIsed Ier us u womun oI
InIIbILIons. A proper spInsLer. BuL noLIIng couId Iuve conceuIed Ier rudIunL wIII. SIe wus
... deIIcIous. He wunLed Lo unwrup Ier IIke u Iong-uwuILed gIIL. He wunLed Ier vuInerubIe
und nuked beneuLI IIm, LIuL soIL mouLI swoIIen Irom Iurd, deep kIsses, Ier puIe body
IIusIed wILI desIre. SLurLIed by Ier eIIecL on IIm, Cum mude IIs expressIon bIunk us Ie
sLudIed Ier.
"WeII?" AmeIIu demunded, cIeurIy unuwure oI LIe Lurn oI IIs LIougILs. WIIcI wus u good
LIIng, us LIey IIkeIy wouId Iuve senL Ier screumIng Irom LIe room. "Huve you dIscovered
unyLIIng ubouL my broLIer's wIereubouLs?"


" Iuve." "And?"
"ord Rumsuy vIsILed eurIIer LIIs evenIng, IosL some money uL LIe Iuzurd LubIe-"
"TIunk God Ie's uIIve," AmeIIu excIuImed. "-und uppurenLIy decIded Lo consoIe IImseII
by vIsILIng u neurby broLIeI."
"BroLIeI?" SIe sIoL MerrIpen un exusperuLed gIunce. '1 sweur IL, MerrIpen, Ie'II dIe uL my
Iunds LonIgIL." SIe Iooked buck uL Cum. "How mucI dId Ie Iose uL LIe Iuzurd LubIe?"
"ApproxImuLeIy IIve Iundred pounds." TIe preLLy bIue eyes wIdened In ouLruge. "He'II
dIe sIowIy uL my Iunds. WIIcI broLIeI?" "BrudsIuw's."
AmeIIu reucIed Ior Ier bonneL. "Come, MerrIpen. We're goIng LIere Lo coIIecL IIm."
BoLI MerrIpen und Cum repIIed uL LIe sume LIme. "No." " wunL Lo see Ior myseII II Ie's
uII rIgIL," sIe suId cuImIy. " very mucI doubL Ie Is." SIe guve MerrIpen u IrosLy sLure.
"'m noL reLurnIng Iome wILIouL eo."
HuII umused, IuII uIurmed by Ier Iorce oI wIII, Cum usked MerrIpen, "Am deuIIng wILI
sLubbornness, IdIocy, or some combInuLIon oI LIe Lwo?"
AmeIIu repIIed beIore MerrIpen Iud LIe opporLunILy. "SLubbornness, on my purL. TIe
IdIocy muy be uLLrIbuLed enLIreIy Lo my broLIer." SIe seLLIed LIe bonneL on Ier Ieud und
LIed ILs rIbbons beneuLI Ier cIIn.
CIerry-red rIbbons, Cum suw In bemusemenL. TIuL IrIvoIous spIusI oI red umId Ier
oLIerwIse sober uLLIre wus un Incongruous noLe. BecomIng more und more IuscInuLed,
Cum Ieurd IImseII suy, "You cun'L go Lo BrudsIuw's. Reusons oI


moruIILy und suIeLy usIde, you don'L even know wIere LIe IeII IL Is."
AmeIIu dIdn'L IIIncI uL LIe proIunILy. " ussume u greuL deuI oI busIness Is senL buck und
IorLI beLween your esLubIIsImenL und BrudsIuw's. You suy LIe pIuce Is neurby, wIIcI
meuns uII Iuve Lo do Is IoIIow LIe IooL LruIIIc Irom Iere Lo LIere. Goodbye, Mr. RoIun.



upprecIuLe your IeIp."
Cum moved Lo bIock Ier puLI. "AII you'II uccompIIsI Is mukIng u IooI oI yourseII, MIss
HuLIuwuy. You won'L geL pusL LIe IronL door. A broLIeI IIke BrudsIuw's doesn'L Luke
sLrungers oII LIe sLreeL."
"How munuge Lo reLrIeve my broLIer, sIr, Is no con-cern oI yours."
SIe wus correcL. L wusn'L. BuL Cum Iudn'L been LIIs enLerLuIned In u Iong LIme. No
sensuuI depruvILIes, no skIIIed courLesun, noL even u room IuII oI uncIoLIed women, couId
Iuve InLeresLed IIm IuII us mucI us MIss AmeIIu HuLIuwuy und Ier red rIbbons.
"'m goIng wILI you," Ie suId.
SIe Irowned. "No, LIunk you."
" InsIsL."
" don'L need your servIces, Mr. RoIun."
Cum couId LIInk oI u number oI servIces sIe wus cIeurIy In need oI, mosL oI wIIcI wouId
be u pIeusure Ior IIm Lo provIde. "ObvIousIy IL wIII be Lo everyone's beneIIL Ior you Lo
reLrIeve Rumsuy und Ieuve ondon us quIckIy us possIbIe. consIder IL my cIvIc duLy Lo
IusLen your depurLure."


CIupLer TIree


AILIougI LIey couId Iuve reucIed LIe broLIeI on IooL, AmeIIu, MerrIpen, und RoIun wenL
Lo BrudsIuw's In LIe uncIenL buroucIe. TIey sLopped beIore u pIuIn GeorgIun-sLyIe
buIIdIng. or AmeIIu, wIose ImugInIngs oI sucI u pIuce were Irumed wILI IurId
exLruvugunce, LIe broLIeI's Iucude wus dIsuppoInLIngIy dIscreeL.
"SLuy InsIde LIe currIuge," RoIun suId. "'II go InsIde und InquIre us Lo Rumsuy's
wIereubouLs." He guve MerrIpen u Iurd Iook. "Don'L Ieuve MIss HuLIuwuy unuLLended
even Ior u second. L's dungerous uL LIIs LIme oI nIgIL."
"L's eurIy evenIng," AmeIIu proLesLed. "And we're In LIe WesL End, umId crowds oI weII-
dressed genLIemen. How dungerous couId IL be?"
"'ve seen LIose weII-dressed genLIemen do LIIngs LIuL wouId muke you IuInL Lo Ieur oI
LIem."
" never IuInL," AmeIIu suId IndIgnunLIy.
RoIun's smIIe wus u IIusI oI wIILe In LIe sIudowed InLerIor oI LIe currIuge. He IeIL LIe
veIIcIe und dIssoIved InLo LIe nIgIL us II Ie were purL oI IL, bIendIng seumIessIy



excepL Ior LIe ebony gIImmer oI IIs IuIr und LIe spurkIe oI LIe dIumond uL IIs eur.
AmeIIu sLured uILer IIm In wonder. WIuL cuLegory dId
one puL sucI u mun In? He wus noL u genLIemun, nor u Iord,
nor u common workIngmun, nor even IuIIy u Gypsy. A
sIIver cIused beneuLI Ier corseL sLuys us sIe recuIIed LIe
momenL Ie Iud IeIped Ier up InLo LIe currIuge. Her Iund
Iud been gIoved, buL IIs Iud been bure, und sIe Iud IeIL
LIe IeuL und sLrengLI oI IIs IIngers. And LIere Iud been LIe
gIeum oI u LIIck goId bund on IIs LIumb. SIe Iud never
seen sucI u LIIng beIore.
"MerrIpen, wIuL does IL meun wIen u mun weurs u , LIumb rIng? s IL u Gypsy cusLom?"
SeemIng uncomIorLubIe wILI LIe quesLIon, MerrIpen Iooked LIrougI LIe wIndow InLo LIe
dump nIgIL. A group oI young men pussed LIe veIIcIe, weurIng IIne couLs und LuII IuLs,
IuugIIng umong LIemseIves. A puIr oI LIem sLopped Lo speuk wILI u guudIIy dressed
womun. SLIII IrownIng, MerrIpen repIIed Lo AmeIIu's quesLIon. "L sIgnIIIes Independence
und Ireedom oI LIougIL. AIso u cerLuIn sepuruLe-ness. n weurIng IL, Ie remInds IImseII Ie
doesn'L beIong wIere Ie Is."
"WIy wouId Mr. RoIun wunL Lo remInd IImseII someLIIng IIke LIuL?"
"Becuuse LIe wuys oI your kInd ure seducLIve," MerrIpen suId durkIy. "L's dIIIIcuIL Lo
resIsL LIem."
"WIy musL you resIsL LIem? IuII Lo see wIuL Is so Ler rIbIe ubouL IIvIng In u proper Iouse
und securIng u sLeudy Income, und enjoyIng LIIngs IIke nIce dIsIes und upIoIsLered
cIuIrs."
"GudjI," Ie murmured In resIgnuLIon, mukIng AmeIIu grIn brIeIIy. L wus LIe word Ior u
non-Gypsy womun.


SIe reIuxed buck uguInsL LIe worn upIoIsLered seuL. " never LIougIL wouId be IopIng
so desperuLeIy Lo IInd my broLIer InsIde u Iouse oI III repuLe. BuL beLween u broLIeI or
IIouLIng Iucedown In LIe TIumes-" SIe broke oII und pressed LIe knuckIes oI Ier
cIencIed IIsL uguInsL Ier IIps.
"He's noL deud." MerrIpen's voIce wus Iow und genLIe.
AmeIIu wus LryIng very Iurd Lo beIIeve LIuL. "We musL geL eo uwuy Irom ondon. He'II
be suIer ouL In LIe counLry ... won'L Ie?"
MerrIpen guve u noncommILLuI sIrug, IIs durk eyes reveuIIng noLIIng oI IIs LIougILs.
"TIere's Iur Iess Lo do In LIe counLry," AmeIIu poInLed ouL. "And deIInILeIy Iess LroubIe Ior
eo Lo geL InLo."



"A mun wIo wunLs LroubIe cun IInd IL unywIere."
AILer mInuLes oI unbeurubIe wuILIng, RoIun reLurned Lo LIe brougIum und Lugged LIe
door open.
"WIere Is Ie?" AmeIIu demunded us LIe Gypsy cIImbed InsIde.
"NoL Iere. AILer ord Rumsuy wenL upsLuIrs wILI one oI LIe gIrIs und, er ... conducLed LIe
LrunsucLIon ... Ie IeIL LIe broLIeI."
"WIere dId Ie go? DId you usk-"
"He LoId LIem Ie wus goIng Lo u Luvern cuIIed LIe HeII und BuckeL."
"oveIy," AmeIIu suId sIorLIy. "Do you know LIe wuy?"
SeuLIng IImseII besIde Ier, RoIun gIunced uL MerrIpen. "oIIow SL. Jumes eusLwurd, Lurn
IeIL uILer LIe LIIrd crossIng."
MerrIpen IIIcked LIe rIbbons, und LIe currIuge roIIed pusL u LrIo oI prosLILuLes.
AmeIIu wuLcIed LIe women wILI undIsguIsed InLeresL. "How young some oI LIem ure,"
sIe suId. "I onIy some


cIurILubIe InsLILuLIon wouId IeIp LIem IInd respecLubIe empIoymenL."
"MosL so-cuIIed respecLubIe empIoymenL Is jusL us bud," RoIun repIIed.
SIe Iooked uL IIm IndIgnunLIy. "You LIInk u womun wouId be beLLer oII Lo work us u
prosLILuLe LIun Lo Luke un IonesL job LIuL wouId uIIow Ier Lo IIve wILI dIgnILy?"
" dIdn'L suy LIuL. My poInL Is LIuL some empIoyers ure Iur more bruLuI LIun pImps or
broLIeI buwds. ServunLs Iuve Lo endure uII munner oI ubuse Irom LIeIr musLers-IemuIe
servunLs In purLIcuIur. And II you LIInk LIere Is dIgnILy In workIng uL u mIII or IucLory,
you've never seen u gIrI wIo's IosL u Iew IIngers Irom cuLLIng broom sLruw. Or someone
wIose Iungs ure so congesLed Irom breuLIIng In IIuII und dusL uL u curdIng mIII, sIe won'L
IIve pusL LIe uge oI LIIrLy."
AmeIIu opened Ier mouLI Lo repIy, LIen snupped IL sIuL. No muLLer Iow mucI sIe wunLed
Lo conLInue LIe debuLe, proper women-even II LIey were spInsLers-dId noL dIscuss
prosLILuLIon.
SIe udopLed un expressIon oI cooI IndIIIerence und Iooked ouL LIe wIndow. AILIougI sIe
dIdn'L spure u gIunce Ior RoIun, sIe sensed Ie wus wuLcIIng Ier. SIe wus unbeurubIy
uwure oI IIm. He wore no coIogne or pomude, buL LIere wus someLIIng uIIurIng ubouL IIs
smeII, someLIIng smoky und IresI, IIke green cIoves.
"Your broLIer InIerILed LIe LILIe quILe recenLIy," RoIun suId.
"Yes."
"WILI uII respecL, ord Rumsuy doesn'L seem enLIreIy prepured Ior IIs new roIe."
AmeIIu couIdn'L resLruIn u rueIuI smIIe. "None oI us ure.



L wus u surprIsIng Lurn oI evenLs Ior LIe HuLIuwuys. TIere were uL IeusL LIree men In IIne
Ior LIe LILIe beIore eo. BuL LIey uII dIed In rupId successIon, oI vuryIng cuuses. L seems
LIuL becomIng ord Rumsuy cuuses one Lo become sIorLIIved. And uL LIIs ruLe, my
broLIer probubIy won'L IusL uny Ionger LIun IIs predecessors."
"One never knows wIuL IuLe Ius In sLore."
TurnIng Lowurd RoIun, AmeIIu dIscovered Ie wus gIuncIng over Ier In u sIow InvenLory
LIuL spurred Ier IeurL InLo u IusLer beuL. " don'L beIIeve In IuLe," sIe suId. "PeopIe ure In
conLroI oI LIeIr own desLInIes."
RoIun smIIed. "Everyone, even LIe gods, ure IeIpIess In LIe Iunds oI IuLe."
AmeIIu regurded IIm skepLIcuIIy. "SureIy you, beIng empIoyed uL u gumIng cIub, know
uII ubouL probubIIILy und odds. WIIcI meuns you cun'L ruLIonuIIy gIve credence Lo Iuck or
IuLe or unyLIIng oI LIe sorL."
" know uII ubouL probubIIILy und odds," RoIun ugreed. "NeverLIeIess, beIIeve In Iuck."
He smIIed wILI u quIeL smoIder In IIs eyes LIuL cuused Ier breuLI Lo cuLcI. " beIIeve In
mugIc und mysLery, und dreums LIuL reveuI LIe IuLure. And beIIeve some LIIngs ure
wrILLen In LIe sLurs ... or even In LIe puIm oI your Iund."
MesmerIzed, AmeIIu wus unubIe Lo Iook uwuy Irom IIm. He wus un exLruordInurIIy
beuuLIIuI mun, IIs skIn us durk us cIover Ioney, IIs bIuck IuIr IuIIIng over IIs IoreIeud In
u wuy LIuL mude Ier IIngers LwILcI wILI LIe urge Lo pusI IL buck.
"Do you beIIeve In IuLe Loo?" sIe usked MerrIpen.
A Iong IesILuLIon. "'m u Romu," Ie suId.
WIIcI meunL yes. "Good ord, MerrIpen. 've uIwuys LIougIL oI you us u sensIbIe mun."


RoIun IuugIed. "L's onIy sensIbIe Lo uIIow Ior LIe possIbIIILy, MIss HuLIuwuy. JusL
becuuse you cun'L see or IeeI someLIIng doesn'L meun IL cun'L exIsL."
"TIere Is no sucI LIIng us IuLe," AmeIIu InsIsLed. "TIere Is onIy ucLIon und consequence."
TIe currIuge cume Lo u IuIL, LIIs LIme In u mucI sIubbIer pIuce LIun SL. Jumes or KIng
SLreeL. TIere wus u beer sIop und LIree-penny IodgIng Iouse on one sIde, und u Iurge
Luvern on LIe oLIer. TIe pedesLrIuns on LIIs sLreeL Iud LIe uppeurunce oI sIum genLIIILy,
rubbIng eIbows wILI cosLers, pIckpockeLs, und more prosLILuLes.
A bruwI wus In progress neur LIe LIresIoId oI LIe Luvern, u wrILIIng mIxLure oI urms, Iegs,
IIyIng IuLs, und boLLIes und cunes. AnyLIme LIere wus u IIgIL, LIe greuLesL IIkeIIIood wus
LIuL Ier broLIer Iud sLurLed IL.
"MerrIpen," sIe suId unxIousIy, "you know Iow eo Is wIen Ie's Ioxed. He's probubIy In
LIe mIddIe oI LIe Iruy. I you wouId be so kInd-"



BeIore sIe Iud even IInIsIed, MerrIpen mude Lo Ieuve LIe currIuge.
"WuIL," RoIun suId. "You'd beLLer IeL me IundIe IL."
MerrIpen guve IIm u coId gIunce. "You doubL my ubIIILy
Lo IIgIL?"
"TIIs Is u ondon rookery. 'm used Lo LIe kInd oI LrIcks LIey empIoy. I you-" RoIun
broke oII us MerrIpen Ignored IIm und IeIL LIe currIuge wILI u surIy grunL. "So be IL,"
RoIun suId, exILIng LIe currIuge und sLundIng besIde IL Lo wuLcI. "TIey'II sIIce IIm open
IIke u muckereI uL u CovenL Gurden IIsI sLund."
AmeIIu cume ouL oI LIe veIIcIe us weII. "MerrIpen cun
IundIe IImseII quILe weII In u IIgIL, ussure you."


RoIun Iooked down uL Ier, IIs eyes sIudowed und cuLIIke. "You'II be suIer InsIde LIe
veIIcIe."
" Iuve you Ior proLecLIon, do noL?" sIe poInLed ouL. "SweeLIeurL," Ie suId wILI u
soILness LIuL undercuL LIe noIse oI LIe crowd, " muy be LIe one you mosL need proLecLIon
Irom."
SIe IeIL Ier IeurL mIss u beuL. He meL Ier wIde-eyed gIunce wILI u sLeudy InLeresL LIuL
cuused Ier Loes Lo curI InsIde Ier prucLIcuI IeuLIer sIoes. IgILIng Ior composure, AmeIIu
Iooked uwuy Irom IIm. BuL sIe remuIned sIurpIy uwure oI IIm, LIe reIuxed uIerLness oI
IIs posLure, LIe unknown puIse secreLed beneuLI LIe eIegunL Iuyers oI IIs cIoLIIng.
TIey wuLcIed us MerrIpen wuded InLo LIe cIuos oI bruwIIng men, sorLed LIrougI u Iew
oI LIem. BeIore u IuII mInuLe Iud pussed, Ie unceremonIousIy IuuIed someone ouL,
eusIIy deIIecLIng bIows wILI IIs Iree urm. "He's good," RoIun suId In mIId surprIse.
AmeIIu wus overwIeImed wILI reIIeI us sIe recognIzed eo's dIsIeveIed Iorm. "OI,
LIunk God."
Her eyes IIew open, Iowever, us sIe IeIL u genLIe LoucI uL LIe edge oI Ier juw. RoIun's
IIngers were nudgIng Ier Iuce upwurd, IIs LIumb brusIIng LIe LIp oI Ier cIIn. TIe
unexpecLed InLImucy senL u IILLIe sIock LIrougI Ier. HIs IIume-brIgIL guze Iud seIzed Iers
uguIn.
"Don'L you LIInk you're beIng u bIL overproLecLIve, cIusIng your grown broLIer ucross
ondon? He's noL doIng unyLIIng uII LIuL unusuuI. MosL young Iords In IIs posILIon wouId
beIuve LIe sume."
"You don'L know IIm," AmeIIu suId, soundIng sIuken Lo Ier own eurs. SIe knew sIe
sIouId puII uwuy Irom IIs


wurm IIngers, buL Ier body remuIned perverseIy sLIII, ubsorbIng LIe pIeusure oI IIs LoucI.



"L's Iur Irom usuuI beIuvIor Ior IIm. He's In LroubIe. He-" SIe broke oII.
RoIun IeL u genLIe IIngerLIp IoIIow LIe sIInIng LruII oI Ier bonneL rIbbon Lo LIe pIuce
wIere IL LIed beneuLI Ier cIIn. "WIuL kInd oI LroubIe?"
SIe jerked uwuy Irom IIs LoucI und Lurned us MerrIpen und eo upproucIed LIe currIuge.
A rusI oI Iove und ugonIzed worry IIIIed Ier uL LIe sIgIL oI Ier broLIer. He wus IIILIy,
buLLered, und grInnIng unrepenLunLIy. Anyone wIo dIdn'L know eo wouId ussume Ie
Iudn'L u cure In LIe worId. BuL IIs eyes, once so wurm, were duII und wInLry. HIs IormerIy
IIL body wus puuncIy, und LIe vIsIbIe porLIon oI IIs neck wus bIouLed. TIere wus sLIII u
Iong wuy Lo go beIore eo wus In LoLuI ruIns, buL Ie seemed deLermIned Lo IusLen LIe
process.
"How remurkubIe," AmeIIu suId cusuuIIy. "TIere's sLIII someLIIng IeIL oI you." PIuckIng u
IundkercIIeI Irom Ier sIeeve, sIe sLrode Iorwurd und LenderIy wIped sweuL und u smeur
oI bIood Irom IIs cIeeks. NoLIcIng IIs unIocused guze, sIe suId, "'m LIe one In LIe
mIddIe, deur."
"AI. TIere you ure." eo's Ieud bobbed up und down IIke u sLrIng puppeL's. He gIunced uL
MerrIpen, wIo wus provIdIng Iur more supporL LIun eo's own Iegs were. "My sIsLer," Ie
suId. "TerrIIyIng gIrI."
"BeIore MerrIpen puLs you In LIe currIuge," AmeIIu suId, "ure you goIng Lo cusL up your
uccounLs, eo?"
"CerLuInIy noL," cume LIe unIesILuLIng repIy. "HuLI-uwuys uIwuys IoId LIeIr IIquor."
AmeIIu sLroked usIde LIe dIrLy brown Iocks LIuL dungIed IIke sLrunds oI yurn over IIs
eyes. "L wouId be nIce II you wouId Lry Lo IoId u bIL Iess oI IL In LIe IuLure, deur."

"AI, buL sIs ..." As eo Iooked down uL Ier, sIe suw u IIusI oI IIs oId seII, u spurk In LIe
vucunL eyes, und LIen IL wus gone. " Iuve sucI u powerIuI LIIrsL."
AmeIIu IeIL LIe smurL oI Leurs uL LIe corners oI Ier eyes, LusLed suIL uL LIe buck oI Ier
LIrouL. SwuIIowIng IL buck, sIe suId In u sLeudy voIce, "or LIe nexL Iew duys, eo, your
LIIrsL wIII be sIuked excIusIveIy by wuLer or Leu. nLo LIe currIuge wILI IIm, MerrIpen."
eo LwIsLed Lo gIunce uL LIe mun wIo IeId IIm sLeudy. "or God's suke, you're noL goIng
Lo puL me In Ier cusLody, ure you?"
"WouId you ruLIer dry ouL In LIe cure oI u Bow SLreeL guoIkeeper?" MerrIpen usked
poIILeIy.
"He wouId be u dumn sIgIL more mercIIuI." GrumbIIng, eo IurcIed Lowurd LIe currIuge
wILI MerrIpen's ussIsLunce.
AmeIIu Lurned Lo Cum RoIun, wIose Iuce wus InscruLubIe. "Muy we Luke you buck Lo
Jenner's, sIr? L wIII be LIgIL quurLers In LIe currIuge, buL LIInk we cun munuge."


"No, LIunk you." RoIun wuIked sIowIy uround LIe currIuge wILI Ier. "L Isn'L Iur. 'II go on
IooL."
" cun'L Ieuve you sLrunded In u ondon rookery."
RoIun sLopped wILI Ier uL LIe buck oI LIe currIuge, wIere LIey were purLIuIIy sIeILered
Irom vIew. "'II be IIne. TIe cILy IoIds no Ieurs Ior me. HoId sLIII."
RoIun Lurned Ier Iuce up uguIn, one Iund crudIIng Ier juw wIIIe LIe oLIer descended Lo
Ier cIeek. HIs LIumb brusIed genLIy beneuLI Ier IeIL eye, und wILI surprIse sIe IeIL u
smudge oI weLness LIere.
"TIe wInd mukes my eyes wuLer," sIe Ieurd IerseII suy unsLeudIIy.
'TIere's no wInd LonIgIL." HIs Iund remuIned uL Ier


juw, LIe smooLI bund oI LIe LIumb rIng pressIng IIgILIy uguInsL Ier skIn. Her IeurL Iud
begun Lo LIump unLII sIe couId IurdIy Ieur LIrougI LIe bIood rusI In Ier eurs. TIe
cIumor oI LIe Luvern wus muLed, LIe durkness LIIckenIng uround LIem. HIs IIngers sIId
over Ier LIrouL wILI sLunnIng deIIcucy, IIndIng secreLed nerves und sLrokIng genLIy.
HIs eyes were ubove Iers, und sIe suw LIuL LIe goIden-IuzeI IrIses were rImmed wILI
bIuck. "MIss HuLIuwuy ... you're quILe cerLuIn IuLe Iud no Iund In our meeLIng LonIgIL?"
SIe couIdn'L seem Lo breuLIe properIy. "Qu-quILe cerLuIn."
HIs Ieud benL Iow. "And In uII IIkeIIIood we'II never meeL uguIn?"
"Never." He wus Loo Iurge, Loo cIose. NervousIy AmeIIu LrIed Lo mursIuI Ier LIougILs, buL
LIey scuLLered IIke spIIIed muLcIsLIcks ... und LIen Ie seL IIre Lo LIem us IIs breuLI LoucIed
Ier cIeek.
" Iope you're rIgIL. God IeIp me II sIouId ever Iuve Lo Iuce LIe consequences."
"OI wIuL?" Her voIce wus IuInL.
"TIIs." HIs Iund sIId Lo LIe buck oI Ier neck und IIs mouLI covered Iers.
AmeIIu Iud been kIssed beIore. NoL uII LIuL Iong ugo, us u muLLer oI IucL, by u mun sIe
Iud been In Iove wILI. TIe puIn oI IIs beLruyuI Iud cuL so deep, sIe Iud sworn never Lo
uIIow uny mun cIose Lo Ier uguIn. BuL Cum RoIun Iudn'L usked Ier consenL or gIven Ier
uny cIunce Lo proLesL. SIe sLIIIened und brougIL Ier Iunds Lo IIs cIesL, exerLIng pressure
uguInsL LIe Iurd surIuce. He seemed noL Lo noLIce Ier objecLIon, IIs mouLI subLIe und
InsIsLenL. One oI IIs


urms sIId uround Ier, IIILIng sIIgILIy us Ie puIIed Ier uguInsL LIe soIId conLours oI IIs
body.
WILI eucI breuLI sIe drew In u deeper scenL oI IIm, LIe sweeLness oI beeswux soup, LIe
IInL oI suIL oI IIs skIn. TIe suppIe power oI IIs body wus uII uround Ier, und sIe couIdn'L



sLop IerseII Irom reIuxIng InLo IL, IeLLIng IIm supporL Ier. More kIsses, one begInnIng
beIore unoLIer Iud quILe IInIsIed, moIsL und InLImuLe curesses, secreL sLrokes oI pIeusure
und promIse.
WILI u soIL murmur-IoreIgn words LIuL IeII pIeusunLIy on Ier eurs-RoIun Look IIs
mouLI Irom Iers. HIs IIps wundered uIong LIe IIusIed curve oI Ier neck, IIngerIng on LIe
mosL vuInerubIe spoLs. Her body IeIL swoIIen InsIde Ier cIoLIes, LIe corseL cIncIIng
uround LIe desperuLe pILcI oI Ier Iungs.
SIe quIvered us Ie reucIed u pIuce oI exquIsILe sensuLIon und LoucIed IL wILI LIe LIp oI
IIs Longue. As II LIe LusLe oI Ier were some exoLIc spIce. A puIse uwukened In Ier breusLs
und sLomucI und beLween Ier LIIgIs. SIe wus IIIIed wILI u dreudIuI urge Lo press uguInsL
IIm, sIe wunLed Lo IIgIL Iree oI LIe Iuyers und Iuyers oI smoLIerIng IubrIc LIuL mude up
Ier skIrLs. He wus so cureIuI, so genLIe-
TIe crusI oI u boLLIe on LIe puvemenL joILed Ier Irom LIe Iuze.
"No," sIe gusped, now sLruggIIng.
RoIun reIeused Ier, IIs Iunds sLeudyIng Ier us sIe IougIL Ior equIIIbrIum. AmeIIu Lurned
bIIndIy und sLuggered Lowurd LIe open door oI LIe currIuge. EverywIere Ie Iud LoucIed,
Ier nerves sLung wILI LIe desIre Ior more. SIe kepL Ier Ieud Iow, gruLeIuI Ior LIe
conceuImenL oI Ier bonneL.
DesperuLe Ior escupe, AmeIIu uscended Lo LIe currIuge


sLep. BeIore sIe couId cIImb In, Iowever, sIe IeIL RoIun's Iunds uL Ier wuIsL. He IeId Ier
Irom beIInd, LruppIng Ier Iong enougI Lo wIIsper neur Ier eur, "uLcIo drom."
TIe Romuny IureweII. AmeIIu recognIzed IL Irom LIe IundIuI oI words MerrIpen Iud
LuugIL LIe HuLIuwuys. An InLImuLe sIock wenL LIrougI Ier us LIe IeuL oI IIs breuLI
coIIecLed In Ier eur. SIe dIdn'L, couIdn'L, repIy, onIy cIImbed InLo LIe currIuge und
uwkwurdIy puIIed LIe muss oI Ier skIrLs uwuy Irom LIe open doorwuy.
TIe door wus cIosed IIrmIy, und LIe veIIcIe sLurLed Iorwurd us LIe Iorse obeyed
MerrIpen's guIdunce. TIe Lwo HuLIuwuys occupIed LIeIr respecLIve corners oI LIe seuL,
one oI LIem drunk, LIe oLIer duzed. AILer u momenL AmeIIu reucIed Lo unLIe Ier bonneL
wILI LrembIIng Iunds, und dIscovered LIe rIbbons were IungIng Ioose.
One rIbbon, ucLuuIIy. TIe oLIer...
RemovIng Ier bonneL, AmeIIu regurded IL wILI u perpIexed Irown. One oI LIe red sIIk
rIbbons wus gone excepL Ior LIe LIny remnunL uL LIe InsIde edge.
L Iud been neuLIy cuL.
He Iud Luken IL.



CIupLer our

One week IuLer, uII IIve HuLIuwuy sIbIIngs und LIeIr beIongIngs Iud removed Irom
ondon Lo LIeIr new Iome In HumpsIIre. DespILe LIe cIuIIenges LIuL uwuILed LIem,
AmeIIu wus sLrongIy IopeIuI LIeIr new sILuuLIon wouId beneIIL LIem uII.
TIe Iouse In PrImrose PIuce IeId Loo muny memorIes. TIIngs Iud never been LIe sume
sInce boLI HuLIuwuy purenLs Iud dIed, Ier IuLIer oI u IeurL uIImenL, Ier moLIer oI grIeI u
Iew monLIs uILerwurd. L seemed LIe wuIIs Iud ubsorbed LIe IumIIy's sorrow unLII IL Iud
become purL oI LIe puInL und puper und wood. AmeIIu couIdn'L Iook uL LIe IeurLI oI LIe
muIn room wILIouL rememberIng Ier moLIer sILLIng LIere wILI Ier sewIng buskeL, or vIsIL
LIe gurden wILIouL LIInkIng oI Ier IuLIer prunIng IIs prIzed ApoLIecury's Roses.
AmeIIu Iud recenLIy soId LIe Iouse wILIouL compuncLIon, noL Ior Iuck oI senLImenLuIILy
buL ruLIer un excess. Too mucI IeeIIng, Loo mucI sudness. And IL wus ImpossIbIe Lo Iook
Iorwurd wIen one wus consLunLIy beIng remInded oI puInIuI Ioss.

Her sIbIIngs Iudn'L oIIered u word oI objecLIon Lo seIIIng LIeIr Iome. NoLIIng muLLered Lo
eo-one couId LeII IIm LIe IumIIy InLended Lo IIve In LIe sLreeLs, und Ie wouId Iuve
greeLed LIe news wILI un IndIIIerenL sIrug. WIn, LIe nexL oIdesL sIsLer, wus Loo weuk Irom
proIonged IIIness Lo proLesL uny oI AmeIIu's decIsIons. And Poppy und BeuLrIx, boLI sLIII
In LIeIr Leens, were euger Ior cIunge.
As Iur us AmeIIu wus concerned, LIe InIerILunce couIdn'L Iuve come uL u beLLer LIme.
AILIougI sIe Iud Lo udmIL, LIere wus some quesLIon us Lo Iow Iong LIe HuLIuwuys wouId
munuge Lo reLuIn LIe LILIe.
TIe IucL wus, no one wunLed Lo be ord Rumsuy. or LIe prevIous LIree ord Rumsuys,
LIe LILIe Iud been uccompunIed by u sLreuk oI sInguIur III IorLune cupped by unLImeIy
deuLI. WIIcI expIuIned, In purL, wIy LIe HuLIuwuys' dIsLunL reIuLIves Iud been quILe
Iuppy Lo see LIe vIscounLcy go Lo eo.
"Do geL uny money?" Iud been eo's IIrsL quesLIon upon beIng InIormed oI IIs
uscenduncy Lo LIe peeruge.
TIe unswer Iud been u quuIIIIed yes. eo wouId InIerIL u HumpsIIre esLuLe oI IImILed
ucreuge und u modesL unnuuI sum LIuL wouIdn'L begIn Lo uccounL Ior LIe cosL oI
reIurbIsIIng IL.
"We're sLIII poor," AmeIIu Iud LoId Ier broLIer uILer por-Ing over LIe soIIcILor's IeLLer


descrIbIng LIe esLuLe und ILs uI-IuIrs. "TIe esLuLe Is smuII, LIe servunLs und mosL oI LIe
LenunLs Iuve IeIL, LIe Iouse Is sIubby, und LIe LILIe Is uppurenLIy cursed. WIIcI mukes LIe
InIerILunce u wIILe eIe-pIunL, Lo suy LIe IeusL. However, we Iuve u dIsLunL cousIn wIo
muy urguubIy be In IIne beIore you-we cun Lry Lo LIrow IL uII oII on IIm. TIere Is u
possIbIIILy LIuL our greuL-greuL-greuL-grundIuLIer muy noL Iuve been IegILImuLe Issue,


wIIcI wouId uIIow us Lo uppIy Ior IorIeILure oI LIe LILIe on
Ie grounds oI-"
"'II Luke LIe LILIe," eo Iud suId decIsIveIy.
"Becuuse you don'L beIIeve In curses uny more LIun do?" .
"Becuuse 'm uIreudy so dumned cursed, unoLIer one won'L muLLer."
HuvIng never been Lo LIe souLIern counLy oI HumpsIIre beIore, uII LIe HuLIuwuy sIbIIngs
-wILI LIe excep-Ion oI eo-cruned LIeIr necks Lo vIew LIe scenery.
AmeIIu smIIed uL Ier sIsLers' excILemenL. Poppy und BeuLrIx, boLI durk-IuIred und bIue-
eyed IIke IerseII, were IIIIed wILI IIgI spIrILs. Her guze uIIgILed on WIn und sLuyed Ior u
momenL, LukIng cureIuI meusure oI Ier condILIon.
WIn wus dIIIerenL Irom LIe resL oI LIe HuLIuwuy brood, LIe onIy one wIo Iud InIerILed
LIeIr IuLIer's puIe bIond IuIr und InLrospecLIve nuLure. SIe wus sIy und quIeL, endurIng
every IurdsIIp wILIouL compIuInL. WIen scurIeL Iever Iud swepL LIrougI LIe vIIIuge u
yeur eurIIer, eo und WIn Iud IuIIen gruveIy III. eo Iud mude u compIeLe recovery, buL
WIn Iud been IruII und coIorIess ever sInce. TIe docLor Iud dIugnosed Ier wILI u
weukness oI LIe Iungs, c uused by LIe Iever, LIuL Ie suId mIgIL never Improve.
AmeIIu reIused Lo uccepL LIuL WIn wouId be un InvuIId Iorever. No muLLer wIuL IL Look,
sIe wouId muke WIn weII uguIn.
L wus dIIIIcuIL Lo ImugIne u beLLer pIuce Ior WIn und LIe resL oI LIe HuLIuwuys LIun
HumpsIIre. L wus one oI LIe mosL beuuLIIuI counLIes In EngIund, wILI InLersecLIng rIvers,
greuL IoresLs, meudows, und weL IeuLI Iunds. TIe Rumsuy esLuLe wus sILuuLed cIose Lo
SLony Cross, one oI LIe IurgesL murkeL Lowns In LIe counLy. SLony Cross exporLed cuLLIe,


sIeep, LImber, corn, u pIenILude oI IocuI cIeeses, und wIId-IIower Ioney . .. rIcI LerrILory,
Indeed.
" wonder wIy LIe Rumsuy esLuLe Is so unproducLIve?" AmeIIu mused us LIe currIuge
LruveIed uIongsIde IusI pusLures. "TIe Iund In HumpsIIre Is so IerLIIe, one uImosL Ius Lo
Lry noL Lo grow someLIIng Iere."
"BuL our Iund Is cursed, Isn'L IL?" Poppy usked wILI mIId concern.
"No," AmeIIu repIIed, "noL LIe esLuLe ILseII. JusL LIe LI-LIeIoIder. WIIcI wouId be eo."



"OI." Poppy reIuxed. "TIuL's IIne, LIen."
eo dIdn'L boLIer respondIng, onIy IuddIed In LIe seuL corner IookIng surIy. AILIougI u
week oI enIorced sobrIeLy Iud IeIL IIm cIeur-eyed und cIeur-Ieuded, IL Iud done noLIIng
Lo Improve IIs Lemper. WILI MerrIpen und LIe HuLIuwuys wuLcIIng over IIm IIke Iuwks,
Ie'd Iud no opporLunILy Lo drInk unyLIIng oLIer LIun wuLer or Leu.
or LIe IIrsL Iew duys eo Iud been gIven Lo unconLroIIubIe sIukIng, ugILuLIon, und
proIuse sweuLIng. Now LIuL LIe worsL oI IL wus over, Ie Iooked more IIke IIs oId seII. BuL
Iew peopIe wouId beIIeve eo wus u mun oI eIgIL und LwenLy. TIe pusL yeur Iud uged
IIm ImmeusurubIy.
TIe cIoser LIey cume Lo SLony Cross, LIe IoveIIer LIe scenery wus unLII IL seemed neurIy
every vIew wus worLI puInLIng. TIe currIuge roud pussed LIdy bIuck-und-wIILe coLLuges
wILI LIuLcIed rooIs, mIIIIouses und ponds sIrouded wILI weepIng wIIIows, oId sLone
cIurcIes duLIng buck Lo LIe MIddIe Ages. TIrusIes busIIy sLrIpped rIpe berrIes Irom
Iedgerows, wIIIe sLonecIuLs percIed on bIossomIng IuwLIorns. Meudows were dense
wILI uuLumn crocus und meudow suIIron, und LIe Lrees were dressed In goId und red.
PIump wIILe sIeep gruzed In LIe IIeIds.


Poppy Look u deep, upprecIuLIve breuLI. "How brucIng," sIe suId. " wonder wIuL mukes
LIe counLry uIr smeII so IIIerenL?"
"L couId be LIe pIg Iurm we jusL pussed," eo muLLered.
BeuLrIx, wIo Iud been reudIng Irom u pumpIIeL descrIbIng LIe souLI oI EngIund, suId
cIeerIuIIy, "HumpsIIre Is known Ior ILs excepLIonuI pIgs. TIey're Ied on ucorns und
beecInuL musL Irom LIe IoresL, und IL mukes LIe bucon quILe >veIy. And LIere's un unnuuI
suusuge compeLILIon!"
He guve Ier u sour Iook. "SpIendId. cerLuInIy Iope we Iuven'L mIssed IL."
WIn, wIo Iud been reudIng Irom u LIIck Lome ubouL HumpsIIre und ILs envIrons,
voIunLeered, "TIe IIsLory oI Rumsuy House Is ImpressIve."
"Our Iouse Is In u IIsLory book?" BeuLrIx usked In deIIgIL.
"L's onIy u smuII purugrupI," WIn suId Irom beIInd LIe book, "buL yes, Rumsuy House Is
menLIoned. OI course, IL's noLIIng compured Lo our neIgIbor, LIe EurI oI WesL-cIIII,
wIose esLuLe IeuLures one oI LIe IInesL counLry Iomes In EngIund. L dwurIs ours by
compurIson. And LIe eurI's IumIIy Ius been In resIdence Ior neurIy IIve Iundred yeurs."
"He musL be uwIuIIy oId, LIen," Poppy commenLed, sLruIgIL-Iuced.
BeuLrIx snIckered. "Go on, WIn."
" 'Rumsuy House,'" WIn reud uIoud," 'sLunds In u smuII purk popuIuLed wILI sLuLeIy ouks
und beecIes, coverLs oI brucken, und surrounds oI deer-cropped LurI. OrIgInuIIy un



EIIzubeLIun munor Iouse compIeLed In 1qq, LIe buIIdIng bousLs oI muny Iong guIIerIes
represenLuLIve oI LIe perIod. AILeruLIons und uddILIons Lo LIe Iouse Iuve resuILed In LIe
gruILIng oI u Jucobeun buIIroom und u GeorgIun wIng.'"

"We Iuve u buIIroom!" Poppy excIuImed.
"We Iuve deer!" BeuLrIx suId gIeeIuIIy.
eo seLLIed deeper InLo IIs corner. "God, Iope we Iuve u prIvy."
L wus eurIy evenIng by LIe LIme LIe IIred drIver Lurned LIe currIuge onLo LIe prIvuLe
beecI-IIned drIve LIuL Ied Lo Rumsuy House. Weury Irom LIe Iong journey, LIe HuLIuwuys
excIuImed In reIIeI uL LIe sIgIL oI LIe Iouse, wILI ILs IIgI rooIIIne und brIck
cIImney sLucks.
" wonder Iow MerrIpen Is IurIng," WIn suId, Ier bIue eyes soIL wILI concern. MerrIpen,
LIe cook-muId, und LIe IooLmun Iud gone Lo LIe Iouse Lwo duys eurIIer Lo prepure Ior LIe
HuLIuwuys' urrIvuI.
"No doubL Ie's been workIng ceuseIessIy duy und nIgIL," AmeIIu repIIed, "LukIng
InvenLory, reurrungIng everyLIIng In sIgIL, und IssuIng communds Lo peopIe wIo don'L
dure dIsobey IIm. 'm sure Ie's quILe Iuppy."
WIn smIIed. Even puIe und druIned us sIe wus, Ier beuuLy wus IncundescenL, Ier sIIvery-
goId IuIr sIInIng In LIe wunIng IIgIL, Ier compIexIon IIke porceIuIn. TIe IIne oI Ier
proIIIe wouId Iuve senL poeLs und puInLers InLo rupLures. One wus uImosL LempLed Lo
LoucI Ier Lo muke cerLuIn sIe wus u IIvIng, breuLIIng beIng InsLeud oI u scuIpLure.
TIe currIuge sLopped uL u mucI Iurger Iouse LIun AmeIIu Iud expecLed. L wus bordered
by overgrown Iedges und weed-cIoLLed IIower beds. WILI some gurdenIng und
consIderubIe prunIng, sIe LIougIL, IL wouId be IoveIy. TIe buIIdIng wus cIurmIngIy
usymmeLrIcuI wILI u brIck und sLone exLerIor, u sIuLe rooI, und ubundunL Ieuded-gIuss
wIndows.
TIe IIred drIver cume Lo seL ouL u movubIe sLep und u sIsL LIe pussengers Irom LIe
veIIcIe.

DescendIng Lo LIe crusIed-rock surIuce oI LIe drIve, AmeIIu wuLcIed us Ier sIbIIngs
emerged Irom LIe currIuge. "TIe Iouse und grounds ure u bIL unkempL," sIe wurned. "No
one Ius IIved Iere In u very Iong LIme." " cun'L ImugIne wIy," eo suId. "L's very
pIcLuresque," WIn commenLed brIgILIy. TIe journey Irom ondon Iud exIuusLed Ier.
JudgIng Irom LIe sIump oI Ier nurrow sIouIders und LIe wuy Ier skIn seemed sLreLcIed
Loo LIgILIy over Ier cIeekbones, WIn Iud IILLIe sLrengLI IeIL.
As Ier sIsLer reucIed Ior u smuII vuIIse LIuL Iud been seL by LIe currIuge sLep, AmeIIu


rusIed Iorwurd und pIcked IL up. "'II curry LIIs," sIe suId. "You ure noL Lo IIIL u IInger.
eL's go InsIde, und we'II IInd u pIuce Ior you Lo resL."
"'m perIecLIy weII," WIn proLesLed us LIey uII wenL up LIe IronL sLuIrs InLo LIe Iouse.
TIe enLrunce IuII wus IIned wILI puneIIng LIuL Iud once been puInLed wIILe buL now wus
brown wILI uge. TIe IIoor wus scurred und IIILIy. A mugnIIIcenL curved sLone sLuIrcuse
occupIed LIe buck oI LIe IuII, ILs wrougIL-Iron buIusLrude cIoLLed wILI dusL und
spIderwebs. AmeIIu noLIced LIuL un uLLempL Iud uIreudy been mude Lo cIeun u secLIon oI
LIe buIusLrude, buL IL wus obvIous LIe process wouId be puInsLukIng.
MerrIpen emerged Irom u IuIIwuy IeudIng uwuy Irom LIe enLrunce room. He wus In IIs
sIIrLsIeeves wILI no coIIur or cruvuL, LIe neck oI LIe gurmenL IungIng open Lo reveuI
Lunned skIn gIeumIng wILI perspIruLIon. WILI IIs bIuck IuIr IuIIIng over IIs IoreIeud, und
IIs durk eyes smIIIng uL LIe sIgIL oI LIem, MerrIpen cuL u dusIIng IIgure. "You're LIree
Iours beIInd scIeduIe," Ie suId.
uugIIng, AmeIIu puIIed u IundkercIIeI Irom Ier


sIeeve und guve IL Lo IIm. "n u IumIIy oI Iour sIsLers, LIere Is no scIeduIe."
WIpIng uL LIe dusL und sweuL on IIs Iuce, MerrIpen gIunced uL uII LIe HuLIuwuys. HIs
guze IIngered on WIn Ior un exLru momenL.
ReLurnIng IIs uLLenLIon Lo AmeIIu, MerrIpen guve Ier u concIse reporL. He Iud Iound Lwo
women und u boy uL LIe vIIIuge Lo IeIp cIeun LIe Iouse. TIree bedrooms Iud been mude
IubILubIe so Iur. TIey Iud spenL u greuL deuI oI LIme scrubbIng LIe kILcIen und sLove, und
LIe cook-muId wus prepurIng u meuI-
MerrIpen broke oII us Ie gIunced over AmeIIu's sIouIder. UnceremonIousIy Ie brusIed
by Ier und reucIed WIn In LIree sLrIdes.
AmeIIu suw WIn's sIIgIL Iorm swuyIng, Ier IusIes IowerIng us sIe IuII coIIupsed uguInsL
MerrIpen. He cuugIL Ier eusIIy und IIILed Ier In IIs urms, murmurIng Ior Ier Lo puL Ier
Ieud on IIs sIouIder. AILIougI IIs munner wus us cuIm und unemoLIonuI us ever, AmeIIu
wus sLruck by LIe possessIve wuy Ie IeId Ier sIsLer.
"TIe journey wus Loo mucI Ior Ier," AmeIIu suId In concern. "SIe needs resL."
MerrIpen's Iuce wus expressIonIess. "'II Luke Ier upsLuIrs."
WIn sLIrred und bIInked. "BoLIer," sIe suId breuLIIessIy. " wus sLundIng sLIII, IeeIIng IIne,
und LIen LIe IIoor seemed Lo rusI up Lowurd me. 'm sorry. despIse swoonIng."
"L's uII rIgIL." AmeIIu guve Ier u reussurIng smIIe. "MerrIpen wIII Luke you Lo bed. TIuL Is
-" SIe puused uncomIorLubIy. "He wIII convey you Lo your bedroom."
" cun munuge by myseII," WIn suId. " wus jusL dIzzy Ior u momenL. MerrIpen, do puL me
down."



"You wouIdn'L muke IL pusL LIe IIrsL sLep," Ie suId, IgnorIng Ier proLesLs us Ie currIed Ier
Lo LIe sLone sLuIrcuse. And us Ie wuIked wILI Ier, WIn's puIe Iund IIILed sIowIy uround IIs
neck.
"BeuLrIx, wIII you go wILI LIem?" AmeIIu usked brIskIy, IundIng Ier LIe vuIIse. "WIn's
nIgILgown Is In Iere-you cun IeIp Ier cIunge cIoLIes."
"Yes, oI course." BeuLrIx scumpered Lowurd LIe sLuIrs. eIL In LIe enLrunce IuII wILI eo
und Poppy, AmeIIu Lurned In u sIow cIrcIe Lo vIew uII oI IL. "TIe soIIcILor suId LIe esLuLe
wus In dIsrepuIr," sIe suId. " LIInk u more uccuruLe word wouId Iuve been 'sIumbIes.'
Cun IL be resLored, eo?" NoL Iong ugo-LIougI IL seemed u IIIeLIme-eo Iud spenL Lwo
yeurs sLudyIng urL und urcIILecLure uL LIe Grund EcoIe des Beuux-ArLs In PurIs. He Iud
uIso worked us u druILsmun und puInLer Ior LIe renowned ondon urcIILecL RowIund
TempIe. eo Iud been regurded us un excepLIonuIIy promIsIng sLudenL, und Iud even
consIdered seLLIng up u prucLIce. Now uII LIuL umbILIon Iud been exLInguIsIed.
eo gIunced uround LIe IuII wILIouL InLeresL. "BurrIng uny sLrucLuruI repuIrs, we wouId
need ubouL LwenLy-IIve Lo LIIrLy LIousund pounds, uL IeusL."
TIe IIgure cuused AmeIIu Lo bIuncI. SIe Iowered Ier guze Lo LIe pockmurked IIoor uL Ier
IeeL und rubbed Ier LempIes. "WeII, one LIIng Is obvIous. We need LIe udvunLuge oI
weuILIy In-Iuws. WIIcI meuns you sIouId sLurL IookIng Ior uvuIIubIe IeIresses, eo." SIe
IIIcked u pIuyIuI gIunce uL Ier sIsLer. "And you, Poppy-you'II Iuve Lo cuLcI u vIscounL,
or uL LIe very IeusL u buron."
Her broLIer roIIed IIs eyes. "WIy noL you? don'L see wIy you sIouId be exempL Irom
IuvIng Lo murry Ior LIe IumIIy's beneIIL."

Poppy guve Ier sIsLer u sIy gIunce. "AL AmeIIu's uge, women ure Iur beyond LIougILs oI
romunce und pussIon."
"One never knows," eo LoId Poppy. "SIe muy cuLcI un eIderIy genLIemun wIo needs u
nurse."
AmeIIu wus LempLed Lo skewer LIem boLI wILI LIe LurL observuLIon LIuL sIe Iud uIreudy
been In Iove once, und sIe wouId noL cure Lo repeuL LIe experIence. SIe Iud been pursued
und courLed by eo's besL IrIend, u cIurmIng young urcIILecL numed CIrIsLopIer rosL,
wIo, IIke eo, Iud been urLIcIed Lo RowIund TempIe. BuL on LIe duy Ie Iud Ied Ier Lo
beIIeve u proposuI wus IorLIcomIng, rosL Iud ended LIe reIuLIonsIIp wILI bruLuI
ubrupLness. He suId Ie Iud deveIoped IeeIIngs Ior unoLIer womun, wIo convenIenLIy
Iuppened Lo be RowIund TempIe's duugILer.
L wus onIy Lo be expecLed oI un urcIILecL, eo Iud LoId Ier wILI grIm remorse, ouLruged


on beIuII oI IIs sIsLer, sorrowIuI uL LIe Ioss oI u IrIend. ArcIILecLs InIubILed u worId oI
musLers und dIscIpIes und LIe endIess pursuIL oI puLrons. EveryLIIng, even Iove, wus
sucrIIIced on LIe uILur oI umbILIon. To be oLIerwIse wus Lo mIss LIe Iew precIous
opporLunILIes one mIgIL Iuve Lo prucLIce LIe urL oI desIgn. MurryIng TempIe's duugILer
wouId gIve CIrIsLopIer rosL u pIuce uL LIe LubIe. AmeIIu couId never Iuve done LIuL Ior
IIm.
AII sIe Iud been ubIe Lo do wus Iove IIm.
SwuIIowIng buck Ier bILLerness, AmeIIu gIunced up uL Ier broLIer und munuged u rueIuI
smIIe. "TIunk you, buL uL LIIs udvunced sLuge oI IIIe, Iuve no umbILIons Lo murry."
eo surprIsed Ier by bendIng Lo brusI u IIgIL kIss on Ier IoreIeud. HIs voIce wus soIL und
kInd. "Be LIuL us IL muy, LIInk someduy you'II meeL u mun worLI gIvIng up your
Independence Ior." He grInned beIore uddIng, "DespILe your encroucIIng oId uge."


or u momenL AmeIIu's mInd cIused buck Lo LIe memory oI LIe kIss In LIe sIudows, LIe
mouLI sIowIy consumIng Iers, LIe genLIe muscuIIne Iunds, LIe wIIsper uL Ier eur. uLcIo
drom ...
As Ier broLIer Lurned Lo wuIk uwuy, sIe usked wILI mIId exusperuLIon, "WIere ure you
goIng? eo, you cun'L Ieuve wIen LIere's so mucI Lo be done."
He sLopped und gIunced buck uL Ier wILI u ruIsed brow. "You've been pourIng
unsweeLened Leu down my LIrouL Ior duys. I you Iuve no objecLIon, 'd IIke Lo go ouL Ior
u pIss."
SIe nurrowed Ier eyes. " cun LIInk oI uL IeusL u dozen poIILe eupIemIsms you couId Iuve
used."
eo conLInued on IIs wuy. " don'L use eupIemIsms."
"Or poIILeness," sIe suId, mukIng IIm cIuckIe.
As eo IeIL LIe room, AmeIIu IoIded Ier urms und sIgIed. "He's so mucI more pIeusunL
wIen Ie's sober. A pILy IL doesn'L Iuppen more oILen. Come, Poppy, IeL's IInd LIe kILcIen."
WILI LIe Iouse so sLuIe und dusL-rIddIed, LIe uLmospIere wus Iurd on poor WIn's Iungs,
cuusIng Ier Lo cougI IncessunLIy LIrougI LIe nIgIL. HuvIng uwukened counLIess LImes Lo
udmInIsLer wuLer Lo Ier sIsLer, Lo open LIe wIndows, Lo prop Ier up unLII LIe cougIIng
spusms Iud eused, AmeIIu wus bIeury-eyed wIen mornIng cume.
"L's IIke sIeepIng In u dusL box," sIe LoId MerrIpen. "SIe's beLLer oII sILLIng ouLsIde Loduy,
unLII we cun munuge Lo cIeun Ier room properIy. TIe curpeLs musL be beuLen. And LIe
wIndows ure IIILIy."
TIe resL oI LIe IumIIy wus sLIII ubed, buL MerrIpen, IIke AmeIIu, wus un eurIy rIser.
Dressed In rougI cIoLIes und



un open-necked sIIrL, Ie sLood IrownIng us AmeIIu reporLed on WIn's condILIon.
"SIe's exIuusLed Irom cougIIng uII nIgIL, und Ier LIrouL Is so sore, sIe cun bureIy speuk.
've LrIed Lo muke Ier Luke some Leu und LousL, buL sIe won'L Iuve IL."
"'II muke Ier Luke IL."
AmeIIu Iooked uL IIm bIunkIy. SIe supposed sIe sIouIdn'L be surprIsed by IIs usserLIon.
AILer uII, MerrIpen Iud IeIped nurse boLI WIn und eo LIrougI LIe scurIeL Iever. WILIouL
IIm, AmeIIu wus cerLuIn neILIer oI LIem wouId Iuve survIved.
"n LIe meunwIIIe," MerrIpen conLInued, "muke u IIsL oI suppIIes you wunL Irom LIe
vIIIuge. 'II go LIIs mornIng."
AmeIIu nodded, gruLeIuI Ior IIs soIId, reIIubIe presence. "SIuII wuke eo? PerIups Ie
couId IeIp-"
"No."
SIe smIIed wryIy, weII uwure LIuL Ier broLIer wouId be more oI u IIndrunce LIun u IeIp.
GoIng downsLuIrs, AmeIIu sougIL LIe IeIp oI reddIe, LIe boy Irom LIe vIIIuge, Lo move
un uncIenL cIuIse ouL Lo LIe buck oI LIe Iouse. TIey seL LIe IurnILure on u brIck-puved
Lerruce LIuL opened onLo u weed-cIoked gurden bordered by beecI Iedges. TIe gurden
needed resoddIng und repIunLIng, und LIe crumbIIng Iow wuIIs wouId Iuve Lo be repuIred.
"TIere's work Lo be done, mum," reddIe commenLed, bendIng Lo pIuck u LuII weed Irom
beLween Lwo puvIng brIcks.
"reddIe, you ure u musLer oI undersLuLemenL." AmeIIu conLempIuLed LIe boy, wIo Iooked
Lo be ubouL LIIrLeen. He wus robusL und ruddy-Iuced, wILI u ruII oI IuIr LIuL sLood


up IIke u robIn's IeuLIers. "Do you IIke gurdenIng?" sIe usked. "Do you know mucI ubouL
IL?" " keeps u kILcIen pIoL Ior my mu." "WouId you IIke Lo be ord Rumsuy's gurdener?"
"How mucI does IL puy, mIss?" "WouId Lwo sIIIIIngs u week suIIIce?" -reddIe Iooked
uL Ier LIougILIuIIy und scruLcIed IIs wInd-cIupped nose. "Sounds good. BuL you'II Iuve
Lo usk my mu."
'TeII me wIere you IIve, und 'II vIsIL Ier LIIs very mornIng."
"AII rIgIL. L's noL Iur-we're uL LIe cIosesL sIde oI LIe vIIIuge."
TIey sIook Iunds on LIe deuI, LuIked u momenL more, und reddIe wenL Lo InvesLIguLe LIe
gurdener's sIed.
TurnIng uL LIe sound oI voIces, AmeIIu suw MerrIpen curryIng Ier sIsLer ouLsIde. WIn wus
dressed In u nIgILgown und robe und swuLIed In u sIuwI, Ier sIIm urms Iooped uround
MerrIpen's neck. WILI Ier wIILe gurmenLs und bIond IuIr und IuIr skIn, WIn wus neurIy
coIorIess excepL Ior LIe IIugs oI soIL pInk ucross Ier cIeekbones und LIe vIvId bIue oI Ier



eyes.
"... LIuL wus LIe mosL LerrIbIe medIcIne," sIe wus suyIng cIeerIuIIy.
"L worked," MerrIpen poInLed ouL, bendIng Lo seLLIe Ier cureIuIIy on LIe cIuIse.
"TIuL doesn'L meun IorgIve you Ior buIIyIng me InLo LukIng IL."
"L wus Ior your own good."
"You're u buIIy," WIn repeuLed, smIIIng InLo IIs durk Iuce.


"Yes, know," MerrIpen murmured, LuckIng LIe Iup bIunkeLs uround Ier wILI exLreme
cure.
DeIIgILed by LIe ImprovemenL In Ier sIsLer's condILIon, AmeIIu smIIed. "He reuIIy Is
dreudIuI. BuL II Ie munuges Lo persuude more vIIIugers Lo IeIp cIeun LIe Iouse, you wIII
Iuve Lo IorgIve IIm, WIn."
WIn's bIue eyes LwInkIed. SIe spoke Lo AmeIIu, wIIIe Ier guze remuIned on MerrIpen. "
Iuve every IuILI In IIs powers oI persuusIon."
ComIng Irom unyone eIse, LIe words mIgIL Iuve been consLrued us u pIece oI IIIrLuLIon.
BuL AmeIIu wus IuIrIy cerLuIn LIuL WIn Iud no uwureness oI MerrIpen us u mun. To Ier Ie
wus u kIndIy oIder broLIer, noLIIng more.
TIe IeeIIngs on MerrIpen's sIde, Iowever, were more umbIguous.
An InquIsILIve gruy juckduw IIupped Lo LIe ground wILI u Iew LcIucks, und mude u
LenLuLIve Iop In WIn's dIrecLIon. "'m sorry," sIe LoId LIe bIrd, "LIere's no Iood Lo sIure."
A new voIce enLered LIe conversuLIon. "Yes LIere Is!" L wus BeuLrIx, curryIng u breukIusL
Lruy conLuInIng u pIuLe oI LousL und u mug oI Leu. Her curIy durk IuIr Iud been puIIed buck
InLo un unLIdy buncI, und sIe wore u wIILe pInuIore over Ier berry-coIored dress.
TIe pInuIore wus Loo young u sLyIe Ior u gIrI oI IIILeen, AmeIIu LIougIL. BeuLrIx wus now
uL un uge wIen sIe sIouId be weurIng Ier skIrLs Lo LIe IIoor. And u corseL, Ieuven IeIp
Ier. BuL In LIe pusL yeur oI LurmoII, AmeIIu Iudn'L gIven mucI LIougIL Lo Ier youngesL
sIsLer's uLLIre. SIe needed Lo Luke BeuLrIx und Poppy Lo u dressmuker, und Iuve some new
Irocks mude Ior LIem. AddIng LIuL Lo LIe Iong IIsL oI expendILures In Ier Ieud, AmeIIu
Irowned.


"Here's your breukIusL, WIn," BeuLrIx suId, seLLIIng LIe Lruy on Ier Iup. "Are you IeeIIng
weII enougI Lo buLLer LIe
LousL yourseII, or sIuII ?"
" wIII, LIunk you." WIn moved Ier IeeL und gesLured Ior BeuLrIx Lo sIL uL LIe oLIer end oI
LIe cIuIse.
BeuLrIx obeyed prompLIy. "'m goIng Lo reud Lo you wIIIe you sIL ouL Iere," sIe InIormed



WIn, reucIIng InLo one oI LIe Iuge pockeLs oI Ier pInuIore. SIe wILIdrew u IILLIe book
und dungIed IL LunLuIIzIngIy. "TIIs book wus gIven Lo me by PIIIomenu Pursons, my besL
IrIend In LIe enLIre worId. SIe suys IL's u LerrIIyIng sLory IIIIed wILI crImes und Iorrors
und vengeIuI pIunLoms. Doesn'L IL sound IoveIy?"
"1 LIougIL your besL IrIend In LIe worId wus EdwInu HuddersneId," WIn suId wILI u
quesLIonIng IIIL.
"OI, no, LIuL wus weeks ugo. EdwInu und don'L even speuk now." SnuggIIng
comIorLubIy In Ier corner, BeuLrIx guve Ier oIder sIsLer u perpIexed gIunce. "WIn? You
Iuve LIe oddesL Iook on your Iuce. s someLIIng LIe muLLer?"
WIn Iud Irozen In LIe ucL oI IIILIng u Leucup Lo Ier IIps, Ier bIue eyes round wILI uIurm.
oIIowIng Ier sIsLer's guze, AmeIIu suw u smuII repLIIIun creuLure sIILIerIng up BeuLrIx's
sIouIder. A sIurp cry escuped Ier IIps, und sIe moved Iorwurd wILI Ier Iunds ruIsed.
BeuLrIx gIunced uL Ier sIouIder. "OI, druL. You're supposed Lo sLuy In my pockeL." SIe
pIucked LIe wrIggIIng objecL Irom Ier sIouIder und sLroked IIm genLIy. "A spoLLed sund
IIzurd," sIe suId. "sn'L Ie udorubIe? Iound IIm In my room IusL nIgIL."
AmeIIu Iowered Ier Iunds und sLured dumbIy uL Ier youngesL sIsLer.


"You've mude u peL oI IIm?" WIn usked weukIy. "BeuLrIx, deur, don'L you LIInk Ie wouId
be IuppIer In LIe IoresL wIere Ie beIongs?"
BeuLrIx Iooked IndIgnunL. "WILI uII LIose preduLors? SpoL wouIdn'L IusL u mInuLe."
AmeIIu Iound Ier voIce. "He won'L IusL u mInuLe wILI me, eILIer. GeL rId oI IIm, Beu, or
'm goIng Lo IIuLLen IIm wILI LIe neuresL Ieuvy objecL cun IInd."
"You wouId murder my peL?"
"One doesn'L murder IIzurds, Beu. One exLermInuLes LIem." ExusperuLed, AmeIIu Lurned
Lo MerrIpen. "Ind some cIeunIng women In LIe vIIIuge, MerrIpen. God knows Iow muny
oLIer unwunLed creuLures ure IurkIng In LIe Iouse. NoL counLIng eo."
MerrIpen dIsuppeured uL once.
"SpoL Is LIe perIecL peL," BeuLrIx urgued. "He doesn'L bILe, und Ie's uIreudy Iouse-
LruIned."
" druw LIe IIne uL peLs wILI scuIes."
BeuLrIx sLured uL Ier muLInousIy. "TIe sund IIzurd Is u nuLIve specIes oI HumpsIIre-
wIIcI meuns SpoL Ius more rIgIL Lo be Iere LIun we do."
"NeverLIeIess, we wIII noL be coIubILIng." WuIkIng uwuy beIore sIe suId someLIIng sIe
wouId regreL IuLer, AmeIIu wondered wIy, wIen LIere wus so mucI Lo be done, BeuLrIx
wouId be so LroubIesome. BuL u smIIe rose Lo Ier IIps us sIe reIIecLed LIuL IIILeen-yeur-oId
gIrIs dIdn'L cIoose Lo be LroubIesome. TIey sImpIy were.



IILIng IundIuIs oI Ier skIrLs Lo puII LIem uwuy Irom Ier Iegs, AmeIIu bounded up LIe
grund cenLruI sLuIrcuse. SInce LIey wouId noL be receIvIng guesLs or puyIng cuIIs, sIe Iud
decIded noL Lo weur u corseL LIuL duy. L wus u


wonderIuI IeeIIng Lo breuLIe us deepIy us sIe wIsIed und move IreeIy ubouL LIe Iouse. .
IIIed wILI deLermInuLIon, sIe pounded on eo's door. '"Wuke up, sIugubed!"
A sLrIng oI IouI words IIILered LIrougI LIe Ieuvy ouk puneIs.
GrInnIng, AmeIIu wenL InLo Poppy's room. SIe puIIed LIe curLuIns open, reIeusIng cIouds
oI dusL LIuL cuused Ier Lo sneeze. "Poppy, IL's... ucIoo!... LIme Lo geL ouL oI bed."
TIe covers Iud been druwn compIeLeIy over Poppy's Heud. "NoL yeL," cume Ier muIIIed
proLesL.
SILLIng on LIe edge oI LIe muLLress, AmeIIu eused LIe covers uwuy Irom Ier nIneLeen-yeuroId
sIsLer. Poppy wus groggy und sIeep-IIusIed, Ier cIeek ImprInLed wILI u IIne IeIL by u
IoId oI LIe bedcIoLIes. Her brown IuIr, u wurmer, ruddIer LInL LIun AmeIIu's, wus u wIId
muss oI LungIes.
" IuLe mornIng," Poppy mumbIed. "And 'm sure don'L IIke beIng uwukened by
someone wIo Iooks so bIoody pIeused ubouL IL."
"'m sorry." ConLInuIng Lo smIIe, AmeIIu sLroked Ier sIsLer's IuIr uwuy Irom Ier Iuce
repeuLedIy.
"Mmmn." Poppy kepL Ier eyes cIosed. "Mumu used Lo do LIuL. eeIs nIce."
"Does IL?" AmeIIu IuId Ier Iund genLIy over LIe curve oI Poppy's skuII. "Deur, 'm goIng
Lo wuIk Lo LIe vIIIuge Lo usk reddIe's moLIer II we cun IIre IIm us our gurdener."
"sn'L Ie u bIL young?"
"NoL In compurIson Lo LIe oLIer cundIduLes Ior LIe posILIon."
"We Iuve no oLIer cundIduLes."
"PrecIseIy." SIe wenL Lo Poppy's vuIIse In LIe corner,


und pIcked up LIe bonneL poIsed uLop IL. "Muy borrow LIIs? MIne sLIII Iusn'L been
repuIred."
"OI course, buL... you're goIng rIgIL now?"
" won'L be Iong. 'II cover LIe LerrILory quIckIy."
"WouId you IIke me Lo go wILI you?"
"TIunk you, deur, buL no. Dress yourseII und Iuve some breukIusL-und keep u cIose
wuLcI on WIn. SIe's In BeuLrIx's cure uL LIe momenL."
"OI." Poppy's eyes wIdened. "'II Iurry."



CHAPTER VE

L wus u pIeusunLIy cooI, neurIy cIoudIess duy, LIe souLIern cIImuLe Iur mIIder LIun
ondon. AmeIIu wuIked brIskIy LIrougI u IruIL orcIurd beyond LIe gurden. TIe Lree
bruncIes were weIgILed wILI Iurge green uppIes. uIIen IruIL Iud been IuII euLen by deer
und oLIer unImuIs, und IeIL Lo IermenL und spoII.
PuusIng Lo Lug un uppIe Irom u Iow-IungIng bruncI, AmeIIu poIIsIed IL on Ier sIeeve und
Look u bILe. TIe IIuvor wus InLenseIy ucIdIc.
A Ioneybee buzzed cIose by, und AmeIIu jerked buck In uIurm. SIe Iud uIwuys been
LerrIIIed oI bees. AILIougI sIe Iud LrIed Lo reuson IerseII ouL oI Ier Ieur, sIe couIdn'L
seem Lo conLroI LIe punIc LIuL overcume Ier wIenever one oI LIe druLLed beusLs wus In LIe
vIcInILy.
HurryIng Irom LIe orcIurd, AmeIIu IoIIowed u sunken Iune LIuL Ied pusL u weL meudow.
DespILe LIe IuLeness oI LIe seuson, Ieuvy beds oI wuLercress IIourIsIed everywIere.
Known us "poor mun's breud," LIe deIIcuLe pepper-IIuvored Ieuves were euLen In buncIes
by IocuI vIIIugers, und mude

InLo everyLIIng Irom soup Lo goose sLuIIIng. SIe wouId guLIer some on Ier wuy buck, sIe
decIded.
TIe sIorLesL rouLe Lo LIe vIIIuge crossed LIrougI u cor ner oI ord WesLcIIII 's esLuLe. As
AmeIIu pussed LIe InvIsIbIe boundury beLween LIe Rumsuy esLuLe und SLony Cross Purk,
sIe couId uImosL IeeI u cIunge In LIe uLmospIere. SIe wuIked on LIe ouLskIrLs oI u
rusLIIng IoresL, Loo dense Ior duyIIgIL Lo peneLruLe LIe cunopy. TIe Iund wus IuxurIous,
secreLIve, LIe uncIenL Lrees uncIored deepIy InLo durk und IerLIIe ground. RemovIng Ier
bonneL, AmeIIu IeId IL by LIe brIm und enjoyed LIe breeze uguInsL Ier Iuce.
TIIs Iud been WesLcIIII's Iund Ior generuLIons. SIe wondered wIuL kInd oI peopIe LIe eurI
und IIs IumIIy were. TerrIbIy proper und LrudILIonuI, sIe guessed. L wouId noL be
weIcome news LIuL Rumsuy House wus now occupIed by un III-munnered, red-bIooded
IoL IIke LIe HuLIuwuys.
IndIng u weII-worn IooLpuLI LIuL cuL LIrougI LIe IoresL, sIe dIsrupLed u puIr oI
wIeuLeurs, wIo IIupped uwuy wILI IndIgnunL cIIrps. IIe ubounded everywIere,
IncIudIng buLLerIIIes oI uImosL unnuLuruI coIor und beeLIes us brIgIL us spurks. TukIng cure
Lo sLuy on LIe IooLpuLI, AmeIIu pIcked up Ier skIrLs Lo keep LIem Irom druggIng LIrougI
LIe IeuI IILLer oI LIe IoresL IIoor.
SIe emerged Irom u copse oI IuzeI und ouk InLo u broud dry IIeId. L wus empLy. And


omInousIy quIeL. No voIces, no cIeep oI IIncIes, no drone oI bees or ruLLIe oI
grussIoppers. SomeLIIng ubouL IL IIIIed Ier wILI LIe InsLIncLIve LensIon LIuL wurned oI un
unknown LIreuL. CuuLIousIy sIe proceeded up LIe genLIe rIse oI LIe meudow.
ReucIIng LIe brow oI u sLunLed IIII, AmeIIu puused In bewIIdermenL uL LIe sIgIL oI u
LowerIng conLrupLIon mude


oI meLuI. L uppeured Lo be u cIuLe propped up on Iegs, LIILed uL u sLeep ungIe.
Her uLLenLIon wus cuugIL by u mInor commoLIon IurLIer uIIeId ... Lwo men emergIng Irom
beIInd u smuII wooden sIeILer... LIey were sIouLIng und wuvIng LIeIr urms uL Ier.
AmeIIu InsLunLIy reuIIzed sIe Iud sLumbIed InLo dunger, even beIore sIe suw LIe
smoIderIng LruII oI spurks move, snukeIIke, uIong LIe ground Lowurd LIe meLuI cIuLe.
A Iuse1?
AILIougI sIe dIdn'L know mucI ubouL expIosIve devIces, sIe wus uwure LIuL once u Iuse
Iud been IIL, noLIIng couId be done Lo sLop IL. DroppIng Lo LIe sun-wurmed gruss, AmeIIu
covered Ier Ieud wILI Ier urms, IuvIng every expecLuLIon oI beIng bIown Lo bILs. A Iew
IeurLbeuLs pussed, und sIe IeL ouL u sLurLIed cry us sIe IeIL u Iurge, Ieuvy body IuII on
Iers ... no, noL IuII, pounce. He covered Ier compIeLeIy, IIs knees dIggIng InLo LIe ground
on eILIer sIde oI Ier us Ie mude u sIeILer oI IIs body.
AL LIe sume momenL, u deuIenIng expIosIon pIerced LIe uIr, und LIere wus u vIoIenL
wIoosI over LIeIr Ieuds, und u sIock wenL LIrougI LIe ground beneuLI LIem. Too
sLunned Lo move, AmeIIu LrIed Lo guLIer Ier wILs. Her eurs were IIIIed wILI u IIgI-pILcIed
buzz.
Her compunIon remuIned moLIonIess over Ier, breuLIIng IeuvIIy In Ier IuIr. TIe uIr wus
sIurp wILI smoke, buL even so, AmeIIu wus uwure oI u pIeusunL muscuIIne scenL, skIn-suIL
und soup und un InLImuLe spIce sIe couIdn'L quILe IdenLIIy. TIe noIse In Ier eurs Iuded.
RuIsIng up on Ier eIbows, IeeIIng LIe soIId wuII oI IIs cIesL uguInsL Ier buck, sIe suw
sIIrLsIeeves roIIed up over Ioreunns cubIed wILI muscIe ... und LIere wus someLIIng
eIse ...


Her eyes wIdened uL LIe sIgIL oI u smuII, sLyIIzed desIgn Inked on IIs urm. A LuLLoo oI u
bIuck wInged Iorse wILI eyes LIe coIor oI brImsLone. L wus un rIsI desIgn, oI u
nIgILmure Iorse cuIIed u pooku: u muIevoIenL myLIIcuI creuLure LIuL spoke In u Iumun
voIce und currIed peopIe uwuy uL mIdnIgIL.
Her IeurL sLopped us sIe suw LIe Ieuvy rounded bund oI u LIumb rIng.
WrIggIIng beneuLI IIm, AmeIIu LrIed Lo Lurn over.
TIe sLrong Iund curved uround Ier sIouIder, IeIpIng Ier. HIs voIce wus Iow und IumIIIur.



"Are you IurL? 'm sorry. You were In LIe wuy oI-"
He sLopped us AmeIIu roIIed Lo Ier buck. TIe IronL oI Ier IuIr Iud come Ioose, puIIed Iree
oI u sLruLegIcuIIy uncIored pIn. TIe Iock Iunned over Ier Iuce, obscurIng Ier vIsIon.
BeIore sIe couId reucI up Lo pusI IL uwuy, Ie dId IL Ior Ier, und LIe brusI oI IIs IIngerLIps
senL rIppIes oI IIquId IIre uIong InLImuLe puLIwuys oI Ier body.
"You," Ie suId soILIy.
Cum RoIun.
L cun'L be, sIe LIougIL duzedIy. Here, In HumpsIIre? BuL LIere were LIe unmIsLukubIe
eyes, goId und IuzeI und Ieuvy IusIed, LIe mIdnIgIL IuIr, LIe wIcked mouLI. And LIe
pugun gIILLer oI u dIumond uL IIs eur.
HIs expressIon wus perLurbed, us II Ie'd been remInded oI someLIIng Ie Iud wunLed Lo
IorgeL. BuL us IIs guze sIId over Ier bewIIdered Iuce, IIs mouLI curved u IILLIe, und Ie
seLLIed InLo LIe crudIe oI Ier body wILI un InsoIenL IumII IurILy LIuL LemporurIIy robbed
Ier oI breuLI.
"Mr. RoIun . . . Iow ... wIy . . . wIuL ure you doIng Iere?"
He repIIed wILIouL movIng, us II Ie were pIunnIng Lo IIe


LIere und converse uII duy. HIs InIInILeIy poIILe Lone wus un unseLLIIng conLrusL Lo LIe
InLImucy oI LIeIr posILIon. "MIss HuLIuwuy. WIuL u pIeusunL surprIse. As IL Iuppens, 'm
vIsILIng IrIends. And you?"
" IIve Iere."
" don'L LIInk so. TIIs Is ord WesLcIIII 's esLuLe."
Her IeurL LIundered In Ier breusL us Ier body ubsorbed LIe deLuIIs oI IIm. " dIdn'L meun
precIseIy Iere, meunL over LIere, on LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe woods. TIe Rumsuy esLuLe.
We've jusL Luken up resIdence." SIe couIdn'L seem Lo sLop IerseII Irom cIuLLerIng In LIe
uILermuLI oI nerves und IrIgIL. "WIuL wus LIuL noIse? WIuL were you doIng? WIy do you
Iuve LIuL LuLLoo on your urm? L's u pooku-un rIsI creuLure-Isn'L IL?"
TIuL IusL quesLIon eurned Ier un urresLed sLure. BeIore RoIun couId repIy, LIe oLIer Lwo
men upproucIed. rom Ier prone posILIon, AmeIIu Iud un upsIde-down vIew oI LIem.
Ike RoIun, LIey were In LIeIr sIIrLsIeeves, wILI wuIsLcouLs IeIL unbuLLoned.
One oI LIem wus u porLIy oId genLIemun wILI u sIock oI sIIver IuIr. He IeId u smuII
wood-und-meLuI sexLunL, wIIcI Iud been sLrung uround IIs neck on u Iunyurd. TIe oLIer,
bIuck-IuIred mun Iooked Lo be In IIs IuLe LIIrLIes. He wusn'L us LuII us RoIun, buL Ie Iud
un uIr oI uuLIorILy Lempered wILI urIsLocruLIc urrogunce.
AmeIIu mude u IeIpIess movemenL, und RoIun IIILed uwuy Irom Ier wILI IIuId euse. He
IeIped Ier sLund, IIs urm sLeudyIng Ier. "How Iur dId IL go?" Ie usked LIe men.



"DevII Luke LIe rockeL," cume u gruveIIy repIy. "WIuL Is LIe womun's condILIon?"
"UnIurmed."
TIe sIIver-IuIred genLIemun remurked, "mpressIve,


RoIun. You covered u dIsLunce oI IIILy yurds In no more LIun IIve or sIx seconds."
" wouId IurdIy mIss u cIunce Lo Ieup on u beuuLIIuI 'womun," RoIun suId, cuusIng LIe
oIder mun Lo cIuckIe.
RoIun's Iund remuIned uL LIe smuII oI AmeIIu's buck, LIe IIgIL pressure cuusIng Ier bIood
Lo sImmer.
EusIng uwuy Irom IIs dIsLrucLIng LoucI, AmeIIu ruIsed Ier Iunds Lo LIe dungIIng IronL
Iocks oI Ier IuIr, LuckIng LIem beIInd Ier eurs. "WIy ure you sIooLIng rockeLs? And
more Lo LIe poInL, wIy ure you sIooLIng LIem uL my properLy?"
TIe sLrunger neurby guve Ier u sIurp, ussessIng gIunce. Your properLy?"
RoIun InLerceded. "ord WesLcIIII, LIIs Is MIss AmeIIu HuLIuwuy. ord Rumsuy's sIsLer."
rownIng, WesLcIIII execuLed u precIse bow. "MIss HuLIuwuy. wus noL InIormed ubouL
your urrIvuI. Hud been uwure oI your presence, wouId Iuve noLIIIed you ubouL our
rockeLry experImenLs, us Iuve everyone eIse In LIe vIcInILy."
L wus cIeur LIuL WesLcIIII wus u mun wIo expecLed Lo be InIormed ubouL everyLIIng. He
Iooked unnoyed LIuL LIe new neIgIbors Iud dured Lo move InLo LIeIr own resIdence
wILIouL LeIIIng IIm IIrsL.
"We urrIved onIy yesLerduy, my Iord," AmeIIu repIIed. " Iud InLended Lo cuII on you uILer
we seLLIed In." Under ordInury cIrcumsLunces, sIe wouId Iuve IeIL IL uL LIuL. BuL sIe wus
sLIII oII buIunce, und LIere wus no sLoppIng LIe IIow oI commenLs Irom Ier own mouLI.
"WeII. musL suy LIe guIdebook dIdn'L wurn udequuLeIy ubouL LIe occurrence oI rockeL
IIre umId LIe peuceIuI HumpsIIre scenery." SIe


reucIed down und wIucked uL LIe dusL und bILs oI IeuI LIuL cIung Lo Ier skIrLs. "'m sure
you don'L know LIe HuLI-uwuys weII enougI Lo sIooL uL us. YeL. WIen we become beLLer
ucquuInLed, Iowever, Iuve no doubL you'II IInd umpIe reuson Lo brIng ouL LIe urLIIIery."
Over Ier Ieud, sIe Ieurd RoIun IuugI. "ConsIderIng our Issues wILI uIm und uccurucy,
you Iuve noLIIng Lo Ieur, MIss HuLIuwuy."
TIe sIIver-IuIred genLIemun spoke LIen. "RoIun, II you wouIdn'L mInd IIndIng ouL wIere
LIuL rockeL Iunded-"
"OI course." RoIun Look oII uL un eusy Iope.



"AgIIe IeIIow," LIe oIder mun suId upprovIngIy. "usL us u Ieopurd. NoL Lo menLIon sLeudy
oI Iunds und nerves. WIuL u supper Ie'd muke."
nLroducIng IImseII us CupLuIn Swunseu, IormerIy oI LIe RoyuI EngIneers, LIe eIderIy
genLIemun expIuIned Lo AmeIIu LIuL Ie wus u rockeLry enLIusIusL wIo wus conLInuIng IIs
scIenLIIIc work In u cIvII cupucILy. As u IrIend oI ord WesLcIIII, wIo sIured IIs InLeresL In
engIneerIng scIence, Swunseu Iud come Lo experImenL wILI u new rockeL desIgn In LIe
counLry, wIere LIere wus suIIIcIenL Iund Lo do so. ord WesLcIIII Iud enIIsLed Cum RoIun
Lo IeIp wILI LIe IIIgIL equuLIons und oLIer muLIemuLIcuI cuIcuIuLIons necessury Lo
evuIuuLe LIe perIormunces oI LIe rockeLs. "QuILe exLruordInury, reuIIy, IIs IucIIILy wILI
numbers," Swunseu suId. "You'd never expecL IL Lo Iook uL IIm."
AmeIIu couIdn'L IeIp buL ugree. n Ier experIence scIoIurIy men sucI us Ier IuLIer were
puIe Irom spendIng mucI oI LIeIr LIme Indoors, und LIey Iud puuncIes und specLucIes und
rumpIed, Lweedy uppeurunces. TIey were

>z Isu KIeypus
IoL exoLIc young men wIo Iooked IIke pugun prInces und Iud goId rIngs und LuLLoos.
"MIss HuLIuwuy," ord WesLcIIII suId, "Lo my knowIedge, LIere Iusn'L been u Rumsuy In
resIdence In neurIy u decude. IInd IL dIIIIcuIL Lo beIIeve LIe Iouse Is IubILubIe." "OI, IL's
In IIne condILIon," AmeIIu IIed brIgILIy, Ier prIde rIsIng Lo LIe Iore. "OI course, some
dusLIng Is needed-und u Iew mInor repuIrs-buL we ure quILe comIorLubIe."
SIe LIougIL sIe Iud spoken convIncIngIy, buL WesLcIIII Iooked skepLIcuI. "We ure IuvIng
u Iurge supper uL SLony Cross Munor LIIs evenIng," Ie suId. "You wIII brIng your IumIIy.
L wIII be un exceIIenL opporLunILy Ior you Lo meeL some IocuI resIdenLs, IncIudIng LIe
vIcur."
A supper wILI ord und udy WesLcIIII. Heuven IeIp Ier.
Hud LIe HuLIuwuy IumIIy been weII-resLed, Iud eo been u bIL IurLIer uIong on LIe puLI
oI sobrIeLy, Iud LIey uII possessed suILubIe IormuI uLLIre, Iud LIey been gIven enougI LIme
Lo sLudy eLIqueLLe... AmeIIu mIgIL Iuve consIdered uccepLIng LIe InvILuLIon. BuL us LIIngs
were, IL wus ImpossIbIe. "You ure very kInd, my Iord, buL musL decIIne. We've onIy jusL
urrIved In HumpsIIre, und mosL oI our cIoLIes ure sLIII pucked uwuy-" "TIe occusIon Is
InIormuI."
AmeIIu doubLed IIs deIInILIon oI "InIormuI" muLcIed Iers. "L's noL mereIy u muLLer oI
uLLIre, my Iord. One oI my sIsLers Is somewIuL IruII, und IL wouId be Loo LuxIng Ior Ier.
SIe needs u greuL deuI oI resL uILer LIe Iong journey Irom ondon."
"Tomorrow nIgIL, LIen. L wIII be u mucI smuIIer uIIuIr, und noL uL uII LuxIng."


n IIgIL oI IIs InsIsLence, LIere wus no wuy Lo reIuse. CursIng IerseII Ior noL sLuyIng uL
Rumsuy House LIuL mornIng, AmeIIu Iorced u smIIe Lo Ier IIps. "Very weII, my Iord. Your
IospILuIILy Is mucI upprecIuLed."
RoIun reLurned, IIs breuLI quIckened Irom exerLIon. A mIsL oI sweuL Iud uccumuIuLed on
IIs skIn unLII IL gIeumed IIke bronze. "RIgIL on course," Ie suId Lo WesLcIIII und Swunseu.
'TIe sLubIIIzIng IIns worked. L Iunded uL u dIsLunce oI upproxImuLeIy Lwo LIousund
yurds."
"ExceIIenL!" Swunseu excIuImed. "BuL wIere Is LIe rockeL?"
RoIun's wIILe LeeLI IIusIed In u grIn. "BurIed In u deep, smokIng IoIe. 'II go buck Lo dIg
IL up IuLer."
"Yes, we'II wunL Lo see LIe condILIon oI LIe cusIng und LIe Inner core." Swunseu wus red-
Iuced wILI suLIsIucLIon. He used u IundkercIIeI Lo bIoL IIs sLeumIng, wrInkIed
counLenunce. "L's been un excILIng mornIng, eI?"
"PerIups IL's LIme Lo reLurn Lo LIe munor, CupLuIn," WesLcIIII suggesLed.
"Yes, quILe." Swunseu bowed Lo AmeIIu. "A pIeusure, MIss HuLIuwuy. And muy suy, you
Look IL ruLIer weII, beIng LIe LurgeL oI u surprIse uLLuck."
'TIe nexL LIme vIsIL, CupLuIn," sIe suId, "'II remember Lo brIng my wIILe IIug."
He cIuckIed und bId Ier IureweII.
BeIore LurnIng Lo joIn LIe cupLuIn, ord WesLcIIII
gIunced uL Cum RoIun. "'II Luke Swunseu buck Lo LIe
munor, II you'II see Lo IL LIuL MIss HuLIuwuy Is deIIvered
Iome suIeIy." .
"OI course," cume LIe unIesILuLIng repIy.
"TIunk you," AmeIIu suId, "buL LIere's no need. know LIe wuy, und IL Isn'L Iur."


Her proLesL wus Ignored. SIe wus IeIL Lo sLure uneusIIy uL Cum RoIun, wIIIe LIe oLIer Lwo
men depurLed.
"'m IurdIy some IeIpIess IemuIe," sIe suId. " don'L need Lo be deIIvered unywIere.
BesIdes, In IIgIL oI your pusL beIuvIor, 'd be suIer goIng uIone."
A brIeI sIIence. RoIun LIILed IIs Ieud und regurded Ier curIousIy. "PusL beIuvIor?"
"You know wIuL -" SIe broke oII, IIusIIng uL LIe memory oI LIe kIss In LIe durkness.
"'m reIerrIng Lo wIuL Iuppened In ondon."
He guve Ier u Iook oI poIILe perpIexILy. "'m uIruId don'L IoIIow."
"You're noL goIng Lo preLend you don'L remember," sIe excIuImed. PerIups Ie Iud, kIssed
so muny IegIons oI women, Ie couIdn'L possIbIy recoIIecL LIem uII. "Are you uIso goIng Lo
deny LIuL you sLoIe one oI my bonneL rIbbons?"



"You Iuve u vIvId ImugInuLIon, MIss HuLIuwuy." HIs Lone wus bIund. BuL LIere wus u
IIure oI provokIng IuugILer In IIs eyes.
" Iuve no sucI LIIng. TIe resL oI my IumIIy Is sLeeped In ImugInuLIon-'m LIe one wIo
cIIngs desperuLeIy Lo reuIILy." SIe Lurned und begun Lo wuIk uL u brIsk puce. "'m goIng
Iome. TIere's no need Ior you Lo uccompuny me."
gnorIng Ier sLuLemenL, RoIun IeII eusIIy InLo sLep besIde Ier, IIs reIuxed sLrIde
uccounLIng Ior every Lwo oI Iers. He IeL Ier seL LIeIr puce. n LIe openness oI LIeIr
surroundIngs, Ie seemed even Iurger LIun sIe Iud remembered. "WIen you suw my urm,"
Ie murmured, "LIe LuLLoo ... Iow dId you know IL wus u pooku?"
AmeIIu Look Ier LIme ubouL repIyIng. As LIey wuIked, LIe sIudows oI neurby bruncIes
crossed LIeIr Iuces. A red-LuIIed Iuwk gIIded ucross LIe sky und dIsuppeured InLo LIe

Ieuvy wood. "'ve reud some rIsI IoIkIore," sIe IInuIIy suId. "A wIcked, dungerous
creuLure, LIe pooku. nvenLed Lo gIve peopIe nIgILmures. WIy wouId you udorn yourseII
wILI sucI u desIgn?"
"L wus gIven Lo me us u cIIId. don'L remember wIen IL wus done."
"or wIuL purpose? WIuL sIgnIIIcunce does IL Iuve?" "My IumIIy wouId never expIuIn."
RoIun sIrugged. "PerIups LIey mIgIL now. BuL IL's been yeurs sInce 've seen LIem."
"CouId you ever IInd LIem uguIn, II you wIsIed?" "GIven enougI LIme." CusuuIIy Ie
IusLened IIs wuIsLcouL und roIIed down IIs sIeeves, conceuIIng LIe IeuLIen symboI. "
remember my grundmoLIer LeIIIng me ubouL LIe pooku. SIe encouruged me Lo beIIeve IL
wus reuI- LIInk sIe IuII beIIeved IL IerseII. SIe prucLIced LIe oId mugIc." "WIuL Is LIuL?
Do you meun IorLune-LeIIIng?" RoIun sIook IIs Ieud und sIId IIs Iunds InLo LIe pockeLs
oI IIs Lrousers. "No," Ie suId, IookIng umused, "uILIougI sIe dId LeII IorLunes Lo gudjos uL
LImes. TIe oId mugIc Is u beIIeI LIuL uII oI nuLure Is connecLed und equuI. EveryLIIng Is
uIIve. Even LIe Lrees Iuve souIs."
AmeIIu wus IuscInuLed. L Iud uIwuys been ImpossIbIe Lo coux MerrIpen Lo suy unyLIIng
ubouL IIs pusL or IIs Romuny beIIeIs, und Iere wus u mun wIo seemed wIIIIng Lo dIscuss
unyLIIng. "Do you beIIeve In LIe oId mugIc?"
"No. BuL IIke LIe Ideu oI IL." RoIun reucIed Ior Ier eIbow Lo guIde Ier uround u rougI
puLcI oI ground. BeIore sIe couId objecL Lo LIe genLIe LoucI, IL wus gone. "TIe pooku
Isn'L uIwuys wIcked," Ie suId. "SomeLImes IL ucLs ouL oI mIscIIeI. PIuyIuIness."

SIe guve IIm u skepLIcuI gIunce. "You cuII IL pIuyIuI Ior

u creuLure Lo Loss you on ILs buck, IIy up Lo LIe sky, und


drop you InLo u dILcI or bog?" .
"TIuL's one oI LIe sLorIes," RoIun udmILLed wILI u grIn. "BuL In oLIer uccounLs, LIe pooku
onIy wunLs Lo Luke you on un udvenLure ... IIy you Lo pIuces you cun onIy see In dreums.
And LIen Ie reLurns you Iome."
"BuL LIe Iegends suy LIuL uILer LIe Iorse Lukes you on IIs mIdnIgIL LruveIs, you're never
LIe sume."
"No," Ie suId soILIy. "How couId you be?"
WILIouL reuIIzIng IL, AmeIIu Iud sIowed LIeIr puce Lo u reIuxed umbIe. L seemed
ImpossIbIe Lo wuIk wILI brIsk eIIIcIency on u duy IIke LIIs, wILI so mucI sun und soIL uIr.
And wILI LIIs unusuuI mun besIde Ier, durk und dungerous und cIurmIng.
"OI uII LIe pIuces Lo see you uguIn," sIe suId, " wouId never Iuve expecLed ord
WesLcIIII 's esLuLe. How dId you come Lo be ucquuInLed? He's u member oI LIe gumIng
cIub, suppose."
"Yes. And IrIends wILI LIe owner."
"Are ord WesLcIIII's oLIer guesLs uccepLIng oI your presence uL SLony Cross Munor?"
"You meun becuuse 'm u Romu?" A sIy smIIe LoucIed IIs IIps. "'m uIruId LIey Iuve no
cIoIce buL Lo be poIILe. IrsL, ouL oI respecL Ior LIe eurI. And LIen LIere's LIe IucL LIuL mosL
oI LIem ure obIIged Lo come Lo me Ior credIL uL LIe cIub-wIIcI meuns Iuve uccess Lo
LIeIr prIvuLe IInuncIuI InIormuLIon."
"NoL Lo menLIon prIvuLe scunduIs," AmeIIu suId, rememberIng LIe uIIey IIgIL.
HIs smIIe IIngered. "A Iew oI LIose, Loo."
"NeverLIeIess, you musL IeeI IIke un ouLsIder uL LImes.
"AIwuys," Ie suId In u muLLer-oI-IucL Lone. "'m un


ouLsIder Lo my peopIe, us weII. You see, 'm u IuII-breed- posIrum, LIey cuII IL-born oI
u Gypsy moLIer und un rIsI gudjo IuLIer. And sInce LIe IumIIy's IIneuge goes LIrougI LIe
IuLIer, m noL even consIdered Romu. L's LIe worsL vIoIuLIon oI LIe code Ior one oI our
women Lo murry u gudjo." "s LIuL wIy you don'L IIve wILI your LrIbe?" "One oI LIe
reusons."
AmeIIu wondered wIuL IL musL be IIke Ior IIm, cuugIL beLween Lwo cuILures, beIongIng Lo
neILIer. No Iope oI ever beIng IuIIy uccepLed. And yeL LIere wus no Lruce oI seII-pILy In
IIs Lone.
"TIe HuLIuwuys ure ouLsIders, us weII," sIe suId. "L's obvIous we're noL suILed Lo u
posILIon In poIILe socIeLy. None oI us Iuve LIe educuLIon or breedIng Lo curry IL oII.
Supper uL SLony Cross Munor sIouId be u specLucIe-'m sure IL wIII end wILI us beIng
Lossed ouL on our eurs."



"You muy be surprIsed. ord und udy WesLcIIII don'L usuuIIy sLund on IormuIILy. And
LIeIr LubIe IncIudes u greuL vurIeLy oI guesLs."
AmeIIu wus noL reussured. To Ier, upper socIeLy resembIed LIe ornumenLuI Lunks used Ior
exoLIc IIsI-keepIng In IusIIonubIe purIors, IIIIed wILI gIILLerIng creuLures wIo durLed und
cIrcIed In puLLerns sIe Iud no Iope oI undersLundIng. TIe HuLIuwuys mIgIL us weII
uLLempL Lo IIve underwuLer us Lo beIong In sucI eIevuLed compuny. And yeL LIey Iud no
cIoIce buL Lo Lry.
SpyIng u Ieuvy growLI oI wuLercress on LIe bunk oI
u weL meudow, AmeIIu wenL Lo exumIne IL. GruspIng u
buncI, sIe puIIed unLII LIe deIIcuLe sLems snupped. "Wu
Lercress Is pIenLIIuI Iere, Isn'L IL? 've Ieurd IL cun be mude
InLo u IIne suIud or suuce." .
"L's uIso u medIcInuI Ierb. TIe Rom cuII IL punIsIok


My grundmoLIer used Lo puL IL In pouILIces Ior spruIns or InjurIes. And IL's u powerIuI Iove
LonIc. or women, especIuIIy."
"A wIuL?" TIe deIIcuLe greenery IeII Irom Ier nerve
Iess IIngers. - ;, ' ' '
"I u mun wIsIes Lo reuwuken IIs Iover's InLeresL, Ie Ieeds Ier wuLercress. L's u sLImuIunL
oI LIe-"
"Don'L LeII me! Don'L!"
RoIun IuugIed, u mockIng gIeum In IIs eyes.
GIvIng IIm u wurnIng gIunce, AmeIIu brusIed u Iew sLruy wuLercress Ieuves Irom Ier
puIms und conLInued on Ier wuy.
Her compunIon IoIIowed reudIIy. "TeII me ubouL your IumIIy," Ie couxed. "How muny oI
you ure LIere?"
"Ive In uII. eo-LIuL Is, ord Rumsuy-Is LIe oIdesL, und um LIe nexL, IoIIowed by
WInnIIred, Poppy, und BeuLrIx."
"WIIcI sIsLer Is LIe IruII one?"
"WInnIIred."
"Hus sIe uIwuys been LIuL wuy?"
"No, WIn wus quILe IeuILIy unLII u yeur ugo, wIen sIe neurIy dIed Irom scurIeL Iever." A
Iong IesILuLIon, wIIIe Ier LIrouL LIgILened u IILLIe. "SIe survIved, LIunk God, buL Ier
Iungs ure weuk. SIe Ius IILLIe sLrengLI, und sIe LIres eusIIy. TIe docLor suys WIn muy
never Improve, und In uII IIkeIIIood sIe won'L be ubIe Lo murry or Iuve cIIIdren."
AmeIIu's juw Iurdened. "We wIII prove IIm wrong, oI course. WIn wIII be compIeLeIy



weII uguIn."
"God IeIp unyone wIo sLunds In your wuy. You do IIke Lo munuge oLIer peopIe's IIves,
don'L you?"
"OnIy wIen IL's obvIous cun do u beLLer job oI IL LIun LIey cun. WIuL ure you smIIIng
uL?"


RoIun sLopped, obIIgIng Ier Lo Lurn Lo Iuce IIm. "You. You muke me wunL Lo-" He
sLopped us II LIInkIng beLLer oI wIuL Ie'd been ubouL Lo suy. BuL LIe Lruce oI umusemenL
IIngered on IIs IIps.
SIe dIdn'L IIke LIe wuy Ie Iooked uL Ier, LIe wuy Ie mude Ier IeeI IoL und nervous und
gIddy. AII Ier senses InIormed Ier LIuL Ie wus u LIorougIIy unLrusLworLIy mun. One wIo
ubIded by no one's ruIes buL IIs own.
"TeII me, MIss HuLIuwuy ... wIuL wouId you do II you were InvILed on u mIdnIgIL rIde
ucross LIe eurLI und oceun? WouId you cIoose LIe udvenLure, or sLuy suIeIy uL Iome?"
SIe couIdn'L seem Lo Leur Ier guze Irom IIs. TIe Lopuz eyes were IIL by u gIInL oI
pIuyIuIness, noL LIe InnocenL mIscIIeI oI u boy, buL someLIIng Iur more dungerous. SIe
couId uImosL beIIeve Ie mIgIL ucLuuIIy cIunge Iorm und uppeur beneuLI Ier wIndow one
nIgIL, und curry Ier uwuy on mIdnIgIL wIngs ...
"Home, oI course," sIe munuged In u sensIbIe Lone. " don'L wunL udvenLure."
"1 LIInk you do. LIInk In u momenL oI weukness, you mIgIL surprIse yourseII."
" don'L Iuve momenLs oI weukness. NoL LIuL kInd, uL uny ruLe."
HIs IuugILer curIed uround Ier IIke u drIIL oI smoke. "You wIII."
AmeIIu dIdn'L dure usk wIy Ie wus so cerLuIn oI LIuL. PerpIexed, sIe Iowered Ier guze Lo
LIe Lop buLLon oI IIs wuIsLcouL. Wus Ie IIIrLIng wILI Ier? No, IL musL be LIuL Ie wus
mockIng Ier, LryIng Lo muke Ier Iook IooIIsI. And II LIere wus one LIIng sIe Ieured In IIIe
more LIun bees, IL wus uppeurIng IooIIsI.


GuLIerIng Ier dIgnILy, wIIcI Iud scuLLered IIke bILs oI dundeIIon IIuII In u IIgI wInd, sIe
Irowned up uL IIm. "We're neurIy uL Rumsuy House." SIe IndIcuLed LIe ouLIIne oI u rooI
rIsIng Irom LIe IoresL. " wouId preIer Lo go LIe IusL purL oI LIe dIsLunce uIone. You muy
LeII LIe eurI LIuL wus suIeIy deIIvered. Good duy, Mr. RoIun."
He guve u nod, Look Ier In wILI one oI LIose brIgIL, dIsurmIng gIunces, und sLuyed Lo
wuLcI Ier progress us sIe wuIked uwuy. WILI eucI sLep AmeIIu puL beLween LIem, sIe
sIouId Iuve IeIL suIer, buL LIe sense oI dIsquIeL remuIned. And LIen, sIe Ieurd IIm
murmur someLIIng, IIs voIce sIudowed wILI umusemenL, und IL sounded us II Ie Iud
suId, "Some mIdnIgIL..."



TIe news LIuL LIey were Lo Iuve supper uL LIe Iome oI ord und udy WesLcIIII wus
receIved wILI u vurIeLy oI reucLIons Irom LIe HuLIuwuys. Poppy und BeuLrIx were pIeused
und excILed, wIereus WIn, wIo wus sLIII LryIng Lo reguIn Ier sLrengLI uILer LIe journey Lo
HumpsIIre, wus mereIy resIgned. eo wus IookIng Iorwurd Lo u IengLIy repusL
uccompunIed by IIne wIne.
MerrIpen, on LIe oLIer Iund, IIuLIy reIused Lo go.
"You ure purL oI LIe IumIIy," AmeIIu LoId IIm, wuLcIIng us Ie secured Ioose puneIIng
bourds In one oI LIe common rooms. MerrIpen's grIp on u curpenLer's Iummer wus deIL
und sure us Ie experLIy sunk u Iundmude nuII InLo LIe edge oI u bourd. "No muLLer Iow
you muy Lry Lo deny uII connecLIon Lo LIe HuLIuwuys-und one couId IurdIy bIume you
Ior LIuL-LIe IucL Is, you're one oI us und you sIouId uLLend."
MerrIpen meLIodIcuIIy pounded u Iew more nuIIs InLo LIe wuII. "My presence won'L be
necessury."
"WeII, oI course IL won'L be necessury. BuL you mIgIL enjoy yourseII."


"No wouIdn'L," Ie repIIed wILI grIm cerLuInLy, und conLInued IIs IummerIng.
"WIy musL you be so sLubborn? I you're uIruId oI beIng LreuLed budIy, you sIouId recuII
LIuL ord WesLcIIII Is uIreudy ucLIng us IosL Lo u Romu, und Ie seems Lo Iuve no prejudIce
-"
" don'L IIke gudjos." . ^ ]
"My enLIre IumIIy-your IumIIy-ure gudjos. Does LIuL meun you don'L IIke us?"
MerrIpen dIdn'L repIy, onIy conLInued Lo work. NoIsIIy.
AmeIIu IeL ouL u LuuL sIgI. "MerrIpen, you're u dreudIuI snob. And II LIe evenIng Lurns ouL
Lo be LerrIbIe, IL's your obIIguLIon Lo endure IL wILI us."
MerrIpen reucIed Ior unoLIer IundIuI oI nuIIs. "TIuL wus u good Lry," Ie suId. "BuL 'm
noL goIng."
TIe prImILIve pIumbIng uL Rumsuy House, ILs poor IIgILIng, und LIe dIngIness oI LIe Iew
uvuIIubIe IookIng gIusses mude IL dIIIIcuIL Lo prepure Ior LIe vIsIL Lo SLony Cross Munor.
AILer IuborIousIy IeuLIng wuLer In LIe kILcIen, LIe HuLIuwuys IuuIed buckeLs up und
down LIe sLuIrs Ior LIeIr own buLIs. Everyone excepL WIn, oI course, wIo wus resLIng In
Ier room Lo preserve Ier sLrengLI.
AmeIIu suL wILI unusuuI submIssIveness us Poppy sLyIed Ier IuIr, puIIIng IL buck, mukIng
LIIck bruIds und pInnIng LIem InLo u Ieuvy cIIgnon LIuL covered LIe buck oI Ier Ieud.
"TIere," Poppy suId wILI pIeusure. "AL IeusL you're IusIIonubIe Irom LIe eurs upwurd."
Ike LIe oLIer HuLIuwuy sIsLers, AmeIIu wus dressed In u servIceubIe bombuzIne gown oI



LwIIIed bIue sIIk und

worsLed. Ls desIgn wus pIuIn wILI u moderuLeIy IuII skIrL, LIe sIeeves Iong und LIgILIy
IILLed.
Poppy's gown wus u sImIIur sLyIe, onIy In red. SIe wus un uncommonIy preLLy gIrI, Ier
IIne IeuLures IIL wILI vIvucILy und InLeIIIgence. I u gIrI's socIuI popuIurILy were bused on
merIL ruLIer LIun IorLune, Poppy wouId Iuve been LIe LousL oI ondon. nsLeud sIe wus
IIvIng In LIe counLry In u ruLLIeLrup Iouse, weurIng oId cIoLIes, IuuIIng wuLer und couI IIke
u muIdservunL. And sIe Iud never once compIuIned.
"We'II Iuve some new dresses mude very soon," AmeIIu suId eurnesLIy, IeeIIng Ier IeurL
LwIsL wILI remorse. "TIIngs wIII Improve, Poppy. promIse."
" Iope so," Ier sIsLer suId IIgILIy. "'II need u buII gown II 'm Lo cuLcI u rIcI beneIucLor
Ior LIe IumIIy."
"You know onIy suId LIuL In jesL. You don'L Iuve Lo Iook Ior u rIcI suILor. OnIy one wIo
wIII be kInd Lo you." Poppy grInned. "WeII, we cun Iope LIuL weuILI und kIndness ure noL
muLuuIIy excIusIve... cun'L we?" AmeIIu smIIed buck uL Ier. "ndeed." As LIe sIbIIngs
ussembIed In LIe enLrunce IuII, AmeIIu IeIL even more remorseIuI us sIe suw BeuLrIx
Lurned ouL In u green dress wILI unkIe-IengLI skIrLs und u sLurcIed wIILe pInuIore, un
ensembIe Iur more upproprIuLe Ior u gIrI oI LweIve InsLeud oI IIILeen.
MukIng Ier wuy Lo eo's sIde, AmeIIu muLLered Lo IIm, "No more gumbIIng, eo. TIe
money you IosL uL Jenner's wouId Iuve been Iur beLLer spenL on proper cIoLIes Ior your
younger sIsLers."
"TIere Is more LIun enougI money Ior you Lo Iuve Luken LIem Lo LIe dressmuker," eo
suId cooIIy. "Don'L muke me LIe vIIIuIn wIen IL's your responsIbIIILy Lo cIoLIe LIem."

AmeIIu grILLed Ier LeeLI. As mucI us sIe udored eo, no one couId muke Ier us ungry us
Ie, und so quIckIy. SIe Ionged Lo udmInIsLer some Ieuvy cIouL on LIe Ieud LIuL mIgIL
resLore IIs wILs. "AL LIe ruLe you've been goIng LIrougI LIe IumIIy coIIers, dIdn'L LIInk IL
wouId be wIse oI me Lo go on u spendIng spree."
TIe oLIer HuLIuwuys wuLcIed, wIde-eyed, us LIe conversuLIon expIoded InLo u IuII-on
urgumenL.
"You muy cIoose Lo IIve IIke u mIser," eo suId, "buL 'II be dumned II Iuve Lo. You're
IncupubIe oI enjoyIng LIe momenL becuuse you're uIwuys InLenL on Lomorrow. WeII, Ior
some peopIe, Lomorrow never comes."
Her Lemper IIured. "Someone Ius Lo LIInk oI Lomorrow, you seIIIsI spendLIrIIL!"
"ComIng Irom un overbeurIng sIrew-"


WIn sLepped beLween LIem, resLIng u genLIe Iund on AmeIIu's sIouIder. "HusI, boLI oI
you. L serves no purpose Lo muke yourseIves cross jusL beIore we ure Lo Ieuve.'" SIe guve
AmeIIu u sweeL quIrk oI u smIIe LIuL no one on eurLI couId Iuve resIsLed. "Don'L Irown
IIke LIuL, deur. WIuL II your Iuce sLuyed LIuL wuy?"
"WILI proIonged exposure Lo eo," AmeIIu repIIed, "IL undoubLedIy wouId,"
Her broLIer snorLed. "'m u convenIenL scupegouL, uren'L ? I you were IonesL wILI
yourseII, AmeIIu-"
"MerrIpen," WIn cuIIed ouL, "Is LIe currIuge reudy now?"
MerrIpen cume LIrougI LIe IronL door, IookIng rumpIed und surIy. L Iud been ugreed LIuL
Ie wouId drIve LIe HuLIuwuys Lo LIe WesLcbIIs' resIdence und reLurn Ior LIem IuLer. "L's
reudy." As Ie gIunced uL WIn's puIe goIden beuuLy, IL seemed IIs expressIon Lurned even
surIIer, II sucI u LIIng were possIbIe.

Ike u word puzzIe LIuL Iud jusL soIved ILseII In Ier bruIn, LIuL sLoIen gIunce mude u Iew
LIIngs cIeur Lo AmeIIu. MerrIpen wusn'L uLLendIng LIe dInner LIuL evenIng becuuse Ie wus
LryIng Lo uvoId beIng In u socIuI sILuuLIon wILI WIn. He wus LryIng Lo keep u dIsLunce
beLween LIem, wIIIe uL LIe sume LIme Ie wus desperuLeIy worrIed ubouL Ier IeuILI.
L LroubIed AmeIIu, LIe noLIon LIuL MerrIpen, wIo never dIspIuyed sLrong IeeIIngs ubouL
unyLIIng, mIgIL be enLerLuInIng u secreL und powerIuI IongIng Ior Ier sIsLer. WIn wus Loo
deIIcuLe, Loo reIIned, Loo mucI IIs opposILe In every wuy. And MerrIpen knew LIuL.
eeIIng sympuLIeLIc und muudIIn, und ruLIer worrIed IerseII, AmeIIu cIImbed InLo LIe
currIuge uILer Ier sIsLers.
TIe occupunLs oI LIe veIIcIe were sIIenL us LIey proceeded uIong LIe ouk-IIned drIve Lo
SLony Cross Munor. None oI LIem Iud ever seen grounds so rIcIIy Lended or ImposIng.
Every IeuI on every Lree seemed Lo Iuve been uIIIxed wILI cureIuI IoreLIougIL.
Surrounded by gurdens und orcIurds LIuL IIowed InLo dense woods, LIe Iouse spruwIed
over LIe Iund IIke u drowsIng gIunL. our IoILy corner Lowers denoLed LIe orIgInuI
dImensIons oI LIe Europeun-sLyIed IorLress, buL muny uddILIons Iud gIven IL u pIeusIng
usymmeLry. WILI LIme und weuLIerIng, LIe Iouse's Ioney-coIored sLone Iud meIIowed
gruceIuIIy, ILs ouLIInes dressed wILI LuII, perIecLIy LrImmed Iedges.
TIe resIdence wus IronLed by u mussIve courLyurd-u dIsLIncLIve IeuLure--und sIded by
sLubIes und u resIdenLIuI wIng. nsLeud oI LIe usuuI undersLuLed desIgn oI sLubIes, LIese
were IronLed by wIde sLone urcIes. SLony Cross Munor wus u pIuce IIL Ior royuILy-und
Irom wIuL LIey knew oI ord WesLcIIII, IIs bIoodIInes were even more dIsLInguIsIed LIun
LIe Queen's.


As LIe currIuge sLopped beIore LIe porLIcoed enLrunce, AmeIIu wIsIed LIe evenIng were
uIreudy over. n LIese sLuLeIy surroundIngs, LIe HuLIuwuys' IuuILs wouId be mugnIIIed.
TIey wouId uppeur no beLLer LIun u group oI vugubonds. SIe gIunced over Ier sIbIIngs.
WIn Iud donned Ier usuuI musk oI IrreproucIubIe serenILy, und eo Iooked cuIm und
sIIgILIy bored-un expressIon Ie musL Iuve Ieurned Irom IIs recenL ucquuInLunces uL
Jenner's. TIe younger gIrIs were IIIIed wILI u brIgIL exuberunce LIuL drew u smIIe Irom
AmeIIu. TIey, uL IeusL, wouId Iuve u good LIme, und Ieuven knew LIey deserved IL.
MerrIpen IeIped LIe sIsLers Irom LIe currIuge, und eo emerged IusL. As Ie sLepped Lo LIe
ground, MerrIpen cIecked IIm wILI u brIeI murmur, un udmonILIon Lo keep u cIose wuLcI
on WIn. eo sIoL IIm u veIemenL gIunce. EndurIng AmeIIu's crILIcIsm wus bud enougI-
Ie wouIdn'L LoIeruLe IL Irom MerrIpen. "I you're so bIoody concerned ubouL Ier," eo
muLLered, "LIen you go InsIde und pIuy nunny."
MerrIpen's eyes nurrowed, buL Ie dIdn'L repIy.
TIe reIuLIonsIIp beLween LIe Lwo men Iud never been wIuL one couId descrIbe us
broLIerIy, buL LIey Iud uIwuys muInLuIned u cooI cordIuIILy.
MerrIpen Iud never LrIed Lo ussume LIe roIe oI second son, In spILe oI LIe HuLIuwuy
purenLs' obvIous Iondness Ior IIm. And In uny sILuuLIon wIIcI mIgIL Iuve IenL ILseII Lo u
compeLILIon beLween LIe Lwo boys, MerrIpen Iud uIwuys druwn buck. eo, Ior IIs purL,
Iud been reusonubIy pIeusunL Lo MerrIpen, und Iud even deIerred Lo MerrIpen's opInIons
wIen Ie Iud judged LIem beLLer LIun IIs own.
WIen eo Iud IuIIen III wILI scurIeL Iever, MerrIpen Iud IeIped cure Ior IIm wILI u
mIxLure oI puLIence und

kIndness LIuL Iud surpussed even AmeIIu's. uLer sIe Iud LoId eo LIuL Ie owed MerrIpen
IIs IIIe. nsLeud oI beIng gruLeIuI, Iowever, eo seemed Lo IoId IL uguInsL MerrIpen.
PIeuse, pIeuse don'L be un uss, eo, AmeIIu Ionged Lo beg, buL sIe IeId Ier Longue und
wenL wILI Ier sIsLers Lo LIe brIgILIy IIL enLrunce oI SLony Cross Munor.
A puIr oI mussIve doubIe doors opened InLo u cuvernous IuII Iung wILI prIceIess
LupesLrIes. A grund sLone und murbIe sLuIrcuse curved up Lo LIe IoILy second-IIoor guIIery.
Even LIe mosL dIsLunL corners oI LIe IuII, und LIe enLrunces oI severuI pussuges IeudIng
uwuy Irom LIe greuL room, were IIL by u mussIve crysLuI cIundeIIer.
I LIe ouLsIde grounds Iud been weII Lended, LIe InLerIor oI LIe munor wus noLIIng sIorL
oI ImmucuIuLe, everyLIIng swepL und spurkIIng und poIIsIed. TIere wus noLIIng oI
newness In LIeIr surroundIngs, no sIurp edges or modern LoucIes Lo dIsrupL LIe
uLmospIere oI euseIuI spIendor.
L wus, AmeIIu LIougIL bIeukIy, exucLIy LIe wuy Rumsuy House sIouId Iook.


ServunLs cume Lo Luke IuLs und gIoves, wIIIe un eIderIy Iousekeeper weIcomed LIe new
urrIvuIs. AmeIIu's uLLenLIon wus ImmedIuLeIy druwn Lo LIe sIgIL oI ord und udy
WesLcIIII, wIo were crossIng LIe IuII Lowurd LIem.
CIud In precIseIy LuIIored evenIng cIoLIes, ord WesL-cIIII moved wILI LIe pIysIcuI
conIIdence oI u seusoned sporLsmun. HIs expressIon wus reserved, IIs uusLere IeuLures
sLrIkIng ruLIer LIun Iundsome. EveryLIIng ubouL IIs uppeurunce IndIcuLed Ie wus u mun
wIo demunded u greuL deuI oI oLIers und even more oI IImseII.
TIere wus no doubL LIuL someone us powerIuI us WesL-cIIII sIouId Iuve cIosen LIe
perIecL EngIIsI brIde, u womun wIose Icy sopIIsLIcuLIon Iud been InsLIIIed In Ier

sInce bIrLI. L wus wILI surprIse, LIen, LIuL AmeIIu Ieurd udy WesLcIIII speuk In u
dIsLIncLIy AmerIcun voIce, LIe words LumbIIng ouL us II sIe couIdn'L be boLIered Lo LIInk
everyLIIng over beIore speukIng.
"You cun'L know Iow oILen 've wIsIed Ior new neIgIbors. TIIngs cun geL u bIL duII In
HumpsIIre. You HuLI uwuys wIII do nIceIy." SIe surprIsed eo by reucIIng ouL und
sIukIng Iunds In LIe wuy men dId. "ord Rumsuy, u pIeusure."
"Your servunL, my Iudy." eo dIdn'L seem Lo know quILe wIuL Lo muke oI LIIs sInguIur
womun.
AmeIIu reucLed uuLomuLIcuIIy us sIe wus uccorded u sImIIur IundsIuke. ReLurnIng LIe
IIrm pressure oI udy WesLcIIII's Iund, sIe sLured InLo LIp-LIILed eyes LIe coIor oI
gIngerbreud.
IIIIun, udy WesLcIIII, wus u LuII, sIender young womun wILI gIeumIng subIe IuIr, IIne
IeuLures, und u ruIIIsI grIn. UnIIke Ier Iusbund, sIe rudIuLed u cusuuI IrIendIIness LIuL
InsLunLIy puL one uL euse. "You ure AmeIIu, LIe one LIey IIred upon yesLerduy?"
"Yes, my Iudy."
"'m so gIud LIe eurI dIdn'L murder you. HIs uIm Is IurdIy ever oII, you know."
TIe eurI receIved IIs wIIe's Impudence wILI u sIIgIL smIIe, us II Ie were weII uccusLomed
Lo IL. " wusn'L uImIng uL MIss HuLIuwuy," Ie suId cuImIy.
"You mIgIL consIder u Iess dungerous Iobby," udy WesLcIIII suggesLed. "BIrd-wuLcIIng.
BuLLerIIy-coIIecLIng. SomeLIIng u bIL more dIgnIIIed LIun seLLIng oII expIosIons."
AmeIIu expecLed LIe eurI Lo Irown uL LIIs Irreverence, buL Ie onIy Iooked umused. And us
IIs wIIe's uLLenLIon moved Lo LIe resL oI LIe HuLIuwuys, Ie sLured uL Ier wILI

wurm IuscInuLIon. CIeurIy LIere wus u powerIuI uLLrucLIon beLween LIe Lwo.
AmeIIu InLroduced Ier sIsLers Lo LIe unconvenLIonuI counLess. TIunkIuIIy LIey uII
remembered Lo curLsy, und LIey munuged poIILe responses Lo Ier IorLIrIgIL quesLIons,


sucI us dId LIey IIke Lo rIde, dId LIey enjoy duncIng, Iud LIey LrIed uny oI LIe IocuI
cIeeses yeL, und dId LIey sIure Ier dIsIIke oI sIImy EngIIsI Iure sucI us eeIs und jeIIIed
Iog IouI?
uugIIng uL LIe droII Iuce LIe counLess Iud mude, LIe HuLIuwuy sIsLers wenL wILI Ier Lo
LIe receIvIng room, wIere upproxImuLeIy Lwo dozen guesLs Iud guLIered In unLIcIpuLIon
oI goIng In Lo supper. " IIke Ier," sIe Ieurd Poppy wIIsper Lo BeuLrIx us LIe Lwo oI LIem
wuIked beIInd Ier. "Do you LIInk uII AmerIcun women ure so dusIIng?"
DusIIng ... yes, LIuL wus un upproprIuLe word Ior udy WesLdIII.
"MIss HuLIuwuy," LIe counLess suId Lo AmeIIu In u Lone oI IrIendIy concern, "LIe eurI suys
Rumsuy House Ius been unoccupIed Ior so Iong, IL musL be u sIumbIes."
MIIdIy sLurLIed by LIe womun's dIrecLness, AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieurd IIrmIy. "OI no,
'sIumbIes' Is Loo sLrong u word. AII LIe pIuce wunLs Is u good LIorougI cIeunIng, und u
Iew smuII repuIrs, und ..." SIe puused uncomIorLubIy.
udy WesLcIIII's guze wus Irunk und sympuLIeLIc. "TIuL bud, Is IL?"
AmeIIu IILcIed Ier sIouIders In u sIIgIL sIrug. "TIere's u greuL deuI oI work Lo be done uL
Rumsuy House," sIe udmILLed. "BuL 'm noL uIruId oI work."
"I you need ussIsLunce or udvIce, WesLcIIII Ius InIInILe resources uL IIs dIsposuI. He cun
LeII you wIere Lo IInd-"
"You ure very kInd, my Iudy," AmeIIu suId IusLIIy, "buL

LIere Is no need Ior your InvoIvemenL In our domesLIc uIIuIrs." TIe IusL LIIng sIe wunLed
wus Ior LIe HuLIuwuys Lo uppeur Lo be u IumIIy oI cIeupjucks und beggurs.
"You muy noL be ubIe Lo uvoId our InvoIvemenL," udy WesLcIIII suId wILI u grIn. "You're
In WesLcIIII 's spIere now, wIIcI meuns you'II geL udvIce wIeLIer or noL you usked Ior IL.
And LIe worsL purL Is, Ie's uImosL uIwuys rIgIL." SIe senL u Iond gIunce In Ier Iusbund's
dIrecLIon. WesLcIIII wus sLundIng In u group uL LIe sIde oI LIe room.
BecomIng uwure oI IIs wIIe's guze, WesLcIIII !s Ieud Lurned. Some voIceIess messuge
wus deIIvered beLween LIem. .. und Ie responded wILI u quIck, uImosL IndIscernIbIe wInk.
A cIuckIe rusLIed In udy WesLcIIII's LIrouL. SIe Lurned Lo AmeIIu. "We'II Iuve been
murrIed Iour yeurs, come SepLember," sIe suId ruLIer sIeepIsIIy. " Iud supposed wouId
Iuve sLopped moonIng over IIm by now, buL Iuven'L." MIscIIeI dunced In Ier durk eyes.
"Now, 'II InLroduce you Lo some oI LIe oLIer guesLs. TeII me wIom you wIsI Lo meeL
IIrsL."
AmeIIu's guze Iud moved Irom LIe eurI Lo LIe group oI men uround IIm. A rIppIe oI
uwureness wenL down Ier spIne us Ier uLLenLIon wus cuugIL by Cum RoIun. He wus


dressed In bIuck und wIILe, IdenLIcuI Lo LIe oLIer genLIemen's uLLIre, buL LIe cIvIIIzed
scIeme onIy served Lo muke IIm more exoLIc. WILI LIe durk sIIk oI IIs IuIr curIIng over
LIe sLurcIed wIILe coIIur, LIe swurLIIness oI IIs compIexIon, LIe LIger eyes, Ie seemed
compIeLeIy ouL oI pIuce In LIese decorous surroundIngs. CuLcIIng sIgIL oI Ier, RoIun
bowed, wIIcI sIe ucknowIedged wILI u sLIII bow oI Ier own.
"You've uIreudy meL Mr. RoIun, oI course," udy


WesLcIIII commenLed, observIng LIe excIunge. "An InLeresLIng IeIIow, don'L you LIInk?
Mr. RoIun Is cIurmIng und very nIce, und onIy IuII cIvIIIzed, wIIcI ruLIer IIke."
"..." AmeIIu Lore Ier guze Irom RoIun wILI eIIorL, Ier IeurL LIrummIng erruLIcuIIy. "HuII
cIvIIIzed?"
"OI, you know uII LIe ruIes LIe upper cIuss Ius devIsed Ior so-cuIIed poIILe beIuvIor. Mr.
RoIun cun'L be boLIered wILI mosL oI LIem." udy WesLcIIII grInned. "NeILIer cun ,
ucLuuIIy."
"How Iong Iuve you known Mr. RoIun?"
"OnIy sInce ord SL. VIncenL Look possessIon oI LIe gumbIIng cIub. SInce LIen, Mr.
RoIun Ius become u sorL oI proLege, oI boLI WesLcIIII's und SL. VIncenL's." SIe guve u
quIck IuugI. "RuLIer IIke IuvIng un ungeI on one sIouIder und u devII on LIe oLIer. RoIun
seems Lo munuge LIem boLI quILe weII."
"WIy Iuve LIey Luken sucI un InLeresL In IIm?"
"He's un unusuuI mun. 'm noL cerLuIn unyone knows wIuL Lo muke oI IIm. AccordIng Lo
WesLcIIII, RoIun Ius un excepLIonuI mInd. BuL uL LIe sume LIme, Ie Is supersLILIous und
unpredIcLubIe. Huve you Ieurd ubouL IIs good-Iuck curse?"
"HIs wIuL?"
"L seems no muLLer wIuL RoIun does, Ie cun'L IeIp mukIng money. A IoL oI money. Even
wIen Ie LrIes Lo Iose IL. He cIuIms IL's wrong Ior one person Lo own so mucI."
"L's LIe Romuny wuy," AmeIIu murmured. "TIey don'L beIIeve In ownIng LIIngs."
"Yes. WeII, beIng Irom New York, don'L uILogeLIer undersLund LIe concepL, buL LIere you
Iuve IL. AguInsL IIs wIII, Mr. RoIun Ius been gIven u percenLuge oI LIe proIILs uL LIe cIub,
und no muLLer Iow muny cIurILubIe donuLIons


or unsound InvesLmenLs Ie mukes, Ie keeps geLLIng mussIve wIndIuIIs. IrsL Ie bougIL un
oId ruceIorse wILI sIorL Iegs-ILLIe Dundy-wIo won LIe Grund NuLIonuI IusL AprII.
TIen LIere wus LIe rubber debucIe, und-"
"TIewIuL?" -.
"L wus u smuII, IuIIIng rubber munuIucLory on LIe eusL sIde oI ondon. JusL us LIe



compuny wus ubouL Lo go under, Mr. RoIun mude u Iurge InvesLmenL In IL. Everyone,
IncIudIng ord WesLcIIII, LoId IIm noL Lo, LIuL Ie wus u IooL und Ie wouId Iose every cenL
-"
"WIIcI wus IIs InLenLIon," AmeIIu suId.
"ExucLIy. BuL Lo RoIun's dIsmuy, LIe wIoIe LIIng Lurned uround. TIe compuny's dIrecLor
used IIs InvesLmenL Lo ucquIre LIe puLenL rIgILs Ior LIe vuIcunIzuLIon process, und LIey
InvenLed LIese IILLIe sLreLcIy scrups oI LubIng cuIIed rubber bunds. And now LIe compuny
Is u bIuzIng success. couId LeII you more, buL IL's uII vurIuLIons on LIe sume LIeme-Mr.
RoIun LIrows LIe money uwuy und IL comes buck Lo IIm LenIoId."
" wouIdn'L cuII LIuL u curse," AmeIIu suId.
"NeILIer wouId ." udy WesLcIIII IuugIed soILIy. "BuL Mr. RoIun does. TIuL's wIuL
mukes IL so umusIng. You sIouId Iuve seen IIm suIkIng eurIIer In LIe duy wIen Ie
receIved LIe IuLesL reporL Irom one oI IIs sLockjobbers In ondon. AII good news. He wus
gnusIIng IIs LeeLI over IL."
TukIng AmeIIu's urm, udy WesLcIIII Ied Ier ucross LIe room. "AILIougI we Iuve u sud
Iuck oI eIIgIbIe genLIemen LonIgIL, promIse we'II Iuve quILe un urruy vIsILIng IuLer In LIe
seuson. TIey uII come Lo IunL und IIsI-und LIere's usuuIIy u IIgI proporLIon oI men Lo
women."
"TIuL Is good news," AmeIIu repIIed. " Iuve IIgI Iopes LIuL my sIsLers wIII IInd suILubIe
genLIemen Lo murry."


NoL mIssIng LIe ImpIIcuLIon, udy WesLcIIII usked, "BuL you Iuve no sucI Iopes Ior
yourseII?"
"No, don'L expecL ever Lo murry."
"WIy?"
" Iuve u responsIbIIILy Lo my IumIIy. TIey need me." AILer u brIeI puuse, AmeIIu udded
IrunkIy, "And LIe LruLI Is, sIouId IuLe Lo submIL Lo u Iusbund's dIcLuLes."
" used Lo IeeI LIe sume wuy. BuL musL wurn you, MIss HuLIuwuy ... IIIe Ius u wuy oI
IouIIng up our pIuns. speuk Irom experIence."
AmeIIu smIIed, unconvInced. L wus u sImpIe muLLer oI prIorILIes. SIe wouId devoLe uII
Ier LIme und energIes Lo creuLIng u Iome Ior Ier sIbIIngs, und seeIng LIem uII IeuILIy und
IuppIIy murrIed. TIere wouId be nIeces und nepIews upIenLy, und Rumsuy House wouId
be IIIIed wILI LIe peopIe sIe Ioved.
No Iusbund couId oIIer Ier more.
CuLcIIng sIgIL oI Ier broLIer, AmeIIu noLIced LIere wus u pecuIIur expressIon on IIs Iuce,
or ruLIer u Iuck oI expressIon LIuL IndIcuLed Ie wus conceuIIng some sLrong or prIvuLe



emoLIon. He cume Lo Ier uL once, excIunged u Iew pIeusunLrIes wILI udy WesLcIIII, und
nodded poIILeIy us sIe usked Ieuve Lo uLLend Lo un eIderIy guesL wIo Iud jusL urrIved.
"WIuL Is IL?" AmeIIu wIIspered, IookIng up us eo cupped Ier eIbow In IIs Iund. "You
Iook us LIougI you'd jusL goLLen u mouLIIuI oI roLLen cork."
"Don'L IeL's Lrude InsuILs jusL now." He guve Ier u gIunce LIuL wus more concerned LIun
uny Ie'd gIven Ier In recenL memory. HIs Lone wus Iow und urgenL. "Beur up, sIs-LIere's
someone Iere you don'L wunL Lo see. And Ie's comIng LIIs wuy."

SIe roIIed Ier eyes. "I you meun Mr. RoIun, ussure you,'mperIecLIy-"
"No. NoL RoIun." HIs Iund wenL Lo Ier wuIsL us II unLIcIpuLIng LIe need Lo sLeudy Ier.
And sIe undersLood.
BeIore sIe even Lurned Lo see LIe mun wIo upproucIed LIem, AmeIIu knew LIe reuson Ior
eo's sLrunge reucLIon, und sIe wenL coId und IoL und unsLeudy. BuL somewIere In LIe
InLernuI Iuvoc, u cerLuIn resIgnuLIon Iurked.
SIe Iud uIwuys known sIe wouId see CIrIsLopIer rosL uguIn someduy.
He wus uIone us Ie upproucIed LIem-u smuII mercy, us one wouId Iuve expecLed IIm Lo
Iuve IIs new wIIe In Low. And AmeIIu wus IuIrIy cerLuIn sIe couIdn'L Iuve LoIeruLed beIng
InLroduced Lo LIe womun CIrIsLopIer Iud ubundoned Ier Ior. As IL wus, sIe sLood sLIIIIy
wILI Ier broLIer und LrIed desperuLeIy Lo resembIe un IndependenL womun wIo wus
greeLIng Ier Iormer Iove wILI poIILe IndIIIerence. BuL sIe knew LIere wus no dIsguIsIng
LIe wIILeness oI Ier Iuce-sIe couId IeeI LIe bIood sIooLIng sLruIgIL Lo Ier
oversLImuIuLed IeurL.
I IIIe were IuIr, rosL wouId Iuve uppeured smuIIer, Iess Iundsome, Iess desIrubIe LIun
sIe Iud remembered. BuL IIIe, us usuuI, wusn'L IuIr. He wus us Ieun und gruceIuI und
urbune us ever, wILI uIerL bIue eyes und LIIck, cIose-LrImmed IuIr, Loo durk Lo be bIond,
Loo IIgIL Lo be brown. TIuL sIInIng IuIr conLuIned every sIude Irom cIumpugne Lo Iuwn.
"My oId ucquuInLunce," eo suId. AILIougI IIs Lone IeId no runcor, neILIer dId IL evInce
uny pIeusure. TIeIr IrIendsIIp Iud been sIuLLered LIe momenL rosL Iud IeIL AmeIIu. eo
Iud IIs IuuILs, cerLuInIy, buL Ie wus noLIIng II noL IoyuI.

"My Iord," rosL suId quIeLIy, bowIng Lo LIem boLI. "And MIss HuLIuwuy." L seemed Lo
cosL IIm someLIIng Lo meeL Ier guze. Heuven knew IL cosL Ier Lo reLurn IL. "L Ius been Iur
Loo Iong."
"NoL Ior some oI us," eo reLurned, noL IIIncIIng us AmeIIu surrepLILIousIy sLepped on IIs
IooL. "Are you sLuyIng uL LIe munor?"


"No, 'm vIsILIng some oId IumIIy IrIends-LIey own LIe vIIIuge Luvern."
"How Iong wIII you Iung ubouL?"
" Iuve no IIrm pIuns. 'm muIIIng over u Iew commIssIons wIIIe enjoyIng LIe cuIm und
quIeL oI LIe counLrysIde." HIs guze sLruyed brIeIIy Lo AmeIIu und reLurned Lo eo. " senL u
IeLLer wIen Ieurned oI your uscenduncy Lo LIe peeruge, my Iord."
" receIved IL," eo suId IdIy. "AILIougI Ior LIe IIIe oI me, cun'L remember ILs conLenLs."
"SomeLIIng Lo LIe eIIecL LIuL wIIIe wus pIeused Ior
your suke, wus dIsuppoInLed Lo Iuve IosL u worLIy rIvuI.
You uIwuys drove me Lo reucI beyond LIe IImILs oI my
ubIIILIes." .
"Yes," eo suId surdonIcuIIy, " wus u greuL Ioss Lo LIe urcIILecLuruI IIrmumenL."
"You were," rosL ugreed wILIouL Irony. HIs guze remuIned on AmeIIu. "Muy remurk on
Iow weII you Iook, MIss HuLIuwuy?"
How odd IL wus, sIe LIougIL duzedIy, LIuL sIe Iud once been In Iove wILI IIm, und now
LIey were speukIng Lo eucI oLIer so IormuIIy. SIe no Ionger Ioved IIm, und yeL LIe
memory oI beIng IeId by IIm, kIssed, curessed ... IL LInLed every LIougIL und emoLIon,
IIke Leu-dyed Iuce. One couId never IuIIy remove LIe sLuIn. SIe remembered u


bouqueL oI roses Ie Iud once gIven Ier... Ie Iud Luken one und sLroked LIe peLuIs over Ier
cIeeks und purLed IIps, und Iud smIIed uL Ier IIerce bIusI. My IILLIe Iove, Ie Iud
wIIspered-
'TIunk you," sIe suId. "n Lurn, muy oIIer my congruLuIuLIons on your murrIuge?"
"'m uIruId no IeIIcILuLIons ure In order," rosL repIIed cureIuIIy. "TIe weddIng dIdn'L Luke
pIuce."
AmeIIu IeIL eo's Iund LIgILen uL Ier wuIsL. SIe Ieuned uguInsL IIm ImpercepLIbIy und
Iooked uwuy Irom CIrIsLopIer rosL, unubIe Lo speuk. He Isn'L murrIed. Her LIougILs
were In unurcIy.
"DId sIe come Lo Ier senses," sIe Ieurd eo usk cusuuIIy, "or dId you?"
"L becume obvIous we dIdn'L suIL us weII us one wouId Iuve Ioped. SIe wus grucIous
enougI Lo reIeuse me Irom LIe obIIguLIon."
"So you goL LIe booL," eo suId. "Are you sLIII workIng Ior Ier IuLIer?"
"eo," AmeIIu proLesLed In u IuII-wIIsper. SIe Iooked up In LIme Lo see rosL's wry, brIeI
grIn, und Ier IeurL LwIsLed uL LIe puInIuI IumIIIurILy oI IL.
"You were never one Lo mInce words, were you? Yes, 'm sLIII empIoyed by TempIe."
rosL's guze moved sIowIy over AmeIIu, LukIng meusure oI Ier brILLIe guurdedness. "A
pIeusure Lo see you uguIn, MIss HuLIuwuy."



SIe sugged u IILLIe us Ie IeIL LIem, LurnIng bIIndIy Lowurd Ier broLIer. Her voIce wus
LuLLered uL LIe edges. "eo, wouId very mucI upprecIuLe IL II you couId cuILIvuLe jusL u
IILLIe deIIcucy oI munner."
"We cun'L uII be us suuve us your Mr. rosL."


"He's noL my Mr. rosL." A puuse, und sIe udded duIIy, "He never wus."
"You deserve u IeII oI u IoL beLLer. JusL remember LIuL II Ie comes snIIIIng uround your
IeeIs uguIn."
"He won'L," AmeIIu suId, IuLIng LIe wuy Ier IeurL Ieuped beIInd Ier weII-munuIucLured
deIenses.


CIupLer Seven


JusL beIore LIe HuLIuwuys Iud urrIved, CupLuIn Swunseu, wIo Iud spenL Iour yeurs
servIng In ndIu, Iud been reguIIng some oI LIe guesLs wILI un uccounL oI u LIger IunL In
VIsInupur. TIe LIger Iud sLuIked LIe spoLLed deer, brougIL IL down wILI u pounce, und
cIumped LIe buck oI ILs neck In ILs juws. Women und even u Iew men Iud grImuced und
excIuImed In Iorror us Swunseu descrIbed Iow LIe LIger Iud proceeded Lo euL LIe cIILuI
wIIIe IL wus sLIIL uIIve. "TIe vIcIous beusL!" one oI LIe women Iud gusped.
BuL us soon us AmeIIu HuLIuwuy enLered LIe room, Cum Iud Iound IImseII enLIreIy In
sympuLIy wILI LIe LIger. TIere wus noLIIng Ie wunLed more LIun Lo bILe LIe Lender buck
oI Ier neck und drug Ier Lo some prIvuLe pIuce wIere Ie couId IeusL on Ier Ior Iours. n u
crowd oI eIuboruLeIy dressed women, AmeIIu sLood ouL In Ier sImpIe gown und
unudorned LIrouL und eurs. SIe Iooked cIeun und wInsome und uppeLIzIng. He wunLed Lo
be uIone wILI Ier, ouLsIde In LIe open uIr, IIs Iunds Iree upon Ier body. BuL Ie knew
beLLer LIun Lo en LerLuIn sucI LIougILs ubouL u respecLubIe young womun.
He wuLcIed LIe Lense IILLIe scene InvoIvIng AmeIIu, Ier


broLIer, ord Rumsuy, und LIe urcIILecL, Mr. CIrIsLopIer rosL. AILIougI Ie couIdn'L Ieur
LIeIr conversuLIon, Ie reud LIeIr posLures, LIe subLIe wuy AmeIIu Ieuned InLo Ier broLIer's
supporL. L wus cIeur some kInd oI IIsLory wus sIured beLween AmeIIu und rosL... noL u
Iuppy one. A Iove uIIuIr LIuL Iud ended budIy, Ie guessed. He ImugIned LIem LogeLIer,
AmeIIu und rosL. L provoked IIm Iur more LIun Ie wouId Iuve IIked. TumpIng down LIe
surge oI InupproprIuLe curIosILy, Ie drugged IIs uLLenLIon uwuy Irom LIem.
As Ie unLIcIpuLed LIe Iong, bIund supper Lo come, LIe
InLermInubIe courses, LIe munnered conversuLIon, Cum



sIgIed IeuvIIy. He Iud Ieurned LIe socIuI cIoreogrupIy oI
LIese sILuuLIons, LIe rIgId boundurIes oI proprIeLy. AL IIrsL
Ie Iud even regurded IL us u gume, IeurnIng LIe wuys oI
LIese prIvIIeged sLrungers. BuL Ie Iud grown LIred oI Iov
erIng uL LIe edge oI LIe gudjo worId. MosL oI LIem dIdn'L
wunL IIm LIere uny more LIun Ie dId. BuL LIere seemed no
oLIer pIuce Ior IIm excepL uL LIe perIpIery.
L Iud uII sLurLed upproxImuLeIy Lwo yeurs eurIIer, wIen SL. VIncenL Iud LIrown u bunk
pussbook uL IIm In LIe cusuuI munner Ie mIgIL Iuve used Lo Loss u rounders buII.
"'ve esLubIIsIed un uccounL Ior you uL LIe ondon BunkIng House und nvesLmenL
SocIeLy," SL. VIncenL Iud LoId IIm. "L's on IeeL SLreeL. Your percenLuge oI Jenner's
proIILs wIII be deposILed monLIIy. Munuge LIem II you wIsI, or LIey'II be munuged Ior
you."
" don'L wunL u percenLuge oI LIe proIILs," Cum Iud suId,
LIumbIng LIrougI LIe pussbook wILIouL InLeresL. "My
suIury Is IIne." .
"Your suIury wouIdn'L cover LIe unnuuI cosL oI my booLbIuckIng."


"L's more LIun enougI. And wouIdn'L know wIuL Lo do wILI LIIs." Cum Iud been
uppuIIed by LIe IIgures IIsLed on LIe buIunce puge. ScowIIng, Ie Lossed LIe book Lo u
neurby LubIe. "Tuke IL buck."
SL. VIncenL Iud Iooked umused und vugueIy exusperuLed. "DumnuLIon, mun, now LIuL
own LIe pIuce, cun'L Iuve IL suId LIuL you're puId puuper's wuges. Do you LIInk 'II
LoIeruLe beIng cuIIed u skInIIInL?"
"You've been cuIIed worse," Cum Iud poInLed ouL.
" don'L mInd beIng cuIIed worse wIen deserve IL. WIIcI Is oILen, 'm sure." SL. VIncenL
Iud sLured uL IIm In u consIderIng wuy. And, wILI one oI LIose dumnubIe IIusIes oI
InLuILIon you wouId never expecL Irom LIe Iormer proIIIguLe, Ie murmured, "L meuns
noLIIng, you know. L doesn'L muke you uny Iess oI u Romu wIeLIer puy you In pounds,
wIuIes' LeeLI, or wumpum."
"'ve compromIsed Loo mucI uIreudy. SInce IIrsL cume Lo ondon, 've sLuyed under one
rooI, 've worn gudjo cIoLIes, 've worked Ior u suIury. BuL druw LIe IIne uL LIIs."
"'ve jusL gIven you un InvesLmenL uccounL, RoIun," SL. VIncenL Iud suId ucIdIy, "noL u
pIIe oI munure."
" wouId Iuve preIerred LIe munure. AL IeusL IL wouId be good Ior someLIIng."
"'m uIruId Lo usk. BuL curIosILy compeIs me ... wIuL In God's nume Is munure good Ior?"



"erLIIIzer."
"AI. WeII, LIen, IeL's upproucI IL LIIs wuy: money Is jusL unoLIer vurIeLy oI IerLIIIzer." SL.
VIncenL Iud gesLured Lo LIe dIscurded bunk pussbook. "Do someLIIng wILI IL. WIuLever
pIeuses you. AILIougI wouId udvIse someLIIng oLIer LIun composLIng IL In sod."
Cum Iud resoIved Lo geL rId oI every cenL, by scuLLerIng


IL In u serIes oI IunuLIc InvesLmenLs. TIuL wus wIen LIe good-Iuck curse Iud beIuIIen IIm.
HIs growIng IorLune Iud begun Lo open doors LIuL sIouId never Iuve been open Lo IIm,
especIuIIy now LIuL upper socIeLy wus beIng ruIded by men oI IndusLry. And, IuvIng
wuIked LIrougI LIose doors, Cum wus beIuvIng In wuys, LIInkIng In wuys, LIuL weren'L
usuuI Ior IIm. SL. VIncenL Iud been wrong-LIe money dId muke IIm Iess oI u Romu.
He Iud IorgoLLen LIIngs; words, sLorIes, LIe songs LIuL Iud IuIIed IIm Lo sIeep us u cIIId.
He couId bureIy remember LIe LusLe oI dumpIIngs IIuvored wILI uImonds und boIIed In
mIIk, or borunIju sLew spIced wILI vInegur und dundeIIon Ieuves. TIe Iuces oI IIs IumIIy
were u dIsLunL bIur. He wusn'L cerLuIn Ie wouId know LIem II Ie meL LIem now. And LIuL
mude IIm Ieur Ie wus no Ionger Romu.
WIen wus LIe IusL LIme Ie Iud sIepL ouL under LIe sky? TIe compuny proceeded us u
wIoIe InLo LIe dInIng IuII. TIe InIormuI nuLure oI LIe guLIerIng meunL LIey wouId noL
Iuve Lo be urrunged In order oI precedence. A IIne oI IooLmen cIud In bIuck, bIue, und
musLurd moved Iorwurd Lo uLLend LIe guesLs, puIIIng ouL cIuIrs, pourIng wIne und wuLer.
TIe Iong LubIe wus covered by un ucre oI prIsLIne wIILe IInen. EucI pIuce seLLIng,
brIsLIIng wILI sIIverwure, wus surmounLed wILI u IIerurcIy oI crysLuI gIusses In ussorLed
sIzes.
Cum wIped uII expressIon Irom IIs Iuce us Ie dIscovered Ie Iud been seuLed nexL Lo LIe
vIcur's wIIe, wIom Ie Iud meL on prevIous vIsILs Lo SLony Cross Purk. TIe womun wus
LerrIIIed oI IIm. WIenever Ie Iooked uL Ier, LrIed Lo LuIk Lo Ier, sIe cIeured Ier LIrouL
IncessunLIy. Her spuLLery noIses brougIL Lo mInd u Leu keLLIe wILI un III-IILLIng IId.


No doubL LIe vIcur's wIIe Iud Ieurd one Loo muny sLorIes oI GypsIes sLeuIIng cIIIdren,
pIucIng curses on peopIe, und uLLuckIng IeIpIess IemuIes In u Irenzy oI unconLroIIed IusL.
Cum wus LempLed Lo InIorm LIe womun LIuL, us u ruIe, Ie never kIdnupped or pIIIuged
beIore LIe second course. BuL Ie kepL sIIenL und LrIed Lo Iook us unLIreuLenIng us possIbIe,
wIIIe sIe sIrunk In Ier cIuIr und mude desperuLe conversuLIon wILI LIe mun uL Ier IeIL.
TurnIng Lo IIs rIgIL, Cum Iound IImseII sLurIng InLo AmeIIu HuLIuwuy's bIue eyes. TIey
Iud been seuLed nexL Lo eucI oLIer. PIeusure unIoIded InsIde IIm. Her IuIr sIone IIke
suLIn, und Ier eyes were brIgIL, und Ier skIn Iooked IIke IL wouId LusLe oI some desserL



mude wILI mIIk und sugur. TIe sIgIL oI Ier remInded IIm oI un oId-IusIIoned gudjo word
LIuL Iud umused IIm wIen Ie Iud IIrsL Ieurd IL. TooLIsome. TIe word wus used Ior
someLIIng uppeLIzIng, conveyIng LIe pIeusure oI LusLe, buL uIso sexuuI uIIure. He Iound
AmeIIu's nuLuruIness u LIousund LImes more uppeuIIng LIun LIe powdered und bejeweIed
sopIIsLIcuLIon oI oLIer women presenL.
"I you're LryIng Lo Iook meek und cIvIIIzed," AmeIIu suId, "IL's noL workIng."
" ussure you, 'm IurmIess."
AmeIIu smIIed uL LIuL. "No doubL IL wouId suIL you Ior everyone Lo LIInk so."
He reIIsIed Ier IIgIL, cIeun scenL, LIe cIurmIng pILcI oI Ier voIce. He wunLed Lo LoucI LIe
IIne skIn oI Ier cIeeks und LIrouL. nsLeud Ie IeId sLIII und wuLcIed us sIe udjusLed u
IInen nupkIn over Ier Iup.
A IooLmun cume Lo IIII LIeIr wIne gIusses. Cum noLIced LIuL AmeIIu kepL sLeuIIng gIunces
uL Ier sIbIIngs IIke u

moLIer Ien wILI cIIcks gone usLruy. Even Ier broLIer, seuLed onIy Lwo pIuces uwuy Irom
LIe Ieud oI LIe LubIe, wus subjecLed Lo LIe sume reIenLIess concern. SIe sLIIIened us sIe
cuugIL sIgIL oI CIrIsLopIer rosL, wIo wus seuLed neur LIe Iur end oI LIe LubIe. TIeIr
guzes Iocked, wIIIe LIe rIppIe oI u swuIIow cIused down AmeIIu's LIrouL. SIe seemed
mesmerIzed by LIe gudjo. L wus obvIous un uLLrucLIon sLIII exIsLed beLween LIe Lwo. And
judgIng Irom rosL's expressIon, Ie wus more LIun wIIIIng Lo rekIndIe LIeIr ucquuInLunce.
L requIred u greuL deuI oI Cum's wIIIpower-und Ie Iud
u consIderubIe suppIy-noL Lo skewer CIrIsLopIer rosL
wILI u dInIng uLensII. He wunLed Ier uLLenLIon. AII oI IL. .
"AL LIe IIrsL IormuI supper uLLended In ondon," Ie
LoId AmeIIu, " expecLed Lo come uwuy Iungry."
To IIs ImmedIuLe suLIsIucLIon, AmeIIu Lurned Lo IIm, Ier InLeresL reIocusIng. "WIy?''
"Becuuse LIougIL LIe IILLIe sIde pIuLes were wIuL LIe
gudjos used Ior LIeIr muIn course. WIIcI meunL wusn'L
goIng Lo geL mucI Lo euL."
AmeIIu IuugIed. "You musL Iuve been reIIeved wIen LIe Iurge pIuLes were brougIL ouL."
He sIook IIs Ieud. " wus Loo busy IeurnIng LIe ruIes oI
LIe LubIe."
"SucI us?"
"SIL wIere LIey LeII you, don'L speuk oI poIILIcs or bodIIy IuncLIons, drInk soup Irom LIe
sIde oI LIe spoon, don'L use LIe nuL pIck us u Iork, und never oIIer someone Iood Irom
your pIuLe."


"TIe Rom sIure Iood Irom eucI oLIer's pIuLes?"
He sLured uL Ier sLeudIIy. "I we were euLIng Gypsy-sLyIe,


sILLIng beIore u IIre, wouId oIIer you LIe cIoIcesL bILes oI meuL. TIe soIL InsIde oI LIe
breud. TIe sweeLesL secLIons oI IruIL."
TIe coIor IeIgILened In Ier cIeeks, und sIe reucIed Ior Ier wIne gIuss. AILer u cureIuI
sIp, sIe suId wILIouL IookIng uL IIm, "MerrIpen rureIy LuIks ubouL sucI LIIngs. beIIeve
've Ieurned more Irom you LIun Iuve uILer LweIve yeurs oI knowIng IIm."
MerrIpen ... LIe LucILurn cIuI wIo Iud uccompunIed Ier In ondon. TIere Iud been no
mIsLukIng LIe eusy IumIIIurILy beLween LIe Lwo, beLruyIng LIuL MerrIpen wus more LIun u
mere servunL Lo Ier.
BeIore Cum couId pursue LIe muLLer, Iowever, LIe soup course wus brougIL ouL. ooLmen
und underbuLIers worked In Iurmony Lo presenL Iuge sLeumIng Lureens oI suImon soup
wILI IIme und dIII, neLLIe soup wILI cIeese und curuwuy IIouLs, wuLercress soup gurnIsIed
wILI sIIvers oI pIeusunL, und musIroom soup Iuced wILI sour creum und brundy.
AILer Cum cIose LIe neLLIe soup und IL wus IudIed InLo u sIuIIow cIInu bowI In IronL oI
IIm, Ie Lurned Lo speuk Lo AmeIIu uguIn. To IIs dIsgrunLIemenL, sIe wus now beIng
monopoIIzed by LIe mun on Ier oLIer sIde, wIo wus enLIusIusLIcuIIy descrIbIng IIs
coIIecLIon oI ur EusL porceIuIn.
Cum Look u quIck InvenLory oI LIe oLIer conversuLIons uround IIm, uII IeuLurIng mundune
subjecLs. He wuILed puLIenLIy unLII LIe vIcur's wIIe Iud benL Ier uLLenLIon Lo LIe soup bowI
In IronL oI Ier. As sIe ruIsed u spoon Lo Ier pupery IIps, sIe becume uwure LIuL Cum wus
IookIng uL Ier. AnoLIer LIrouL-cIeurIng noIse, wIIIe LIe spoon quIvered In Ier Iund.
He LrIed Lo LIInk oI someLIIng LIuL wouId InLeresL Ier. "HoreIound," Ie suId Lo Ier In u
muLLer-oI-IucL munner.


Her eyes buIged wILI uIurm, und u puIse LIrobbed vIsIbIy In Ier neck. "H-I-I ..." sIe
wIIspered.
"HoreIound, IIcorIce rooL, und Ioney. L's good Ior geLLIng rId oI pIIegm In LIe LIrouL. My
grundmoLIer wus u IeuIer-sIe LuugIL me muny oI Ier remedIes."
TIe word "pIIegm" neurIy cuused Ier eyes Lo roII buck In Ier Ieud.
"HoreIound Is uIso good Ior cougIs und snuke bILes " Cum conLInued IeIpIuIIy.
Her Iuce druIned oI coIor, und sIe seL Ier spoon on Ier pIuLe. TurnIng uwuy Irom IIm
desperuLeIy, sIe guve Ier uLLenLIon Lo LIe dIners on Ier IeIL.
HIs uLLempL uL poIILe dIscussIon IuvIng been rebuIIed, Cum suL buck us LIe soup wus



removed und LIe second course wus brougIL ouL. SweeLbreuds In becIumeI suuce,
purLrIdges nesLIed In Ierb beds, pIgeon pIes, rousL snIpe, und vegeLubIe souIIIe Iuced LIe
uIr wILI u cucopIony oI rIcI scenLs. TIe guesLs excIuImed upprecIuLIveIy, wuLcIIng In
unLIcIpuLIon us LIeIr pIuLes were IIIIed.
BuL AmeIIu HuLIuwuy bureIy seemed uwure oI LIe sumpLuous dIsIes. Her uLLenLIon wus
Iocused on u conversuLIon uL LIe end oI LIe LubIe, beLween ord WesLcIIII und Ier broLIer
eo. Her Iuce wus cuIm, buL Ier IIngers cIencIed uround u Iork IundIe.
"... obvIous you possess u Iurge ucreuge oI good Iund LIuL Ius gone unused ..." WesLcIIII
wus suyIng, wIIIe eo IIsLened wILIouL uppurenL InLeresL. " wIII muke my own esLuLe
ugenL uvuIIubIe Lo you, Lo upprIse you oI LIe sLundurd Lerms oI Lenuncy Iere In HumpsIIre.
UsuuIIy LIese urrungemenLs ure unwrILLen, wIIcI meuns IL Is un obIIguLIon oI Ionor on
boLI sIdes Lo upIoId LIe ugreemenLs-" "TIunk you," eo suId uILer downIng IuII IIs
wIne In

un expedIenL guIp, "buL 'II deuI wILI my LenunLs In my own LIme, my Iord."
"'m uIruId LIme Ius run ouL Ior some oI LIem," WesL-cIIII repIIed. "Muny oI LIe LenunL
Iouses on your Iund Iuve run Lo ruIns. TIe peopIe wIo now depend on you Iuve been
negIecLed Ior Iur Ioo Iong."
"TIen IL's LIme LIey Ieurn my one greuL consIsLency Is negIecLIng LIe peopIe wIo depend
on me." eo IIIcked u IuugIIng gIunce uL AmeIIu, IIs eyes Iurd. "sn'L LIuL rIgIL, sIs?"
WILI vIsIbIe eIIorL, AmeIIu Iorced Ier IIngers Lo uncIencI Irom LIe Iork. "'m cerLuIn ord
Rumsuy wIII Iend IIs cIose uLLenLIon Lo LIe needs oI IIs LenunLs," sIe suId cureIuIIy. "Pruy
don'L be mIsIed by IIs uLLempL Lo be umusIng. n IucL, Ie Ius menLIoned IuLure pIuns Lo
Improve LIe LenunL IeuseIoIds und sLudy modern ugrIcuILuruI meLIods-"
"I sLudy unyLIIng," eo druwIed, "IL wIII be LIe boLLom oI u good boLLIe oI porL. TIe
Rumsuy LenunLs Iuve proven LIeIr ubIIILy Lo LIrIve on benIgn negIecL-LIey cIeurIy don'L
need my InvoIvemenL."
A Iew guesLs Lensed uppreIensIveIy uL eo's InsoucIunL speecI, wIIIe oLIers guve u Iew
Iorced cIuckIes. TensIon LIIckened LIe uIr.
I eo wus deIIberuLeIy LryIng Lo muke un enemy oI WesLcIIII, Ie couIdn'L Iuve cIosen u
beLLer wuy oI doIng IL. WesLcIIII Iud u deep concern Ior LIose Iess IorLunuLe LIun IImseII,
und un ucLIve dIsIIke Ior seII-InduIgenL nobIemen wIo IuIIed Lo IIve up Lo LIeIr
responsIbIIILIes.
"DruL," Cum Ieurd IIIIun muLLer beneuLI Ier breuLI, us Ier Iusbund's brows Iowered
over coId durk eyes.
BuL jusL us WesLcIIII purLed IIs IIps Lo deIIver u wILIerIng speecI Lo LIe InsoIenL young


vIscounL, one oI LIe IemuIe

guesLs guve un eurspIILLIng sIrIek. Two oLIer IudIes jumped up Irom LIeIr cIuIrs, uIong
wILI severuI oI LIe genLIemen, uII oI LIem sLurIng In wIILe-eyed Iorror uL LIe cenLer oI LIe
LubIe.
AII conversuLIon Iud sLopped. oIIowIng LIe guesLs' coIIecLIve guzes, Cum suw someLIIng
-u IIzurd?-wrIggIIng und sIILIerIng ILs wuy pusL suucebouLs und suIL ceIIurs. WILIouL
IesILuLIon Ie reucIed ouL und cupLured LIe smuII creuLure, cuppIng IL In cIosed Iunds. TIe
IIzurd squIrmed IurIousIy In LIe spuce beLween IIs cIosed puIms.
"'ve goL IL," Ie suId mIIdIy.
TIe vIcur's wIIe IuII IuInLed, sIumpIng buck In Ier cIuIr wILI u Iow moun.
''Don'L IurL IIm!" BeuLrIx HuLIuwuy cuIIed ouL unxIousIy. "He's u IumIIy peL!"
TIe ussembIed guesLs gIunced Irom Cum's cIosed Iunds Lo LIe HuLIuwuy gIrI's upoIogeLIc
Iuce.
"A peL? ... WIuL u reIIeI," udy WesLcIIII suId cuImIy, sLurIng down LIe IengLI oI LIe LubIe
uL Ier Iusbund's bIunk counLenunce. " LIougIL IL wus some new EngIIsI deIIcucy we
were servIng."
A swIIL wusI oI coIor durkened WesLcIIII's Iuce, und Ie Iooked uwuy Irom Ier wILI IIerce
concenLruLIon. To unyone wIo knew IIm weII, IL wus obvIous Ie wus sLruggIIng noL Lo
IuugI.
"You brougIL SpoL Lo supper?" AmeIIu usked Ier youngesL sIsLer In dIsbeIIeI. "Beu, LoId
you Lo geL rId oI IIm yesLerduy!"
" LrIed Lo," cume BeuLrIx's conLrILe repIy, "buL uILer IeIL IIm In LIe woods, Ie IoIIowed
me Iome."
"Beu," AmeIIu suId sLernIy, "repLIIes do noL IoIIow peopIe Iome."

"SpoL Is no ordInury IIzurd. He-"
"We'II dIscuss IL ouLsIde." AmeIIu rose Irom Ier cIuIr, obIIgIng LIe genLIemen Lo IoIsL
LIemseIves ouL oI LIeIr seuLs. SIe LIrew WesLcIIII un upoIogeLIc gIunce. " beg your
purdon, my Iord. I you wIII excuse us ..."
TIe eurI guve u composed nod.
AnoLIer mun ... CIrIsLopIer rosL... sLured uL AmeIIu wILI un InLensILy LIuL ruIsed Cum's
IuckIes. "Muy 1 IeIp?" rosL usked. HIs voIce wus cureIuIIy devoId oI urgency, buL LIere
wus no doubL In Cum's mInd ubouL Iow mucI LIe mun wunLed Lo go ouLsIde wILI Ier.
"No need," Cum suId smooLIIy. "As you cun see, Iuve everyLIIng In Iund. AL your


servIce, MIss HuLIuwuy." And, sLIII IoIdIng LIe squIrmIng repLIIe, Ie uccompunIed LIe
sIsLers Irom LIe room.


Cum Ied LIem uwuy Irom LIe dInIng IuII, LIrougI u puIr oI rencI doors LIuL opened Lo u
conservuLory. TIe ouLdoor room wus spurseIy IurnIsIed wILI cune-buck cIuIrs und u
seLLee. WIILe coIumns uround LIe edge oI LIe conservuLory were InLerspersed wILI IusI
IungIng pIunLs. CIouds suIked ucross LIe IumId sky, wIIIe LorcIIIgIL senL u brIsk dunce oI
IIgIL ucross LIe ground.
As soon us LIe doors were cIosed, AmeIIu wenL Lo Ier sIsLer wILI Ier Iunds ruIsed. AL IIrsL
Cum LIougIL sIe InLended Lo sIuke Ier, buL InsLeud AmeIIu puIIed BeuLrIx cIose, Ier
sIouIders LrembIIng. SIe couId bureIy breuLIe Ior IuugIIng.
"Beu... you dId IL on purpose, dIdn'L you?... couIdn'L beIIeve my eyes... LIuL bIusLed IIzurd
runnIng uIong LIe LubIe..."
" Iud Lo do someLIIng," LIe gIrI expIuIned In u muIIIed voIce. "eo wus beIuvIng budIy
- dIdn'L undersLund wIuL Ie wus suyIng, buL suw ord WesLcIIII 's Iuce-"
"OI ... oI ..." AmeIIu cIoked wILI gIggIes. "Poor WesL-cIIII ... one momenL Ie's deI-
IendIng LIe IocuI popuIuLIon


Irom eo's Lyrunny, und LIen SpoL comes s-sIILIerIng pusL
LIe breud pIuLes..." ;
"WIere Is SpoL?" TwIsLIng uwuy Irom Ier sIsLer, BeuLrIx upproucIed Cum, wIo deposILed
LIe IIzurd In Ier ouLsLreLcIed puIms. "TIunk you, Mr. RoIun. You Iuve very quIck
Iunds."
"So 've been LoId." He smIIed uL Ier. "TIe IIzurd Is u Iucky' unImuI. Some peopIe suy IL
promoLes propIeLIc dreumIng."
"ReuIIy?" BeuLrIx sLured uL IIm In IuscInuLIon. "Come Lo LIInk oI IL, Iuve been dreumIng
more oILen IuLeIy-"
"My sIsLer needs no encourugemenL In LIuL regurd," AmeIIu suId. SIe guve BeuLrIx u
meunIngIuI Iook. "L's LIme Lo suy IureweII Lo SpoL, deur."
"Yes, know." BeuLrIx Ieuved u sIgI und peered InsIde LIe Ioose cuge oI Ier IIngers uL Ier
ersLwIIIe peL. "'II IeL IIm go now. LIInk SpoL wouId ruLIer IIve Iere LIun uL LIe Rumsuy
esLuLe."
"WIo wouIdn'L? Go IInd u nIce pIuce Ior IIm, Beu. 'II wuIL Ior you Iere."
As Ier sIsLer scumpered oII, AmeIIu Lurned und guzed uL (Ie dIm verge oI LIe Iouse, ILs
ouLIIne meIdIng InLo un IronsLone wuII seL uIong LIe bIuII overIookIng LIe rIver.
"WIuL ure you doIng?" Cum usked, upproucIIng Ier.



"'m LukIng u good IusL Iook uL SLony Cross Munor, sInce LIIs Is LIe IusL LIme 'II ever see
IL."
He grInned. " doubL LIuL. TIe WesLcIIIIs Iuve weIcomed buck guesLs wIo Iuve done Iur
worse."
"Worse LIun seLLIng wIId creuLures Ioose uL LIe supper LubIe? Deur Ieuven, LIey musL be
desperuLe Ior compuny."
"TIey Iuve u greuL LoIerunce Ior eccenLrIcILy." He puused beIore uddIng, "WIuL LIey don'L
Luke weII, 'm uIruId, Is cuIIousness."


TIe reIerence Lo Ier broLIer cuused u deIIcuLe pIuy oI emoLIons on Ier Iuce, Iumor IudIng
Lo cIugrIn. "eo wus never cuIIous beIore." SIe wrupped Ier urms LIgILIy ucross Ier
cIesL, us II sIe wunLed Lo LIe IerseII InLo u seII-proLecLIve bundIe. "L's onIy been In LIe
pusL yeur LIuL Ie's become so InLoIerubIe. He's noL IImseII."
"Becuuse Ie InIerILed LIe LILIe?"
"No, LIuL Ius noLIIng Lo do wILI IL. L's becuuse-" ookIng uwuy Irom IIm, sIe
swuIIowed Iurd. He Ieurd u nervous LuppIng Irom u IooL IuII conceuIed beneuLI Ier
skIrLs. "eo IosL someone," sIe IInuIIy suId. "TIe Iever sLruck muny peopIe In LIe vIIIuge,
IncIudIng u gIrI Ie ... weII, Ie wus beLroLIed Lo Ier. uuru." TIe nume seemed Lo sLIck In
Ier LIrouL. "SIe wus my besL IrIend, und WIn's, Loo. A beuuLIIuI gIrI. SIe IIked Lo druw
und puInL. SIe Iud u IuugI LIuL wouId muke you IuugI, Loo, jusL Lo Ieur IL."
AmeIIu wus sIIenL Ior u momenL, IosL In Ier memorIes. "uuru wus one oI LIe IIrsL Lo IuII
III," sIe suId. "eo sLuyed wILI Ier every possIbIe momenL. No one expecLed Ier Lo dIe ...
buL IL Iuppened so quIckIy. AILer LIree duys sIe wus so IeverIsI und weuk you couId
bureIy IeeI Ier puIse. InuIIy sIe IosL conscIousness und dIed u Iew Iours IuLer In eo's
urms. He cume Iome und coIIupsed, und we reuIIzed Ie Iud cuugIL LIe Iever. And LIen
WIn Iud IL, Loo."
"BuL LIe resL oI you dIdn'L?"
AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieud. " Iud uIreudy senL BeuLrIx und Poppy uwuy. And Ior some
reuson, neILIer nor MerrIpen were suscepLIbIe. He IeIped me nurse LIem boLI LIrougI
IL. WILIouL IIs IeIp, LIey wouId boLI Iuve dIed. MerrIpen mude u syrup wILI some kInd
oI LoxIc pIunL-"
"DeudIy nIgILsIude," Cum suId. "NoL eusy Lo IInd."
"Yes." SIe guve IIm u curIous gIunce. "How dId you


know? You Ieurned IL Irom your grundmoLIer, suppose.



He nodded. "TIe LrIck Is Lo udmInIsLer enougI Lo coun LerucL LIe poIson In LIe bIood, buL
noL enougI Lo kIII LIe puLIenL."
"WeII, boLI oI LIem cume LIrougI IL, LIunk God. BuL WIn Is quILe IrugIIe, us you cun
probubIy see, und eo ... now Ie cures Ior noLIIng und no one. NoL even IImseII." Her
IooL resumed ILs nervous LuppIng. " don'L know Iow Lo IeIp IIm. undersLund Iow IL
IeeIs Lo Iose someone, buL..." SIe sIook Ier Ieud IeIpIessIy.
"You're reIerrIng Lo Mr. rosL," Ie suId.
AmeIIu guve IIm u sIurp gIunce und IIusIed deepIy. "How dId you know? DId Ie suy
someLIIng? Wus LIere gossIp, or-"
"No, noLIIng IIke LIuL'. suw IL wIen you LuIked Lo IIm eurIIer."
SIukIng Ier Ieud, AmeIIu ruIsed Ier Iund Lo Ier IeuL-InIused cIeeks. "Deur Ieuven. Am
LIuL eusy Lo reud?"
"PerIups 'm one oI LIe PIurIDue" Ie suId, smIIIng uL Ier. "A mysLIcuI Gypsy. Were you
In Iove wILI IIm?"
"TIuL's none oI your concern," sIe suId, u bIL Loo quIckIy.
He wuLcIed Ier cIoseIy. "WIy dId Ie Ieuve you?"
"How dId you-" SIe broke oII und scowIed us sIe undersLood wIuL Ie wus doIng,
LIrowIng ouL provocuLIve quesLIons und gIeunIng LIe LruLI Irom Ier reucLIons. "BoLIer.
AII rIgIL, 'II LeII you. He IeIL me Ior unoLIer womun. A preLLIer, younger womun wIo
Iuppened Lo be IIs empIoyer's duugILer. L wouId Iuve been u very udvunLugeous
murrIuge Ior IIm."
"You're wrong."
AmeIIu guve IIm u perpIexed gIunce. " ussure you, IL wouId Iuve been un enormousIy
udvunLugeous-"


"SIe couIdn'L possIbIy Iuve been preLLIer LIun you."
Her eyes wIdened uL LIe compIImenL. "OI," sIe wIIspered.
ApproucIIng Ier, Cum LoucIed Ier vIbruLIng IooL wILI IIs own. TIe LuppIng sLopped.
"A bud IubIL," AmeIIu suId ubusIedIy. " cun'L seem Lo rId myseII oI IL."
"A IummIngbIrd wIII do LIuL In sprIng. SIe Iungs on LIe sIde oI LIe nesL und uses Ier
oLIer IooL Lo Lump down LIe IIoor."
Her guze cIused uround us II sIe couIdn'L decIde wIere Lo Iook.
"MIss HuLIuwuy." Cum spoke genLIy, wIIIe sIe IIdgeLed beIore IIm. He wunLed Lo Luke
Ier In IIs urms und IoId Ier unLII sIe quIeLed. "Do muke you nervous?"
SIe brougIL IerseII Lo Iook up uL IIm, Ier eyes IurborIng LIe bIue-bIuck gIILLer oI u



moonIIL Iuke. "No," sIe suId ImmedIuLeIy. "No, oI course you ... yes. Yes, you do."
TIe veIemenL IonesLy oI Ier unswer surprIsed boLI oI LIem. TIe nIgIL deepened-one oI
LIe LorcIes Iud burned ouL-und LIe conversuLIon devoIved InLo someLIIng IuILIng und
broken und deIIcIous, IIke pIeces oI burIey sugur meILIng on LIe Longue.
" wouId never IurL you," Cum suId In u Iow voIce.
" know. L's noL LIuL-"
"L's becuuse kIssed you, Isn'L IL?"
"You... you suId you dIdn'L remember." '
" remember."
"WIy dId you do IL?" sIe usked In u IuII-wIIsper.
"mpuIse. OpporLunILy." Aroused by Ier neurness, Cum LrIed Lo Ignore LIe coursIng
reudIness oI IIs own body. "SureIy you wouId Iuve expecLed no Iess oI u Romu. We


Luke wIuL we wunL. I u Romu desIres u womun, Ie sLeuIs Ier Ior IImseII. SomeLImes
rIgIL ouL oI Ier bed." Even In LIe durkness Ie couId see LIe rIcI renewuI oI Ier bIusI.
"You jusL suId you wouId never IurL me."
"I currIed you uwuy wILI me ..." TIe Ideu oI IL, Ier soIL, sLruggIIng weIgIL In IIs urms,
senL IIs bIood surgIng. He wus cuugIL by LIe prImILIve uppeuI oI IL, uII reuson crusIed
beneuLI LIe LIumpIng IeuL oI desIre. "TIe IusL LIIng on my mInd wouId be IurLIng you."
"You wouId never do sucI u LIIng." SIe wus LryIng very Iurd Lo sound muLLer-oI-IucL.
"We boLI know you're Loo cIvIIIzed."
"Do we? BeIIeve me, LIe Issue oI my cIvIIILy Is enLIreIy open Lo quesLIon."
"Mr. RoIun," sIe usked unsLeudIIy, "ure you LryIng Lo muke me nervous?"
"No." As II LIe word requIred empIusIs, Ie repeuLed soILIy, "No."
HeII und dumnuLIon, Ie LIougIL, wonderIng wIuL Ie wus doIng. He wus uL u Ioss Lo
compreIend wIy LIIs womun, In Ier InLeIIIgenL prIckIy Innocence, sIouId Iuve cupLIvuLed
IIm so LIorougIIy. AII Ie knew wus u IIerce IongIng Lo reucI someLIIng In Ier, Lo sLrIp
uwuy uII LIe urLIIIcIuI LruppIngs oI sLuys und Iuces und sIoes, LIe curLuIn oI Ier gown, LIe
IILLIe Iooks oI Ier IuIrpIns.
AmeIIu Look u deep breuLI. "WIuL you dIdn'L menLIon, Mr. RoIun, wus LIuL II u Romu
sLeuIs u womun Irom Ier bed uccordIng Lo LrudILIon, IL Is wILI LIe purpose oI murrIuge In
mInd. And LIe so-cuIIed sLeuIIng Is preurrunged und encouruged by LIe brIde-Lo-be."
Cum guve Ier u cIurmIng smIIe, deIIberuLeIy dIspeIIIng LIe LensIon. "L Iucks subLIeLy, buL
IL IusLens LIe proceedIngs



consIderubIy, doesn'L IL? No uskIng Ior LIe IuLIer's permIssIon, no bunns, no proIonged
beLroLIuI. Very eIIIcIenL, u Romuny courLsIIp."
TIeIr conversuLIon wus cIecked by LIe reuppeurunce oI BeuLrIx. "SpoL's gone," sIe
reporLed. "He seemed quILe Iuppy Lo Luke up resIdence uL SLony Cross Purk."
SeemIng reIIeved by Ier sIsLer's reLurn, AmeIIu wenL Lo Ier, brusIed uL LIe crumbs oI soII
on Ier sIeeve, und sLruIgILened Ier IuIr bow. "Good Iuck Lo SpoL. Are you reudy Lo go
buck In Lo supper, deur?"
"No."
"OI, everyLIIng wIII be IIne. JusL remember Lo Iook cIusLened wIIIe grImuce In un
uuLIorILuLIve munner, und 'm cerLuIn LIey'II uIIow us Lo sLuy LIrougI desserL."
" don'L wunL Lo go buck," BeuLrIx mouned. "L's so dreudIuIIy duII, und don'L IIke uII LIuL
rIcI Iood, und 've been sILLIng besIde LIe vIcur wIo onIy wunLs Lo LuIk ubouL IIs own
reIIgIous wrILIngs. L's so redundunL Lo quoLe oneseII, don'L you LIInk?"


"L does beur u cerLuIn odor oI ImmodesLy," AmeIIu ugreed wILI u grIn, smooLIIng Ier
sIsLer's durk IuIr. "Poor Beu. You don'L Iuve Lo go buck, II you don'L wIsI IL. 'm sure one
oI LIe servunLs cun recommend u nIce pIuce Ior you Lo wuIL unLII supper Is done. TIe
IIbrury, perIups."
"OI, LIunk you." BeuLrIx Ieuved u sIgI oI reIIeI. "BuL wIo wIII creuLe unoLIer dIsLrucLIon
II eo sLurLs beIng dIsugreeubIe uguIn?"
" wIII," Cum ussured Ier gruveIy. " cun be sIockIng uL u momenL's noLIce."
"'m noL surprIsed," AmeIIu suId. "n IucL, 'm IuIrIy cerLuIn you wouId enjoy IL."


TIe compuny uL WesLcIIII's LubIe Iud been reIIeved by LIe news LIuL BeuLrIx Iud eIecLed
Lo spend LIe resL oI LIe evenIng uIone In quIeL conLempIuLIon. No doubL LIey Ieured
unoLIer InLerrupLIon by yeL some oLIer pockeL-sIzed peL, buL AmeIIu Iud ussured LIem
LIere wouId be no more unexpecLed vIsILors uL LIe LubIe.
OnIy udy WesLcIIII Iud seemed genuIneIy perLurbed by BeuLrIx's ubsence. TIe counLess
excused IerseII someLIme beLween LIe IourLI und IIILI courses und reuppeured uILer u
quurLer Iour. AmeIIu IuLer Ieurned LIuL udy WesLcIIII Iud senL Ior u supper Lruy Lo be
brougIL Lo BeuLrIx In LIe IIbrury, und Iud vIsILed Ier LIere.
"udy WesLcIIII LoId me u Iew sLorIes oI wIen sIe wus u gIrI, und Iow sIe und Ier
younger sIsLer used Lo mIsbeIuve," BeuLrIx recounLed LIe nexL duy. "SIe suId brIngIng u
IIzurd Lo supper wus noLIIng compured Lo LIe LIIngs LIey Iud done-In IucL, sIe suId LIey
were boLI dIuboIIcuI und roLLen Lo LIe core. sn'L LIuL wonderIuI?"



"WonderIuI," AmeIIu suId sIncereIy, reIIecLIng on Iow mucI sIe IIked LIe AmerIcun
womun, wIo seemed reIuxed


und Iun-IovIng. WesLcIIII wus unoLIer muLLer. TIe eurI wus more LIun u IILLIe InLImIduLIng.
And uILer eo's cuIIous dIsmIssuI oI WesLcIIII's concerns over LIe Rumsuy LenunLs, IL wus
doubLIuI LIe eurI wouId be kIndIy dIsposed Lowurd LIe HuLIuwuys.
TIunkIuIIy eo Iud munuged Lo sLeer cIeur oI IurLIer conLroversIes durIng supper, mosLIy
becuuse Ie Iud been druwn InLo IIIrLuLIon wILI LIe uLLrucLIve womun besIde IIm. AILIougI
women Iud uIwuys been beguIIed by eo, wILI IIs IeIgIL und good Iooks und
InLeIIIgence, Ie Iud never been us urdenLIy pursued us Ie wus now.
" LIInk IL suys someLIIng odd ubouL women's LusLes," WIn LoId AmeIIu prIvuLeIy us LIey
sLood In LIe Rumsuy House kILcIen, "LIuL eo wusn'L cIused by neurIy us muny women
wIen Ie wus nIce. L seems LIe more odIous Ie Is, LIe more LIey IIke IIm."
"TIey're weIcome Lo Iuve IIm," AmeIIu repIIed grumpIIy. " IuII Lo see LIe uppeuI oI u
mun wIo goes LIrougI eucI duy IookIng us II Ie's eILIer jusL goLLen ouL oI bed or Is
prepurIng Lo geL buck In IL." SIe wrupped Ier IuIr In u proLecLIve cIoLI und Lucked LIe
ends under Lurbun-sLyIe.
TIey were prepurIng Ior unoLIer duy oI cIeunIng, und LIe uncIenL Iouse dusL Iud u
Lendency Lo cIIng obsLInuLeIy Lo LIe skIn und IuIr. UnIorLunuLeIy LIe IIred IeIp wus noL
wonL Lo urrIve In u LImeIy munner, II uL uII. SInce eo wus sLIII ubed uILer u nIgIL oI Ieuvy
drInkIng, und probubIy wouIdn'L urIse unLII noon, AmeIIu wus IeeIIng purLIcuIurIy cross
wILI IIm. L wus eo's Iouse und esLuLe-LIe IeusL Ie couId do wus IeIp resLore IL. Or IIre
proper servunLs.
"HIs eyes Iuve cIunged," WIn murmured. "NoL mereIy LIe expressIon. TIe ucLuuI coIor.
Huve you noLIced?"


AmeIIu wenL sLIII. SIe Look u Iong LIme Lo repIy, LIougIL IL wus my ImugInuLIon."
"No. TIey were uIwuys durk bIue IIke yours. Now LIey're mosLIy IIgIL gruy. Ike u pond
uILer LIe sky Ius Lurned In wInLer."
"'m cerLuIn LIe coIor oI some peopIe's eyes cIunge us LIey muLure." . >- ]
"You know IL's becuuse oI uuru."
A durk IeuvIness pressed uguInsL AmeIIu Irom uII sIdes us sIe LIougIL ubouL LIe IrIend
sIe Iud IosL und LIe broLIer sIe seemed Lo Iuve IosL uIong wILI Ier. BuL sIe couIdn'L
dweII on uny oI LIuL now, LIere wus Loo mucI Lo be done.



" don'L LIInk sucI u LIIng Is possIbIe. 've never Ieurd oI-" SIe broke oII us sIe suw
WIn wruppIng Ier Iong bruIds In u cIoLI IdenLIcuI Lo Iers. "WIuL ure you doIng?"
"'m goIng Lo IeIp Loduy," WIn suId. AILIougI Ier Lone wus pIucId, Ier deIIcuLe juw wus
seL IIke u muIe's. "'m IeeIIng quILe weII und-"
"OI, no you're noL! You'II work yourseII InLo u coIIupse, und LIen you'II Luke duys Lo
recover. Ind some pIuce Lo sIL, wIIIe LIe resL oI us-"
"'m LIred oI sILLIng. 'm LIred oI wuLcIIng everyone eIse work. cun seL my own IImILs,
AmeIIu. eL me do us wIsI."
"No." ncreduIousIy AmeIIu wuLcIed us WIn pIcked up u broom Irom LIe corner. "WIn,
puL LIuL down und sLop beIng sIIIy!" Annoyunce wIIpped LIrougI Ier. "You're noL goIng
Lo IeIp unyone by expendIng uII your reserves on menIuI Lusks."
" cun do IL." WIn grIpped LIe broom IundIe wILI boLI Iunds us II sIe sensed AmeIIu wus
on LIe verge oI wrencIIng IL uwuy Irom Ier. " won'L overLux myseII."
"PuL down LIe broom."


"euve me uIone," WIn crIed, "Go dusL someLIIng!" "WIn, II you don'L-" AmeIIu's
uLLenLIon wus dIverLed us sIe suw Ier sIsLer's guze IIy Lo LIe kILcIen LIresIoId.
MerrIpen sLood LIere, IIs broud sIouIders IIIIIng LIe doorwuy. AILIougI IL wus eurIy
mornIng, Ie wus uIreudy dusLy und perspIrIng, IIs sIIrL cIIngIng Lo LIe powerIuI conLours
oI IIs cIesL und wuIsL. He wore un expressIon LIey knew weII-LIe ImpIucubIe one LIuL
meunL you couId move u mounLuIn wILI u Leuspoon sooner LIun cIunge IIs mInd ubouL
someLIIng. ApproucIIng WIn, Ie exLended u broud Iund In u wordIess demund.
TIey were boLI moLIonIess. BuL even In LIeIr sLubborn opposILIon, AmeIIu suw u sInguIur
connecLIon, us II LIey were Iocked In un eLernuI sLuIemuLe Irom wIIcI neILIer wunLed Lo
breuk Iree.
WIn guve In wILI u IeIpIess scowI. " Iuve noLIIng Lo do." L wus rure Ior Ier Lo sound so
peevIsI. "'m sIck oI sILLIng und reudIng und sLurIng ouL LIe wIndow. wunL Lo be useIuI.
wunL..." Her voIce LruIIed uwuy us sIe suw MerrIpen's sLern Iuce. "Ine, LIen. Tuke IL!"
SIe Lossed LIe broom uL IIm, und Ie cuugIL IL reIIexIveIy. "'II jusL IInd u corner
somewIere und quIeLIy go mud. 'II-"
"Come wILI me," MerrIpen InLerrupLed cuImIy. SeLLIng
LIe broom usIde, Ie IeIL LIe room.
WIn excIunged u perpIexed gIunce wILI AmeIIu, Ier veIemence IudIng. "WIuL Is Ie
doIng?"



" Iuve no Ideu."
TIe sIsLers IoIIowed IIm down u IuIIwuy Lo LIe dInIng room, wIIcI wus spuLLered wILI
recLungIes oI IIgIL Irom LIe LuII muILIpuned wIndows LIuL IIned one wuII. A scurred LubIe
run down LIe cenLer oI LIe room, every uvuIIubIe IncI covered wILI dusLy pIIes oI cIInu ...
Lowers oI cups und

suucers, pIuLes oI ussorLed sIzes sundwIcIed LogeLIer bowIs wrupped In LuLLered scrups oI
gruy IInen. TIere were uL IeusL LIree dIIIerenL puLLerns uII jumbIed LogeLIer.
"L needs Lo be sorLed," MerrIpen suId, genLIy nudgIng WIn Lowurd LIe LubIe. "Muny
pIeces ure cIIpped. TIe musL be sepuruLed Irom LIe resL."
L wus LIe perIecL Lusk Ior WIn, enougI Lo keep Ier bus buL noL so sLrenuous LIuL IL wouId
exIuusL Ier. IIIed wILI gruLILude, AmeIIu wuLcIed us Ier sIsLer pIcked up u Leucup und
IeId IL upsIde down. TIe Iusk oI u LIny deud spIder dropped Lo LIe IIoor.
"WIuL u mess," WIn suId, beumIng. "'II Iuve Lo wusI IL, Loo, suppose."
"I you'd IIke Poppy Lo IeIp-" AmeIIu begun.
"Don'L you dure send Ior Poppy," WIn suId. "TIIs Is my projecL, und won'L sIure IL."
SILLIng uL u cIuIr LIuL Ius been pIuced besIde LIe LubIe, sIe begun Lo unwrup pIeces oI
cIInu.
MerrIpen Iooked down uL WIn's Lurbuned Ieud, IIs IIn-gers LwILcIIng us II Ie were soreIy
LempLed Lo LoucI bIond LendrII LIuL Iud sIIpped Irom beneuLI LIe cIoLI. HIs Iuce wus Iurd
wILI LIe puLIence oI u mun wIo knew Ie wouId never Iuve wIuL Ie LruIy wunLed. UsIng u
sIngIe IIngerLIp, Ie pusIed u suucer uwuy Irom LIe edge oI LIe LubIe. TIe cIInu ruLLIed
subLIy ucross LIe buLLered wood.
AmeIIu IoIIowed MerrIpen buck Lo LIe kILcIen. 'TIunk you," sIe suId wIen LIey were ouL
oI Ier sIsLer's IeurIng, "n my worry over mukIng cerLuIn WIn dIdn'L LIre IerseII, IL Iudn'L
occurred Lo me LIuL sIe mIgIL go mud Irom boredom."
MerrIpen pIcked up u Ieuvy, cIuLLerIng box oI dIscurded odds und ends, und IoIsLed IL Lo
IIs sIouIder wILI

euse. A smIIe crossed IIs Iuce. "SIe's geLLIng beLLer." He sLrode Lo LIe door und sIouIdered
IIs wuy ouLsIde.
L wus IurdIy un InIormed medIcuI opInIon, buL AmeIIu wus cerLuIn Ie wus rIgIL. ookIng
ubouL LIe dIIupIduLed kILcIen, sIe IeIL u surge oI IuppIness. L Iud been LIe rIgIL LIIng Lo
come Iere. A new pIuce oIIerIng new possIbIIILIes. PerIups LIe HuLIuwuys' bud Iuck Iud


IInuIIy cIunged. Armed wILI u broom, mop, dusLpun, und u sLuck oI rugs, AmeIIu wenL
upsLuIrs Lo one oI LIe rooms LIuL Iudn'L yeL been expIored. SIe used Ier IuII weIgIL Lo
open LIe IIrsL door, wIIcI guve wuy wILI u cruckIng sound und u sIrIek oI unoIIed IInges.
L uppeured Lo be u prIvuLe receIvIng room, wILI buIIL-In wood bookcuses.
TIere were Lwo voIumes on one sIeII. ExumInIng LIe dusL-couLed books, LIeIr uged
IeuLIer covers sIoL wILI spIdery crucks, AmeIIu reud LIe IIrsL LILIe: Ine AngIIng, A
SymposIum on LIe IsIermun's ArL WILI MucI on RoucI und PIke. No wonder LIe book
Iud been ubundoned by ILs prevIous owner, sIe LIougIL. TIe second LILIe wus Iur more
promIsIng: Amorous ExpIoILs oI LIe CourL oI EngIund In LIe ReIgn oI KIng CIurIes LIe
Second. HopeIuIIy IL wouId conLuIn some rIbuId reveIuLIons sIe und WIn couId gIggIe
over IuLer.
RepIucIng LIe books, AmeIIu wenL Lo open LIe sIrouded wIndows. TIe druperIes' orIgInuI
coIor Iud Iuded Lo gruy, LIeIr veIveL nup rugged und moLI-euLen.
As AmeIIu Iubored Lo puII one IubrIc puneI Lo LIe sIde, LIe enLIre bruss rod cume Ioose
Irom LIe ceIIIng und cIuLLered IeuvIIy Lo LIe IIoor. A cIoud oI dusL enveIoped Ier. SIe
sneezed und cougIed In LIe cIoLLed uIr. SIe Ieurd un InquIrIng sIouL Irom downsLuIrs,
probubIy Irom MerrIpen. "'m uII rIgIL," sIe cuIIed buck. PIckIng up u cIeun rug,

sIe wIped Ier Iuce und unIuLcIed LIe IIILIy wIndo. TIe, cusIng sLuck. SIe pusIed Iurd
uguInsL LIe Irume Lo Ioosen IL. AnoLIer pusI, Iurder, und LIen u deLermIned sIove wILI uII
Ier weIgIL beIInd IL. TIe wIndow guve wuy wILI usLon-IsIIng suddenness, unseLLIIng Ier
buIunce. SIe pILcIed Iorwurd und cuugIL LIe edge oI LIe wIndow In un uLLempL Lo IInd
purcIuse, buL IL swung ouLwurd.
n LIe IIusI oI Iorwurd-IuIIIng punIc, sIe Ieurd u muI-IIed sound beIInd Ier.
BeIore unoLIer IeurLbeuL Iud pussed, sIe wus snuLcIed puIIed buck wILI sucI Iorce LIuL
Ier bones proLesLed ubrupL reversuI oI momenLum. SIe sLuggered, IeLcIIng Iurd uguInsL
someLIIng soIId und yeL suppIe. HeIpIessIy sIe LumbIed Lo LIe IIoor In u LungIe oI IImbs,
some oI LIem noL Ier own.
SpruwIed over u sLurdy muscuIIne cIesL, sIe suw u durk Iuce beIow Ier, und sIe muLLered
In conIusIon, "MerrI-"
BuL LIese were noL MerrIpen's subIe eyes, LIey were IIgIL, gIowIng umber. A sIoL oI
pIeusure wenL LIrougI Ier sLomucI.
"You know, II Iuve Lo keep rescuIng you IIke LIIs," Cum RoIun remurked cusuuIIy, "we
reuIIy sIouId dIscuss some kInd oI rewurd."
He reucIed up Lo Lug oII Ier IuIr coverIng, wIIcI wus uskew, und Ier bruIds LumbIed


down. MorLIIIcuLIon swepL uwuy every oLIer IeeIIng. AmeIIu knew Iow sIe musL Iook,
dIsIeveIed und dusL-sLIppIed. WIy dId Ie never mIss un opporLunILy Lo cuLcI Ier uL u
dIsudvunLuge?
GuspIng ouL un upoIogy, sIe sLruggIed Lo geL oII IIm, buL LIe weIgIL oI Ier skIrLs und LIe
sLIIIness oI Ier corseL mude IL dIIIIcuIL.


"No ... wuIL..." RoIun InIuIed sIurpIy us sIe squIrmed uguInsL IIm, und Ie roIIed LIem
boLI Lo LIeIr sIdes. "WIo IeL you InLo LIe Iouse?" AmeIIu munuged Lo usk. RoIun guve
Ier un InnocenL gIunce. "No one. TIe door wus unIocked und LIe enLrunce IuII wus
empLy." He kIcked IIs Iegs Iree oI Ier cIIngIng skIrLs und puIIed Ier Lo u sILLIng posILIon.
SIe Iud never known unyone wIo possessed sucI euse oI movemenL.
"Huve you Iud LIIs pIuce InspecLed?" Ie usked. "TIe Iouse Is reudy Lo IuII oII ILs LImbers.
couIdn'L rIsk comIng In Iere wILIouL oIIerIng u quIck pruyer Lo BuLyukengo." "WIo?"
"A Gypsy proLecLIve spIrIL." He smIIed uL Ier. "BuL now LIuL 'm Iere, 'II Luke my
cIunces. eL me IeIp you up."
He Lugged AmeIIu Lo Ier IeeL, noL IeLLIng go unLII Ier buIunce wus secured. TIe grIp oI IIs
Iunds senL LIrIIIs LIrougI Ier urms, und sIe gusped u IILLIe. "WIy ure you Iere?" sIe
usked. RoIun sIrugged. "JusL puyIng u cuII. TIere Isn'L mucI Lo do uL SLony Cross Purk.
L's LIe IIrsL duy oI Iox IunLIng seuson."
"You dIdn'L wunL Lo Luke purL?"
He sIook IIs Ieud. " onIy IunL Ior Iood, noL sporL. And Lend Lo sympuLIIze wILI LIe
Iox, IuvIng been In IIs posILIon once or LwIce."
He musL Iuve been reIerrIng Lo u Gypsy IunL, AmeIIu LIougIL wILI concern und curIosILy.
SIe wunLed Lo usk ubouL IL-buL LIIs conversuLIon couId noL conLInue.
"Mr. RoIun," sIe suId uwkwurdIy, " wIsI couId be u proper IosLess und sIow you Lo
LIe purIor und oIIer reIresImenLs. BuL don'L Iuve reIresImenLs. reuIIy don'L


even Iuve u purIor. PIeuse excuse me Ior soundIng rude. buL LIIs Isn'L u good LIme Lo cuII
-"
" cun IeIp you." He Ieuned u sIouIder uguInsL LIe wuIL, smIIIng. "'m good wILI my
Iunds."
TIere wus no Innuendo In IIs Lone, buL Ier coIor deep ened noneLIeIess. "No, LIunk you.
'm sure BuLuyenko wouId dIsupprove." , . ,
"BuLyukengo."



AnxIous Lo demonsLruLe Ier compeLence, AmeIIu sLrode Lo LIe oLIer wIndow und begun
jerkIng uL LIe cIosed druperIes. "TIunk you, Mr. RoIun, buL us you cun see, I Iuve LIe
sILuuLIon weII In Iund."
" LIInk 'II sLuy. HuvIng sLopped you Irom IuIIIng LIrougI one wIndow, 'd IuLe Ior you Lo
go ouL LIe oLIer."
" won'L. 'II be IIne. Iuve everyLIIng under-" SIe Lugged Iurder, und LIe rod cIuLLered
Lo LIe IIoor, jusL us LIe oLIer Iud done. BuL unIIke LIe oLIer curLuIn, wIIcI Iud been IIned
wILI uged veIveL, LIIs one wus IIned wILI some kInd oI sIImmerIng rIppIIng IubrIc, some
kInd oI-
AmeIIu Iroze In Iorror. TIe undersIde oI LIe curLuIn wus covered wILI bees. Bees.
Hundreds, no, LIousunds oI LIem, LIeIr IrIdescenL wIngs beuLIng In un ungry reIenLIess
Ium. TIey IIILed In u muss Irom LIe crumpIed veIveL, wIIIe more IIew Irom u crevIce In
LIe wuII, wIere un enormous IIve sImmered. TIey musL Iuve Iound LIeIr wuy InLo u
IoIIow spuce Irom u decuyed spoL In LIe ouLer wuII. TIe InsecLs swurmed IIke Longues oI
IIume uround AmeIIu's puruIyzed Iorm.
SIe IeIL LIe bIood druIn Irom Ier Iuce. "OI, God-"
"Don'L move." RoIun's voIce wus usLonIsIIngIy cuIm. "Don'L swuL uL LIem."
SIe Iud never known sucI prImuI Ieur, weIIIng up Irom

beneuLI Ier skIn, IeukIng LIrougI every pore. No purL oI Ier body seemed Lo be under Ier
conLroI. TIe uIr wus boIIIng wILI LIem, bees und more bees.
L wus noL goIng Lo be u pIeusunL wuy Lo dIe. CIosIng Ier eyes LIgILIy, AmeIIu wIIIed
IerseII Lo be sLIII, wIen every muscIe sLruIned und screumed Ior ucLIon. nsecLs moved In
sInuous puLLerns uround Ier, LIny bodIes LoucIIng Ier sIeeves, Iunds, sIouIders.
"TIey're more uIruId oI you LIun you ure oI LIem," sIe Ieurd RoIun suy.
AmeIIu IIgIIy doubLed LIuL. "TIese ure noL I-IrIgIL-ened bees." Her voIce dIdn'L sound
IIke Ier own. "TIese ure J-IurIous bees."
"TIey do seem u bIL unnoyed," RoIun conceded, upproucIIng Ier sIowIy. "L couId be LIe
dress you're weurIng-LIey Lend noL Lo IIke durk coIors." A sIorL puuse. "Or IL couId be
LIe IucL LIuL you jusL rIpped down IuII LIeIr IIve."
"I you I-Iuve LIe nerve Lo be umused by LIIs-" SIe broke oII und covered Ier Iuce wILI
Ier Iunds, LrembIIng uII over.
HIs sooLIIng voIce undercuL LIe buzzIng uround LIem. "Be sLIII. EveryLIIng's IIne. 'm
rIgIL Iere wILI you."
'Tuke me uwuy," sIe wIIspered desperuLeIy. Her IeurL wus poundIng Loo Iurd, mukIng Ier


bones sIuke, drIvIng every coIerenL LIougIL Irom Ier Ieud. SIe IeIL IIm brusI u Iew
InquIsILIve InsecLs Irom Ier IuIr und buck. HIs urms wenL uround Ier, IIs sIouIder sLurdy
beneuLI Ier cIeek.
" wIII, sweeLIeurL. PuL your urms uround my neck."
SIe groped Ior IIm bIIndIy, IeeIIng sIck und weuk und dIsorIenLed. TIe IIuL muscIes uL LIe
buck oI IIs neck sIIILed us Ie benL Lowurd Ier, guLIerIng Ier up us eusIIy us II sIe


were u cIIId. "TIere," Ie murmured. "'ve goL you." ,. IeeL IeIL LIe IIoor, und sIe wus
IIouLIng und crudIed uL LIe sume LIme. None oI IL seemed reuI: LIe swIrIIng, dronIng bees
LIuL poured LIrougI LIe uIr, LIe Iurd cIesL und urms LIuL encIosed Ier In u suIe, secure
grIp. TIe LIougIL cume Lo Ier LIuL sIe mIgIL Iuve dIed II Ie Iudn'L been LIere. BUT Ie
wus so sLeudy und deIIberuLe, so uLLerIy IuckIng In Ieur TIe cIump oI Lerror eused Irom
uround Ier LIrouL. TurnIng Ier Iuce InLo IIs sIouIder, sIe reIuxed us Ie currIed Ier.
HIs breuLI IeII In u wurm, even rIyLIm on LIe curve oI Ier cIeek. "Some peopIe LIInk oI
LIe bee us u sucred In secL," Ie suId. "L's u symboI oI reIncurnuLIon."
" don'L beIIeve In reIncurnuLIon," sIe muLLered.
TIere wus u smIIe In IIs voIce. "WIuL u surprIse. AL LIe very IeusL, LIe bees' presence In
your Iome Is u sIgn oI good LIIngs Lo come."
Her voIce wus burIed In LIe IIne wooI oI IIs couL. " wIuL does IL meun II LIere ure
LIousunds oI bees In one -Iome?"
He sIIILed Ier IIgIer In IIs urms, IIs IIps curvIng genLIy uguInsL LIe coId rIm oI Ier eur.
"ProbubIy LIuL we'II Iuve pIenLy oI Ioney Ior LeuLIme. We're goIng LIrougI LIe door wuy
now. n u momenL 'm goIng Lo seL you on your IeeL.
AmeIIu kepL Ier Iuce uguInsL IIm, Ier IIngerLIps dIggIng InLo LIe Iuyers oI IIs cIoLIes.
"Are LIey IoIIowIng':
"No. TIey wunL Lo sLuy neur LIe IIve. TIeIr muIn con-cern Is Lo proLecL LIe queen Irom
preduLors."
"SIe Ius noLIIng Lo Ieur Irom me!"
uugILer rusLIed In IIs LIrouL. WILI exLreme cure, Ie Iowered AmeIIu's IeeL Lo LIe IIoor.
KeepIng one urm uround Ier, Ie reucIed wILI LIe oLIer Lo cIose LIe door. 'TIere


'We're ouL oI LIe room. You're suIe." HIs Iund pussed over
Ier IuIr. "You cun open your eyes now."
CIuLcIIng LIe IupeIs oI IIs couL, AmeIIu sLood und wuILed Ior u IeeIIng oI reIIeI LIuL dIdn'L



come. Her IeurL wus rucIng Loo Iurd, Loo IusL. Her cIesL ucIed Irom LIe sLruIn oI Ier
breuLIIng. Her IusIes IIILed, buL uII sIe couId see wus u
ower oI spurks.
"AmeIIu... eusy. You're uII rIgIL." HIs Iunds cIused LIe sIIvers LIuL run up und down Ier
buck. "SIow down, sweeLIeurL."
SIe couIdn'L. Her Iungs were ubouL Lo bursL. No muLLer Iow Iurd sIe worked, sIe couIdn'L
geL enougI uIr. Bees ... LIe sound oI buzzIng wus sLIII In Ier eurs. SIe Ieurd IIs voIce us II
Irom u greuL dIsLunce, und sIe IeIL IIs urms go uround Ier uguIn us sIe sunk InLo Iuyers oI
gruy soILness.
AILer wIuL couId Iuve been u mInuLe or un Iour, pIeusunL sensuLIons IIILered LIrougI LIe
Iuze. A Lender pressure moved over Ier IoreIeud. TIe genLIe brusIes LoucIed Ier eyeIIds,
sIId Lo Ier cIeeks. SLrong urms IeId Ier uguInsL u comIorLIngIy Iurd surIuce, wIIIe u
cIeun, suIL-edged scenL IIIIed Ier nosLrIIs. Her IusIes IIuLLered, und sIe Lurned InLo LIe
wurmLI wILI conIused pIeusure.
"TIere you ure," cume u Iow murmur.
OpenIng Ier eyes, AmeIIu suw Cum RoIun's Iuce ubove Ier. TIey were on LIe IuIIwuy
IIoor-Ie wus IoIdIng Ier In IIs Iup. As II LIe sILuuLIon weren'L morLIIyIng enougI, LIe
IronL oI Ier bodIce wus gupIng, und Ier corseL wus unIooked. OnIy Ier crumpIed cIemIse
wus IeIL Lo cover Ier cIesL.
AmeIIu sLIIIened. UnLII LIuL momenL sIe Iud never known LIere wus u IeeIIng beyond
emburrussmenL, LIuL


mude one wIsI one couId crumbIe InLo u pIIe oI usIes. "My . . . my dress . . ."
"You weren'L breuLIIng weII. LIougIL IL besL Lo Ioosen your corseL."
"'ve never IuInLed beIore," sIe suId groggIIy, sLruggIIng Lo sIL up.
"You were IrIgILened." HIs Iund cume Lo LIe cenLer oI Ier cIesL, genLIy pressIng Ier buck
down. "ResL unoLIer mInuLe." HIs guze moved over Ier wun IeuLures. " LIInk we cun
concIude you're noL Iond oI bees."
"'ve IuLed LIem ever sInce wus seven."
"WIy?"
" wus pIuyIng ouL-oI-doors wILI WIn und eo, und 1 sLumbIed Loo cIose Lo u rosebusI. A
bee IIew uL my Iuce und sLung rIgIL Iere." SIe LoucIed u spoL jusL beIow Ier rIgIL eye,
IIgI on LIe cresL oI Ier cIeek. 'TIe sIde oI my Iuce sweIIed unLII my eye cIosed ...
couIdn'L see Irom IL Ior uImosL Lwo weeks-"
HIs IIngerLIps smooLIed over Ier cIeek us II Lo sooLIe LIe Iong-ugo Injury.



"-und my broLIer und sIsLer cuIIed me CycIops." SIe wuLcIed IIm sLruggIe noL Lo smIIe.
'TIey sLIII do, wIenever u bee IIIes Loo neur."
He regurded Ier wILI IrIendIy sympuLIy. "Everyone's uIruId oI someLIIng."
"WIuL ure you uIruId oI?"
"CeIIIngs und wuIIs, mosLIy."
SIe sLured uL IIm In puzzIemenL, Ier LIougILs sLIII coursIng Loo sIowIy. "You meun .. .
you wouId ruLIer IIve ouLsIde IIke u wIId creuLure?"
"Yes, LIuL's wIuL meun. Huve you ever sIepL ouLsIde beIore?"


"On LIe ground?"
Her bewIIdered Lone mude IIm grIn. "On u puIIeL besIde u IIre."
AmeIIu LrIed Lo ImugIne IL, IyIng undeIended on LIe Iurd ground, uL LIe mercy oI every
creuLure LIuL cruwIed, crepL, or IIew. " don'L LIInk couId IuII usIeep LIuL wuy."
SIe IeIL IIs Iund pIuyIng sIowIy In LIe Ioose Iocks oI Ier IuIr. "You couId." HIs voIce wus
soIL. " wouId IeIp you."
SIe Iud no Ideu wIuL Ie meunL by LIuL. AII sIe knew wus LIuL us IIs IIngerLIps reucIed
Ier scuIp, sIe IeIL u sensuuI sIIver run down Ier spIne. CIumsIIy sIe reucIed Ior Ier
bodIce, LryIng Lo puII LIe reInIorced IubrIc LogeLIer.
"AIIow me. You're sLIII unsLeudy." HIs Iunds brusIed Iers usIde und Ie begun Lo Iook Ier
corseL deILIy. CIeurIy Ie wus IumIIIur wILI LIe InLrIcucIes oI u womun's undergurmenLs.
AmeIIu dIdn'L doubL LIere Iud been more LIun u Iew IudIes wIIIIng Lo IeL IIm prucLIce.
IusLered, sIe usked, "Wus sLung unywIere?"
"No." MIscIIeI IIIckered In IIs eyes. " cIecked LIorougIIy."
AmeIIu suppressed u IILLIe moun oI dIsLress. SIe wus LempLed Lo pusI IIs Iunds uwuy
Irom Ier, excepL LIuL Ie wus resLorIng Ier cIoLIIng Iur more eIIIcIenLIy LIun sIe wouId
Iuve. SIe cIosed Ier eyes, LryIng Lo preLend sIe wusn'L spruwIed In u mun's Iup wIIIe Ie
IusLened Ier corseL.
"You'II need u IocuI beekeeper Lo remove LIe IIve," RoIun suId.
TIInkIng oI LIe enormous coIony In LIe wuII, AmeIIu usked, "How wIII Ie kIII LIem uII?"
"He muy noL Iuve Lo. I possIbIe, Ie'II seduLe LIem wILI smoke und LrunsIer LIe queen Lo u
movubIe Irume IIve. TIe resL wIII IoIIow. BuL II Ie cun'L munuge LIuL, Ie'II Iuve


Lo kIII LIe coIony wILI soup wuLer. TIe Iurger probIem Is Iow Lo remove LIe comb und LIe
Ioney. I you don'L Luke IL uII ouL, IL wIII IermenL und uLLrucL uII kInds oI vermIn."
Her eyes opened, und sIe Iooked up uL IIm In worry. "WIII LIe enLIre wuII Iuve Lo be



removed?"
BeIore RoIun couId repIy, u new voIce enLered LIe conversuLIon. "WIuL's LIIs?"
L wus eo, wIo Iud jusL urIsen Irom bed und puIIed on IIs cIoLIes. He cume bureIooL
Irom LIe dIrecLIon oI IIs' bedroom. HIs bIeury guze moved over LIe puIr oI LIem. "WIy
ure you on LIe IIoor wILI your buLLons undone?"
AmeIIu consIdered LIe quesLIon. " decIded Lo Iuve u sponLuneous LrysL In LIe mIddIe oI
LIe IuIIwuy wILI u mun IurdIy know."
"WeII, Lry Lo be quIeL ubouL IL nexL LIme. A IeIIow needs IIs sIeep."
AmeIIu sLured uL IIm quIzzIcuIIy. "or Ieuven's suke, eo, uren'L you worrIed LIuL muy
Iuve been compromIsed?"
"Were you?"
"..." Her Iuce Lurned IoL us sIe gIunced InLo RoIun's vIvId Lopuz eyes. " don'L LIInk so."
"I you're noL sure ubouL IL," eo suId, "you probubIy weren'L." He cume Lo AmeIIu, sunk
Lo IIs IuuncIes, und sLured uL Ier sLeudIIy. HIs voIce genLIed. "WIuL Iuppened, sIs?"
SIe poInLed un unsLeudy IInger uL LIe cIosed door. 'TIere ure bees In LIere, eo."
"Bees. Good God." Her broLIer guve Ier un uIIecLIon uLeIy mockIng smIIe. "WIuL u
cowurd you ure, CycIops."
AmeIIu scowIed, IeverIng IerseII upwurd Irom RoIun's Iup. He bruced Ier uuLomuLIcuIIy,
IIs urm IIrm beIInd Ier buck. "Go see Ior yourseII."
eo suunLered IuzIIy Lo LIe room, opened IL, und sLepped InsIde.
n Lwo seconds, Ie Iud sped ouL, sIummed LIe door, und Iodged IIs sIouIders uguInsL IL.
"CIrIsL!" HIs eyes were wIde und gIuzed. "TIere musL be LIousunds oI LIem!"
"'d esLImuLe uL IeusL Lwo Iundred LIousund," RoIun suId. InIsIIng LIe IusL oI AmeIIu's
buLLons, Ie IeIped Ier Lo Ier IeeL. "SIowIy," Ie murmured. "You mIgIL be u bIL IIgIL-
Ieuded."
SIe IeL IIm supporL Ier wIIIe sIe ussessed Ier uncerLuIn buIunce. "'m sLeudy now. TIunk
you." Her Iund wus sLIII cIusped In IIs. RoIun's IIngers were Iong und gruceIuI, LIe
LIumb bund gIeumIng uguInsL Ioney-coIored skIn.
UneusIIy AmeIIu drew Ier Iund uwuy und LoId Ier broLIer, "Mr. RoIun suved my IIIe
LwIce Loduy. IrsL neurIy IeII ouL LIe wIndow, und LIen Iound LIe bees."
"TIIs Iouse," eo muLLered, "sIouId be Lorn down und used Ior muLcIsLIcks."
"You sIouId order u IuII sLrucLuruI InspecLIon," RoIun suId. "TIe Iouse Ius seLLIed budIy.
Some oI LIe cIImneys ure IeunIng, und LIe enLrunce IuII ceIIIng Is suggIng. You've goL
dumuged joInery und beums."
" know wIuL LIe probIems ure." TIe cuIm uppruIsuI Iud unnoyed eo. He'd reLuIned
enougI oI IIs pusL urcIILecLuruI LruInIng Lo ussess LIe Iouse's condILIon uccuruLeIy.



"L muy noL be suIe Ior LIe IumIIy Lo sLuy Iere."
"BuL LIuL's my concern," eo suId, uddIng wILI u sneer, "Isn'L IL?"
SensILIve Lo LIe brILLIe dIsquIeL In LIe uLmospIere,


AmeIIu mude u IusLy uLLempL uL dIpIomucy. "Mr. RoIun. ord Rumsuy Is convInced LIe
Iouse poses no ImmedIuLe dunger Lo LIe IumIIy."
" wouIdn'L be so eusIIy convInced," RoIun repIIed. "NoL wILI Iour sIsLers In my cIurge."
"Cure Lo Luke LIem oII my Iunds?" eo usked. "You cun Iuve LIe IoL oI LIem." He smIIed
wILIouL umusemenL uL RoIun's sIIence. "No? TIen pruy don'L oIIer unwunLed udvIce."
DespondenL worry swepL over AmeIIu us sIe suw LIe bIeukness oI Ier broLIer's Iuce. He
wus becomIng u sLrunger, LIIs mun wIo Iurbored despuIr und Iury so deep InsIde LIuL IL
Iud begun Lo euL uL IIs IounduLIons. UnLII, IIke LIe Iouse, Ie wouId evenLuuIIy coIIupse us
LIe weukesL purLs oI LIe sLrucLure guve wuy.
UnruIIIed, RoIun Lurned Lo AmeIIu. "n IIeu oI udvIce, IeL me oIIer some InIormuLIon.
Two duys Ience, LIere'II be u Mop uIr IeId uL LIe vIIIuge." ] "WIuL Is LIuL?"
"L's u IIrIng IuIr, uLLended by uII LIe IocuI resIdenLs In need oI work. TIey weur Lokens Lo
sIgnIIy LIeIr Lrude-u servunL gIrI wIII curry u mop, u LIuLcIer currIes u LuIL oI sLruw, und
so IorLI. GIve LIe ones you wunL u sIIIIIng Lo seuI LIe conLrucL, und you'II Iuve LIem Ior u
yeur's empIoymenL."
AmeIIu durLed u cuuLIous gIunce uL Ier broLIer. "We do need proper servunLs, eo."
"Go, LIen, und IIre wIomever you pIeuse. don'L gIve u dumn."
AmeIIu guve u LroubIed nod und ruIsed Ier Iunds Lo Ier upper urms, rubbIng LIem over
Ier sIeeves.
L wus coId, sIe LIougIL, even Ior uuLumn. cy druILs


repL uround Ier sLockInged unkIes, beneuLI LIe edges oI ..or cuIIs, ucross LIe sweuL-
dumpened buck oI Ier neck. Her muscIes Lensed uguInsL LIe sLrunge, ruw cIIII.
BoLI men Iud IuIIen sIIenL. eo's Iuce wus bIunk, IIs guze Iocused Inwurd.
L IeIL us II LIe spuce uround LIem were IoIdIng In on ILseII, LIIckenIng unLII LIe uIr wus us
Ieuvy us wuLer. CoIder, LIgILer, cIoser... InsLIncLIveIy AmeIIu sLepped buck, uwuy Irom Ier
broLIer, unLII sIe IeIL RoIun's cIesL uguInsL Ier sIouIders. HIs Iund cume up Lo Ier urm,
genLIy cuppIng Ier eIbow. SIIverIng, sIe Ieuned Iurder uguInsL LIe wurm, vILuI sLrengLI oI
IIs body.
eo Iud noL moved. He wuILed, IIs guze unIocused, us II Ie were InLenL on ubsorbIng LIe



cIIII. As II Ie weIcomed IL, wunLed IL. HIs uverLed Iuce wus IursI und sIudow-crossed.
SomeLIIng dIvIded LIe spuce beLween LIem, Ier und eo. SIe IeIL LIe resonunce oI
movemenL, soILer LIun u breeze, more deIIcuLe LIun eIderdown ...
"eo?" AmeIIu murmured uncerLuInIy.
TIe sound oI Ier voIce seemed Lo brIng IIm buck Lo IImseII. He bIInked und sLured uL Ier
wILI neur-coIorIess eyes. "SIow RoIun ouL," Ie suId curLIy. "TIuL Is, II you've been
suIIIcIenLIy compromIsed Ior one duy." He wuIked uwuy rupIdIy. ReucIIng IIs room, Ie
cIosed LIe door wILI u cIumsy swIpe oI IIs urm.
AmeIIu wus sIow Lo move, bewIIdered by Ier broLIer's beIuvIor, und even more so by LIe
spIInLerIng coIdness In LIe IuIIwuy. SIe Lurned Lo Iuce RoIun, wIo wus sLurIng uILer eo
wILI u IeveI guze.
He gIunced down uL Ier, keepIng IIs expressIon cureIuIIy ImpussIve. " IuLe Lo Ieuve
you." TIere wus u genLIy


mockIng edge Lo IIs Lone. "You need someone Lo IoIIow you uround und keep you suIe
Irom mIsIups. On LIe oLIer Iund, you uIso need someone Lo IInd u beekeeper."
ReuIIzIng Ie wus noL goIng Lo LuIk ubouL eo, AmeIIu IoIIowed IIs Ieud. "WIII you do LIuL
Ior us? wouId consIder IL u greuL Iuvor."
"OI course. AILIougI ..." HIs eyes IeId u wIcked gIILLer. "As menLIoned beIore, cun'L
keep doIng Iuvors Ior you wILI no rewurd. A mun needs IncenLIve."
"I... II you wunL money, 'II be gIud Lo-"
"God, no." RoIun wus IuugIIng now. " don'L wunL money." ReucIIng ouL, Ie smooLIed
buck Ier IuIr, IeLLIng LIe IeeI oI IIs Iund gruze LIe edge oI Ier cIeekbone. TIe brusI oI
IIs skIn wus IIgIL und eroLIc, cuusIng Ier Lo swuIIow Iurd. "Goodbye, MIss HuLIuwuy. 'II
see myseII ouL." He IIusIed u smIIe uL Ier und udvIsed, "SLuy uwuy Irom LIe wIndows."
On LIe wuy down LIe sLuIrs, RoIun pussed MerrIpen, wIo wus uscendIng uL u meusured
puce.
MerrIpen's Iuce durkened uL LIe sIgIL oI LIe vIsILor. "WIuL ure you doIng Iere?"
"L seems 'm IeIpIng wILI pesL erudIcuLIon."
"TIen you cun begIn by IeuvIng," MerrIpen growIed.
RoIun onIy grInned noncIuIunLIy, und conLInued on IIs wuy.
AILer InIormIng LIe resL oI LIe IumIIy ubouL LIe perIIs oI LIe upsLuIrs purIor, wIIcI wus
prompLIy dubbed "LIe bee room," AmeIIu InvesLIguLed LIe resL oI LIe upsLuIrs wILI
exLreme cuuLIon. TIere were no more Iuzurds Lo be Iound, onIy dusL und decuy und
sIIence.



BuL IL wus noL un unweIcomIng Iouse. WIen LIe wIndows were opened und IIgIL spIIIed
ucross IIoors LIuL Iud been unLoucIed Ior yeurs, IL seemed LIe pIuce wus euger Lo pen und
breuLIe und be resLored. Rumsuy House wus u cIurmIng pIuce, reuIIy, wILI eccenLrIcILIes,
secreL corners, und unIque IeuLures LIuL onIy needed some poIIsI und uLLenLIon. NoL unIIke
LIe HuLIuwuy IumIIy ILseII.
n LIe uILernoon AmeIIu coIIupsed In u cIuIr downsLuIrs, wIIIe Poppy mude Leu In LIe
kILcIen. "WIere Is WIn?"
"NuppIng In Ier room," Poppy repIIed. "SIe wus exIuusLed uILer LIe busy mornIng. SIe
wouIdn'L udmIL IL, oI course, buL you cun uIwuys LeII wIen sIe geLs uII puIe und druwn."
"Wus sIe conLenL?"
"SIe cerLuInIy seemed Lo be." PourIng IoL wuLer InLo u cIIpped poL IIIIed wILI Leu Ieuves,
Poppy cIuLLered ubouL some oI Ier dIscoverIes. SIe Iud Iound u IoveIy rug In one oI LIe
bedrooms, und uILer sIe Iud beuLen IL Ior un Iour, IL Iud Lurned ouL Lo be rIcIIy coIored
und In good condILIon.
"1 LIInk mosL oI LIe dusL wus LrunsIerred Irom LIe curpeL Lo you," AmeIIu suId. SInce
Poppy Iud covered LIe Iower IuII oI Ier Iuce wILI u IundkercIIeI durIng LIe curpeL-
beuLIng, LIe dusL Iud seLLIed on Ier IoreIeud, eyes, und LIe brIdge oI Ier nose. WIen LIe
IundkercIIeI wus removed, IL Iud IeIL Poppy's Iuce oddIy Lwo-Loned, LIe Lop IuII gruy, LIe
Iower IuII wIILe.
" enjoyed IL ImmenseIy," Poppy repIIed wILI u grIn. "TIere's noLIIng IIke wIuckIng u
curpeL wILI u rug-beuLer Lo venL one's IrusLruLIons."


AmeIIu wus ubouL Lo usk wIuL Poppy's IrusLruLIons were, wIen BeuLrIx enLered LIe
kILcIen.
TIe gIrI, usuuIIy so IIveIy, wus quIeL und downcusL.
"Teu wIII be reudy soon," Poppy suId, busy sIIcIng breud uL LIe kILcIen LubIe. "WIII you
Iuve some LousL, Loo, Beu?'
"No, LIunk you. NoL Iungry." BeuLrIx suL In u cIuIr be sIde AmeIIu's, sLurIng uL LIe IIoor.
"You're uIwuys Iungry," AmeIIu suId. "WIuL's LIe muL-Ler, deur? Aren'L you IeeIIng weII?
Are you LIred?"
SIIence. A vIoIenL sIuke oI Ier Ieud. BeuLrIx wus deII-nILeIy upseL ubouL someLIIng.
AmeIIu seLLIed u genLIe Iund on Ier youngesL sIsLer's nurrow buck, und Ieuned over Ier.
"BeuLrIx, wIuL Is IL? TeII me. Are you mIssIng your IrIends? Or SpoL? Are you-"
"No, IL's noLIIng IIke LIuL." BeuLrIx ducked Ier Ieud unLII onIy LIe reddened urc oI Ier



cIeek wus vIsIbIe.
"TIen wIuL?"
"SomeLIIng's wrong wILI me." Her voIce rougIened wILI mIsery. "L's Iuppened uguIn,
AmeIIu. couIdn'L IeIp myseII. bureIy remember doIng IL. -"
"OI, no," cume Poppy's wIIsper.
AmeIIu kepL Ier Iund on BeuLrIx's buck. "s IL LIe sume probIem us beIore?"
BeuLrIx nodded. "'m goIng Lo kIII myseII," sIe suId veIemenLIy. "'m goIng Lo Iock
myseII In LIe bee room. 'm goIng Lo-"
"HusI. You'II do no sucI LIIng." AmeIIu rubbed Ier rIgId buck. "QuIeL, deur, und IeL me
LIInk Ior u momenL." Her worrIed guze meL Poppy's over BeuLrIx's downbenL Ieud.
"TIe probIem" Iud occurred on und oII Ior LIe pusL Iour yeurs, ever sInce LIe HuLIuwuys'
moLIer Iud dIed. Every now und LIen BeuLrIx suIIered un IrresIsLIbIe ImpuIse Lo


sLeuI someLIIng, eILIer Irom u sIop or someone's Iome, usuuIIy LIe objecLs were
InsIgnIIIcunL... u LIny puIr oI sewIng scIssors, IuIrpIns, u pen nIb, u cube oI seuIIng wux.
BuL every so oILen sIe Look someLIIng oI vuIue, IIke u snuII box or un eurrIng. As Iur us
AmeIIu couId LeII, BeuLrIx never pIunned LIese smuII crImes-In IucL, LIe gIrI oILen wusn'L
even uwure oI wIuL sIe Iud done unLII IuLer. And LIen sIe suIIered un ugony oI remorse,
und no smuII umounL oI Ieur. L wus uIurmIng Lo dIscover one wusn'L uIwuys In conLroI oI
one's ucLIons.
TIe HuLIuwuys kepL BeuLrIx's probIem u secreL, oI course, uII oI LIem conspIrIng Lo
reLurn LIe sLoIen objecLs dIscreeLIy und proLecL Ier Irom LIe consequences. SInce IL Iudn'L
Iuppened Ior neurIy u yeur, LIey Iud uII ussumed BeuLrIx wus cured oI Ier InexpIIcubIe
compuIsIon.
" ussume you Look someLIIng Irom SLony Cross Munor," AmeIIu suId wILI Iorced cuIm.
"TIuL's LIe onIy pIuce you've vIsILed."
BeuLrIx nodded mIserubIy. "L wus uILer IeL SpoL go. wenL Lo LIe IIbrury, und Iooked In u
Iew rooms on LIe wuy, und ... dIdn'L meun Lo, AmeIIu! dIdn'L wunL Lo!"
" know." AmeIIu wrupped Ier urms uround Ier In u consoIIng Iug. SIe wus IIIIed wILI u
muLernuI InsLIncL Lo proLecL, sooLIe, euse. "We'II IIx IL, Beu. We'II puL everyLIIng buck und
no one wIII know. JusL LeII me wIuL you Look, und Lry Lo remember wIIcI rooms LIe
LIIngs cume Irom."
"Here . . . LIIs Is everyLIIng." ReucIIng InLo LIe pockeLs oI Ier pInuIore, BeuLrIx dumped
u smuII coIIecLIon oI objecLs In Ier Iup.
AmeIIu IeId up LIe IIrsL ILem. L wus u curved wooden Iorse, no bIgger LIun Ier IIsL, wILI



u sIIk mune und u deIIcuLeIy puInLed Iuce. TIe objecL wus worn Irom mucI


IundIIng, und LIere were LeeLI murks uIong LIe Iorse's body. "TIe WesLcIIIIs Iuve u
duugILer, sLIII quILe smuII," sIe murmured. "TIIs musL beIong Lo Ier."
" Look u Loy Irom u buby," BeuLrIx mouned. "L's LIe IowesL LIIng 've ever done. sIouId
be In prIson."
AmeIIu pIcked up unoLIer objecL, u curd wILI Lwo sImIIur Imuges prInLed sIde by sIde. SIe
guessed IL wus meunL Lo be InserLed InLo u sLereoscope, u devIce LIuL wouId merge LIe Lwo
Imuges InLo u dImensIonuI pIcLure.
TIe nexL sLoIen ILem wus u IouseIoId key, und LIe IusL... oI, deur. L wus u sLerIIng sIIver
seuI, wILI un engruved IumIIy cresL on one end. One wouId use IL Lo sLump u bIob oI
meILed wux und cIose un enveIope. TIe objecL wus Ieuvy und quILe cosLIy, LIe kInd oI
LIIng LIuL wus pussed down Irom generuLIon Lo generuLIon.
"rom ord WesLcIIIIs prIvuLe sLudy," BeuLrIx muLLered. "L wus on IIs desk. He probubIy
uses IL Ior IIs oIIIcIuI correspondence. 'II go Iung myseII now."
"We musL reLurn LIIs ImmedIuLeIy," AmeIIu suId, pussIng u Iund over Ier dumpenIng
brow. "WIen LIey reuIIze IL's mIssIng, u servunL muy be bIumed."
TIe LIree women were sIIenL wILI Iorror uL LIe LIougIL.
"We'II puy u mornIng cuII Lo udy WesLcIIII," Poppy suId, soundIng u bIL breuLIIess Irom
unxIeLy. "s Lomorrow one oI Ier receIvIng duys?"
"L doesn'L muLLer," AmeIIu suId, sLrIvIng Lo sound cuIm. "TIere's no LIme Lo wuIL. You und
ure cuIIIng Lomorrow, wIeLIer or noL IL's u proper duy."
"SIuII go Loo?" BeuLrIx usked.
"No," AmeIIu und Poppy unswered sImuILuneousIy. TIey were boLI LIInkIng LIe sume
LIIng-LIuL BeuLrIx mIgIL noL be ubIe Lo conLroI IerseII durIng unoLIer vIsIL.

"TIunk you." BeuLrIx seemed reIIeved. "AILIougI 'm sorry you Iuve Lo undo my wrongs.
sIouId be punIsIed someIow. PerIups sIouId conIess und upoIogIze-"
"We'II resorL Lo LIuL II we're cuugIL," AmeIIu suId. "IrsL IeL's Lry coverIng IL up."
"Do we Iuve Lo LeII eo or WIn or MerrIpen?" BeuLrIx usked sIeepIsIIy.
"No," AmeIIu murmured, guLIerIng Ier cIose und pressIng Ier IIps Lo Ier sIsLer's unruIy



durk curIs. "We'II keep LIIs beLween LIe LIree oI us. Poppy und wIII Luke cure oI
everyLIIng, deur."
"AII rIgIL. TIunk you." BeuLrIx reIuxed und nesLIed uguInsL Ier wILI u sIgI. " onIy Iope
you cun do IL wILIouL geLLIng cuugIL."
"OI course we cun," Poppy suId brIgILIy. "Don'L you worry Ior one momenL."
"ProbIem soIved," AmeIIu udded.
And ubove BeuLrIx's Ieud, AmeIIu und Poppy Iooked uL eucI oLIer In sIured punIc.


" don'L know wIy BeuLrIx does LIese LIIngs," Poppy suId LIe nexL mornIng, us AmeIIu
IeId LIe rIbbons oI LIe buroucIe. TIey were on LIeIr wuy Lo SLony Cross Munor, wILI LIe
sLoIen objecLs secreLed In LIe pockeLs oI LIeIr besL duy gowns.
"'m cerLuIn sIe doesn'L meun Lo," AmeIIu repIIed, Ier IoreIeud Iurrowed wILI worry. "I IL
wus InLenLIonuI, BeuLrIx wouId sLeuI LIIngs sIe LruIy wunLed, IIke IuIr rIbbons or gIoves or
cundy, und sIe wouIdn'L conIess uILerwurd." SIe sIgIed. "L seems Lo Iuppen wIen LIere's
been u sIgnIIIcunL cIunge In Ier IIIe. WIen MoLIer und uLIer dIed, und wIen eo und
WIn IeII III... und now, wIen we've uprooLed ourseIves und moved Lo HumpsIIre. We'II
jusL smooLI LIIs over us besL we cun, und Lry Lo ensure LIuL BeuLrIx Is In u cuIm und serene
uLmospIere."
"TIere Is no sucI LIIng us 'cuIm und serene' In our IouseIoId," Poppy suId gIumIy. "OI,
AmeIIu, wIy musL our IumIIy be so odd?"
"We're noL odd."


Poppy buLLed Ier Iunds In u dIsmIssIve gesLure. "Odd peopIe never LIInk LIey're odd."
"'m perIecLIy ordInury," AmeIIu proLesLed.
"Hu."
AmeIIu gIunced uL Ier In surprIse. "WIy In Ieuven's nume wouId you suy 'Iu' Lo LIuL?"
"You Lry Lo munuge everyLIIng und everyone. And you don'L LrusL unyone ouLsIde LIe
IumIIy. You're IIke u porcupIne. No one cun geL pusL LIe quIIIs."
"WeII, IIke LIuL," AmeIIu suId IndIgnunLIy. "BeIng compured Lo u Iurge prIckIy rodenL,
wIen 've decIded Lo spend LIe resL oI my enLIre IIIe IookIng uILer LIe IumIIy-"
"No one's usked LIuL oI you."
"Someone Ius Lo do IL. And 'm LIe oIdesL HuLIuwuy."
"eo's LIe oIdesL."
"'m LIe oIdesL sober HuLIuwuy."
"TIuL sLIII doesn'L meun you Iuve Lo murLyr yourseII."



"'m noL u murLyr, 'm mereIy beIng responsIbIe. And you're ungruLeIuI!"
"WouId you preIer gruLILude or u Iusbund? PersonuIIy, 'd Luke LIe Iusbund."
" don'L wunL u Iusbund."
TIey bIckered uII LIe wuy Lo SLony Cross Munor. By LIe LIme LIey urrIved, LIey were
boLI cross und surIy. However, us u IooLmun cume Lo ussIsL LIem ouL, LIey pusLed IuIse
smIIes on LIeIr Iuces und IInked Lense urms us LIey wuIked Lo LIe IronL door.
TIey wuILed In LIe enLrunce IuII us LIe buLIer wenL Lo unnounce LIeIr urrIvuI. To AmeIIu's
vusL reIIeI, Ie sIowed LIem Lo LIe purIor und InIormed LIem LIuL udy WesLcIIII wouId be
wILI LIem dIrecLIy.


VenLurIng IurLIer InLo LIe uIry purIor, wILI ILs vuses oI IresI IIowers, und suLInwood
IurnILure und IIgIL bIue sIIk upIoIsLery, und LIe cIeerIuI bIuze In LIe wIILe murbIe
IIrepIuce, Poppy excIuImed, "OI, IL's so preLLy In Iere, und IL smeIIs so IoveIy, und Iook
Iow LIe wIndows spurkIe!"
AmeIIu wus sIIenL, buL sIe couIdn'L IeIp ugreeIng. SeeIng LIIs ImmucuIuLe purIor, so Iur
removed Irom LIe dusL und squuIor oI Rumsuy House, mude Ier IeeI guIILy und suIIen.
"Don'L Luke oII your bonneL," sIe suId us Poppy unLIed Ier rIbbons. "You're supposed Lo
Ieuve IL on durIng u IormuI cuII."
"OnIy In Lown," Poppy urgued. "n LIe counLry, eLIqueLLe Is more reIuxed. And IurdIy
LIInk udy WesLcIIII wouId mInd."
A womun's voIce cume Irom LIe doorwuy. "MInd wIuL?" L wus udy WesLcIIII, Ier
sIender Iorm cIud In u pInk gown, Ier durk IuIr guLIered uL LIe buck oI Ier Ieud In
sIInIng curIs. Her smIIe wus wrougIL oI mIscIIeI und eusy cIurm. SIe IeId Iunds wILI u
durk-IuIred LoddIer In u bIue dress, u mInIuLure versIon oI IerseII wILI bIg round eyes LIe
coIor oI gIngerbreud.
"My Iudy ..." AmeIIu und Poppy boLI bowed. DecIdIng Lo be Irunk, AmeIIu suId, "udy
WesLcIIII, we were jusL debuLIng wIeLIer or noL we sIouId remove our bonneLs."
"Good God, don'L boLIer wILI IormuIILy," udy WesLcIIII excIuImed, comIng In wILI LIe
cIIId. "OII wILI LIe bonneLs, by uII meuns. And do cuII me IIIIun. TIIs Is my duugILer,
MerrILL. SIe und ure IuvIng u bIL oI pIuyLIme beIore Ier mornIng nup."
" Iope we're noL InLerrupLIng-" Poppy begun upoIogeLIcuIIy.


"NoL uL uII. I you cun LoIeruLe our rompIng durIng your vIsIL, we're more LIun Iuppy Lo
Iuve you, 've senL Ior Leu." BeIore Iong LIey were uII cIuLLIng eusIIy. MerrILL quIckIy IosL



uII vesLIge oI sIyness und sIowed LIem Ier IuvorILe doII numed AnnIe, und u coIIecLIon oI
pebbIes und Ieuves Irom Ier pockeL. udy WesLcIIII-IIIIun-wus un openIy uIIecLIonuLe
und pIuyIuI moLIer, sIowIng no compuncLIon ubouL kneeIIng on LIe IIoor Lo Iook Ior
IuIIen pebbIes beneuLI LIe LubIe.
IIIIun's InLerucLIons wILI LIe cIIId were quILe unusuuI Ior un urIsLocruLIc IouseIoId.
CIIIdren were IurdIy ever brougIL ouL Lo see vIsILors unIess IL wus u brIeI presenLuLIon,
uccompunIed by u puL on LIe Ieud und u quIck depurLure. MosL women oI LIe counLess's
exuILed posILIon wouIdn'L see LIeIr own oIIsprIng more LIun once or LwIce u duy, IeuvIng
LIe mujorILy oI cIIId-reurIng Lo LIe nunny und nursery muIds.
" cun'L IeIp wunLIng Lo see Ier," IIIIun expIuIned cundIdIy. "So LIe nursery servunLs
Iuve Ieurned Lo LoIeruLe my InLerIerence."
WIen LIe Leu Lruy urrIved, AnnIe LIe doII wus propped up on LIe seLLee beLween Poppy
und MerrILL. TIe IILLIe gIrI pressed LIe edge oI Ier Leucup uguInsL LIe doII's puInLed mouLI.
"AnnIe wunLs more sugur, Mumu," MerrILL suId.
IIIIun grInned, knowIng wIo wus goIng Lo drInk LIe IIgIIy sweeLened Leu. "TeII AnnIe
we never Iuve more LIun Lwo Iumps In u cup, durIIng. L wIII muke Ier III."
"BuL sIe Ius u sweeL LooLI," LIe cIIId proLesLed. SIe udded omInousIy, "A sweeL LooLI und
u Lemper."
IIIIun sIook Ier Ieud wILI u Lsk-Lsk. "SucI u IeudsLrong doII. Be IIrm wILI Ier, MerrILL."
Poppy, wIo Iud been wuLcIIng LIe excIunge wILI u grIn,


udopLed u perpIexed Iook und wrIggIed sIIgILIy on LIe seLLee. "Deur me, do beIIeve 'm
sILLIng on someLIIng ..." SIe reucIed beIInd Ier und produced LIe IILLIe wooden Iorse,
preLendIng sIe Iud Iound IL Iodged beLween LIe seLLee cusIIons.
"TIuL's my IorsIe," MerrILL excIuImed, Ier smuII IIngers cIosIng uround LIe objecL. "
LIougIL Ie'd run uwuy!"
"TIunk goodness," IIIIun suId. "HorsIe Is one oI Mer-rILL's IuvorILe Loys. TIe enLIre
IouseIoId Ius been seurcIIng Ior IL."
AmeIIu's smIIe wuvered us sIe meL Poppy's guze, boLI oI LIem wonderIng II IL Iud been
dIscovered LIuL oLIer LIIngs were mIssIng. TIe sLoIen objecLs, especIuIIy LIe sIIver seuI,
musL be reLurned us soon us possIbIe. SIe cIeured Ier LIrouL. "My Iudy . . . LIuL Is,
IIIIun ... II you wouIdn'L mInd ... sIouId IIke Lo know wIere LIe convenIence Is .. ."
"OI, cerLuInIy. SIuII Iuve u IousemuId sIow you LIe wuy, or-"
"No, LIunk you," AmeIIu suId IusLIIy.
AILer receIvIng IIIIun's muLLer-oI-IucL InsLrucLIons. AmeIIu excused IerseII Irom LIe



purIor, IeuvIng LIe LIree oI LIem Lo conLInue LIeIr Leu.
TIe IIrsL room sIe Iud Lo IInd wus LIe IIbrury, wIere LIe sLereoscope curd und LIe key
beIonged. RecuIIIng BeuLrIx's descrIpLIon oI LIe muIn IIoor pIun, AmeIIu IurrIed uIong LIe
quIeL IuIIwuy. SIe sIowed Ier puce us sIe suw u muId sweepIng LIe curpeL, und LrIed Lo
Iook us II sIe knew wIere sIe wus goIng. TIe muId sLopped sweepIng und sLood usIde
respecLIuIIy us sIe pussed.
RoundIng u corner, AmeIIu Iound un open door reveuIIng u Iurge IIbrury wILI upper und
Iower guIIerIes. BeLLer


yeL, IL wus empLy. SIe rusIed InsIde und suw u sLereoscope on LIe mussIve IIbrury LubIe.
TIere wus u wooden box neurby, sLuIIed wILI curds jusL IIke LIe one In Ier pockeL.
TuckIng LIe curd In wILI LIe oLIers, sIe IurrIed ouL oI LIe IIbrury, puusIng onIy Lo InserL
LIe key InLo LIe empLy Iock cuse oI LIe door.
OnIy one Lusk IeIL-sIe Iud Lo IInd ord WesLcIIII's prIvuLe sLudy und reLurn LIe sIIver
seuI. TIe weIgIL oI IL bounced uncomIorLubIy uguInsL Ier Ieg us sIe wuIked. PIeuse don'L
IeL ord WesLcIIII be LIere, sIe LIougIL desperuLeIy. PIeuse IeL IL be empLy. PIeuse don'L IeL
me be cuugIL.
BeuLrIx Iud suId LIe sLudy wus cIose Lo LIe IIbrury, buL LIe IIrsL door AmeIIu LrIed Lurned
ouL Lo be LIe musIc room. SpyIng unoLIer door ucross LIe IuIIwuy, sIe dIscovered u
suppIIes cIoseL IIIIed wILI puIIs, brooms, rugs, und poLs oI wux und poIIsI.
"BIusL, bIusL, bIusL," sIe muLLered, rusIIng Lo unoLIer open doorwuy.
L wus u bIIIIurds room. And IL wus occupIed by u IuII-dozen genLIemen InvoIved In u
gume. Worse, one oI LIem wus CIrIsLopIer rosL. HIs Iundsome Iuce wus devoId oI
expressIon us IIs guze meL Iers.
AmeIIu sLopped, coIor IIurIng In Ier Iuce. "Do excuse me," sIe murmured, und IIed.
To Ier dIsmuy, CIrIsLopIer rosL moved us II Lo IoIIow Ier. SIe wus so InLenL on mukIng
Ier escupe LIuL sIe dIdn'L see someone cuL In IronL oI rosL, neuLIy bIockIng IIm.
"MIss HuLIuwuy."
AL LIe sound oI u mun's voIce, AmeIIu wIIrIed uround. SIe expecLed Lo see CIrIsLopIer
rosL, buL wus sLurLIed Lo IInd LIuL Cum RoIun Iud IoIIowed Ier. "SIr."
Cum RoIun wus In IIs sIIrLsIeeves, und IIs coIIur wus u


bIL Ioose, us II Ie'd been LuggIng on IL. HIs jeL-bIuck IuIr wus cusuuIIy dIsordered, us II
Ie'd recenLIy drugged IIs IIngers LIrougI LIe sIInIng Iuyers. Her IeurL quIckened. SIe



wuILed sLIIIIy us Ie upproucIed Ier In IIuId sLrIdes.
IngerIng In LIe doorwuy, CIrIsLopIer rosL guve LIem u IusL IrownIng gIunce beIore
reLreuLIng InLo LIe room.
RoIun reucIed AmeIIu und sLopped wILI u nod oI greeLIng. "s LIere someLIIng cun IeIp
you wILI?" Ie usked poIILeIy. "Huve you IosL your wuy?"
AbundonIng cuuLIon In Iuvor oI expedIency, AmeIIu seIzed u IoId oI IIs roIIed-up sIeeve.
"Mr. RoIun, do you know wIere ord WesLcIIII 's sLudy Is?"
"Yes, oI course."
"SIow me."
RoIun Iooked uL Ier wILI u quIzzIcuI smIIe. "WIy?"
"TIere's no LIme Lo expIuIn. JusL Luke me LIere now. PIeuse, IeL's Iurry!"
ObIIgIngIy Ie Ied Ier ucross LIe IuIIwuy, Lwo doors down, InLo u smuII rosewood-puneIed
room. A genLIemun's sLudy. TIe onIy ornumenLuLIon wus u row oI recLunguIur sLuIned-
gIuss wIndows uIong one wuII. Here wus wIere Murcus, ord WesLcIIII, conducLed mosL
oI IIs es-LuLe busIness.
RoIun cIosed LIe door beIInd LIem.
umbIIng In Ier pockeL, AmeIIu reLrIeved LIe Ieuvy sII-ver seuI. "WIere does LIIs go?"
"On LIe rIgIL sIde oI IIs desk, neur LIe InkweII," RoIun
suId. "How dId you come by IL?"
"'II expIuIn IuLer. beg you, don'L LeII unyone." SIe wenL Lo pIuce LIe sIIver seuI on LIe
desk. " onIy Iope Ie dIdn'L noLIce IL wus mIssIng."


"WIy wouId you wunL IL In LIe IIrsL pIuce?" RoIun usked IdIy. "ResorLIng Lo Iorgery, ure
we?"
"orgery!" AmeIIu Lurned puIe. A IeLLer In WesLcIIII's nume, seuIed wILI IIs IumIIy
embIem, wouId be u powerIuI InsLrumenL, Indeed. WIuL oLIer InLerpreLuLIon couId be
druwn Irom LIe borrowIng oI LIe sLerIIng seuI? "OI, no, wouIdn'L Iuve-LIuL Is, dIdn'L
wunL-"
SIe wus InLerrupLed by LIe IeurL-sLoppIng sound oI LIe doorknob LurnIng. n LIuL one
InsLunL sIe wus pIerced wILI sImuILuneous unguIsI und resIgnuLIon. L wus over. SIe Iud
been so cIose, und now sIe'd been cuugIL, und God knew wIuL LIe repercussIons wouId
be. TIere wus no wuy Lo expIuIn Ier presence In WesLcIIII's oIIIce oLIer LIun Lo dIvuIge
BeuLrIx's probIem, wIIcI wouId brIng sIume on LIe IumIIy und ruIn LIe gIrI's IuLure In
poIILe socIeLy. A peL IIzurd wus one LIIng, buL LIIevery wus unoLIer muLLer enLIreIy.
AII LIese LIougILs IIusIed LIrougI AmeIIu's mInd In one seurIng muss. BuL us sIe



sLIIIened und wuILed Ior LIe ux Lo IuII, RoIun cume Lo Ier In Lwo Iong sLrIdes. And beIore
AmeIIu couId move, or LIInk, or even breuLIe, Ie Iud jerked Ier IuII IengLI uguInsL IIm,
und puIIed Ier Ieud Lo IIs.
RoIun kIssed Ier wILI un IndecenL Irunkness LIuL senL Ier reeIIng. HIs urms were IIrm
uround Ier, keepIng Ier sLeudy wIIIe IIs mouLI cuugIL Iers uL jusL LIe rIgIL ungIe. Her
Iunds moved In LenLuLIve objecLIon, Ier puIms encounLerIng LIe LougI muscIes oI IIs
cIesL, LIe cuLcI oI IIs sIIrL buLLons. He wus LIe onIy soIId LIIng In u kuIeIdoscopIc worId.
SIe sLopped pusIIng us Ier body ubsorbed LIe urousIng deLuIIs oI IIm, LIe Iurd muscuIIne
conLours, LIe IresI ouLdoors scenL, LIe sensuous probIng oI IIs

mouLI. SIe Iud reIIved IIs kIss u LIousund LImes In Ier dreums. SIe jusL Iudn'L reuIIzed IL
unLII now.
GruceIuI IIngers cupped uround Ier neck und juw, LurnIng Ier Iuce upwurd. TIe LIps oI IIs
IIngers Iound LIe IIne skIn beIInd Ier eurs, wIere IL meL LIe sIIken edge oI Ie IuIrIIne.
And uII LIe wIIIe Ie conLInued Lo IIII Ier wILI con cenLruLed IIre, unLII LIe InsIde oI Ier
mouLI prIckIed sweeLIy und Ier Iegs sIook beneuLI Ier. He used IIs Longue deII cuLeIy,
expIorIng wILIouL IusLe, enLerIng Ier repeuLedIy wIIIe sIe cIung Lo IIm In bewIIdered
pIeusure.
HIs mouLI IIILed, IIs breuLI u IoL curess uguInsL Ier IIps. He Lurned IIs Ieud us Ie spoke
Lo wIoever Iud enLered LIe room.
" beg your purdon, my Iord. We wunLed u momenL oI prIvucy."
AmeIIu Lurned crImson us sIe IoIIowed IIs guze Lo LIe doorwuy, wIere ord WesLcIIII
sLood wILI un unIuLIomubIe expressIon.
An eIecLrIc momenL pussed wIIIe WesLcIIII uppeured Lo mursIuI IIs LIougILs. HIs guze
moved Lo AmeIIu's Iuce, LIen buck Lo RoIun's. A smIIe IIIckered In IIs durk eyes. "
InLend Lo reLurn In upproxImuLeIy u IuII Iour. L wouId probubIy be besL II my sLudy were
vucuLed by LIen." GIvIng u courLeous nod, Ie Look IIs Ieuve.
As soon us LIe door cIosed beIInd IIm, AmeIIu dropped Ier IoreIeud Lo RoIun's sIouIder
wILI u groun. SIe wouId Iuve puIIed uwuy, buL sIe dIdn'L LrusL Ier knees Lo IoId. "WIy
dId you do LIuL?"
He dIdn'L Iook uL uII repenLunL. " Iud Lo come up wILI u reuson Ior boLI oI us Lo be In
Iere. L seemed LIe besL opLIon."

uguInsL IIm. TIe dry sweeLness oI IIs scenL remInded Ier oI u sun-wurmed meudow. "Do


you LIInk Ie'II LeII unyone?"
"No," Ie suId ImmedIuLeIy, reussurIng Ier. "WesLcIIII Isn'L gIven Lo gossIp. He won'L suy u
word Lo unyone, excepL..."
"ExcepL?"
"udy WesLcIIII. He'II probubIy LeII Ier."
AmeIIu consIdered LIuL, LIInkIng perIups IL wusn'L so LerrIbIe. udy WesLcIIII dIdn'L seem
IIke LIe kInd oI person wIo wouId condemn Ier Ior LIIs. TIe counLess seemed quILe
LoIerunL oI scunduIous beIuvIor.
"OI course," RoIun conLInued, "II udy WesLcIIII knows, LIere's u IIgI probubIIILy sIe'II
LeII udy SL. VIncenL, wIo's due Lo urrIve wILI ord SL. VIncenL by LIe end oI LIe week.
And sInce udy SL. VIncenL LeIIs Ier Iusbund everyLIIng, Ie'II know ubouL IL, Loo. OLIer
LIun LIuL, no one wIII IInd ouL. UnIess ..."
Her Ieud jerked upwurd IIke u sLrIng puppeL's. "UnIess wIuL?"
"UnIess ord SL. VIncenL menLIons IL Lo Mr. HunL, wIo wouId undoubLedIy LeII Mrs.
HunL, und LIen ... everyone wouId IInd ouL."
"OI, no. cun'L beur IL"
He guve Ier un uIerL gIunce. "WIy? Becuuse you were cuugIL kIssIng u Gypsy?"
"No, becuuse 'm noL LIe kInd oI womun wIo Is cuugIL kIssIng unyone. don'L Iuve
rendezvous! WIen everyone IInds ouL, 'II Iuve no dIgnILy IeIL. No repuLuLIon. No- WIuL
ure you smIIIng uL?"
"You. wouIdn'L Iuve expecLed sucI meIodrumu."
TIuL unnoyed AmeIIu, wIo wus noL LIe kInd oI womun wIo InduIged In LIeuLrIcs. SIe
wedged Ier urms more


IIrmIy beLween LIem. "My reucLIon Is perIecLIy reusonubIe consIderIng-"
"You're noL bud uL IL."
SIe bIInked In conIusIon. "MeIodrumu?"
"No, kIssIng. WILI u IILLIe prucLIce, you'd be excepLIonuI. BuL you need Lo reIux."
" don'L wunL Lo reIux. don'L wunL Lo ... oI, deur ord." He Iud benL IIs Ieud Lo Ier
LIrouL, seurcIIng Ior LIe vIsIbIe LIrum oI Ier puIse. A IIgIL, IoL sIock wenL LIrougI Ier.
"Don'L do LIuL," sIe suId weukIy, buL Ie wus InsIsLenL, IIs mouLI wIckedIy soIL, und Ier
breuLI IILcIed us sIe IeIL LIe brusI oI IIs Longue.
Her Iunds sIoL Lo IIs muscIe-bunked sIouIders. "Mr. RoIun, you musLn'L-"
"TIIs Is Iow Lo kIss, AmeIIu." He crudIed Ier Ieud In IIs puIms, deILIy LIILIng IL Lo LIe
sIde. "Noses go Iere." AnoLIer dIsorIenLIng brusI oI IIs mouLI, u wusI oI sensuuI IeuL.



"You LusLe IIke sugur und Leu."
" uIreudy know Iow Lo kIss!"
"Do you?" HIs LIumb pussed over Ier kIss-IeuLed IIps, urgIng LIem Lo purL. "TIen sIow
me," Ie wIIspered. "eL me In, AmeIIu."
Never In Ier IIIe Iud sIe LIougIL u mun wouId suy someLIIng so ouLrugeous Lo Ier. And II
LIe words were Improper, LIe gIeum In IIs eyes wus posILIveIy ImmoIuLIng.
"... 'm u spInsLer." SIe oIIered LIe word us II IL were u LuIIsmun. Everyone knew LIuL
rukIsI genLIemen were supposed Lo Ieuve spInsLers uIone. BuL IL uppeured no one Iud LoId
Cum RoIun.
A coverL smIIe deepened LIe corners oI IIs mouLI. 'TIuL's noL goIng Lo keep you suIe Irom
me." SIe LrIed Lo Lurn uwuy Irom IIm, buL IIs Iunds guIded Ier Iuce buck Lo

IIs. " cun'L seem Lo Ieuve you uIone. n IucL, 'm reconsIderIng my enLIre poIIcy on
spInsLers."
BeIore sIe couId usk wIuL IIs poIIcy wus, IIs mouLI possessed Iers uguIn, wIIIe IIs
IIngers curessed LIe LuuL edge oI Ier juw, couxIng Ier Lo reIux. Even In Ier mosL urdenL
momenLs wILI CIrIsLopIer rosL, Ie Iud never kIssed Ier IIke LIIs, us II Ie were
consumIng Ier sIowIy. HIs IIps rubbed over Iers unLII LIey cuugIL und seuIed wurmIy, und
IIs Longue Iound Iers. He pIuyed wILI Ier, sLrokIng und reucIIng, wIIIe IIs Iunds
guLIered Ier cIoser. He curessed Ier buck und sIouIders, wIIIe IIs IIps broke Irom Iers Lo
expIore LIe soIL sIope oI Ier neck. He Iound u pIuce LIuL mude Ier wrILIe, LeusIng genLIy
unLII u IeIpIess moun sIIpped Irom Ier LIrouL.
RoIun's Ieud IIILed. HIs eyes gIowed us II brImsLone were conLuIned wILIIn LIe durk-
rImmed IrIses. He spoke sIowIy, us II Ie were coIIecLIng words IIke IuIIen Ieuves. "TIIs Is
probubIy u bud Ideu."
AmeIIu nodded sIukIIy. "Yes, Mr. RoIun."
HIs IIngerLIps Leused u IresI surge oI coIor Lo LIe surIuce oI Ier cIeeks. "My nume Is
Cum."
" cun'L cuII you LIuL."
"WIy noL?"
"You know wIy," cume Ier unsLeudy reproucI. A Iong breuLI wus neuLIy rIILed us sIe IeIL
IIs mouLI descend Lo Ier cIeek, expIorIng LIe rosy skIn. "WIuL does IL meun?"
"My nume? L's LIe Romuny word Ior 'sun.'"
AmeIIu couId scurceIy LIInk. "As In ... LIe oIIsprIng oI u IuLIer, or In LIe sky?"
"Sky." He moved Lo LIe urcI oI Ier eyebrow, kIssIng LIe ouLwurd LIp. "DId you know u


Gypsy Ius LIree numes?"
SIe sIook Ier Ieud sIowIy, wIIIe IIs mouLI sIId ucross


Ier IoreIeud. He pressed u wurm veII oI words uguInsL Ier skIn. "TIe IIrsL Is u secreL
nume u moLIer wIIspers InLo Ier cIIId's eur uL bIrLI. TIe second Is u LrIbuI nume used
onIy by oLIer GypsIes. TIe LIIrd Is LIe nume we use wILI non-Romu."
HIs scenL wus uII uround Ier, spure und IresI und deIIcIous. "WIuL Is your LrIbuI nume?"
He smIIed sIIgILIy, LIe sIupe oI IIs mouLI u burnIng moLII uguInsL Ier cIeek. " cun'L LeII
you. don'L know you weII enougI yeL."
YeL. TIe LunLuIIzIng promIse embedded In LIuL word sIorLened Ier breuLI. "eL me go,"
sIe wIIspered. "PIeuse, we musLn'L-" BuL LIe words were IosL us Ie benL und Look Ier
mouLI IungrIIy.
SuIIused wILI pIeusure, AmeIIu groped Ior IIs IuIr, IIndIng ucuLe suLIsIucLIon In LIe
sIIde oI Ieuvy sIIk LIrougI Ier IIngers. As Ie IeIL Ier LoucI IIm, Ie guve u Iow muLLer
oI encourugemenL. TIe puLLern oI IIs breuLI cIunged, rougIened, IIs kIsses LurnIng Iurd
und Iunguorous.
He Look wIuL sIe oIIered-more-sInkIng IIs Longue deeper, guLIerIng sensuLIon. And
sIe responded unLII Ier souI wus scorcIed uL LIe edges, und Ier LIougILs Iud vunIsIed
IIke spurks IeupIng Irom u bonIIre.
AbrupLIy RoIun Look IIs mouLI Irom Iers und IeId Ier LIgILIy, Loo LIgILIy, uguInsL IIs
body. SIe IeIL IerseII sLruInIng In u subLIe penduIum swuy, needIng IrIcLIon, pressure,
reIeuse. He kepL Ier sLIII, IoIdIng Ier cIose wIIIe sIe LrembIed und ucIed.
RoIun's grIp eused. SIe wus reIeused by gruduuI degrees unLII Ie wus IInuIIy ubIe Lo pusI
Ier uwuy compIeLeIy.
"Purdon," Ie evenLuuIIy suId. SIe suw LIe duze oI IeuL


"'
In IIs eyes. " don'L usuuIIy Iuve sucI u dIIIIcuIL LIme


sLoppIng."
AmeIIu nodded bIIndIy und wrupped Ier urms uround
IerseII. SIe wusn'L uwure oI Ier IooL's nervous LuppIng
unLII RoIun cume Lo Ier und sIId one oI IIs IeeL beneuLI
Ier skIrLs Lo sLIII Ier drummIng Loes.
"HummIngbIrd," Ie wIIspered. "You'd beLLer go now.


I you don'L, 'II end up compromIsIng you In wuys you never knew were possIbIe."
AmeIIu wus never quILe cerLuIn Iow sIe reLurned Lo LIe purIor wILIouL geLLIng IosL. SIe
moved us II LIrougI LIe Iuyers oI u dreum.
ReucIIng LIe seLLee wIere Poppy suL, AmeIIu uccepLed unoLIer cup oI Leu und smIIed uL
IILLIe MerrILL, wIo wus IIsIIng uround In Ier own cup Ior u cIunk oI dropped sugur
bIscuIL, und responded noncommILLuIIy Lo IIIIun's suggesLIon LIuL LIe enLIre HuLIuwuy
IumIIy joIn LIem on u pIcnIc uL week's end.

" do wIsI we couId Iuve uccepLed Ier InvILuLIon,"
Poppy suId wIsLIuIIy on LIe wuy Iome. "BuL suppose LIuL wouId be uskIng Ior LroubIe,
sInce eo wouId probubIy be objecLIonubIe und BeuLrIx wouId sLeuI someLIIng."
"And LIere's Iur Loo mucI Ior us Lo do uL Rumsuy House," AmeIIu udded, IeeIIng
dIsLrucLed und dIsLunL.
OnIy one LIougIL wus cIeur In Ier mInd. CuIn RoIun
wouId reLurn Lo ondon soon. or Ier own suke-und per
Iups IIs us weII-sIe wouId Iuve Lo uvoId SLony Cross
Purk unLII Ie wus gone. . ,
PerIups IL wus becuuse LIey were uII weury oI cIeunIng, repuIrIng, und orgunIzIng, buL LIe
enLIre HuLIuwuy IumIIy

IeII InLo u desuILory mood LIuL evenIng. Everyone buL eo guLIered uround LIe IeurLI In
one oI LIe downsLuIrs room IoungIng wIIIe WIn reud uIoud Irom u DIckens now MerrIpen
occupIed u dIsLunL corner oI LIe room, neur LIe IumIIy buL noL quILe purL oI IL, IIsLenIng
InLenLIy. No doubL WIn couId Iuve reud numes Irom un Insurunce regIsLer und Ie wouId
Iuve Iound IL enLIruIIIng.
Poppy wus busy wILI needIework, sLILcIIng u puIr oI men's sIIppers wILI brIgIL wooI
LIreuds, wIIIe BeuLrIx pIuyed soIILuIre on LIe IIoor neur LIe IeurLI. NoLIcIng LIe wuy Ier
youngesL sIsLer wus rIIIIIng LIrougI LIe curds, AmeIIu IuugIed. "BeuLrIx," sIe suId uILer
WIn Iud IInIsIed u cIupLer, "wIy In Ieuven's nume wouId you cIeuL uL soIILuIre? You're
pIuyIng uguInsL yourseII."
"TIen LIere's no one Lo objecL wIen cIeuL."
"L's noL wIeLIer you wIn buL Iow you wIn LIuL's ImporLunL," AmeIIu suId.
"'ve Ieurd LIuL beIore, und don'L ugree uL uII. L's mucI nIcer Lo wIn."
Poppy sIook Ier Ieud over Ier embroIdery. "BeuLrIx, you ure posILIveIy sIumeIess."
"And u wInner," BeuLrIx suId wILI suLIsIucLIon, IuyIng down LIe exucL curd sIe wunLed.
"WIere dId we go wrong?" AmeIIu usked oI no one In purLIcuIur.



WIn smIIed. "Her pIeusures ure Iew, deur. A creuLIve gume oI soIILuIre Isn'L goIng Lo IurL
unyone."
" suppose noL." AmeIIu wus ubouL Lo suy more, buL sIe wus dIverLed by u coId wuIL oI uIr
LIuL sIIpped uround Ier unkIes und Lurned Ier Loes numb. SIe sIIvered und puIIed Ier
knILLed bIue sIuwI more snugIy uround IerseII. "My, IL's cIIIIy In Iere."

"You musL be sILLIng In u druIL," Poppy suId In concern. "Come sIL by me, AmeIIu-'m
mucI cIoser Lo LIe IIre."
"TIunk you, buL LIInk 'II go Lo bed now." SLIII sIIverIng, AmeIIu yuwned. "Good nIgIL,
everyone." SIe IeIL us BeuLrIx usked WIn Lo reud one more cIupLer.
As AmeIIu wuIked uIong LIe IuIIwuy, sIe pussed u
smuII room LIuL, us Iur us LIey Iud been ubIe Lo LeII, Iud
been InLended us u genLIemen's room. L IeuLured un uIcove
LIuL wus jusL Iurge enougI Ior u bIIIIurds LubIe, und u dIngy
puInLIng oI u IunLIng scene on one wuII. A Iurge over
sLuIIed cIuIr wus posILIoned beLween LIe wIndows, ILs veI
veL nup eroded. IgIL Irom u sLundIng Iump sIId ucross LIe
IIoor In u dIIuLed wusI.
eo wus drowsIng In LIe cIuIr, one urm IungIng IooseIy
over LIe sIde. An empLy boLLIe sLood on LIe IIoor neur LIe ' cIuIr, cusLIng u speurIIke
sIudow Lo LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe I room.
AmeIIu wouId Iuve conLInued on Ier wuy, buL some-
I LIIng ubouL Ier broLIer's undeIended posLure cuused Ier Lo sLop. He sIepL wILI IIs Ieud
sIumped over one sIouIder, IIps sIIgILIy purLed, jusL us Ie Iud In cIIIdIood. WILI IIs

I Iuce wIped cIeun oI unger und grIeI, Ie Iooked young und
vuInerubIe. SIe wus remInded oI LIe guIIunL boy Ie Iud
once been, und Ier IeurL conLrucLed wILI pILy.
VenLurIng InLo LIe room, AmeIIu wus sIocked by LIe
ubrupL cIunge oI LemperuLure, LIe bILIng uIr. L wus Iur coIder
I In Iere LIun IL wus ouLsIde. And IL wusn'L Ier ImugInuLIon-
! sIe couId see LIe wIILe puIIs oI Ier breuLI. SIIverIng, sIe
drew cIoser Lo Ier broLIer. TIe coIdness wus concenLruLed
uround IIm, LurnIng so bILLer LIuL IL mude Ier Iungs IurL Lo
breuLIe. As sIe Iovered over IIs prone Iorm, sIe wus


I swumped In u IeeIIng oI bIeukness, u sorrow beyond Leurs.


"eo?" HIs Iuce wus gruy, IIs IIps dry und bIue, und wIen sIe LoucIed IIs cIeek, LIere
wus no Lruce oI wurmLI "eo!"
No response.
AmeIIu sIook IIm, pusIed Iurd uL IIs cIesL, Look IIs sLIII Iuce In Ier Iunds. As sIe dId
so, sIe IeIL some InvIsIbIe Iorce puIIIng uL Ier. SIe IeId on doggedIy, knoLLIng Ier IIsLs In
LIe Ioose IoIds oI IIs sIIrL. "eo, wuke up!"
To Ier InIInILe reIIeI, Ie sLIrred und gusped, und IIs IusIes IIIckered upwurd. TIe IrIses oI
IIs eyes were us puIe us Ice. HIs puIms cume Lo Ier sIouIders, und Ie muLLered groggIIy,
"'m uwuke. 'm uwuke. Jesus. Don'L screum. You're mukIng enougI noIse Lo wuke LIe
deud."
"or u momenL LIougIL LIuL wus exucLIy wIuL wus doIng." AmeIIu IuII coIIupsed onLo
LIe urm oI LIe cIuIr, Ier nerves LIrIIIIng unpIeusunLIy. TIe cIIII wus recedIng now. "OI,
eo, you were so sLIII und puIe. 've seen IIveIIer-IookIng corpses."
Her broLIer rubbed IIs eyes. "'m onIy u bIL Lup-IuckIed. NoL deud."
"You wouIdn'L wuke up."
" dIdn'L wunL Lo. . .." He puused, IookIng LroubIed. HIs Lone wus soIL und wonderIng. "
wus dreumIng. SucI vIvId dreums . .."
"AbouL wIuL?"
He wouIdn'L unswer.
"AbouL uuru?" AmeIIu persIsLed.
HIs Iuce cIosed, deep IInes weuLIerIng LIe surIuce IIke IIssures mude by LIe expunsIon oI
Ice InsIde rock. " LoId you never Lo menLIon Ier nume Lo me."
"Yes, becuuse you dIdn'L wunL Lo be remInded oI Ier.


BuL IL doesn'L muLLer, eo. You never sLop LIInkIng ubouL Ier wIeLIer you Ieur Ier nume
or noL."
"'m noL goIng Lo LuIk ubouL Ier."
"WeII, IL's IuIrIy obvIous LIuL uvoIdunce Isn'L workIng." Her mInd spun desperuLeIy wILI
LIe quesLIon oI wIuL Luck Lo Luke, Iow besL Lo reucI IIm. SIe LrIed deLermInuLIon. " won'L
IeL you IuII Lo pIeces, eo."



TIe Iook Ie guve Ier mude IL cIeur LIuL deLermInuLIon Iud been u bud cIoIce. "Someduy,"
Ie suId wILI coId pIeusunLness, "you muy be Iorced Lo ucknowIedge LIere ure some LIIngs
beyond your conLroI. I wunL Lo go Lo pIeces, 'II do IL wILIouL uskIng your bIoody
permIssIon."
SIe LrIed sympuLIy nexL. "eo ... know wIuL you've gone LIrougI sInce uuru dIed. BuL
oLIer peopIe Iuve recovered Irom Ioss, und LIey've gone on Lo IInd IuppIness uguIn-"
"TIere's no more IuppIness," eo suId rougIIy. "TIere's no peuce In uny dumn corner oI
my IIIe. SIe Look IL uII wILI Ier. or pILy's suke, AmeIIu ... go meddIe In someone eIse's
uIIuIrs, und Ieuve me LIe IeII uIone."

CHAPTER EEVEN
TIe mornIng uILer AmeIIu HuLIuwuy's vIsIL, Cum wenL Lo vIsIL ord WesLcIIII 's prIvuLe
sLudy, puusIng uL LIe open doorwuy. "My Iord."

He suppressed u smIIe us Ie noLIced u cIIId's porceIuIn-Ieud doII under LIe muIoguny
desk, propped In u sILLIng posILIon uguInsL one oI LIe Iegs, und LIe remuIns oI wIuL
uppeured Lo be u Ioney LurL. KnowIng oI LIe eurI's udoru-LIon Ior IIs duugILer, Cum
guessed Ie Iound IL ImpossIbIe Lo deIend uguInsL MerrILL's InvusIons.

ookIng up Irom LIe desk, WesLcIIII gesLured Ior Cum Lo enLer. "s IL BrIsIen's LrIbe?"
Ie usked wILIouL preIude.

Cum Look LIe cIuIr Ie IndIcuLed. "No-IL's Ieuded by u mun numed DunIor. TIey suw
LIe murks on LIe Lrees."

TIuL mornIng, one oI WesLcIIII's LenunLs Iud reporLed LIuL u Romuny cump Iud been seL
up by LIe rIver. UnIIke oLIer Iundowners In HumpsIIre, WesLcIIII LoIeruLed LIe
presence oI GypsIes uL IIs esLuLe, us Iong us LIey mude no mIscIIeI und dIdn'L ouLsLuy
LIeIr weIcome.

On pusL occusIons LIe eurI Iud senL Iood und wIne Lo vIsILIng Romus. n reLurn, LIey
Iud curved murks on Lrees by LIe rIver Lo IndIcuLe LIIs wus IrIendIy LerrILory. TIey
usuuIIy sLuyed onIy u muLLer oI duys, und IeIL wILIouL cuusIng dumuge Lo LIe esLuLe.
Upon IeurnIng oI LIe Gypsy cump, Cum Iud voIunLeered Lo go LuIk Lo LIe newcomers
und usk ubouL LIeIr pIuns.
WesLcIIII Iud ugreed uL once, weIcomIng LIe opporLunILy oI sendIng un InLermedIury
wIo spoke Romuny.
L Iud been u good vIsIL. TIe LrIbe wus u smuII one, ILs Ieuder un uIIubIe mun wIo Iud
ussured Cum LIey wouId muke no LroubIe.


"TIey InLend Lo sLuy u week, no more," Cum LoId WesLcIIII.

"Good."

TIe eurI's decIsIve repIy cuused Cum Lo smIIe. "You don'L IIke beIng vIsILed by LIe
Rom."

"L's noL someLIIng wouId wIsI Ior," WesLcIIII udmILLed. "TIeIr presence mukes LIe
vIIIugers und my LenunLs nervous."

"BuL you uIIow LIem Lo sLuy. WIy?"

"or one LIIng, proxImILy mukes IL eusIer Lo know wIuL LIey're doIng. or unoLIer . . ."
WesLcIIII puused, seemIng Lo cIoose IIs words wILI unusuuI cure. "Muny vIew LIe
Romuny peopIe us bunds oI wunderers und ILInerunLs, und

uL worsL, beggurs und LIIeves. BuL oLIers recognIze LIem us possessIng LIeIr own
uuLIenLIc cuILure. I one subscrIbes Lo LIe IuLLer vIew, one cun'L punIsI LIem Ior IIvIng
us men oI nuLure."

Cum ruIsed IIs brows, Impressed. L wus rure Ior unyone, IeL uIone un urIsLocruL, Lo deuI
wILI GypsIes In u IuIr munner. "And you subscrIbe Lo LIe IuLLer vIew?"

" um IeunIng Lowurd IL"-WesLcIIII smIIed wryIy us Ie udded-"wIIIe uL LIe sume LIme
ucknowIedgIng LIuL men oI nuLure cun be, on occusIon, u bIL IIgIL-IIngered."
Cum grInned. "TIe Rom beIIeve no one owns LIe Iund or LIe IIIe IL susLuIns.
TecInIcuIIy, one cun'L sLeuI someLIIng LIuL beIongs Lo uII peopIe."
"My LenunL Iurmers Lend Lo dIsugree," WesLcIIII suId dryIy.

Cum Ieuned buck, resLIng one Iund on LIe urm oI LIe cIuIr. HIs goId rIngs gIInLed
uguInsL LIe rIcI muIoguny.
UnIIke LIe eurI, wIo wus precIseIy dressed In LuIIored cIoLIes und u deILIy knoLLed
neckLIe, Cum wore booLs und breecIes und un open-necked sIIrL. L wouIdn'L Iuve been
upproprIuLe Lo vIsIL LIe LrIbe In LIe IormuI sLIII-necked uLLIre oI u gudjo.

WesLcIIII wuLcIed IIm cIoseIy. "WIuL wus suId beLween you? wouId ImugIne LIey
expressed some surprIse upon meeLIng u Romu wIo IIves wILI gudje."
"SurprIse," Cum ugreed, "uIong wILI pILy."
"PILy?" TIe eurI wus noL so enIIgILened us Lo compreIend LIuL LIe Rom consIdered
LIemseIves vusLIy superIor Lo LIe gudje.

"TIey pILy uny mun wIo Ieuds LIIs kInd oI IIIe." Cum gesLured IooseIy uL LIeIr reIIned
surroundIngs. "SIeepIng In u Iouse. Burdened by possessIons. HuvIng u scIeduIe.
CurryIng u pockeL wuLcI. AII oI IL Is unnuLuruI."

He IeII sIIenL, LIInkIng oI LIe momenL Ie Iud seL IooL In LIe cump, LIe sense oI euse LIuL
Iud sLoIen over IIm. TIe sIgIL oI LIe wugons, vurdos, wILI dogs IuzIng beLween LIe


IronL wIeeIs, LIe conLenLed cob Iorses LeLIered neurby, LIe smeIIs oI woodsmoke und
usIes ... uII oI IL Iud evoked wurm cIIIdIood memorIes. And IongIng. He wunLed LIuL
IIIe, Iud never sLopped wunLIng IL. He Iud never Iound unyLIIng Lo repIuce IL.
"To my mInd LIere Is noLIIng unnuLuruI ubouL wunLIng u rooI oI over one's Ieud wIen IL
ruIns," WesLcIIII suId. "Or ownIng und LIIIIng LIe Iund, or meusurIng LIe progress oI LIe
duy wILI LIe use oI u cIock. L Is mun's nuLure Lo Impose IIs wIII on IIs surroundIngs.
OLIerwIse socIeLy wouId dIsInLegruLe, und LIere wouId be noLIIng buL cIuos und wur."
"And LIe EngIIsI, wILI LIeIr cIocks und Iurms und Iences-LIey Iuve no wur?"
TIe eurI Irowned. "One cun'L vIew LIese muLLers so sImpIIsLIcuIIy."
"TIe Rom do." Cum sLudIed LIe LIps oI IIs booLs, LIe worn IeuLIer couLed wILI u dry IIIm
oI rIver mud. "TIey usked me Lo go wILI LIem wIen LIey Ieuve," Ie suId uImosL ubsenLIy.
"You reIused, oI course."
" wunLed Lo suy yes. I noL Ior my responsIbIIILIes In ondon, wouId Iuve."
WesLcIIII's Iuce wenL bIunk. A specuIuLIve puuse. "You surprIse me." "WIy?"
"You're u mun oI unusuuI ubIIILIes und InLeIIIgence. You Iuve weuILI, und LIe prospecL oI
ucquIrIng mucI more. TIere's no IogIc In IeLLIng uII LIuL go Lo wusLe."
A smIIe LoucIed Cum's IIps. AILIougI WesLcIIII wus un open-mInded mun, Ie Iud sLrong
opInIons ubouL Iow peopIe sIouId IIve. HIs vuIues-umong LIem Ionor, IndusLry, und
udvuncemenL-were noL consIsLenL wILI LIe Rom's To LIe eurI, nuLure wus someLIIng Lo
be munuged und orgunIzed-IIowers musL be conLuIned In gurden beds, unI IIs musL be
LruIned or IunLed, Iund musL be cIeured. And u young mun musL be sLeered InLo producLIve
enLerprIse-und Ied Lo murry u proper womun wILI wIom Ie wouId buIId u soIId BrILIsI
IumIIy.
"WIy wouId IL be u wusLe?
"A mun musL ruIse IImseII Lo IIs IuIIesL poLenLIuI," cume LIe eurI's unIesILuLIng repIy.
"You couId never do LIuL IIvIng us u Romu. Your busIc needs-Iood und sIeILer-wouId
bureIy be meL. You wouId Iuce consLunL persecuLIon How In God's nume couId sucI u IIIe
uppeuI Lo you, wIen you Iuve uImosL everyLIIng u mun couId possIbIy wunL
Cum sIrugged. "L's Ireedom."
WesLcIIII sIook IIs Ieud. "I you wunL Iund, you I. LIe meuns Lo purcIuse Iurge umounLs
oI IL. I you wunL Iorses, you cun buy u sLrIng oI TIorougIbreds und IunLers. I you wunL
-"
"TIuL's noL Ireedom. How mucI oI your LIme Is spenL dIrecLIng esLuLe uIIuIrs, InvesLmenLs,
compunIes, IuvIng meeLIngs wILI ugenLs und brokers, LruveIIng Lo BrIsLoI und ondon?"
WesLcIIII Iooked uIIronLed. "Are you LeIIIng me In eurnesL LIuL you ure consIderIng gIvIng
up your empIoymenL, your umbILIons, your IuLure ... In Iuvor oI LruveIIng LIe eurLI In u


vurdo?
"Yes. 'm consIderIng IL."
WesLcIIII's coIIee-coIored eyes nurrowed. "And you LIInk uILer yeurs oI IIvIng u
producLIve IIIe In ondon LIuL you wouId udjusL IuppIIy Lo un exIsLence oI uImIess
wunderIng?"
"L's LIe IIIe wus meunL Ior. n your worId, 'm noLIIng buL u noveILy."
"A dumned successIuI noveILy. And you Iuve LIe opporLunILy Lo be u represenLuLIve Ior
your peopIe-"


"God IeIp me." Cum Iud begun Lo IuugI IeIpIessIy. "I IL ever comes Lo LIuL, sIouId be
sIoL." TIe eurI pIcked up LIe sIIver IeLLer seuI Irom LIe corner oI IIs desk, exumInIng LIe
engruved buse oI IL wILI undue concenLruLIon. He used LIe edge oI IIs LIumbnuII Lo
remove u Iurdened dropIeL oI seuIIng wux LIuL Iud murred LIe poIIsIed surIuce. Cum wus
noL deceIved by WesLcIIII 's sudden dIIIIdence.
"One cun'L IeIp buL noLIce," LIe eurI murmured, "LIuL wIIIe you're consIderIng u cIunge In
your enLIre wuy oI IIIe, you uIso seem Lo Iuve Luken u conspIcuous InLeresL In MIss
HuLIuwuy."
Cum's expressIon dIdn'L cIunge, LIe burrIer oI IIs smIIe IIrmIy IIxed. "SIe's u beuuLIIuI
womun. 'd Iuve Lo be bIInd noL Lo noLIce Ier. BuL LIuL's IurdIy goIng Lo cIunge my IuLure
pIuns." "YeL."
"Ever," Cum reLurned, puusIng us Ie Ieurd LIe unnecessury InLensILy oI IIs own voIce. He
udjusLed IIs Lone u once. "'ve decIded Lo Ieuve In Lwo duys, uILer SL. VIncenL und conIer
on u Iew muLLers regurdIng LIe cIub. L's noL IIkeIy 'II see MIss HuLIuwuy uguIn." TIunk
God, Ie udded prIvuLeIy.
TIe IundIuI oI encounLers Ie'd Iud wILI AmeIIu HuLIuwuy were unIqueIy LroubIIng. Cum
couIdn'L recuII wIen, II ever, Ie Iud been so uIIecLed by u womun. He wus no one Lo
InvoIve IImseII In oLIer peopIes' uIIuIrs. He wu IouLI Lo gIve udvIce, und Ie spenL IILLIe
LIme consIderIng probIems LIuL dIdn'L dIrecLIy concern IIm. BuL Ie wus IrresIsLIbIy druwn
Lo AmeIIu. SIe wus so deIIcIousIy serIous mInded, so busy LryIng Lo munuge everyone In
Ier spIere, wus un ungodIy LempLuLIon Lo dIsLrucL Ier. Muke Ier IuugI. Muke Ier pIuy.
And Ie couId, II Ie wIsIed. KnowIng LIuL mude IL uII LIe more dIIIIcuIL Lo sLuy uwuy Irom
Ier. TIe LenucIous connecLIons sIe Iud Iormed wILI LIe oLIers In Ier IumIIy, LIe exLenL
sIe wouId go Lo Luke cure oI LIem ... LIuL uppeuIed Lo IIm on un InsLIncLuuI IeveI TIe Rom
were IIke LIuL. TrIbuI. And yeL AmeIIu wus IIs opposILe In LIe mosL essenLIuI wuys, u
creuLure oI domes-LIcILy wIo wouId InsIsL on puLLIng down rooLs. ronIc, LIuL Ie sIouId be
so IuscInuLed by someone wIo represenLed everyLIIng Ie needed Lo escupe Irom.



L seemed LIe enLIre counLy Lurned ouL Ior LIe Mop uIr. wIIcI uccordIng Lo LrudILIon Iud
been IeId every OcLober LIe LweIILI Ior uL IeusL u Iundred yeurs. TIe vIIIuge, wILI ILs LIdy
sIops und wIILe und bIuck LIuLcIed coLLuges, wus uImosL ubsurdIy cIurmIng. Crowds
mIIIed ubouL LIe dIsLIncLIve ovuI vIIIuge green or sLroIIed uIong LIe muIn LIo-ougIIure
wIere u muILILude oI Lemporury sLuIIs und booLIs Iud been erecLed. Vendors soId penny
Loys, IoodsLuIIs, bugs oI suIL Irom ymIngLon, gIusswure und IubrIcs, und poLs oI IocuI
Ioney.
TIe musIc oI sIngers und IIddIers wus puncLuuLed by bursLs oI uppIuuse us enLerLuIners
perIormed LrIcks Ior pussers-by. MosL oI LIe work-IIrIng Iud been done eurIIer In LIe duy,
wILI IopeIuI Iuborers und upprenLIces sLundIng In IInes on LIe vIIIuge green, LuIkIng Lo
poLenLIuI empIoyers. AILer un ugreemenL wus mude, u IusLen-penny wus gIven Lo LIe
newIy IIred servunL, und LIe resL oI LIe duy wus spenL In merrymukIng.
MerrIpen Iud gone In LIe mornIng Lo IInd Lwo or LIree suILubIe servunLs Ior Rumsuy
House. WILI LIuL busIness concIuded, Ie reLurned Lo LIe vIIIuge In IuLe uILernoon, uccompunIed
by LIe enLIre HuLIuwuy IumIIy. TIey were uII deIIgILed by LIe prospecL oI
musIc, Iood, und enLerLuInmenL. eo prompLIy dIsuppeured wILI u puIr oI vIIIuge women,
IeuvIng IIs sIsLers In MerrIpen's cIurge.
BrowsIng umong LIe sLuIIs, LIe sIsLers IeusLed on Iund-sIzed pork pIes, Ieek pusLIes,
uppIes und peurs, und Lo LIe gIrIs deIIgIL, "gIngerbreud Iusbunds." TIe gIngerbreud Iud
been pressed InLo wooden mun-sIuped moIds, buked und gIIded. TIe buker uL LIe sLuII
ussured LIem LIuL every un murrIed muIden musL euL u gIngerbreud Iusbund Ior
Iuck, Id sIe wunLed Lo cuLcI LIe reuI LIIng someduy.
A IuugIIng mock urgumenL sprung up beLween AmeIIu und LIe buker us sIe IIuLIy reIused
one Ior IerseII, suyIng sIe Iud no wIsI Lo murry.

"BuL oI course you do!" LIe buker decIured wILI u sIy grIn "L's wIuL every
womun Iopes Ior." AmeIIu smIIed und pussed LIe gIngerbreud men Lo Ier sIsLers. "How
mucI Ior LIree, sIr?"

"A IurLIIng eucI." He uLLempLed Lo Iund Ier u IourLI.
And LIIs Is Ior no cIurge. L wouId be u sud wusLe Ior u IoveIy bIue-eyed Iudy Lo go
wILIouL u Iusbund."

"OI, couIdn'L," AmeIIu proLesLed. "TIunk you, buL don'L -"
A new voIce cume Irom beIInd Ier. "SIe'II Luke IL." DIscomIILure und pIeusure seeLIed
Iow In Ier body, und AmeIIu suw u durk muscuIIne Iund reucIIng ouL, droppIng u sIIIve
pIece InLo LIe buker's upLurned puIm. HeurIng Ier sIsLcrs" gIggIIng excIumuLIons, AmeIIu
Lurned und Iooked up InLo u puIr oI brIgIL IuzeI eyes.
"You need LIe Iuck," Cum RoIun suId, pusIIng LIe gIn-gerbreud Iusbund InLo Ier


reIucLunL Iunds. "Huve some."

SIe obeyed, deIIberuLeIy bILIng oII LIe Ieud, und Ie IuugIed. Her mouLI wus IIIIed wILI
LIe rIcI IIuvor oI moIusses und LIe meILIng cIewIness oI gIngerbreud on Ier Longue.
GIuncIng uL RoIun, sIe LIougIL Ie sIouId Iuve Iud uL IeusL one or Lwo IIuws, some
IrreguIurILy oI skIn or sLrucLure ... buL IIs compIexIon wus us smooLI us durk Ioney, und
LIe IInes oI IIs IeuLures were ruzor-perIecL. As Ie benL IIs Ieud Lowurd Ier, LIe perIsIIng
sun sLruck brIIIIunL spungIes In LIe durk wuves oI IIs IuIr.
MunugIng Lo swuIIow LIe gIngerbreud, AmeIIu mumbIed, " don'L beIIeve In Iuck."
RoIun smIIed. "Or Iusbunds, uppurenLIy." "NoL Ior myseII, no. BuL Ior oLIers-" "L
doesn'L muLLer. You'II murry unywuy." "WIy do you suy LIuL?"
BeIore repIyIng, RoIun cusL u Iook uskunce uL LIe HuLIuwuy sIsLers, wIo were smIIIng
benevoIenLIy upon LIem. MerrIpen, on LIe oLIer Iund, wus scowIIng.
"Muy sLeuI your sIsLer uwuy?" RoIun usked LIe resL oI LIe HuLIuwuys. " need Lo speuk
wILI Ier on some upIury muLLers."
"WIuL does LIuL meun?" BeuLrIx usked, LukIng LIe IeudIess gIngerbreud Iusbund Irom
AmeIIu.
" suspecL Mr. RoIun Is reIerrIng Lo our bee room," WIn repIIed wILI u grIn, genLIy urgIng
Ier sIsLers Lo come uwuy wILI Ier. "Come, IeL's see II we cun IInd u sLuII wILI embroIdery
sIIks."
"Don'L go Iur," AmeIIu cuIIed uILer LIem, more LIun u IIL LIe umuzed by LIe speed uL wIIcI
Ier IumIIy wus ubundon-Ing Ier. "Beu, don'L puy Ior someLIIng wILIouL burguInIng IIrsL,
und WIn ..." Her voIce LruIIed uwuy us LIey scuLLered

SIe obeyed, deIIberuLeIy bILIng oII LIe Ieud, und Ie IuugIed. Her mouLI wus IIIIed wILI
LIe rIcI IIuvor oI moIusses und LIe meILIng cIewIness oI gIngerbreud on Ier Longue.
GIuncIng uL RoIun, sIe LIougIL Ie sIouId Iuve Iud uL IeusL one or Lwo IIuws, some
IrreguIurILy oI skIn or sLrucLure ... buL IIs compIexIon wus us smooLI us durk Ioney, und
LIe IInes oI IIs IeuLures were ruzor-perIecL. As Ie benL IIs Ieud Lowurd Ier, LIe perIsIIng
sun sLruck brIIIIunL spungIes In LIe durk wuves oI IIs IuIr.
MunugIng Lo swuIIow LIe gIngerbreud, AmeIIu mumbIed, " don'L beIIeve In Iuck."
RoIun smIIed. "Or Iusbunds, uppurenLIy." "NoL Ior myseII, no. BuL Ior oLIers-" "L
doesn'L muLLer. You'II murry unywuy." "WIy do you suy LIuL?"
BeIore repIyIng, RoIun cusL u Iook uskunce uL LIe HuLIuwuy sIsLers, wIo were smIIIng
benevoIenLIy upon LIem. MerrIpen, on LIe oLIer Iund, wus scowIIng.
"Muy sLeuI your sIsLer uwuy?" RoIun usked LIe resL oI LIe HuLIuwuys. " need Lo speuk


wILI Ier on some upIury muLLers."
"WIuL does LIuL meun?" BeuLrIx usked, LukIng LIe IeudIess gIngerbreud Iusbund Irom
AmeIIu.
" suspecL Mr. RoIun Is reIerrIng Lo our bee room," WIn repIIed wILI u grIn, genLIy urgIng
Ier sIsLers Lo come uwuy wILI Ier. "Come, IeL's see II we cun IInd u sLuII wILI embroIdery
sIIks."
"Don'L go Iur," AmeIIu cuIIed uILer LIem, more LIun u IILLIe umuzed by LIe speed uL wIIcI
Ier IumIIy wus ubundonIng Ier. "Beu, don'L puy Ior someLIIng wILIouL burguInIng IIrsL,
und WIn..." Her voIce LruIIed uwuy us LIey scuLLered

umong LIe sLuIIs wILIouL IIsLenIng. OnIy MerrIpen guve Ier u buckwurd gIunce, gIowerIng
over IIs sIouIder.
SeemIng Lo enjoy LIe sIgIL oI MerrIpen's unnoyunce, RoIun oIIered AmeIIu IIs urm.
"WuIk wILI me."
SIe couId Iuve objecLed Lo LIe soIL-voIced commund, excepL LIIs wus probubIy LIe IusL
LIme sIe wouId see IIm Ior u Iong wIIIe, II ever. And IL wus dIIIIcuIL Lo resIsL LIe
beguIIIng gIeum oI IIs eyes.
"WIy dId you suy wouId murry?" sIe usked us LIey moved LIrougI LIe crowd uL u
reIuxed puce. L dId noL escupe Ier LIuL muny guzes sLruyed Lo LIe Iundsome Romu
dressed IIke u genLIemun.
"L's wrILLen on your Iund."
"PuIm-reudIng Is u sIum. And men don'L reud puIms. OnIy women."
"JusL becuuse we don'L," RoIun repIIed cIeerIuIIy, "doesn'L meun we cun'L. And unyone
couId see your murrIuge IIne. L's us cIeur us duy."
"MurrIuge IIne? WIere Is IL?" AmeIIu Look Ier Iund Irom IIs urm und scruLInIzed Ier own
puIm.
RoIun drew Ier wILI IIm beneuLI LIe sIude oI u buIky beecI Lree on LIe edge oI LIe
green. Crowds mIIIed ucross LIe cropped ovuI, wIIIe LIe IusL Iew swugs oI sunIIgIL
crumpIed beneuLI LIe IorIzon. TorcIes und Iumps were uIreudy beIng IIL In unLIcIpuLIon oI
evenIng.
"TIIs one," RoIun suId, LukIng Ier IeIL Iund, LurnIng IL puIm upwurd.
AmeIIu's IIngers curIed us u wuve oI emburrussmenL wenL LIrougI Ier. SIe sIouId Iuve
been weurIng gIoves, buL Ier besL puIr Iud been sLuIned, und Ier second-besL puIr Iud u
IoIe In one oI LIe IIngers, und sIe Iudn'L yeL munuged Lo buy new ones. To muke muLLers
worse, LIere wus u


" wus Len yeurs oId," Ie suId. "or us Iong us couId remember, LruveIed In my
grundpurenLs' vurdo. never knew my purenLs-my moLIer dIed In cIIIdbIrLI, und my
IuLIer wus un rIsI gudjo. HIs IumIIy rejecLed IIs murrIuge und convInced IIm Lo ubundon
my moLIer. don'L LIInk Ie ever knew sIe'd Iud u cIIId." "DId unyone Lry Lo LeII IIm?"
" don'L know. TIey muy Iuve decIded IL wouIdn'L Iuve cIunged unyLIIng. AccordIng Lo
my grundpurenLs, Ie wus u young mun"-Ie IIusIed u brIeI, mIscIIevous smIIe In Ier
dIrecLIon-"und ImmuLure even Ior u gudjo. One duy my grundmoLIer dressed me In u
new sIIrL sIe Iud mude, und LoId me Iud Lo Ieuve LIe LrIbe. SIe suId wus In dunger und
couId no Ionger IIve wILI LIem." "WIuL kInd oI dunger? rom wIuL source?" "SIe
wouIdn'L suy. An oIder cousIn oI mIne-IIs nume wus NouI-Look me Lo ondon und
IeIped me IInd u sILuuLIon und u job. He promIsed Lo come buck Ior me someduy und LeII
me wIen IL wus suIe Lo go Iome."
"And In LIe meunLIme you worked uL LIe gumIng cIub?" "Yes, oId Jenner IIred me us u
IIsLmuker's runner." RoIun's expressIon soILened wILI remInIscenL Iondness. "n muny
wuys Ie wus IIke u IuLIer Lo me. OI course, Ie wus quIck-Lempered und u bIL Loo reudy
wILI IIs IIsLs. BuL Ie wus u good mun. He Iooked ouL Ior me."
"L couIdn'L Iuve been eusy Ior you," AmeIIu suId, IeeIIng compussIon Ior LIe boy Ie Iud
been, ubundoned by IIs IumIIy und obIIged Lo muke IIs own wuy In LIe worId. " wonder
LIuL you dIdn'L Lry Lo run buck Lo your LrIbe."
" Iud promIsed wouIdn'L." SeeIng u IeuI IIuLLerIng down Irom un overIeud Lree bruncI,
RoIun reucIed upwurd, LIe cIever IIngers pIuckIng IL Irom LIe uIr us II by


sIeIgIL oI Iund. He brougIL LIe IeuI Lo IIs nose, InIuIIng ILs sweeLness, und guve IL Lo Ier.
" sLuyed uL LIe cIub Ior yeurs," Ie suId In u muLLer-oI-IucL Lone. "WuILIng Ior NouI Lo
come buck Ior me."
AmeIIu cIuIed LIe crIspIy pIIunL skIn oI LIe IeuI beLween LIe puds oI Ier IIngers. "BuL Ie
never dId."
RoIun sIook IIs Ieud. "TIen Jenner dIed, und IIs duugILer und son-In-Iuw Look
possessIon oI LIe cIub."
"You've been LreuLed weII In LIeIr empIoy?"
"Too weII." A Irown swepL ucross IIs IoreIeud. 'TIey sLurLed my good-Iuck curse."
"Yes, 've Ieurd ubouL LIuL." SIe smIIed uL IIm. "BuL sInce don'L beIIeve In Iuck or
curses, 'm skepLIcuI."
"L's enougI Lo ruIn u Gypsy. No muLLer wIuL do, money comes Lo me."
"How dreudIuI. TIuL musL be very LryIng Ior you."
"L's dumned emburrussIng," Ie muLLered wILI u sIncerILy sIe couIdn'L doubL.



HuII umused, IuII envIous, AmeIIu usked, "Hud you ever experIenced LIIs probIem
beIore?"
RoIun sIook IIs Ieud. "BuL sIouId Iuve seen IL comIng. L's IuLe." SLoppIng wILI Ier, Ie
sIowed Ier IIs puIm, wIere u cIusLer oI sLur-sIuped InLersecLIons gIImmered uL LIe buse
oI IIs IoreIInger. "InuncIuI prosperILy," cume IIs gIum expIunuLIon. "And IL won'L end
uny LIme soon."
"You couId gIve your money uwuy. TIere ure counLIess cIurILIes, und muny peopIe In
need."
" InLend Lo. Soon." TukIng Ier eIbow, Ie guIded Ier cureIuIIy uround un uneven puLcI oI
ground. "TIe duy uILer Lomorrow, 'm reLurnIng Lo ondon Lo IInd u repIucemenL IucLoLum
uL LIe cIub."
"And LIen wIuL wIII you do?"

"Ive us u Lrue Romu. 'II IInd some LrIbe Lo LruveI wILI. No more uccounL books or suIud
Iorks or sIoe poIIsI. 'II be Iree."
He seemed convInced LIuL Ie wouId be suLIsIIed wILI u sImpIe IIIe-buL AmeIIu Iud Ier
doubLs. TIe probIem wus, LIere wus no mIddIe ground. One couId noL be u wunderer und
u domesLIcuLed genLIemun uL LIe sume LIme. A cIoIce Iud Lo be mude. L mude Ier
LIunkIuI LIuL no duuIILy exIsLed In Ier own nuLure. SIe knew exucLIy wIo und wIuL sIe
wus.
RoIun brougIL Ier Lo u sLuII seL up by LIe vIIIuge wIne sIop, und bougIL Lwo cups oI pIum
wIne. SIe drunk LIe LurL, sIIgILIy sweeL vInLuge In LIIrsLy guIps, mukIng RoIun IuugI
quIeLIy. "NoL so IusL," Ie cuuLIoned. "TIIs sLuII Is sLronger LIun you reuIIze. Any more und
'II Iuve Lo IuuI you Iome over my sIouIders IIke u IeIIed deer."
"L's noL LIuL sLrong," AmeIIu proLesLed, unubIe Lo LusLe uny uIcoIoI In LIe IruIL-Ieuvy
wIne. L wus deIIcIous, LIe dry pIummy rIcIness IIngerIng on Ier Longue. SIe IeId ouL Ier
cup Lo LIe wIne-seIIer. "'II Luke unoLIer."
AILIougI proper women dIdn'L ordInurIIy euL or drInk In pubIIc, LIe ruIes were oILen cusL
usIde uL ruruI IuIrs und IesLIvuIs, wIere genLry und commoners rubbed eIbows und Ignored
LIe convenLIons.
ookIng umused, RoIun IInIsIed IIs own wIne, und wuILed puLIenLIy us sIe drunk more.
" Iound u beekeeper Ior you," Ie suId. " descrIbed your probIem Lo IIm. He suId Ie
wouId go Lo Rumsuy House Lomorrow, or perIups LIe nexL duy. One wuy or unoLIer,
you'II be rId oI LIe bees." "TIunk you," AmeIIu suId IervenLIy. " um IndebLed Lo you, Mr.
RoIun. WIII IL Luke Iong Ior IIm Lo remove LIe IIve?"


"TIere's no wuy oI knowIng unLII Ie sees IL. WILI LIe Iouse IuvIng gone unoccupIed Ior
so Iong, LIe coIony couId be quILe Iurge. He suId Ie'd once encounLered u IIve In un
ubundoned coLLuge LIuL Iurbored IuII u mIIIIon bees, by IIs esLImuLe."
Her eyes Lurned enormous. "HuII u mIIIIon-"
" doubL yours Is LIuL bud," RoIun suId. "BuL IL's uImosL cerLuIn purL oI LIe wuII wIII Iuve
Lo be removed uILer LIe bees ure gone."
More expense. More repuIrs. AmeIIu's sIouIders sIumped uL LIe LIougIL. SIe spoke
wILIouL LIInkIng. "Hud known Rumsuy House wus In sucI LerrIbIe condILIon, wouIdn'L
Iuve moved LIe IumIIy Lo HumpsIIre. sIouIdn'L Iuve Luken LIe soIIcILor's word LIuL LIe
Iouse wus IubILubIe. BuL wus In sucI u Iurry Lo remove eo Irom ondon-und
wunLed so mucI Ior uII oI us Lo muke u new sLurL-"
"You're noL responsIbIe Ior everyLIIng. Your broLIer Is un uduIL. So ure WInnIIred und
Poppy. TIey ugreed wILI your decIsIon, dIdn'L LIey?"
"Yes, buL eo wusn'L In IIs rIgIL mInd. He sLIII Isn'L. And WIn Is IruII, und-"
"You IIke Lo bIume yourseII, don'L you? Come wuIk wILI me."
SIe seL Ier empLy wIne cup uL LIe corner oI LIe sLuII, IeeIIng IIgIL-Ieuded. TIe second
cup oI wIne Iud been u mIsLuke. And goIng unywIere wILI RoIun, wILI nIgIL deepenIng
und reveIry uII uround LIem, wouId be yeL unoLIer. BuL us sIe Iooked InLo IIs IuzeI eyes,
sIe IeIL ubsurdIy reckIess. JusL u Iew sLoIen mInuLes ... sIe couIdn'L resIsL LIe IuwIess
mIscIIeI oI IIs smIIe. "My IumIIy wIII worry II don'L rejoIn LIem soon." "TIey know
you're wILI me."


"TIuL's wIy LIey'II worry," sIe suId, mukIng IIm IuugI. TIey puused uL u LubIe beurIng u
coIIecLIon oI mugIc IunLerns, smuII embossed LIn Iumps wILI condensIng Ienses uL LIe
IronL. TIere wus u sIoL Ior u Iund-puInLed gIuss sIIde jusL beIInd LIe Iens. WIen LIe Iump
wus IIL, un Imuge wouId be projecLed on u wuII. RoIun InsIsLed on buyIng one Ior AmeIIu,
uIong wILI u puckeL oI sIIdes.
"BuL IL's u cIIId's Loy," sIe proLesLed, IoIdIng LIe IunLern by ILs wIre IundIe. "WIuL um Lo
do wILI IL?"
"nduIge In poInLIess enLerLuInmenL. PIuy. You sIouId Lry IL someLIme."
"PIuyIng Is Ior cIIIdren, noL uduILs." "OI, MIss HuLIuwuy," Ie murmured, IeudIng Ier
uwuy Irom LIe LubIe. "TIe besL kInd oI pIuyIng Is Ior uduILs."
TIey Iemmed LIe edge oI LIe crowd, weuvIng In und ouL IIke un embroIderer's needIe,
unLII IInuIIy LIey drIILed Iree oI LIe LorcIIIgIL und movemenL und musIc, und reucIed LIe
durk, IumInous quIeL oI u beecI grove.
"Are you goIng Lo LeII me wIy you Iud LIuL sIIver seuI Irom WesLcIIII's sLudy?" Ie usked.



" wouId ruLIer noL, II you don'L mInd." "Becuuse you're LryIng Lo proLecL BeuLrIx?" Her
sLurLIed gIunce cuL LIrougI LIe sIudows. "How dId you ... LIuL Is, wIy dId you menLIon
my sIsLer?"
"TIe nIgIL oI LIe supper purLy, BeuLrIx Iud LIe LIme und opporLunILy. TIe quesLIon Is, wIy
dId sIe wunL IL?"
"BeuLrIx Is u good gIrI," AmeIIu suId quIckIy. "A wonderIuI gIrI. SIe wouId never
deIIberuLeIy do unyLIIng wrong, und-you dIdn'L LeII unyone ubouL LIe seuI, dId you?"
"OI course noL." HIs Iund LoucIed LIe sIde oI Ier Iuce. "Eusy, IummIngbIrd. wouIdn'L
beLruy your secreLs. 'm


your IrIend. LIInk ..." A brIeI, eIecLrIIyIng puuse. "n unoLIer IIIeLIme, we wouId be more
LIun IrIends."
Her IeurL Lurned In u puInIuI revoIuLIon beIInd Ier rIbs. "TIere's no sucI LIIng us unoLIer
IIIeLIme. TIere cun'L be." "WIy noL?" "Occum's ruzor."
He wus sIIenL us II Ier unswer Iud surprIsed IIm, und LIen u wonderIng IuugI sIIpped
Irom IIs LIrouL. 'TIe medIevuI scIenLIIIc prIncIpIe?"
"Yes. WIen IormuIuLIng u LIeory, eIImInuLe us Iew ussumpLIons us possIbIe. n oLIer
words, LIe sImpIesL expIunuLIon Is LIe mosL IIkeIy."
"And LIuL's wIy you don'L beIIeve In mugIc or IuLe or reIncurnuLIon? Becuuse LIey're Loo
compIIcuLed, LIeoreLIcuIIy speukIng?" "Yes."
"How dId you Ieurn ubouL Occum's ruzor?" "My IuLIer wus u medIevuI scIoIur." SIe
sIIvered us sIe IeIL IIs Iund gIIde uIong LIe sIde oI Ier neck. "SomeLImes we sLudIed
LogeLIer."
RoIun prIed LIe wIre IundIe oI LIe mugIc IunLern Irom Ier sIuky grIp, und seL IL neur LIeIr
IeeL. "DId Ie uIso LeucI you LIuL LIe compIIcuLed expIunuLIons ure someLImes more
uccuruLe LIun LIe sImpIe ones?"
AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieud, unubIe Lo speuk us Ie Look Ier sIouIders, IILLIng Ier uguInsL
IImseII wILI exLreme cure. Her puIse run rIoL. SIe sIouIdn'L uIIow IIm Lo IoId Ier.
Someone mIgIL see, even secreLed In LIe sIudows us LIey were. BuL us Ier muscIes drew
In LIe wurm pressure oI IIs body, LIe pIeusure oI IL mude Ier dIzzy, und sIe sLopped
curIng ubouL unyone or unyLIIng ouLsIde IIs urms.


RoIun's IIngerLIps drIILed wILI sLunnIng deIIcucy over Ier LIrouL, beIInd Ier eur, pusIIng
InLo LIe suLIny wurmLI oI Ier IuIr. "You ure un InLeresLIng womun, AmeIIu."
GooseIIesI rose wIerever IIs breuLI LoucIed. " cun'L I-IuLIom wIy you wouId LIInk so."
HIs pIuyIuI mouLI Lruced LIe wIng oI Ier brow. " IInd you LIorougIIy, deepIy InLeresLIng.



wunL Lo open you IIke u book und reud every puge." A smIIe curIed LIe corners oI IIs
IIps us Ie udded IuskIIy, "ooLnoLes IncIuded." eeIIng LIe sLIIIness oI Ier neck muscIes,
Ie couxed LIe LensIon ouL oI LIem, kneudIng IIgILIy. " wunL you. wunL Lo IIe wILI you
beneuLI consLeIIuLIons und cIouds und sIude Lrees."
BeIore sIe couId unswer, Ie covered Ier mouLI wILI IIs. SIe IeIL u joIL oI IeuL, Ier bIood
IgnILIng, und sIe couId no more wILIIoId Ier response LIun sLop Ier own IeurL Irom
beuLIng. SIe reucIed up Lo IIs IuIr, LIe beuuLIIuI ebony Iocks curIIng sIIgILIy over Ier
IIngers. ToucIIng IIs eur, sIe Iound LIe IuceLed dIumond sLud In LIe Iobe. SIe IIngered IL
genLIy, LIen IoIIowed LIe LuuL suLIn skIn down Lo LIe edge oI IIs coIIur. HIs breuLI
rougIened us Ie deepened LIe kIss, IIs Longue peneLruLIng In sIIken demund.
TIe wIILe moon senL sIurds oI IIgIL LIrougI LIe beecI bougIs, ouLIInIng LIe sIIIoueLLe oI
RoIun's Ieud, LoucIIng Ier own skIn wILI un uneurLIIy gIow. SupporLIng Ier wILI one
Iund, Ie crudIed Ier Iuce wILI LIe oLIer, IIs breuLI IoL und scenLed wILI sweeL wIne us IL
IeII uguInsL Ier mouLI.
A curL voIce sIoL LIrougI LIe IumId durkness. "AmeIIu."
L wus CIrIsLopIer rosL, sLundIng u Iew yurds uwuy, IIs posLure rIgId und combuLIve. He
guve Cum RoIun u Iong, Iurd sLure. "Don'L muke u specLucIe oI Ier. SIe's u Iudy, und
deserves Lo be LreuLed us sucI."


AmeIIu IeIL LIe ImmedIuLe LensIon In RoIun's body. " don'L need udvIce Irom you on Iow
Lo LreuL Ier," Ie suId soILIy.
"You know wIuL IL wIII do Lo Ier repuLuLIon II sIe Is
seen wILI you."
L Iud ImmedIuLeIy become uppurenL LIuL LIe conIronLuLIon wouId Lurn ugIy II AmeIIu
dIdn'L do someLIIng ubouL IL. SIe puIIed uwuy Irom RoIun. "TIIs Isn'L seemIy," sIe suId.
"1 musL go buck Lo my IumIIy."
"'II escorL you," rosL suId uL once.
RoIun's eyes IIusIed dungerousIy. "Ike IeII you wIII."
"PIeuse." AmeIIu reucIed up Lo LoucI Ier cooI IIngers Lo RoIun's purLed IIps. " LIInk ...
IL's beLLer LIuL we purL Iere. wunL Lo go wILI IIm. TIere ure LIIngs LIuL musL be suId
beLween us. And you . .." SIe munuged Lo smIIe uL IIm. "You Iuve muny rouds Lo LruveI."
CIumsIIy sIe benL und reLrIeved LIe mugIc IunLern uL Ier IeeL. "Goodbye, Mr. RoIun.
Iope you IInd everyLIIng you're IookIng Ior. Iope-" SIe broke oII wILI u crooked
smIIe, und IeIL u pecuIIur sLIngIng puIn In Ier LIrouL und swuIIowed LIe bILLersweeL LusLe oI
IongIng. "Goodbye, Cum," sIe wIIspered.
He dIdn'L move or speuk. SIe IeIL IIm wuLcIIng Ier us sIe wenL Lo CIrIsLopIer rosL. . .



sIe IeIL IIs guze peneLruLIng Ier cIoLIes, IIngerIng uguInsL Ier skIn. And us sIe wuIked
uwuy, u sense oI Ioss rusIed LIrougI Ier.
TIey wundered sIowIy, sIe und CIrIsLopIer, IuIIIng InLo u IumIIIur Iurmony. TIey Iud
wuIked oILen durIng LIen-courLsIIp, or gone on dIscreeLIy cIuperoned drIves. L Iud been
u proper courLsIIp, wILI eurnesL conversuLIons und LenderIy composed IeLLers, und sweeL
sLoIen kIsses. L Iud seemed mugIcuI, unbeIIevubIe, LIuL someone so Iundsome und
perIecL wouId wunL Ier. n IucL, AmeIIu Iud puL IIm oII uL LIe begInnIng Ior LIuL very
reuson, LeIIIng IIm wILI u IuugI LIuL sIe wus sure Ie meunL Lo LrIIIe wILI Ier. BuL
CIrIsLopIer Iud counLered by suyIng Ie wus IurdIy goIng Lo LrIIIe wILI IIs besL IrIend's
sIsLer, und Ie wus cerLuInIy noL some ondon ruke wIo wouId pIuy Ier IuIse.
"or one LIIng, don'L dress neurIy weII enougI Lo be u ruke," CIrIsLopIer Iud poInLed
ouL wILI u grIn, IndIcuLIng IIs weII-LuIIored buL sober uLLIre.
"You're rIgIL," AmeIIu Iud ugreed, IookIng IIm over wILI mock soIemnILy. "n IucL, you
don'L dress weII enougI Lo be un urcIILecL, eILIer."
"And." Ie Iud conLInued, " Iuve un exceedIngIy respecLubIe IIsLory wILI women. HeurLs
und repuLuLIons uII IeIL InLucL. No ruke wouId muke sucI u cIuIm."
"You're very convIncIng," AmeIIu Iud observed, u bIL breuLIIess us Ie Iud moved cIoser.
"MIss HuLIuwuy," CIrIsLopIer Iud wIIspered, enguIIIng Ier cooI Iund wILI boLI oI IIs
wurm ones, "Luke pILy. AL IeusL IeL me wrILe Lo you. PromIse you'II reud my IeLLer. And II
you sLIII don'L wunL me uILer LIuL, 'II never boLIer you uguIn."
nLrIgued, AmeIIu Iud consenLed. And wIuL u IeLLer IL Iud been . . . cIurmIng und eIoquenL
und IuIrIy bIIsLerIng In purLs. TIey Iud begun u correspondence, und CIrIsLopIer Iud
vIsILed PrImrose PIuce wIenever Ie couId.
AmeIIu Iud never enjoyed uny mun's compuny so mucI. TIey sIured sImIIur opInIons on
u vurIeLy oI Issues, wIIcI wus pIeusunL. BuL wIen LIey dIsugreed, IL wus even more
enjoyubIe. CIrIsLopIer seIdom becume IeuLed on u subjecL-IIs upproucI wus unuIyLIcuI,
scIoIurIy, ruLIer

IIke Ier IuLIer. And II AmeIIu becume unnoyed wILI IIm, Ie IuugIed und kIssed Ier unLII
sIe IorgoL wIuL Iud sLurLed LIe urgumenL.
CIrIsLopIer Iud never LrIed Lo seduce AmeIIu-Ie respecLed Ier Loo mucI Ior LIuL. Even
uL LIe LImes wIen sIe Iud IeIL so sLIrred LIuL sIe Iud encouruged IIm Lo go beyond mere
kIsses, Ie Iud reIused. " wunL you, IILLIe Iove," Ie Iud wIIspered, IIs breuLI unsLeudy, IIs
eyes brIgIL wILI pussIon. "BuL noL unLII IL's rIgIL. NoL unLII you're my
wIIe."
TIuL wus us cIose Lo u proposuI us Ie Iud ever come. TIere Iud been no oIIIcIuI beLroLIuI,


uILIougI CIrIsLopIer Iud Ied Ier Lo expecL one. TIere Iud onIy been u mysLerIous sIIence
Ior uImosL u monLI, und LIen eo Iud gone Lo IInd IIm on AmeIIu's beIuII. Her broLIer
Iud come buck Irom ondon IookIng ungry und LroubIed.
"TIere ure rumors," eo Iud LoId AmeIIu gruIIIy, LukIng Ier uguInsL IIs sIIrLIronL, dryIng
Ier Leurs wILI IIs IundkercIIeI. "He's been seen wILI RowIund TempIe's duugILer. TIey
suy Ie's courLIng Ier."
And LIen unoLIer IeLLer Iud come Irom CIrIsLopIer, so devusLuLIng LIuL AmeIIu wondered
Iow mere scruLcIes oI Ink on puper couId rIp someone's souI Lo sIreds. SIe Iud
wondered Iow sIe couId IeeI so mucI puIn und sLIII survIve. SIe Iud gone Lo bed Ior u
week, noL venLurIng Irom Ier durkened room, cryIng unLII sIe wus III, und LIen cryIng
some more.
ronIcuIIy, LIe LIIng LIuL Iud suved Ier wus LIe scurIeL Iever LIuL Iud sLruck WIn und eo.
TIey Iud needed Ier, und curIng Ior LIem Iud puIIed Ier ouL oI LIe depLIs oI meIuncIoIy.
SIe Iud noL sIed u Leur Ior CIrIsLopIer rosL uILer LIuL.


BuL LIe ubsence oI Leurs wusn'L LIe sume us un ubsence oI IeeIIng. AmeIIu wus surprIsed
now Lo dIscover LIuL underneuLI LIe bILLerness und cuuLIon, uII LIe LIIngs sIe Iud once
Iound uppeuIIng ubouL IIm were sLIII LIere.
"'m LIe IusL person wIo sIouId remurk on Iow you conducL your personuI uIIuIrs,"
CIrIsLopIer suId quIeLIy. He oIIered un urm us LIey wuIked. SIe IesILuLed beIore LukIng IL.
"However, you know wIuL peopIe wIII suy II you're seen wILI IIm."
" upprecIuLe your concern Ior my repuLuLIon." AmeIIu's Lone wus IIgILIy suILed wILI
surcusm. "BuL 'm IurdIy LIe onIy person Lo InduIge In u Iew cuprIces uL LIe vIIIuge IuIr."
"I you're wILI u genLIemun, u Iew cuprIces muy be overIooked. BuL Ie's u Gypsy,
AmeIIu."
" noLIced," sIe suId dryIy. " wouId Iuve LIougIL you ubove sucI prejudIce."
"L's noL my prejudIce," CIrIsLopIer counLered swIILIy, "IL's socIeLy's. DeIy IL II you wIsI,
buL LIere's uIwuys u prIce Lo puy."
"TIe urgumenL Is mooL, uL uny ruLe," sIe suId. "Mr. RoIun Is IeuvIng Ior ondon soon,
und LIen Ior purLs unknown. doubL 'II ever see IIm uguIn. And cun'L IuLIom wIy you
wouId cure one wuy or unoLIer."
"OI course cure," CIrIsLopIer suId genLIy. "AmeIIu . . . regreL IuvIng IurL you. More
LIun you couId ever know. cerLuInIy don'L wIsI Lo see you endure IurLIer Iurm Irom yeL
unoLIer III-udvIsed Iove uIIuIr."
"'m noL In Iove wILI Mr. RoIun," sIe suId. " wouId never be so IooIIsI." "'m gIud Lo
Ieur IL." HIs excessIveIy sooLIIng Lone wus gruLIng. L mude Ier wunL Lo do someLIIng



wIId und IrresponsIbIe jusL Lo spILe IIm. "WIy uren'L you murrIed?" sIe usked ubrupLIy.
TIe quesLIon wus meL wILI u Iong sIgI. "SIe uccepLed my proposuI Lo pIeuse Ier IuLIer,
ruLIer LIun ouL oI uny sIncere uLLucImenL Lo me. As IL Iuppened, sIe wus In Iove wILI
someone eIse, u mun Ier IuLIer dIdn'L upprove oI. EvenLuuIIy LIey eIoped Lo GreLnu
Green."
"TIere's some jusLIce In LIuL," AmeIIu suId. "You ubundoned someone wIo Ioved you.
And sIe ubundoned you Ior someone sIe Ioved."
"WouId IL pIeuse you Lo know LIuL never Ioved Ier? 1 IIked und udmIred Ier, buL... IL wus
noLIIng compured Lo wIuL IeIL Ior you."
"No, LIuL doesn'L pIeuse me In LIe IeusL. L's even worse LIuL you puL umbILIon beIore uII
eIse."
"'m u mun wIo's LryIng Lo supporL IImseII-und someduy u IumIIy-wILI un uncerLuIn
cureer. don'L expecL you Lo undersLund."
"Your cureer wus never LIuL uncerLuIn," AmeIIu sIoL buck. "You Iud every promIse oI
udvuncemenL, even wILIouL murryIng RowIund TempIe's duugILer. eo LoId me your
LuIenL wouId Iuve Luken you Iur."
"WouId LIuL LuIenL were enougI. BuL IL's nuIve Lo
LIInk so."
"WeII, nuIveLe seems Lo be u common IuIIIng oI LIe HuLIuwuys."
"AmeIIu," Ie murmured. "L's noL IIke you Lo be cynIcuI."
SIe benL Ier Ieud. "You don'L know wIuL 'm IIke now"
" wunL LIe cIunce Lo IInd ouL."
TIuL drew u gIunce oI sLurLIed dIsbeIIeI Irom Ier. "TIere's noLIIng Lo be guIned by u
renewed ucquuInLunce wILI me, CIrIsLopIer. 'm no weuILIIer, nor um more
udvunLugeousIy connecLed. NoLIIng Ius cIunged sInce we IusL meL."
"PerIups Iuve. PerIups 've come Lo reuIIze wIuL IosL."
"TIrew uwuy," sIe correcLed, Ier IeurL LIumpIng puInIuIIy.
"TIrew uwuy," Ie ucknowIedged In u soIL Lone. " wus u IooI und u cud, AmeIIu. wouId
never usk LIuL you overIook wIuL dId. BuL uL IeusL gIve me LIe opporLunILy Lo muke
umends. wunL Lo be oI servIce Lo your IumIIy, II uL uII possIbIe. And Lo IeIp your
broLIer."
"You cun'L," AmeIIu suId. "You see wIuL's become oI IIm."
"He Is u mun oI remurkubIe LuIenLs. L wouId be crImInuI Lo wusLe LIem. PerIups, II
couId beIrIend IIm uguIn . . ."
" don'L LIInk Ie wouId be very recepLIve Lo LIuL."
" wunL Lo IeIp IIm. Iuve InIIuence wILI RowIund TempIe now. HIs duugILer's



eIopemenL IeIL IIm wILI u sense oI obIIguLIon Lowurd me."
"How convenIenL Ior you."
" mIgIL be ubIe Lo InLeresL eo In workIng Ior IIm uguIn. L wouId beneIIL LIem boLI."
"BuL Iow wouId IL beneIIL you?" sIe usked. "WIy wouId you go Lo sucI LroubIe on eo's
beIuII?"
"'m noL u compIeLe vIIIuIn, AmeIIu. Iuve u conscIence, uIbeIL u somewIuL underused
one. L's noL eusy Lo IIve wILI LIe memorIes oI LIe peopIe IurL In LIe pusL. ncIudIng you
und your broLIer."
"CIrIsLopIer," sIe murmured, LIrowIng IIm u dIsLrucLed gIunce. " don'L know wIuL Lo
suy. need some LIme Lo consIder LIIngs-"


"Tuke uII LIe LIme you wIsI," Ie suId genLIy. "I cun'L be wIuL once wus Lo you ... wIII
Iuve Lo be suLIsIIed us u IrIend-In-wuILIng." He smIIed sIIgILIy, IIs eyes IIIIed wILI u
Lender gIow. "And II you sIouId ever wunL more . . . u sIngIe word Is uII IL wIII Luke."


CHAPTER TWEVE
OrdInurIIy Cum wouId Iuve been pIeused by LIe urrIvuI oI ord und udy SL. VIncenL uL
SLony Cross Purk. However, Cum wusn'L IookIng Iorwurd Lo LIe prospecL oI LeIIIng SL.
VIncenL ubouL IIs decIsIon Lo quIL LIe cIub. SL. VIncenL wouIdn'L IIke IL. NoL onIy wouId IL
be InconvenIenL Lo Iuve Lo IInd u repIucemenL munuger, buL LIe vIscounL wouIdn'L
undersLund Cum's desIre Lo IIve us u Romu. SL. VIncenL wus noLIIng II noL un enLIusIusLIc
udvocuLe oI IIne IIvIng.
Muny peopIe Ieured SL. VIncenL, wIo possessed u IeLIuI wuy wILI words und u cuIcuIuLIng
nuLure, buL Cum wus noL one oI LIem. n IucL, Ie Iud cIuIIenged LIe vIscounL on more
LIun one occusIon, boLI oI LIem urguIng wILI u vIcIous urLIcuIuLeness LIuL wouId Iuve
sIIced unyone eIse Lo rIbbons.
TIe SL. VIncenLs urrIved wILI LIeIr duugILer PIoebe, u red-IuIred InIunL wILI un
uIurmIngIy cIungeubIe LemperumenL. One momenL LIe cIIId wus pIucId und udorubIe. TIe
nexL, sIe wus u squuIIIng devII-spuwn wIo couId onIy be sooLIed by LIe sound oI Ier
IuLIer's voIce. "TIere, durIIng," SL. VIncenL Iud been known Lo coo InLo LIe InIunL's eur.
"Hus someone dIspIeused you? gnored you? OI, LIe InsoIence. My poor prIncess sIuII
Iuve unyLIIng sIe wunLs . . ." And, uppeused by Ier IuLIer's ouLrugeous spoIIIng, PIoebe
wouId seLLIe InLo IIccuppIng smIIes.
TIe buby wus duIy udmIred und pussed uround In LIe purIor. EvIe und IIIIun cIuLLered
wILIouL sLoppIng, IrequenLIy IuggIng und IInkIng urms In LIe wuy oI oId IrIends.


AILer u wIIIe Cum, SL. VIncenL, und ord WesLcIIII wILIdrew Lo LIe buck Lerruce, wIere
un uILernoon breeze dIIIused LIe scenLs oI LIe rIver und reed sweeLgruss und mursI
murIgoId. TIe ruucous Ionks oI greyIug geese puncLuuLed LIe peuce oI LIe HumpsIIre
uuLumn, uIong wILI LIe IowIng oI cuLLIe beIng drIven uIong u weII-worn puLI Lo u dry
meudow.
TIe men suL uL un ouLsIde LubIe. Cum, wIo dIsIIked LIe LusLe oI Lobucco, wuved IIs Iund
In dIsmIssuI us SL. VIncenL oIIered IIm u cIgur.
Under WesLcIIII's InLeresLed regurd, Cum und SL. VIncenL dIscussed LIe progress oI LIe
cIub's renovuLIons. TIen, seeIng no reuson Lo LIpLoe uround LIe Issue, Cum LoId SL.
VIncenL oI IIs decIsIon Lo quIL LIe cIub us soon us LIe work wus compIeLed.
"You're IeuvIng me?" SL. VIncenL usked, IookIng perLurbed. "or Iow Iong?"
"or good, ucLuuIIy."
As SL. VIncenL ubsorbed LIe InIormuLIon, IIs puIe bIue eyes nurrowed. "WIuL wIII you do
Ior money?"
ReIuxed In LIe Iuce oI IIs empIoyer's dIspIeusure, Cum sIrugged. " uIreudy Iuve more
money LIun unyone couId spend In u IIIeLIme."
TIe vIscounL gIunced Ieuvenwurd. "Anyone wIo suys sucI u LIIng obvIousIy doesn'L
know LIe rIgIL pIuces Lo


sIop." He sIgIed sIorLIy. "So. I 'm Lo undersLund correcLIy, you InLend Lo escIew
cIvIIIzuLIon uILogeLIer und IIve us u suvuge?"
"No, InLend Lo IIve us u Romu. TIere's u dIIIerence." "RoIun, you're u weuILIy young
bucIeIor wILI uII LIe udvunLuges oI modern IIIe. I you've goL ennuI, do wIuL every oLIer
mun oI meuns does."
Cum's brows IIILed. "And LIuL wouId be ..."
"GumbIe! DrInk! Buy u Iorse! Tuke u mIsLress! or God's suke, Iuve u IILLIe ImugInuLIon.
Cun you LIInk oI no beLLer opLIon LIun Lo LIrow IL uII uwuy und IIve IIke u prImILIve,
LIereby InconvenIencIng me In LIe process? How LIe devII um Lo repIuce you?"
"No one's IrrepIuceubIe."
"You ure. No oLIer mun In ondon cun do wIuL you do. You're u wuIkIng uccounL book,
you've goL eyes In LIe buck oI your Ieud, you've goL LIe LucL oI u dIpIomuL, LIe mInd oI u
bunker, LIe IIsLs oI u boxer, und you cun puL down u IIgIL In u muLLer oI seconds. 'd need
Lo IIre uL IeusL u IuII-dozen men Lor your job."
" don'L Iuve LIe mInd oI u bunker," Cum suId IndIgnunLIy.
"AILer uII your InvesLmenL coups, you cun'L deny-"
"TIuL wusn'L on purpose!" A scowI spreud ucross Cum's Iuce. "L wus my good-Iuck



curse."
ookIng suLIsIIed Lo Iuve unseLLIed Cum's composure, SL. VIncenL drew on IIs cIgur. He
exIuIed u smooLI, eIegunL sLreum oI smoke und gIunced uL WesLcIIII. "Suy someLIIng," Ie
LoId IIs oId IrIend. "You cun'L upprove oI LIIs uny more LIun ."
"L's noL Ior eILIer oI us Lo upprove."
"TIunk you," Cum muLLered.


"However," WesLcIIII conLInued, " urge you, RoIun, Lo reIIecL udequuLeIy on LIe IucL LIuL
wIIIe IuII oI you Is u Ireedom-IovIng Gypsy, LIe oLIer IuII Is rIsI-u ruce renowned Ior
ILs IIerce Iove oI Iund. WIIcI Ieuds me Lo doubL LIuL you wIII be us Iuppy In your
wunderIng us you seem Lo expecL."
TIe poInL ruLLIed Cum. He Iud uIwuys LrIed Lo Ignore LIe gudjo IuII oI IIs nuLure, IuggIng
IL uround IIke some oversIzed pIece oI bugguge Ie wouId Iuve IIked Lo seL usIde buL Ior
wIIcI Ie couId never IInd u convenIenL pIuce.
"I your poInL Is LIuL 'm dumned wIuLever do," Cum suId LerseIy, "'d ruLIer err on LIe
sIde oI beIng Iree."
"AII men oI InLeIIIgence musL evenLuuIIy gIve up LIeIr Ireedom," SL. VIncenL repIIed. "TIe
probIem wILI bucIeIorIood Is LIuL IL's Iur Loo eusy, wIIcI mukes IL LedIous. TIe onIy reuI
cIuIIenge IeIL Is murrIuge."
MurrIuge. RespecLubIIILy. Cum regurded IIs compunIons wILI u skepLIcuI smIIe, LIInkIng
LIey resembIed u puIr oI bIrds LryIng Lo convInce LIemseIves oI Iow comIorLubIe LIeIr
cuge wus. No womun wus worLI IuvIng IIs wIngs
cIIpped.
"'m IeuvIng Ior ondon Lomorrow," Ie suId. "'II sLuy uL LIe cIub unLII IL reopens. AILer
LIuL 'II be gone Ior good."
SL. VIncenL's cIever mInd cIrcumvenLed LIe probIem, unuIyzIng IL Irom vurIous ungIes.
"RoIun ... you've Ied u more or Iess cIvIIIzed exIsLence Ior yeurs, und yeL suddenIy IL Ius
become InLoIerubIe. WIy?"
Cum remuIned sIIenL. TIe LruLI wus noL someLIIng Ie wus reudIIy ubIe Lo udmIL Lo
IImseII, IeL uIone suy uIoud.
"TIere Ius Lo be some reuson you wunL Lo Ieuve," SL. VIncenL persIsLed.


"PerIups 'm oII LIe murk," WesLcIIII suId, "buL suspecL IL muy Iuve someLIIng Lo do
wILI MIss HuLIuwuy."
Cum senL IIm u dumnIng gIure.
SL. VIncenL Iooked uIerLIy Irom Cum's sLony Iuce Lo WesLcIIII's. "You dIdn'L LeII me LIere



wus u womun."
Cum sLood so quIckIy LIe cIuIr neurIy LoppIed buckwurd. "SIe Ius noLIIng Lo do wILI IL."
"WIo Is sIe?" SL. VIncenL uIwuys IuLed beIng IeIL ouL oI gossIp.
"One oI ord Rumsuy's sIsLers," cume WesLcIIII's repIy. "TIey resIde uL LIe esLuLe nexL
door."
"WeII, weII," SL. VIncenL suId. "SIe musL be quILe someLIIng Lo provoke sucI u reucLIon In
you, RoIun. TeII me ubouL Ier. s sIe IuIr? Durk? WeII Iormed?"
To remuIn sIIenL, or Lo deny LIe uLLrucLIon, wouId Iuve been Lo udmIL LIe IuII exLenL oI IIs
weukness. Cum Iowered buck InLo IIs cIuIr und sLrove Ior un oIIIund Lone. "Durk-IuIred.
PreLLy. And sIe Ius . . . quIrks."
"QuIrks." SL. VIncenL's eyes gIInLed wILI enjoymenL. "How cIurmIng. Go on."
"SIe's reud obscure medIevuI pIIIosopIy. SIe's uIruId oI bees. Her IooL Lups wIen sIe's
nervous." And oLIer, more personuI LIIngs Ie couIdn'L reveuI. . . IIke LIe beuuLIIuI
puIeness oI Ier LIrouL und cIesL, LIe weIgIL oI Ier IuIr In IIs Iunds, LIe wuy sLrengLI und
vuInerubIIILy were pIeuLed InsIde Ier IIke Lwo pIeces oI IubrIc IoIded LogeLIer. NoL Lo
menLIon u body LIuL Iud been desIgned Ior morLuI sIn.
Cum dIdn'L wunL Lo LIInk ubouL AmeIIu. Every LIme Ie dId, Ie wus swumped wILI u
IeeIIng Ie'd never known beIore, someLIIng us ucuLe us puIn, us pervusIve us Iunger. TIe
IeeIIng seemed Lo Iuve no purpose oLIer LIun Lo rob

IIm oI sIeep uL nIgIL. TIere wusn'L one mIIIImeLer oI AmeIIu HuLIuwuy LIuL dIdn'L uLLrucL
IIm proIoundIy, und LIuL wus u probIem so Iur ouLsIde IIs experIence, Ie dIdn'L begIn Lo
know Iow Lo uddress IL.
I onIy Ie couId Luke Ier, euse LIIs endIess ucIe... buL IuvIng IuIn wILI Ier once, Ie mIgIL
wunL Ier even more uILerwurd. n muLIemuLIcs, one couId Luke u IInILe IIgure und dIvIde
ILs conLenL InIInILeIy, wILI LIe resuIL LIuL even LIougI LIe conLenL wus uncIunged, LIe
mugnILude oI ILs bounds wenL on Iorever. PoLenLIuI InIInILy. L wus LIe IIrsL LIme Cum Iud
ever compreIended LIe concepL In LIe Iorm oI u womun. Awure LIuL WesLcIIII und SL.
VIncenL Iud excIunged u sIgnIIIcunL gIunce, Cum suId sourIy, "I you're ussumIng LIuL my
pIuns Lo Ieuve ure noLIIng more LIun u reucLIon Lo MIss HuLIuwuy ... 've been consIderIng
LIIs Ior u Iong LIme. 'm noL un IdIoL. Nor um InexperIenced wILI women."
"To suy LIe IeusL," SL. VIncenL commenLed dryIy. "BuL In your pursuIL oI women-or
perIups sIouId suy LIeIr pursuIL oI you-you seem Lo Iuve regurded LIem uII us
InLercIungeubIe. UnLII now. I you ure Luken wILI LIIs HuLIuwuy creuLure, don'L you LIInk
IL beurs InvesLIguLIng?" "God, no. TIere's onIy one LIIng IL couId Ieud Lo." "MurrIuge," LIe
vIscounL suId ruLIer LIun usked. "Yes. And LIuL's ImpossIbIe." "WIy?"


TIe IucL LIuL LIey were dIscussIng AmeIIu HuLIuwuy und LIe subjecL oI murrIuge wus
enougI Lo muke Cum bIuncI In dIscomIorL. "'m noL LIe murryIng kInd-"
SL. VIncenL snorLed. "No mun Is. MurrIuge Is u IemuIe InvenLIon."
"-buL even II were so IncIIned," Cum conLInued, "'m u Romu. wouIdn'L do LIuL Lo
Ier."


TIere wus no need Lo eIucIduLe. DecenL gudjIs dIdn'L murry GypsIes. HIs bIood wus
mIxed, und even LIougI AmeIIu IerseII mIgIL Iurbor no prejudIces, LIe rouLIne
dIscrImInuLIons Cum encounLered wouId cerLuInIy exLend Lo IIs wIIe und cIIIdren. And II
LIuL wusn'L bud enougI, IIs own peopIe wouId be even more dIsupprovIng oI LIe muLcI.
Gudje Gudjensu, Rom Romensu. . . Gudje wILI Gudje, Romu wILI Romu.
"WIuL II your IerILuge mude no dIIIerence Lo Ier?" WesLcIIII usked quIeLIy.
"TIuL's noL LIe poInL. L's Iow oLIers wouId vIew Ier." SeeIng LIuL LIe oIder mun wus
ubouL Lo urgue, Cum murmured, "TeII me, wouId eILIer oI you wIsI your duugILer Lo
murry u Gypsy?" n LIe Iuce oI LIeIr dIscomIorLed sIIence, Ie smIIed wILIouL umusemenL.


AILer u momenL, WesLcIIII sLubbed ouL IIs cIgur In u deIIberuLe, meLIodIcuI IusIIon.
"ObvIousIy you've mude up your mInd. urLIer debuLe wouId be poInLIess."
SL. VIncenL IoIIowed IIs Ieud wILI u resIgned sIrug und u IucIIe smIIe. " suppose now 'm
obIIged Lo wIsI you IuppIness In your new IIIe. AILIougI IuppIness In LIe ubsence oI
Indoor pIumbIng Is u debuLubIe concepL."
Cum wus undeceIved by LIe sIow oI resIgnuLIon. He Iud never known WesLcIIII or SL.
VIncenL Lo Iose un urgumenL eusIIy. EucI, In IIs own wuy, wouId IoId IIs ground Iong
uILer LIe uveruge mun wouId Iuve coIIupsed Lo IIs knees. WIIcI mude Cum IuIrIy cerLuIn
Ie Iudn'L Ieurd LIe IusL word Irom eILIer oI LIem yeL.
"'m IeuvIng uL duwn," wus uII Ie suId.
NoLIIng couId cIunge IIs mInd.


CHAPTER THRTEEN
BeuLrIx, wIose ImugInuLIon Iud been cupLured by LIe mugIc IunLern, couId IurdIy wuIL Ior
evenIng Lo come so sIe couId vIew LIe seIecLIon oI gIuss sIIdes uguIn. Muny oI LIe
Imuges were quILe umusIng, IeuLurIng unImuIs weurIng Iumun cIoLIes us LIey pIuyed
pIuno or suL uL wrILIng desks or sLIrred soup In u poL.
OLIer sIIdes were more senLImenLuI; u LruIn pussIng LIrougI u vIIIuge squure, wInLer
scenes, cIIIdren uL pIuy. TIere were even u Iew scenes oI exoLIc unImuIs In LIe jungIe.
One oI LIem, u LIger IuII-IIdden In Ieuves, wus purLIcuIurIy sLrIkIng. BeuLrIx Iud



experImenLed wILI LIe IunLern, movIng IL cIoser Lo LIe wuII LIen IurLIer uwuy, LryIng Lo
muke LIe LIger's Imuge us dIsLIncL us possIbIe.
Now BeuLrIx Iud Luken Lo LIe Ideu oI wrILIng u sLory, recruILIng Poppy Lo puInL some
uccompunyIng sIIdes. L wus decIded LIey wouId puL on u sIow someduy, wILI BeuLrIx
nurruLIng wIIIe Poppy operuLed LIe mugIc IunLern.
As Ier younger sIsLers Iounged by LIe IeurLI und dIscussed LIeIr Ideus, AmeIIu suL wILI
WIn on LIe seLLee. SIe wuLcIed WIn's sIender, gruceIuI Iunds us sIe embroIdered

u deIIcuLe IIoruI puLLern, LIe needIe IIusIIng us IL dove LIrougI LIe cIoLI.
AL LIe momenL, Ier broLIer wus IoIIIng on LIe curpeL neur LIe gIrIs, sIoucIed und IuII-
drunk, IIs Iong Iegs crossed nuLIve-IusIIon. Once Ie Iud been u kInd und curIng oIder
broLIer, sympuLIeLIcuIIy bundugIng one oI LIe cIIIdren's IurL IIngers, or IeIpIng Lo Iook
Ior u IosL doII. Now Ie LreuLed IIs younger sIsLers wILI LIe poIILe IndIIIerence oI u
sLrunger.
AbsenLIy AmeIIu reucIed up Lo rub LIe pIncIed muscIes uL LIe buck oI Ier neck. SIe
gIunced uL MerrIpen us Ie suL In LIe corner oI LIe room, every IIne oI IIs body Iux wILI
LIe exIuusLIon oI Ieuvy Iubor. HIs guze wus dIsLunL us II Ie, Loo, were consumed wILI
prIvuLe LIougILs. L LroubIed Ier Lo Iook uL IIm. TIe rIcI Iue oI IIs skIn, LIe sIIny
uppIeseed-durkness oI IIs IuIr, remInded Ier Loo mucI oI Cum RoIun.
SIe couIdn'L seem Lo sLop LIInkIng ubouL IIm LIIs evenIng, und uIso CIrIsLopIer rosL, LIe
Imuges IormIng ujur-rIng conLrusL In Ier mInd. Cum oIIered no commILmenL, no IuLure,
onIy LIe pIeusures oI LIe momenL. He wus noL u genLIemun, buL Ie possessed u ruLIIess
IonesLy LIuL sIe upprecIuLed Iur more LIun smooLI munners.
And LIen LIere wus IuIr-IuIred, cIvIIIzed, reusonubIe, Iundsome CIrIsLopIer. He Iud
proIessed u desIre Lo renew LIeIr reIuLIonsIIp. SIe Iud no Ideu II Ie wus sIncere, or Iow
sIe wouId respond II IL Lurned ouL Ie wus. How muny women wouId Iuve been gruLeIuI
Ior u second cIunce wILI LIeIr IIrsL Iove? I sIe cIose Lo overIook IIs pusL mIsLuke und
IorgIve IIm, encouruge IIm, IL mIgIL noL be Loo IuLe Ior LIe Lwo oI LIem. BuL sIe wusn'L
cerLuIn sIe wunLed Lo resume uII LIose ubundoned dreums. And sIe wondered II

IL wus possIbIe Lo be Iuppy wILI u mun one Ioved buL dIdn'L LrusL.
BeuLrIx puIIed u gIuss sIIde Irom LIe IronL oI LIe Iump cusIng, IuId IL usIde cureIuIIy, und
reucIed Ior unoLIer. "TIIs one's my IuvorILe .. ." sIe wus suyIng Lo Poppy, us sIe sIId LIe
nexL Imuge In pIuce.
HuvIng IosL InLeresL In LIe successIon oI pIcLures on LIe wuII, AmeIIu dId noL Iook up. Her


uLLenLIon remuIned on WIn's embroIderIng. BuL WIn mude un uncIurucLerIsLIc sIIp, LIe
needIe jubbIng InLo LIe soIL IIesI oI Ier IoreIInger. A scurIeL drop oI bIood weIIed.
"OI, WIn-" AmeIIu murmured.
WIn, Iowever, dIdn'L reucL Lo LIe pInprIck. SIe dIdn'L even seem Lo Iuve noLIced IL.
rownIng, AmeIIu gIunced uL Ier sIsLer's sLIII Iuce und IoIIowed Ier guze Lo LIe opposILe
wuII.
TIe Imuge cusL by LIe mugIc IunLern wus u wInLer scene, wILI u snow-bIurred sky und LIe
durk cucIe oI IoresL beneuLI. L wouId Iuve been un unremurkubIe scene, excepL Ior LIe
deIIcuLe ouLIIne oI u womun's Iuce LIuL seemed Lo emerge Irom LIe sIudows.
A IumIIIur Iuce.
As AmeIIu sLured, LrunsIIxed, LIe specLruI IeuLures seemed Lo guIn dImensIon und
subsLunce unLII IL seemed uImosL us II sIe couId reucI ouL und sIupe Ier IIngers uguInsL
LIe wuxIng conLours.
"uuru," sIe Ieurd WIn breuLIe.
L wus LIe gIrI eo Iud Ioved. TIe Iuce wus unmIsLukubIe. AmeIIu's IIrsL coIerenL LIougIL
wus LIuL BeuLrIx und Poppy musL be pIuyIng some IorrId joke. BuL us sIe Iooked uL LIe
puIr on LIe IIoor, cIuLLIng LogeLIer InnocenLIy, sIe perceIved uL once LIuL LIey dIdn'L even
see LIe


deud gIrI's Imuge. Nor dId MerrIpen, wIo wus wuLcIIng WIn wILI u quesLIonIng Irown.
By LIe LIme AmeIIu's guze sIoL once more Lo LIe projecLIon, LIe Iuce Iud dIsuppeured.
BeuLrIx puIIed LIe sIIde Irom LIe mugIc IunLern. SIe IeII buck wILI u IILLIe cry us eo
cIurged Lowurd Ier und mude u grub Ior LIe sIIde.
"GIve IL Lo me," eo suId, more un unInuI growI LIun u Iumun voIce. HIs Iuce wus
bIuncIed und conLorLed, IIs body knoLLed wILI punIc. He IuncIed over LIe IILLIe pIece oI
puInLed gIuss und sLured LIrougI IL us II IL were u LIny wIndow InLo IeII. umbIIng wILI
LIe mugIc IunLern, eo neurIy overseL IL us Ie LrIed Lo jum LIe sIIde buck In.
"Don'L, you'II breuk IL!" BeuLrIx crIed In bewIIdermenL. "eo, wIuL ure you doIng?"
"eo," AmeIIu munuged Lo suy, "you'II cuuse u IIre. CureIuI."
"WIuL Is IL?" Poppy demunded, IookIng bewIIdered. "WIuL's IuppenIng?"
TIe gIuss IeII InLo pIuce, und LIe wInLer scene IIIckered on LIe wuII once more.
Snow, sky, IoresL.
NoLIIng eIse.
"Come buck," eo muLLered IeverIsIIy, ruLLIIng LIe IunLern. "Come buck. Come buck."
"You're IrIgILenIng me, eo," BeuLrIx uccused, IoppIng up und speedIng Lo AmeIIu.
"WIuL's LIe muLLer wILI IIm?"



"eo's Ioxed, LIuL's uII." AmeIIu suId dIsLrucLedIy. "You know Iow Ie Is wIen Ie's Iud Loo
mucI Lo drInk."
"He's never been IIke LIIs beIore."
"L's LIme Ior bed," WIn remurked. Worry seeped LIrougI Ier voIce IIke u wuLermurk on
IIne puper. "eL's go upsLuIrs,


BeuLrIx . .. Poppy . . ." SIe gIunced uL MerrIpen, wIo sLood uL once.
"BuL eo's goIng Lo breuk my IunLern," BeuLrIx excIuImed. "eo, do sLop, you're bendIng
LIe sIdes!"
SInce LIeIr broLIer wus uppurenLIy beyond IeurIng or compreIensIon, WIn und MerrIpen
eIIIcIenLIy wIIsked LIe younger gIrIs Irom LIe room. A quesLIonIng murmur Irom
MerrIpen, und WIn repIIed soILIy LIuL sIe wouId expIuIn In
u momenL.
WIen everyone Iud gone und LIe sounds oI voIces Iud Iuded Irom LIe IuIIwuy, AmeIIu
spoke cureIuIIy.
" suw Ier, Loo, eo. So dId WIn."
Her broLIer dIdn'L Iook uL Ier, buL IIs Iunds sLIIIed on LIe IunLern. AILer u momenL Ie
removed LIe sIIde und puL IL buck In uguIn. HIs Iunds were sIukIng. TIe sIgIL oI sucI ruw
mIsery wus dIIIIcuIL Lo beur. AmeIIu sLood und upproucIed IIm. "eo, pIeuse LuIk Lo me.
PIeuse-"
"euve me uIone." He IuII sIIeIded IIs Iuce Irom Ier regurd, puIm Lurned ouLwurd.
"Someone Ius Lo sLuy wILI you." TIe room wus geLLIng coIder. A Lremor begun uL LIe Lop
oI AmeIIu's spIne und worked downwurd.
"'m IIne." A Iew sLunLed breuLIs. WILI u LILunIc eIIorL eo Iowered IIs Iund und sLured uL
Ier wILI sLrunge IIgIL eyes. "'m IIne, AmeIIu. jusL need ... wunL... u IILLIe LIme uIone."
"BuL wunL Lo LuIk ubouL wIuL we suw rIgIL In IronL oI
us."
"L wus noLIIng." He wus soundIng cuImer by LIe second. "L wus un IIIusIon."
"L wus uuru's Iuce. You und WIn und uII suw IL!" "We uII suw LIe sume sIudow." TIe
buresL IInL oI wry


umusemenL edged IIs IIps. "Come, sIs, you're Loo ruLIonuI Lo beIIeve In gIosLs."
"Yes, buL. . ." SIe wus reussured by LIe IumIIIur mockery In IIs Lone. And yeL sIe dIdn'L
IIke LIe wuy Ie kepL one Iund on LIe Iump.
"Go on," Ie urged genLIy. "As you suId, IL's IuLe. You need Lo resL. 'II be uII rIgIL."
AmeIIu IesILuLed, Ier urms cIIIIed und sLIngIng beneuLI LIe sIeeves oI Ier gown. "I you



reuIIy wunL-" "Yes. Go on."
SIe dId, reIucLunLIy. A druIL Irom somewIere seemed Lo rusI pusL Ier us sIe IeIL LIe room.
SIe Iudn'L InLended Lo cIose LIe door IuIIy, buL IL snupped sIuL IIke LIe juws oI u Iungry
unImuI.
L wus dIIIIcuIL Lo muke IerseII wuIk uwuy. SIe wunLed Lo proLecL Ier broLIer Irom
someLIIng. SIe jusL dIdn'L know wIuL IL wus. AILer reucIIng Ier room, AmeIIu cIunged
InLo Ier IuvorILe nIgILgown. TIe wIILe IIunneI wus LIIck und sIrunken Irom muny
wusIIngs, LIe IIgI coIIur und Iong sIeeves LexLured wILI wIILe-work embroIdery LIuL WIn
Iud done. TIe cIIII sIe Iud Luken downsLuIrs wus sIow Lo Iude, even uILer sIe Iud
cruwIed beneuLI LIe bedcIoLIes und curIed LIgILIy InLo u buII. SIe sIouId Iuve LIougIL Lo
IIgIL u IIre uL LIe IeurLI. SIe sIouId do IL now, Lo muke LIe room wurmer, buL LIe Ideu oI
cIImbIng ouL oI bed wus noL uppeuIIng In LIe IeusL.
nsLeud sIe occupIed Ier mInd wILI LIougILs oI IoL
LIIngs; u cup oI Leu, u wooIen sIuwI, u sLeumIng buLI, u
IIunneI-wrupped brIck Irom LIe IeurLI. GruduuIIy wurmLI
uccumuIuLed uround Ier, und sIe reIuxed enougI Lo sIeep.
BuL IL wus u LroubIed resL. SIe Iud LIe ImpressIon oI


urguIng wILI peopIe In Ier dreums, buck-und-IorLI conversuLIons LIuL mude no sense.
SIIILIng, roIIIng Lo Ier sLomucI, Ier sIde, Ier buck, sIe LrIed Lo Ignore LIe boLIersome
dreums.
Now LIere were voIces ... Poppy's voIce, ucLuuIIy ... und no muLLer Iow sIe LrIed Lo Ignore
IL, LIe sound persIsLed.
"AmeIIu. AmeIIu!"
SIe Ieuved IerseII up on Ier eIbows, bIInd und conIused Irom LIe sudden uwukenIng.
Poppy wus by Ier bed.
"WIuL Is IL?" AmeIIu mumbIed, scrupIng buck u LungIed curLuIn oI IuIr Irom Ier Iuce.
AL IIrsL Poppy's Iuce wus dIsembodIed In LIe durkness, buL us AmeIIu's eyes udjusLed, LIe
resL oI Ier becume dImIy vIsIbIe.
" smeII smoke," Poppy suId.
SucI words were never used IIgILIy, nor couId LIey ever be dIsmIssed wILIouL
InvesLIguLIon. Ire wus un ever-presenL concern no muLLer wIere one IIved. L couId sLurL
In uny number oI wuys, Irom overLurned cundIes, Iumps, spurks LIuL Ieuped Irom LIe
IeurLI or embers Irom couI-burnIng ovens. And IIre In u Iouse LIIs oId wouId be noLIIng
Iess LIun dIsusLer.
SLruggIIng Irom LIe bed, AmeIIu IunLed Ior LIe sIIpper box neur LIe end oI LIe bed. SIe



sLubbed Ier Loe, und Iopped und cursed.
"Here, 'II IeLcI LIem." Poppy IIILed LIe LIn IId oI LIe sIIpper box und Look LIe sIoes ouL,
wIIIe AmeIIu Iound u sIuwI.
TIey IInked urms und mude LIeIr wuy LIrougI LIe durk room wILI LIe cuuLIon oI eIderIy
cuLs.
ReucIIng LIe Lop oI LIe sLuIrs, AmeIIu snIIIed Iurd buL couId deLecL noLIIng oLIer LIun LIe
IumIIIur uccumuIuLIon


oI cIeunIng soup, wux, dusL, und Iump oII. " don'L smeII uny smoke."
"Your nose Isn'L uwuke. Try uguIn."
TIIs LIme LIere wus u deIInILe LuInL oI someLIIng burnIng. AIurm speured LIrougI Ier. SIe
LIougIL oI eo, uIone wILI LIe IunLern, LIe IIume und oII... und sIe knew InsLunLIy wIuL
Iud Iuppened.
"MerrIpen!" TIe wIIp-cruck Iorce oI Ier voIce cuused Poppy Lo jump. AmeIIu grIpped
Ier sIsLer's urm Lo sLeudy Ier. "GeL MerrIpen. Wuke everyone up. Muke us mucI noIse us
you cun."
Poppy obeyed uL once, scumperIng Lowurd Ier sIbIIngs' bedrooms wIIIe AmeIIu mude Ier
wuy downsLuIrs. A suIIen gIow cume Irom LIe dIrecLIon oI LIe purIor, un omInous
IIIckerIng IIgIL bIeedIng beneuLI LIe door.
"eo!" SIe IIung LIe door open und recoIIed uL u Iurnuce bIusL LIuL sLruck Ier enLIre body.
One wuII wus covered In IIume, rIppIIng und curIIng upwurd In IoL LenLucIes. TIrougI u
bILLer Iuze oI smoke, Ier broLIer's buIky Iorm wus vIsIbIe on LIe IIoor. SIe run Lo IIm,
grusped LIe IoIds oI IIs sIIrL, und Lugged so Iurd LIuL LIe cIoLI begun Lo gIve und LIe
seums cruckIed. "eo, geL up, geL up now!" BuL eo wus InsensIbIe.
SIrIekIng uL IIm Lo wuke up und guLIer IIs wILs, AmeIIu Lugged und drugged wILIouL
success. rusLruLed Leurs sprung Lo Ier smoke-sLung eyes. BuL LIen MerrIpen wus LIere,
pusIIng Ier usIde none Loo genLIy. BendIng, Ie pIcked eo up und IoIsLed IIm over u
broud sIouIder wILI u grunL. "oIIow me," Ie suId brusqueIy Lo AmeIIu. "TIe gIrIs ure
uIreudy ouLsIde."
"'II come ouL In jusL u momenL. Iuve Lo run upsLuIrs und IeLcI some LIIngs-"


He guve Ier u dungerous gIunce. "No."
"BuL we Iuve no cIoLIes-IL's uII goIng Lo go up-"
"OuL!"
SInce MerrIpen Iud never ruIsed IIs voIce Lo Ier In uII LIe yeurs LIey Iud known eucI
oLIer, AmeIIu wus sLurLIed InLo obeyIng. Her eyes conLInued Lo smurL und wuLer Irom LIe



smoke even uILer LIey Iud gone LIrougI LIe IronL door und ouL Lo LIe wuILIng durkness oI
LIe gruveIed drIve. WIn und Poppy were LIere, boLI IuddIed uround eo und LryIng Lo
coux IIm InLo wukIng und sILLIng up. Ike AmeIIu, LIe gIrIs were dressed onIy In
nIgILgowns, sIuwIs, und sIIppers.
"WIere's BeuLrIx?" AmeIIu usked. AL LIe sume momenL, LIe esLuLe beII begun Lo peuI, ILs
IIgI, cIeur Lone LruveIIng In every dIrecLIon.
" LoId Ier Lo rIng IL," WIn suId. TIe sound wouId brIng neIgIbors und vIIIugers Lo IeIp,
uILIougI by LIe LIme peopIe reucIed LIem, Rumsuy House wouId probubIy be consumed
In IIumes.
MerrIpen wenL Lo Ieud LIe Iorse Irom LIe sLubIe, In cuse LIuL wenL up, Loo.
"WIuL's IuppenIng?" AmeIIu Ieurd eo usk IourseIy. BeIore unyone couId repIy, Ie wus
seIzed by u spusm oI cougIIng. WIn und Poppy remuIned besIde LIeIr broLIer, murmurIng
genLIy Lo IIm. AmeIIu, Iowever, sLood u Iew yurds upurL Irom LIem, knoLLIng Ier sIuwI
more LIgILIy uround Ier sIouIders.
SIe wus IIIIed wILI bILLerness und Iury und Ieur. TIere wus no doubL In Ier mInd eo Iud
sLurLed LIe IIre, LIuL Ie Iud cosL LIem LIe Iouse und Iud neurIy succeeded In kIIIIng LIem
uII. L wouId be u Iong LIme beIore sIe couId LrusL IerseII Lo speuk Lo IIm, LIIs sIbIIng sIe
Iud once

Ioved so cIeurIy und wIo now seemed Lo Iuve LrunsIormed InLo someone eIse enLIreIy.
AL LIIs poInL LIere wus IILLIe IeIL oI eo Lo Iove. AL besL Ie wus un objecL Lo be pILIed, uL
worsL u dunger Lo IImseII und IIs IumIIy. TIey wouId uII be beLLer oII wILIouL IIm,
AmeIIu LIougIL. ExcepL LIuL II Ie dIed, LIe LILIe wouId puss Lo some dIsLunL reIuLIve or
expIre, und LIey wouId be IeIL wILI no Income wIuLsoever.
WuLcIIng MerrIpen, IIIumInuLed In LIe cIoud-bIunLed moonIIgIL us Ie worked Lo puII IIrsL
LIe Iorse und LIen LIe buroucIe Irom LIe sLubIes, AmeIIu IeIL u surge oI gruLILude. WIuL
wouId LIey ever Iuve done wILIouL IIm? WIen Ier IuLIer Iud Luken In LIe IomeIess boy
so Iong ugo, IL Iud uIwuys been regurded by LIe resIdenLs oI PrImrose PIuce us un ucL oI
cIurILy. BuL LIe HuLIuwuys Iud been InIInILeIy repuId by MerrIpen's quIeL, sLeudy
presence In LIeIr IIves. SIe Iud never been cerLuIn wIy Ie Iud eIecLed Lo sLuy wILI LIe
HuLIuwuys-IL seemed uII Lo LIeIr udvunLuge ruLIer LIun IIs.
PeopIe Iud uIreudy begun Lo urrIve on Iorsebuck, some Irom LIe vIIIuge, some Irom LIe
dIrecLIon oI SLony Cross Munor. TIe vIIIugers Iud brougIL u Iundpump curL puIIed by u
sLurdy druIL Iorse. TIe wIeeIed curL wus sIded by LrougIs, wIIcI wouId be IuborIousIy
IIIIed wILI rIver wuLer, peopIe curryIng buckeLs buck und IorLI. CrunkIng u wooden Iever
wouId pusI LIe wuLer LIrougI u IeuLIer Iose und expeI IL LIrougI u meLuI nozzIe. By LIe


LIme LIe process wus under wuy, LIe IIre wouId be rugIng ouL oI conLroI. However, IL wus
possIbIe LIe Iundpump wouId IeIp Lo suve uL IeusL u porLIon oI LIe Iouse.
AmeIIu run Lo LIe upproucIIng vIIIugers Lo descrIbe LIe sIorLesL rouLe Lo LIe neurby rIver.
mmedIuLeIy u group oI


men, uccompunIed by MerrIpen, seL oII uL u run Lowurd LIe wuLer, buckeLs swIngIng Irom
LIe yokes on LIeIr sIouIders.
As sIe Lurned Lo go buck Lo Ier sIsLers, AmeIIu bumped InLo u LuII Iorm beIInd Ier.
GuspIng, sIe IeIL u IumIIIur puIr oI Iunds cIose over Ier sIouIders.
"CIrIsLopIer." ReIIeI IIooded Ier uL IIs presence, despILe LIe IucL LIuL Ie couId do noLIIng
Lo suve Ier Iome. SIe LwIsLed Lo Iook up uL IIm, IIs Iundsome IeuLures buLIed In erruLIc
IIgIL.
He puIIed Ier cIose us II Ie couIdn'L IeIp IImseII, pressIng Ier Ieud Lo IIs sIouIder.
"TIunk God you're noL IurL. How dId LIe IIre sLurL?"
" don'L know." AmeIIu wenL sLIII uguInsL IIm, LIInkIng duzedIy LIuL sIe Iud never
expecLed Lo be IeId by IIm uguIn. SIe remembered LIIs, LIe wuy sIe IIL uguInsL IIm, LIe
securILy oI IIs embruce. BuL rememberIng LIuL Ie Iud beLruyed Ier, sIe wrIggIed Iree und
pusIed Ier IuIr Irom Ier eyes.
CIrIsLopIer reIeused Ier reIucLunLIy. "SLuy uwuy Irom LIe Iouse. 'm goIng Lo IeIp wILI
LIe Iundpump."
AnoLIer voIce cume Irom LIe durkness. "You'II be oI more use over LIere."
AmeIIu und CIrIsLopIer boLI Lurned wILI u sLurL, Ior LIe voIce seemed Lo Iuve come Irom
nowIere. WILI IIs durk cIoLIes und bIuck IuIr, Cum RoIun seemed Lo emerge IIke u
sIudow Irom LIe nIgIL.
"BIoody IeII," CIrIsLopIer muLLered. "One cun bureIy see you, durk us you ure."
AILIougI RoIun couId Iuve Luken umbruge uL LIe remurk, Ie dId noL respond. HIs guze
run over AmeIIu In swIIL ussessmenL. "Huve you been IurL?"
"No, buL LIe Iouse-" Her LIrouL cIencIed on u sob.


Cum sIrugged oII IIs couL und seLLIed IL uround Ier, puIIIng LIe edges LogeLIer uL LIe
IronL. TIe wooI wus permeuLed wILI wurmLI und u comIorLIng muscuIIne scenL. "We'II see
wIuL we cun do." He gesLured Ior CIrIsLopIer rosL Lo come wILI IIm. "Two cunIsLers ure
beIng unIouded neur LIe sLuIrs. You cun IeIp me curry LIem InsIde."
AmeIIu's eyes Lurned round uL LIe sIgIL oI LIe Lwo Iurge meLuIIIc vesseIs. "WIuL ure
LIey?"
"An InvenLIon oI CupLuIn Swunseu's. TIey're IIIIed wILI peurI usI soIuLIon. We're goIng Lo



use IL Lo keep LIe IIre Irom spreudIng unLII LIey've prImed LIe wuLer pump." RoIun sIId u
gIunce Lowurd CIrIsLopIer rosL. "SInce Swunseu Is Loo oId Lo curry LIe conLuIners, 'II
Luke one und you'II Luke LIe oLIer."
AmeIIu knew CIrIsLopIer weII enougI Lo sense IIs dIsIIke oI LukIng orders, especIuIIy
Irom u mun Ie consIdered IIs InIerIor. BuL Ie surprIsed Ier by uccedIng wILIouL proLesL,
und IoIIowed Cum RoIun Lo LIe burnIng Iouse.


CHAPTER OURTEEN
AmeIIu wuLcIed us Cum RoIun und CIrIsLopIer rosL IIILed LIe unguInIy copper
conLuIners, wIIcI Iud been IILLed wILI IeuLIer IosIng, und IuuIed LIem pusL LIe IronL
door. CupLuIn Swunseu remuIned on LIe sLeps, sIouLIng InsLrucLIons uILer LIem.
TIe wIndows were sIoL wILI IurId IIusIes us IIre begun Lo dIgesL LIe InLerIor oI LIe Iouse.
Soon, AmeIIu LIougIL bIeukIy, noLIIng wouId be IeIL buL u bIuckened skeIeLon.
MukIng Ier wuy buck Lo Ier sIsLers, AmeIIu sLood besIde WIn, wIo wus crudIIng eo's
Ieud In Ier Iup. "How Is Ie?"
"He's III Irom LIe smoke." WIn run u genLIe Iund over Ier broLIer's dIsIeveIed Ieud. "BuL
LIInk Ie'II be uII rIgIL."
GIuncIng down uL eo, AmeIIu muLLered, "TIe nexL LIme you Lry Lo kIII yourseII, 'd
upprecIuLe IL II you wouIdn'L Luke LIe resL oI us wILI you."
He guve no IndIcuLIon oI IuvIng Ieurd, buL WIn, BeuLrIx, und Poppy gIunced uL Ier In
surprIse.
"NoL now, deur," WIn suId In genLIe reprooI.
AmeIIu sLIIIed LIe IoL words LIuL rose Lo Ier IIps und sLured sLonIIy uL LIe Iouse.


More peopIe were urrIvIng, some IormIng u IIne Lo puss wuLer buckeLs buck und IorLI
Irom LIe rIver Lo LIe Iund-pump. TIere wus no sIgn oI ucLIvILy Irom wILIIn LIe buIIdIng.
SIe wondered wIuL RoIun und rosL were doIng.
WIn seemed Lo reud Ier mInd. "L seems CupLuIn Swunseu IInuIIy Ius un opporLunILy Lo
LesL IIs InvenLIon," sIe suId.
"WIuL InvenLIon?" AmeIIu usked. "And Iow do you know ubouL IL?"
" suL nexL Lo IIm uL supper, uL SLony Cross Munor," WIn repIIed. "He LoId me LIuL durIng
IIs experImenLs wILI rockeLry desIgn, Ie Iud LIe Ideu Ior u devIce LIuL wouId exLInguIsI
IIres by spruyIng LIem wILI peurI usI soIuLIon. WIen LIe copper cunIsLer Is upended, u
vIuI oI ucId mIxes wILI LIe soIuLIon, und IL creuLes enougI pressure Lo Iorce LIe IIquId
Irom LIe cunIsLer."
"WouId LIuL work?" AmeIIu usked doubLIuIIy.



" cerLuInIy Iope so."
TIey boLI IIIncIed uL LIe sound oI breukIng wIndows. TIe Iundpump crew wus mukIng
un openIng Iurge enougI Lo dIrecL u sLreum oI wuLer InsIde LIe burnIng room.
BecomIng more worrIed by LIe momenL, AmeIIu wuLcIed InLenLIy Ior uny sIgn oI RoIun
or rosL. SIe wus IIgIIy skepLIcuI ubouL LIe noLIon oI runnIng InLo u burnIng Iouse wILI
un unLesLed devIce LIuL couId expIode In one's Iuce. ConIronLed by LIe cIemIcuIs, LIe
smoke, und LIe IeuL, LIe men mIgIL be dIsorIenLed or overwIeImed. TIe Ideu oI some
Iurm beIuIIIng eILIer oI LIem wus unbeurubIe. Her muscIes knoLLed wILI unxIeLy unLII
sLreuks oI puIn IIred LIrougI every IImb.
JusL us sIe begun Lo consIder LIe Ideu oI venLurIng Lo LIe IronL LIresIoId, RoIun und rosL
emerged Irom LIe

Iouse wILI LIe empLIed cunIsLers und were ImmedIuLeIy upproucIed by CupLuIn Swunseu.
AmeIIu IurrIed Iorwurd wILI u cry oI gIudness, IuIIy InLendIng Lo sLop once sIe reucIed
LIem. WIIcI wus wIy IL wus u surprIse wIen Ier Iegs InsIsLed on curryIng Ier Iorwurd.
RoIun dropped LIe cunIsLer und cuugIL Ier LIgILIy. "Eusy, IummIngbIrd."
SIe Iud IosL IIs couL und Ier sIuwI somewIere umId LIe ImpeLuous dusI. TIe coId nIgIL
uIr pIerced LIe LIIn Iuyer oI Ier gown, cuusIng Ier Lo sIIver Iurd. He grIpped Ier more
cIoseIy, eusIng Ier InLo LIe pungenL Irugrunce oI smoke und sweuL. HIs IeurLbeuL wus
sLeudy beneuLI Ier eur, IIs Iund LrucIng wurm cIrcIes on Ier buck.
"TIe exLInguIsIers were even more eIIecLIve LIun 'd unLIcIpuLed," sIe Ieurd CupLuIn
Swunseu suy Lo CIrIsLopIer rosL. "Two or LIree more cunIsLers, und do beIIeve we
couId Iuve puL IL down by ourseIves."
CoIIecLIng IerseII, AmeIIu Iooked ouL Irom LIe cIrcIe oI RoIun's urms. rosL sLured uL Ier
wILI puLenL dIsupprovuI und someLIIng LIuL mIgIL Iuve been jeuIousy. SIe knew sIe wus
mukIng u specLucIe oI IerseII wILI Cum RoIun. AguIn. BuL sIe couIdn'L muke IerseII
Ieuve LIe comIorLIng sIeILer oI IIs urms jusL yeL.
CupLuIn Swunseu wus smIIIng, pIeused wILI LIe resuILs oI IIs eIIorLs. "TIe IIre's under
conLroI now," Ie LoId AmeIIu. " sIouId LIInk LIey'II Iuve IL ouL quILe soon."
"CupLuIn, 'II never be ubIe Lo LIunk you enougI," sIe munuged Lo suy.
"'ve been wuILIng Ior un opporLunILy IIke LIIs," Ie decIured. "TIougI oI course wouIdn'L
Iuve wIsIed Ior your Iome Lo serve us LIe LesLIng sILe." He Lurned Lo vIew LIe

progress wILI LIe Iundpump, wIIcI wus now operuLIng uL IuII cupucILy. "'m uIruId," Ie
suId rueIuIIy, "LIe wuLer dumuge wIII be jusL us bud us LIuL Irom LIe smoke."
"PerIups some oI LIe upsLuIrs rooms ure sLIII IubILubIe," AmeIIu suId. "n u Iew mInuLes


sIouId IIke Lo go up und see-"
"No," RoIun InLerrupLed cuImIy. "You und LIe resL oI LIe HuLIuwuys ure goIng Lo SLony
Cross Munor. TIey Iuve more LIun enougI guesL rooms Lo uccommoduLe you."
BeIore AmeIIu couId suy u word, CIrIsLopIer rosL unswered Ior Ier. "'m sLuyIng wILI
LIe SIeIsIer IumIIy uL LIe vIIIuge Luvern. MIss HuLIuwuy und Ier sIbIIngs wIII go LIere
wILI me."
AmeIIu IeIL LIe cIunge In RoIun's IoId. HIs Iund cume Lo Ier urm, und IIs LIumb Iound
LIe InsIde curve oI Ier eIbow, wIere Ier puIse LIrummed Iurd beneuLI IrugIIe skIn. He
LoucIed Ier wILI LIe possessIve InLImucy oI u Iover.
"WesLcIIII's resIdence Is cIoser," RoIun suId. "MIss HuLIuwuy und Ier sIsLers ure sLundIng
ouLsIde In LIe coId, dressed In IILLIe more LIun LIeIr nIgILgowns. TIeIr broLIer needs Lo be
seen by u docLor, und II 'm noL mIsLuken, MerrIpen does, Loo. TIey're goIng Lo LIe
munor."
AmeIIu Irowned us IIs words sunk In. "WIy does MerrIpen need u docLor? WIere Is Ie?"
RoIun Lurned Ier In IIs urms Lo Iuce LIe opposILe dIrecLIon. "Over LIere, besIde your
sIsLers."
SIe gusped uL LIe sIgIL oI MerrIpen IuddIed on LIe ground. WIn wus wILI IIm,
uLLempLIng Lo puII LIe LIIn IubrIc oI IIs sIIrL uwuy Irom IIs buck. "OI, no." AmeIIu puIIed
uwuy Irom RoIun und sped Lowurd Ier IumIIy. SIe Ieurd CIrIsLopIer rosL cuIIIng ouL
Ier nume, buL sIe Ignored LIe sound.


"WIuL Iuppened?" sIe usked, droppIng Lo LIe dump ground besIde WIn. "Hus MerrIpen
been burned?"
"Yes, on IIs buck." WIn rIpped u mukesIIIL bunduge Irom LIe Iem oI Ier own gown.
"BeuLrIx, wouId you Luke LIIs, pIeuse, und souk IL In wuLer?"
WILIouL u word, BeuLrIx scumpered Lo LIe LrougI uL LIe Iundpump.
WIn sLroked MerrIpen's LIIck bIuck IuIr us Ie resLed IIs Ieud on IIs Ioreurms. HIs breuLI
IIssed unevenIy LIrougI IIs LeeLI.
"Does IL IurL, or Is IL numb?" AmeIIu usked.
"HurLs IIke LIe devII," Ie cIoked ouL.
"TIuL's u good sIgn. A burn Is mucI more serIous II IL's numb."
He Lurned IIs Ieud Lo gIve Ier u speukIng gIunce.
WIn kepL Ier Iund on LIe nupe oI MerrIpen's neck us sIe spoke Lo AmeIIu. "He wenL Loo
cIose Lo LIe euves oI LIe Iouse. TIe IeuL Irom LIe IIre cuused LIe IIusIIng on LIe sIIngIes
Lo meIL und drIp down. Some moILen Ieud IeII on IIs buck." SIe gIunced up us BeuLrIx
reLurned wILI u drIppIng cIoLI. "TIunk you, deur." IILIng MerrIpen's sIIrL, sIe IuId LIe



weL cIoLI over LIe burn, und Ie IeL ouL u puIned growI. osIng uII sense oI prIde or
decorum, Ie IeL WIn pIIIow IIs Ieud on Ier Iup wIIIe Ie sIook unconLroIIubIy.
GIuncIng uL eo, wIo wus IurIng IILLIe beLLer, AmeIIu reuIIzed Cum RoIun wus rIgIL-sIe
needed Lo Luke Ier IumIIy Lo LIe munor ImmedIuLeIy, und send Ior u docLor.
SIe mude no proLesL us RoIun und CupLuIn Swunseu cume Lo Ioud LIe ussembIed
HuLIuwuys InLo LIe currIuge. eo Iud Lo be IIILed bodIIy InLo LIe veIIcIe, und MerrIpen,
wIo wus unsLeudy und dIsorIenLed, requIred IeIp us weII.


CupLuIn Swunseu IundIed LIe rIbbons deILIy us Ie drove LIe IumIIy Lo SLony Cross Munor.
Upon LIeIr urrIvuI, LIe HuLIuwuys were greeLed wILI consIderubIe excILemenL und
sympuLIy, servunLs runnIng In uII dIrecLIons, IouseguesLs voIunLeerIng exLru cIoLIes und
personuI ILems. udy WesLcIIII und udy SL. VIncenL Look cIurge oI LIe younger gIrIs,
wIIIe AmeIIu wus drugged uwuy by u puIr oI deLermIned IousemuIds. L becume cIeur
LIey wouId noL reIenL unLII sIe wus buLIed und Ied und dressed.
An eLernILy Iud pussed by LIe LIme LIe IousemuIds puL AmeIIu InLo u IresI nIgILgown und
u bIue veIveL robe. AnoLIer quurLer Iour cruwIed by us LIey puInsLukIngIy bruIded Ier
dump IuIr InLo u neuL pIuIL beIInd eucI eur. WIen uL IusL LIey were IInIsIed wILI Ier,
AmeIIu LIunked LIe muIds und IIed LIe guesL room. SIe wenL Lo cIeck on Ier sIbIIngs,
sLurLIng wILI Ier broLIer.
A servunL In LIe IuIIwuy dIrecLed Ier Lo eo's room. TIe docLor, un eIderIy mun wILI u
neuLIy LrImmed gruy beurd, wus jusL IeuvIng. He puused, bug In Iund, us sIe usked ubouL
Ier broLIer's condILIon.
"AII In uII, ord Rumsuy Is doIng quILe weII," LIe docLor repIIed. "TIere Is mInor sweIIIng
oI LIe LIrouL-due Lo LIe smoke InIuIuLIon, oI course-buL IL Is mere LIssue IrrILuLIon
ruLIer LIun serIous dumuge. HIs coIor Is good, LIe IeurL Is sLrong, und uII sIgns ure LIuL
Ie'II be good us new."
"TIunk God. WIuL ubouL MerrIpen?"
"TIe Gypsy? HIs condILIon Is u bIL more worrIsome. L's u nusLy burn. BuL 've LreuLed IL
und uppIIed u Ioney dressIng, wIIcI sIouId keep LIe bunduge Irom sLIckIng us IL IeuIs.
wIII reLurn Lomorrow Lo cIeck on IIs progress."
"TIunk you. SIr, don'L wIsI Lo LroubIe you- know LIe


Iour Is IuLe-buL couId you spure u momenL Lo vIsIL one oI my sIsLers? SIe Ius weuk
Iungs, und even LIougI sIe wusn'L exposed Lo LIe smoke, sIe wus ouL In LIe nIgIL uIr-"
"You're reIerrIng Lo MIss WInnIIred."
"Yes."



"SIe wus In LIe Gypsy's room. AppurenLIy Ie sIured your concern over your sIsLer's
IeuILI. BoLI oI LIem were urguIng quILe sLrenuousIy over wIIcI one oI LIem sIouId see
IIrsL."
"OI." A IuInL smIIe cume Lo Ier IIps. "WIo won? MerrIpen, suppose."
He smIIed buck uL Ier. "No, MIss HuLIuwuy. Your sIsLer muy Iuve weuk Iungs, buL sIe
Ius no end oI resoIve." He bowed Lo Ier. " wIsI you good evenIng. My sympuLIIes on
your mIsIorLune."
AmeIIu nodded In LIunks und wenL InLo eo's room, wIere u Iump Iud been Lurned down
Iow. He wus IyIng on IIs sIde, eyes open, buL Ie dIdn'L spure Ier u gIunce us sIe
upproucIed. SILLIng on LIe sIde oI LIe muLLress wILI cure, sIe reucIed ouL und smooLIed
IIs muLLed IuIr.
HIs voIce wus u soIL crouk. "Huve you come Lo IInIsI me oII?"
SIe smIIed wryIy. "You seem Lo be doIng un exceIIenL job oI LIuL uII by yourseII." Her
Iund sIuped LenderIy over IIs skuII. "How dId LIe IIre sLurL, deur?"
He Iooked uL Ier LIen, IIs eyes so bIoodsIoL LIey resembIed Lwo LIny coucIIng roud
mups. " don'L remember. IeII usIeep. dIdn'L cuuse LIe IIre on purpose. Iope you
beIIeve LIuL."
"Yes." SIe Ieuned over und kIssed IIs Ieud us II Ie were u young boy. "ResL, eo.
EveryLIIng wIII be beLLer In LIe mornIng."

"You uIwuys suy LIuL," Ie mumbIed, cIosIng IIs eyes. "Muybe someduy IL'II be Lrue." And
Ie IeII usIeep wILI sLurLIIng quIckness.
HeurIng u noIse uL LIe door, AmeIIu Iooked up Lo see LIe Iousekeeper curryIng u Lruy
Iuden wILI brown gIuss boLLIes und bundIes oI drIed Ierbs. TIe eIderIy womun wus
uccompunIed by Cum RoIun, wIo currIed u smuII open keLLIe IIIIed wILI sLeumIng wuLer.
RoIun Iud noL yeL wusIed LIe smoke Irom IIs cIoLIes und IuIr und skIn. AILIougI Ie
musL Iuve been LIred Irom LIe nIgIL's exerLIons, Ie sIowed no sIgns oI IL. He Look AmeIIu
In wILI un uII-encompussIng gIunce, IIs eyes gIowIng IIke brImsLone In IIs smudged,
sweuL-sLreuked Iuce.
"TIe sLeum wIII IeIp ord Rumsuy breuLIe more comIorLubIy durIng LIe nIgIL," LIe
Iousekeeper expIuIned. SIe proceeded Lo IIgIL LIe cundIes beneuLI u bedsIde IoIder, onLo
wIIcI LIe keLLIe wus pIuced.
As sLeum dIspersed LIrougI LIe uIr, u sLrong, noL unpIeusunL Irugrunce drIILed Lo AmeIIu's
nosLrIIs. "WIuL Is IL?" sIe usked In u IusIed voIce.
"CIumomIIe, LIyme, und IIcorIce," RoIun suId, "uIong wILI sIIppery eIm und IorseLuII
Ieuves Ior LIe sweIIIng In IIs LIrouL."


"We've uIso brougIL morpIIne Lo IeIp IIm sIeep," LIe Iousekeeper suId. "'II Ieuve IL by
LIe bedsIde, und II Ie uwukens IuLer-"
"No," AmeIIu suId quIckIy. TIe IusL LIIng eo needed wus unsupervIsed uccess Lo u Iurge
boLLIe oI morpIIne. "TIuL won'L be necessury."
"Yes, mIss." TIe Iousekeeper depurLed wILI u quIeL murmur Ior Ier Lo rIng II unyLIIng
wus needed.
Cum remuIned In LIe room, cusuuIIy IeunIng u sIouIder


uguInsL one LowerIng bedposL. He wuLcIed us AmeIIu wenL Lo InvesLIguLe LIe conLenLs oI
LIe sLeum keLLIe. SIe uverLed Ier guze Irom IIs vIbrunL durk presence, LIe seurcIIng eyes,
LIe quIzzIcuI cusL oI IIs mouLI.
"You musL be exIuusLed," sIe suId, pIckIng up u sprIg oI drIed Ieuves. SIe brougIL LIe
cruckIy IrugrunL Ierbs Lo Ier nose und snIIIed experImenLuIIy. "L's very IuLe."
"'ve spenL mosL oI my IIIe In u gumIng cIub-by now 'm more or Iess nocLurnuI." A brIeI
puuse. "You sIouId go Lo bed."
AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieud. SomewIere beneuLI LIe cIumor oI Ier puIse und LIe ruIIIe oI
worrIes In Ier mInd, LIere wus u greuL ucIe oI weurIness. BuL uny uLLempL Lo sIeep wouId
be useIess-sIe wouId sImpIy IIe LIere und sLure uL LIe ceIIIng. "My Ieud Is spInnIng IIke
u curouseI. TIe LIougIL oI sIeep ..." SIe sIook Ier Ieud.
"WouId IL IeIp," Ie usked genLIy, "Lo Iuve u sIouIder Lo cry on?"
SIe IougIL Lo conceuI Iow mucI LIe quesLIon unnerved Ier. "TIunk you, buL no."
CureIuIIy sIe dropped LIe Ierbs InLo LIe keLLIe. "CryIng Is u wusLe oI LIme."
" 'To weep Is Lo muke Iess LIe depLI oI grIeI.'"
"s LIuL u Romuny suyIng?"
"SIukespeure." He sLudIed Ier, seeIng Loo mucI, reudIng wIuL sImmered beneuLI LIe
Iorced cuIm. "You Iuve IrIends Lo IeIp you LIrougI LIIs, AmeIIu. And 'm one oI LIem."
AmeIIu wus LerrIIIed LIuL Ie mIgIL see Ier us un objecL oI pILy. SIe wouId uvoId LIuL uL uII
cosL. SIe couIdn'L Ieun on IIm, or unyone. I sIe dId, sIe mIgIL never be ubIe Lo sLund on
Ier own uguIn. SIe moved uwuy Irom IIm, uround IIm, Ier Iunds IIuLLerIng us II Lo buL
uwuy uny uLLempL Lo


reucI Ier. "You musLn'L LroubIe yourseII ubouL LIe HuLI-uwuys. We'II munuge. We uIwuys
Iuve."
"NoL LIIs LIme." RoIun wuLcIed Ier sLeudIIy. "Your broLIer Is beyond IeIpIng unyone,
IncIudIng IImseII. Your sIsLers ure Loo young, excepL Ior WInnIIred. And now even
MerrIpen Is bedrIdden."



"'II Luke cure oI LIem. don'L need IeIp." SIe reucIed Ior u IengLI oI LoweIIng druped uL
LIe IooL oI LIe bed, und IoIded IL neuLIy. "You're IeuvIng Ior ondon In LIe mornIng, uren'L
you? You sIouId probubIy Luke your own udvIce und go Lo bed."
TIe IIgIL eyes Lurned IIInLy. "Dumn IL, wIy do you Iuve Lo be so sLubborn?"
"'m noL beIng sLubborn. L's jusL LIuL don'L wunL unyLIIng Irom you. And you deserve Lo
IInd LIe Ireedom you've been deprIved oI Ior so Iong."
"Are you concerned ubouL my Ireedom, or ure you LerrIIIed oI udmILLIng you need
someone?"
He wus rIgIL-buL sIe wouId ruLIer Iuve dIed LIun udmIL IL. " don'L need unyone, IeusL oI
uII you."
HIs voIce wus no Iess bIIsLerIng Ior beIng soIL. "You don'L know Iow eusy IL wouId be Lo
prove you wrong." He begun Lo reucI Ior Ier, cIecked LIe movemenL, und Iooked uL Ier
us II Ie wunLed Lo LIroLLIe Ier, kIss Ier, or boLI.
"Muybe nexL IIIeLIme," sIe wIIspered, someIow munugIng u crooked smIIe. "PIeuse go.
PIeuse, Cum."
SIe wuILed unLII Ie Iud IeIL LIe room, und Ier sIouIders sugged wILI reIIeI.
NeedIng Lo escupe LIe smoLIerIng conIInes oI LIe Iouse, Cum wenL ouLsIde. TIe nIgIL
LIreuded weuk moonIIgIL


LIrougI u weIL oI InIInILe durkness. He wundered Lo LIe IronsLone wuII LIuL edged u bIuII
overIookIng LIe rIver. HoIsLIng IImseII eusIIy Lo LIe Lop oI LIe wuII, Ie suL wILI IIs IeeL
dungIIng over LIe edge, und IIsLened Lo LIe wuLer und LIe nIgIL sounds. Smoke Iung In LIe
uIr, mIngIIng wILI LIe scenLs oI eurLI und IoresL.
Cum LrIed Lo sorL LIrougI u LungIe oI emoLIons. He Iud never known jeuIousy beIore, buL
wIen Ie Iud seen AmeIIu und CIrIsLopIer rosL embrucIng eurIIer, Cum Iud experIenced
u vIoIenL urge Lo sLrungIe LIe busLurd. Every InsLIncL ruged LIuL AmeIIu wus IIs, IIs uIone
Lo proLecL und comIorL. BuL Ie Iud no rIgILs Lo Ier.
I rosL decIded Lo pursue Ier, IL wus besL LIuL Cum noL InLerIere. AmeIIu wouId be beLLer
oII wILI Ier own kInd, ruLIer LIun u IuII-bred Romu. Cum wouId be beLLer oII, Loo. Good
God, wus Ie ucLuuIIy conLempIuLIng spendIng LIe resL oI IIs IIIe us u gudjo, bound In
domesLIcILy?
He sIouId Ieuve HumpsIIre, Ie LIougIL. AmeIIu wouId muke Ier own decIsIon ubouL
rosL, und Cum wouId IoIIow IIs desLIny. No compromIses or sucrIIIces on eILIer sIde. He
wouId never be unyLIIng more Lo AmeIIu LIun u brIeI, vugueIy remembered epIsode In Ier
IIIe.
owerIng IIs Ieud, Ie scrubbed IIs Iunds LIrougI IIs unruIy IuIr. HIs cIesL ucIed In LIe



wuy IL uIwuys Iud wIen Ie yeurned Ior Ireedom. BuL Ior LIe IIrsL LIme, Ie wondered II Ie
wus rIgIL ubouL wIuL Ie wunLed. Becuuse IL dIdn'L seem us II LIe puIn wouId be cured
wIen Ie IeIL. n IucL, IL LIreuLened Lo become u good deuI worse.
TIe IuLure spreud beIore IIm In u greuL IIIeIess voId. TIousunds oI nIgILs wILIouL
AmeIIu. He wouId IoId und muke Iove Lo oLIer women, buL none oI LIem wouId ever be
LIe one Ie LruIy wunLed.

He LIougIL oI AmeIIu IIvIng us u spInsLer. Or worse, reconcIIIng wILI rosL, perIups
murryIng IIm, buL uIwuys IIvIng wILI LIe knowIedge LIuL rosL Iud beLruyed Ier once und
mIgIL uguIn. SIe deserved so mucI more LIun LIuL. SIe deserved pussIonuLe, IeurL-
scuIdIng, overwIeImIng, consumIng Iove. SIe deserved . . .
OI, IeII. He wus LIInkIng Loo mucI. JusL IIke u gudjo.
He Iorced IImseII Lo Iuce LIe LruLI. TIe IucL wus, AmeIIu wus IIs, wIeLIer Ie sLuyed or
IeIL, wIeLIer LIey wuIked LIe sume puLI or noL. TIey couId IIve on opposILe sIdes oI LIe
worId, und sIe wouId sLIII be IIs.
TIe Romu IuII oI IIm Iud seen LIuL Irom LIe begInnIng.
And IL wus LIuL sIde oI IImseII Ie wouId IIsLen Lo.
AmeIIu's bed wus soIL und IuxurIous, buL IL mIgIL us weII Iuve been mude oI bure wood
pIunks. SIe roIIed, Lurned, spruwIed, buL sIe couId IInd no comIorLubIe posILIon Ior Ier
ucIIng body, und no peuce Ior Ier LorLured bruIn.
TIe room wus sLIII und sLuIIy, LIe uIr LurnIng LIIcker by LIe mInuLe. CruvIng u breuLI oI
cIeur, coId uIr, sIe sIIpped Irom LIe bed, wenL Lo LIe wIndow, und pusIed IL open. A gusp
oI reIIeI escuped Ier us u IIgIL breeze swepL over Ier. SIe cIosed Ier sore eyes, used Ier
knuckIes Lo rub Ier weL IusIes.
L wus sLrunge, buL wILI uII LIe probIems sIe Iuced, LIe LIIng LIuL kepL Ier Irom sIeepIng
wus LIe quesLIon oI wIeLIer or noL CIrIsLopIer rosL Iud ever reuIIy Ioved Ier. SIe Iud
wunLed Lo LIInk so, even uILer Ie Iud ubundoned Ier. SIe Iud LoId IerseII LIuL Iove wus u
Iuxury Ior

mosL peopIe, LIuL CIrIsLopIer's cureer wus u dIIIIcuIL one, und Ie Iud been Iuced wILI un
ImpossIbIe cIoIce. He Iud done wIuL Ie'd LIougIL besL uL LIe Lune. PerIups IL Iud been
wrong oI Ier Lo expecL IIm Lo cIoose Ier und dumn LIe consequences.
To be desIred ubove uII eIse, Lo be wunLed, needed, coveLed . .. LIuL wouId never Iuppen Lo
Ier.


TIe door opened In u weII-oIIed urc. SIe suw LIe sIudows cIunge, IeIL u presence In LIe
room. TurnIng wILI u sLurL, sIe suw Cum RoIun sLundIng jusL InsIde LIe door. Her IeurL
begun Lo drum wILI IurIous Iorce. He Iooked IIke someLIIng Irom u dreum, u durk
enIgmuLIc gIosL.
He upproucIed Ier sIowIy. TIe cIoser Ie cume, LIe more IL seemed everyLIIng uround Ier
wus unruveIIng, IuIIIng uwuy, IeuvIng Ier exposed und vuInerubIe.
Cum's breuLIIng wusn'L quILe sLeudy. NeILIer wus Iers. AILer u Iong puuse, Ie IInuIIy
spoke. "TIe Rom beIIeve you sIouId Luke LIe roud LIuL cuIIs Lo you, und never Lurn buck.
Becuuse you never know wIuL udvenLures uwuIL." He reucIed Ior Ier sIowIy, gIvIng Ier
every opporLunILy Lo objecL. TIrougI LIe coLLony guuze oI Ier nIgILgown, Ie LoucIed LIe
curve oI Ier IIps. He brougIL Ier cIose, InLo IIs Iurd weIgIL.
"So we're goIng Lo Luke LIIs roud," Ie murmured, "und see wIere IL Ieuds."
He wuILed Ior u sIgnuI, some syIIubIe oI objecLIon or encourugemenL, buL sIe couId onIy
sLure uL IIm, LrunsIIxed und IeIpIess.
He smooLIed Ier IuIr, wIIsperIng Ior Ier noL Lo Ieur IIm, Ie wouId Luke cure oI Ier,
pIeuse Ier. HIs IIngers Iound LIe sensILIve curve oI Ier scuIp, crudIIng Ier Ieud us

Ie kIssed Ier. He drugged IIs mouLI ucross Iers, uguIn und uguIn, und wIen Ier IIps were
open und dump, Ie seuIed LIem wILI IIs.
ExcILemenL IIooded Ier, und sIe guve In Lo LIe durk pIeusure, openIng Lo LIe peneLruLIng
sLrokes oI IIs Longue, sLruggIIng Lo cupLure LIe sIIkIness. HIs Iunds genLIy urged Ier
buckwurd unLII Ier buIunce coIIupsed. SIe Iuy on LIe LumbIed bed us II on some pugun
uILur. BendIng over Ier, Cum kIssed Ier LIrouL. TIere wus u serIes oI quIck Lugs uL LIe
IronL oI Ier gown, und LIe edges oI LIe gurmenL purLed.
SIe IeIL IIs urgency, LIe IeuL rudIuLIng Irom IIs body, buL every movemenL wus cureIuI,
IIngerIng, us Ie reucIed beneuLI LIe IrugIIe coLLon und curessed Ier breusL. Her knees
drew up, Ier enLIre body urcIIng Lo conLuIn LIe pIeusure oI IIs LoucI. WILI u wordIess
sound Cum couxed Ier Lo reIux, IIs Iund gIIdIng Irom Ier cIesL Lo Ier knees. HIs purLed
IIps brusIed LIe nuked LIp oI Ier breusL, LoyIng wILI LIe IurdenIng bud, IIs Longue
skImmIng weLIy. SIe brougIL Ier Iunds Lo IIs IuIr, LungIIng Ier IIngers In LIe ebony
Iocks, LryIng Lo IoId IIm Lo Ier. HIs mouLI cIosed over Ier nIppIe, LuggIng IIgILIy unLII
sIe quIvered und LrIed Lo roII uwuy, unnerved by LIe IeeIIng LIuL sIe wus beIng drIven Lo
LIe brInk oI some new sensuLIon uILogeLIer.
Cum puIIed Ier buck Lo IIm und benL over Ier once more. HIs mouLI covered Iers, wIIIe
IIs LeusIng IIngers puIIed LIe Iem oI Ier gown IIgIer und Iound LIe Lender bucks oI Ier
LIIgIs.


AmeIIu reucIed Ior IIs sIIrL wILI LrembIIng Iunds. L wus Ioose-cuL und coIIurIess, LIe
kInd LIuL IIILed over LIe Ieud InsLeud oI buLLonIng. Cum moved Lo IeIp Ier, puIIIng LIe
gurmenL oII und LossIng IL usIde. MoonIIgIL gIIded LIe


suppIe, muscuIur IInes oI IIs body, IIs cIesL LuuL und smooLI.
IuLLenIng Ier puIms uguInsL LIe Iurd IIesI, sIe drew LIem genLIy downwurd Lo IIs sIdes
und uround IIs buck. He sIIvered uL Ier LoucI und Iowered Lo LIe pIuce besIde Ier, one
Ieg sIIdIng beLween Iers. TIe gown IeII open Lo expose Ier cIesL compIeLeIy, LIe Iem
buncIIng IIgI on Ier LIIgIs.
HIs IIps descended Lo Ier breusL uguIn, wIIIe Ie cupped und kneuded LIe IIrm IIesI.
ArcIIng up Lo IIm, sIe sLruggIed Lo press cIoser, Lo brIng IIs weIgIL more IuIIy over Ier.
He resIsLed, IIs Iunds LruveIIng over Ier In curesses meunL Lo cuIm Ier. SIe quIvered uL
IIs genLIeness, Ier Iunds grIppIng IIs buck. SIe couIdn'L LIInk cIeurIy, couIdn'L IInd
words. TwIsLIng uguInsL IIm, sIe IeIL LIe desIre sIurpen Lo unbeurubIe InLensILy. "Cum.,..
Cum..." SIe pressed Ier Iuce Lo IIs sIouIder.
eeIIng LIe dumpness oI Ier IusIes, Ie eused Ier Ieud buck und LoucIed IIs Longue Lo un
errunL Leurdrop. "PuLIence, IummIngbIrd. L's Loo soon."
SIe Iooked up InLo IIs sIudowed IeuLures. "or you?"
TIere wus u momenL's puuse, us II Cum were sLruggIIng Lo IoId buck u sudden IuugI.
"No, Ior you."
"'m LwenLy-sIx yeurs oId," sIe proLesLed. "How couId IL possIbIy be Loo soon Ior me?"
Cum couIdn'L suppress IIs IuugILer LIen, buryIng LIe Iow, rIcI sounds In Ier mouLI.
TIe kIsses Lurned Iurder, Ionger, und In beLween, Cum spoke In u mIxLure oI Romuny und
EngIIsI, und IL wus uncIeur II Ie even knew wIuL Iunguuge Ie used. GruspIng Ier Iund In
IIs, Ie brougIL IL down IIs body Lo LIe urgenL LIrusL oI IIs erecLIon. SIocked und
IuscInuLed, AmeIIu


eused Ier Iund uIong LIe IengLI oI IIm, Ier IIngers moIdIng IesILunLIy over LIe Iurdness.
Cum grouned us II In puIn, und sIe snuLcIed Ier Iund buck uL once.
"'m LerrIbIy sorry," sIe suId, IIusIIng. " dIdn'L meun Lo IurL you."
"You dIdn'L IurL me." TIere wus u IIIck oI Lender umusemenL In IIs voIce. He cuugIL Ier
Iund und brougIL IL buck down.
AmeIIu expIored IIm sIyIy, Ier curIosILy sLIrred by LIe IeuL und suggesLIon oI movemenL
beneuLI LIe LuuL IubrIc oI IIs breecIes. He seemed Lo reveI In Ier LoucI, neurIy purrIng us
Ie moved over Ier Lo nuzzIe und IIck uL Ier LIrouL.
BoLI IIs Iegs were beLween Iers now, wIdenIng LIe spuce beLween LIem, LIe nIgILgown



crumpIed uround Ier wuIsL. Exposed, morLIIIed, excILed, sIe IeIL one oI IIs Iunds
roumIng Iow on Ier sLomucI. Soon LIere wouId be puIn und possessIon, uII mysLerIes
soIved. SIe LIougIL perIups now wouId be un opporLune LIme Lo menLIon someLIIng.
"Cum?"
HIs Ieud IIILed. "Yes?"
"'ve Ieurd LIere ure wuys-LIuL Is, sInce LIIs cun Ieud Lo-oI, don'L know Iow Lo suy IL
-"
"You don'L wunL me Lo gIve you u buby." HIs IIngerLIps pIuyed genLIy LIrougI Ier InLImuLe
durk curIs.
"Yes. TIuL Is ... no." Her breuLI LungIed uround u moun.
" won'L. AILIougI LIere's uIwuys u cIunce." He Iound u pIuce so uIIve wILI sensuLIon LIuL
sIe jerked und drew Ier knees up. HIs IIngers were IIgIL und genLIe us Ie purLed LIe soIL
cIeIL. "TIe quesLIon, Iove, Is wIeLIer you wunL me enougI Lo Luke LIe rIsk."


Her senses swum In sIume und pIeusure uL LIe wuy Ie LoucIed Ier. Her enLIre exIsLence
Iud dwIndIed Lo LIe sIy LeusIng oI one IIngerLIp. And Cum knew. He wuILed Ior Ier
unswer, sLrokIng, sIupIng LIe Lenderness wILI IIs IIngerLIps, puyIng cureIuI uLLenLIon Lo
every sIIver und LwILcI oI Ier body.
"Yes," sIe suId unsLeudIIy. " wunL you."
TIe pud oI IIs LIumb sLroked downwurd, gIIdIng LIrougI u puLcI oI InexpIIcubIe weLness.
BeIore sIe couId suy u word, Ie Iud pressed InLo LIe moIsLure wILI IIs LIumb, InvudIng
Ier sIIgILIy.
HIs IusIes Iowered over devII-brIgIL eyes. "Do you wunL LIIs?" Ie wIIspered.
SIe nodded und LrIed Lo suy yes, buL uII LIuL cume ouL wus u Iow wIImper.
Deeper, u genLIy InquIrIng sLroke, unLII sIe IeIL LIe Iurd rIdge oI IIs LIumb rIng press
uguInsL LIe enLrunce oI Ier body. He mude sIow cIrcIes InsIde Ier, LIe smooLI rIng LeusIng
und rubbIng unLII sIe IeIL IuInL und IoL. OI, deur Ieuven, yes, no, pIeuse . .. unoLIer swIrI,
unoLIer, eucI one coIIIng LIe pIeusure LIgILer unLII Ier IeurL wus LIunderIng und Ier IIps
nudged rIyLImIcuIIy uguInsL LIe IeeI oI IIs Iund. BuL LIen LIe exquIsILe InvusIon wus
wILIdruwn, und Ier body cIusped desperuLeIy uround LIe empLIness. SIe reucIed Ior IIm,
cIuwIng IIm In Ier IrunLIc need, und Cum Iud LIe eIIronLery Lo IuugI soILIy.
"Eusy, sweeLIeurL. We're sLIII uL LIe begInnIng. TIere's no need Lo Iurry LIrougI IL."
"TIe begInnIng?" SLunned und LIrobbIng, sIe couId IurdIy speuk. I LIere wus one LIIng
sIe wus cerLuIn oI, IL wus LIuL sIe couIdn'L beur mucI more oI IIs reIIned LorLure. "
wouId Iuve LIougIL you'd Iuve uIreudy IInIsIed by now."



SIe IeIL IIm smIIe us Ie kIssed LIe InsIde oI Ier eIbow, workIng IIs wuy down Lo Ier
wrIsL. "TIe poInL Is Lo muke IL IusL us Iong us possIbIe."
"WIy?"
"L's beLLer LIuL wuy. or boLI oI us." He prIed Ier cIencIed IIngers upurL und kIssed LIe
puIm oI Ier Iund. AILer puIIIng Ier nIgILgown buck InLo pIuce, Ie buLLoned LIe IronL wILI
meLIcuIous cure.
"WIuL ure you doIng?"
"TukIng you Ior u rIde." As sIe spuLLered wILI quesLIons, Ie LoucIed u genLIe IoreIInger Lo
Ier IIps. "TrusL me," Ie wIIspered.
AmeIIu compIIed In u duze us Ie puIIed Ier Irom LIe bed, wrupped LIe veIveL robe uround
Ier, und Lucked Ier IeeL InLo soIL sIIppers.
CIuspIng Ier Iund IIrmIy In IIs, Cum Ied Ier Irom LIe room. TIe Iouse wus sLIII und
soundIess, LIe wuIIs Iung wILI porLruILs oI urIsLocruLs wILI dIsupprovIng Iuces.
TIey wenL ouL LIe buck oI LIe Iouse Lo LIe greuL sLone Lerruce, ILs wIde curvIng sLeps
IeudIng down Lo LIe gurdens. TIe moonIIgIL wus crossed wILI sIredded cIouds LIuL
gIowed uguInsL u sky LIe coIor oI bIuck pIums. PuzzIed buL wIIIIng, AmeIIu wenL wILI
Cum Lo LIe boLLom oI LIe sLeps.
He sLopped und guve u sIorL wIIsLIe.
"WIuL-" AmeIIu gusped us sIe Ieurd LIe poundIng oI Ieuvy Iooves und suw u Iuge
bIuck Iorm rusIIng Lowurd LIem IIke someLIIng Irom u nIgILmure. AIurm durLed LIrougI
Ier, und sIe burrowed uguInsL Cum, Ier Iuce IIdden uguInsL IIs cIesL. HIs urm wenL
uround Ier, LuckIng Ier cIose.


WIen LIe LIunderIng sLopped, AmeIIu rIsked u gIunce uL LIe uppurILIon. L wus u Iorse. A
Iuge bIuck Iorse, wILI puIIIng breuLIs LIuL rose IIke wruILIs In LIe ruw uIr.
"s LIIs reuIIy IuppenIng?" sIe usked.
Cum reucIed In IIs pockeL und Ied LIe Iorse u sugur Iump, und run IIs Iund over LIe
sIeek mIdnIgIL neck. "Huve you ever Iud u dreum IIke LIIs?"
"Never."
"TIen IL musL be IuppenIng."
"You ucLuuIIy Iuve u Iorse wIo comes wIen you wIIsLIe?"
"Yes, LruIned IIm."
"WIuL Is IIs nume?"
HIs smIIe gIeumed wIILe In LIe durkness. "Cun'L you guess?"
AmeIIu LIougIL Ior u momenL. "Pooku?" TIe Iorse Lurned IIs Ieud Lo Iook uL Ier us II Ie
undersLood. "Pooku," sIe repeuLed wILI u IuInL smIIe. "Do you Iuve wIngs, by uny



cIunce?"
AL Cum's subLIe gesLure, LIe Iorse sIook IIs Ieud In un empIuLIc no, und AmeIIu IuugIed
sIukIIy.
WuIkIng Lo Pooku's sIde, Cum swung up onLo LIe puck-suddIe In u gruceIuI movemenL. He
sIdIed cIose Lo LIe sLep on wIIcI AmeIIu wus sLundIng und reucIed down Lo Ier. SIe Look
IIs Iund, munugIng Lo guIn u IooLIoId on LIe sLIrrup. SIe wus IIILed eusIIy onLo LIe suddIe
In IronL oI IIm. MomenLum currIed Ier u IILLIe Loo Iur, buL Cum's urm Iocked uround Ier,
keepIng Ier In pIuce. , AmeIIu Ieuned buck InLo LIe Iurd crudIe oI IIs cIesL und urm. Her
nosLrIIs were IIIIed wILI LIe scenLs oI uuLumn, dump eurLI, Iorse und mun und mIdnIgIL.


"You knew 'd come wILI you, dIdn'L you?" sIe usked.
Cum Ieuned over Ier, kIssIng Ier LempIe. " onIy Ioped." HIs LIIgIs LIgILened, seLLIng LIe
Iorse Lo u guIIop, und LIen u smooLI cunLer. And wIen AmeIIu cIosed Ier eyes, sIe couId
Iuve sworn LIey were IIyIng.


CHAPTER TEEN


Cum rode Lo LIe ubundoned rIver encumpmenL wIere LIe Gypsy LrIbe Iud sLuyed. TIe
remuIns oI LIe cump were sLIII LIere; LIe ruLs IeIL by LIe wIeeIs oI LIe vurdos, cIrcIes oI
gruss euLen wIere LIe cobs Iud been LeLIered, LIe sIuIIow IIre pIL IIIIed wILI usI. And
everywIere LIere wus LIe sound oI LIe sIosIIng, rusIIng rIver, pusIIng uL LIe bunks,
soukIng LIe yIeIdIng eurLI.
He dIsmounLed und IeIped AmeIIu Lo LIe ground. AL IIs
dIrecLIon, sIe suL on u IuIIen bIrcI Iog wIIIe Ie seL up u
mukesIIIL cump. SIe wuILed wILI Ier Iunds IoIded neuLIy In


Ier Iup, wuLcIIng IIs every movemenL us Ie puIIed u bundIe
oI bIunkeLs Irom LIe pucksuddIe. n u Iew mInuLes Ie Iud
mude u IIre In LIe sLone-cIrcIed pIL und IuId ouL u puIIeL be


sIdeIL.
AmeIIu IurrIed Lo LIe pIIe oI bIunkeLs und burrowed be-neuLI LIe Iuyers oI wooI und
quIILed coLLon. "s IL suIe ouL Iere?" sIe usked, Ier voIce muIIIed. "You're suIe Irom
everyLIIng buL me." SmIIIng, Cum Iowered IImseII besIde Ier. AILer removIng IIs booLs,
Ie joIned Ier beneuLI LIe bIunkeLs und puIIed Ier uguInsL


IIm. RemIndIng IImseII oI LIe rewurds Lo be guIned by puLIence, Ie cuddIed Ier cIose
und wuILed.



As one second meILed InLo LIe nexL, AmeIIu's body nesLIed more LIgILIy uguInsL IIs. L IeIL
so exLruordInury jusL Lo IoId Ier LIuL Ie dId noLIIng Ior u Iong LIme. He IIsLened Lo LIe
IIow oI Ier breuLIIng, und IeIL LIe coId nIgIL uIr move over LIem, wIIIe LIe wurmLI oI
LIeIr bodIes coIIecLed beneuLI LIe bIunkeLs. TIey descended InLo LIe IeurL oI u sLIII, quIeL
pIeusure Cum Iud never known beIore. HIs puIse begun u Iurd, roIIIng drum, LIe IeuL
LIIckenIng beLween every beuL. He IeIL Ier IIps pressIng LenLuLIveIy uguInsL IIs, crudIIng
LIe rIgId sIupe oI IIs urousuI, bundIIng cIoser. BuL sLIII Ie dIdn'L move, onIy IeL Ier cuddIe
und brusI uguInsL IIm unLII Ie wus Lense und IIerceIy uroused.
TIe IIre IIIcked und snupped ILs yeIIow rIbbons, IuppIng uL broken bIrcI und ouk. HoL... Ie
Iud never been so IoL In IIs IIIe. As Ie consIdered removIng IIs sIIrL, Ie IeIL AmeIIu's
Iunds creepIng under LIe Ioose Iem. TIe smuII, cooI IIngers roumed over IIs sLeumIng
skIn. WIerever sIe LoucIed, LIe muscIes rIppIed und LIgILened, und IL IeIL so good LIuL
Cum IeL ouL u IuInL groun uguInsL Ier IuIr. SIe grusped Ioose Iund-IuIs oI IIs sIIrL und
Lugged upwurd. WILIouL IesILuLIon Ie suL up, sLrIpped LIe gurmenL oII und Lossed IL usIde.
SIe cruwIed InLo IIs Iup, Ier Iong IuIr sLreumIng over IIs nuked cIesL und sIouIders In u
sIIken neL. EnLrunced, Cum IeId sLIII us sIe pressed Ier mouLI Lo IIs cIesL, IIs sIouIders,
LIe buse oI IIs LIrouL, In u deIIcuLe IroIIc oI kIsses.
"AmeIIu . . ." HIs Iunds cume Lo Ier Ieud, sLIIIIng Ier. TIe wurm rIppIes oI Ier IuIr sIId
over IIs urms, ruIsIng gooseIIesI.
"MonIsIu," Ie wIIspered, " won'L do unyLIIng you don'L wunL. onIy wunL Lo gIve you
pIeusure."

Her Iuce wus gIowIng In LIe IIreIIgIL, Ier IIps LIe coIor oI red currunLs. "WIuL does LIuL
word meun?"
"MonIsIu? An endeurmenL." He couId IurdIy LIInk sLruIgIL. "A Romu suys IL Lo u womun
Ie's InLImuLe wILI."
Her Iunds cume Lo IIs, IIngers sIIppIng InLo LIe spuces beLween IIs IIngers. TIey IeId
eucI oLIer, LIeIr IIps IormIng soundIess words, mouLIs gruzIng und cuLcIIng wILI dump
IeuL.
Cum Iowered Ier Lo LIe bIunkeLs, In LIe pooI oI duncIng IIreIIgIL. And Ie wIIspered In LIe
oId Iunguuge, LeIIIng Ier LIuL Ie wunLed Lo cIuse Ier us LIe sun cIused LIe moon ucross
LIe sky, Ie wunLed Lo IIII Ier unLII LIey were corLIu, one beIng, joIned. He wus onIy IuII
uwure oI wIuL Ie wus suyIng, drunk on LIe scenL oI Ier und LIe IeuL rIsIng Irom Ier body.
He opened Ier robe und gown, dreumIIy puIIIng LIe soIL IubrIc uwuy Irom LIe deep curves
oI Ier breusLs und wuIsL. SIe wus so beuuLIIuIIy mude, IusI und IIrm, LIe puIe skIn
burnIsIed wILI IIgIL. VoIupLuous sIudows dIpped InLo pIuces Ie yeurned Lo LoucI und


LusLe. He IoIIowed Ier spreudIng bIusI wILI IIs mouLI, pursuIng LIe wusI oI coIor. SIe
sIIvered beneuLI IIm, Ier Iunds grIppIng LIe buIgIng muscIes oI IIs upper urms.
He cupped Ier breusLs und Leused LIe peuks wILI IIs breuLI und Longue unLII LIey were
Iurd und sIIken. SoILIy Ie drew one beLween IIs LeeLI, IeId IL LIere unLII sIe wIImpered
und IIILed upwurd.
Cum Lugged uL LIe LungIed Iuyer oI Ier gown beLween LIem. TIe cove oI Ier nuveI rose
und IeII wILI Ier breuLIIng. EusIng IIs mouLI over IL, Ie sunk LIe LIp oI IIs Longue InLo LIe
LIgIL cIrcIe, IIIIIng LIe IoIIow.
"Cum ... oI, wuIL..." SIe wus squIrmIng now, pusIIng


uL IIm In eurnesL. He cuugIL Ier Iunds und grIpped LIem cIose uguInsL Ier body, und
breuLIed Iurd uguInsL Ier sLomucI.
IgILIng Ior seII-conLroI, Cum IuId IIs cIeek uguInsL Ier skIn wILI uII LIe genLIeness Ie
wus cupubIe oI. " won'L IurL you," Ie wIIspered. "'m onIy goIng Lo kIss you ... LusLe
you . .."
Her voIce wus pIuInLIve. "NoL LIere."
Cum couIdn'L suppress u smIIe. TIIs wus new, LIIs mIxLure oI umusemenL und urousuI.
"EspecIuIIy LIere." He IeL IIs IIngers drIIL over Ier IIp und LIIgI, InLo LIe soIL curIs. "
wunL Lo know every purL oI you, monIsIu . .. HoId sLIII Ior me und . . . yes, Iove, yes . .."
He moved downwurd, sIukIng wILI Iunger. TIe scenLs oI InLImuLe suIL und IemuIe skIn
Iud kIndIed un unbeurubIe cruvIng. HIs mouLI brusIed InLImuLeIy cIosed IIps. He IIcked
LIem open, deIvIng InLo LIe IeuL, LIe LusLe oI Ier pIeusure.
AmeIIu wus sIIenL excepL Ior Ier broken gusps, Ier Iegs cIumpIng Iurd uguInsL IIs sIdes.
HeIpIessIy sIe IoIIowed LIe sInuous puLLern oI IIs Longue, Ier enLIre body urcIIng und
yeurnIng. He sooLIed Ier, provoked Ier, IIs mouLI us pIuyIuI us u swuIIow In IIIgIL. HIs
breuLI IeII rupIdIy on Ier weL IIesI, Ier eroLIc Incense. He sIId u IInger InLo LIe sIIkIness.
SIe mude u sound oI dIsLress us sIe IosL uII seII-conLroI, und Ie gIorIed In IL, IIs mouLI
punIsIIng In ILs genLIeness. He drew ouL LIe LormenL unLII LIe soIL IemuIe mouns broke
InLo sobs. SIe LIgILened und LwIsLed, Ier IIngers cIosIng In; IIs IuIr, IIps puIsIng In
IeIpIess movemenLs us Ie IIcked uwuy every LwILcI und LIrob.
AILer u wIIIe Ie moved Lo guLIer Ier uguInsL IIm. SIe \ reucIed down Lo LIe IusLenIngs oI
IIs breecIes und worked^ uL LIem unLII LIe gurmenL wus Ioose uround IIs IIps. TIe]


rIgId IengLI oI IIm sprung Iree. Her Iund curIed uround LIe burgeonIng sIupe, sLrokIng
unLII Cum jerked buck wILI u gusp.
Her Iuce wus IIusIed, eyes IuII-cIosed. SIe LoucIed IIm uguIn, urged IIm Iorwurd,



InsLIncLIveIy mukIng un open crudIe oI Ier IIps und Iegs. He resIsLed, keepIng IIs weIgIL
suspended ubove Ier, sIIeIdIng Ier Irom LIe guze oI moonIIgIL us Ie spreud IIs IIngers
und LruIIed LIem over LIe IronL oI Ier body. SIe sIIvered us LIe LIp oI IIs smuIIesL IInger
brusIed LIe LIp oI Ier breusL. He Lruced u cIrcIe uround IL, wuLcIIng LIe bud LIgILen.
"I you wunL me, Iove," Ie wIIspered, "LeII me In Romuny. PIeuse."
BIIndIy AmeIIu Lurned Ier Ieud und kIssed LIe curve oI IIs bIceps. "WIuL sIouId suy?"
He murmured soIL IyrIcuI words, wuILIng puLIenLIy us sIe repeuLed LIem, IeIpIng Ier
wIen sIe IuILered. AII LIe wIIIe Ie posILIoned IImseII uguInsL Ier, Iower, LIgILer, und jusL
us LIe IusL syIIubIe IeIL Ier IIps, Ie LIrusL sLrongIy InsIde Ier.
AmeIIu IIIncIed und crIed ouL In puIn, und Cum wus Lorn beLween ucuLe regreL uL IuvIng
IurL Ier, und LIe devusLuLIng pIeusure oI beIng InsIde Ier. Her InnocenL IIesI cIncIed
uround LIe unIumIIIur InvusIon, Ier IIps IIILIng us II Lo LIrow IIm oII, buL every
movemenL onIy drew IIm deeper. He LrIed Lo sooLIe uwuy LIe IurL, sLrokIng Ier, kIssIng
Ier LIrouL und breusLs. TukIng u rosy cresL InLo IIs mouLI, Ie sucked IIgILIy, run IIs
Longue over IL, unLII sIe reIuxed beneuLI IIm und begun Lo moun.
Cum couIdn'L sLop Irom movIng LIen, IorgeLLIng every-> LIIIng buL LIe need Lo pusI
deeper InLo LIe genLIy grIppIng LIIesI, LIe wurm IImbs curvIng uround IIm, LIe sweeL

punLIng mouLI beneuLI IIs. He wIIspered compuIsIveIy uguInsL Ier IIps ... one word, over
und over, LIe ecsLusy crownIng IIgIer every LIme. "MundIs .. . mundIs ..."
MIne.
eeIIng LIe vIoIenL spIII oI reIeuse ubouL Lo begIn, Cum wILIdrew und LIrusL uguInsL LIe
quIverIng veIveL oI Ier sLomucI. HeuL jeLLed und sIId beLween LIem. Cum burIed IIs Ieud
In LIe crook oI Ier neck und sIouIder, grounIng. No IeeIIng Iud ever come cIose Lo LIIs,
Ie LIougIL dIzzIIy. NoLIIng couId.
TIe pIeusure IusLed even uILer IIs IeurLbeuL Iud reLurned Lo normuI und Ie Iud reguIned
IIs ubIIILy Lo LIInk cIeurIy, more or Iess. AmeIIu Iud gone Iux beneuLI IIm, drowsIng und
sIgIIng. He Iud Lo Iorce IImseII Lo wILIdruw, wIen uII Ie wunLed wus Lo reveI In LIe IeeI
oI Ier.
He used u IundkercIIeI Lo cIeun LIe bIood und moIsLure Irom Ier body, dressed Ier In Ier
nIgILgown, und wenL Lo repIenIsI LIe IIre. WIen Ie reLurned Lo seLLIe beneuLI LIe
bIunkeLs, AmeIIu snuggIed In LIe crook oI IIs urm.
WuLcIIng LIe cruckIIng IIre, reIIsIIng LIe LrusLIng weIgIL oI Ier Ieud on IIs sIouIder,
Cum sLroked Ier IuIr us IL sLreumed over IIs urm. SIe sIepL IeuvIIy, wIIIe LIe IIre pILcIed
sIudows Irom Ier Iong IusIes ucross Ier cIeeks. Cum Iooked over Ier wILI u Iover's
vIgIIunce, ubsorbIng every deLuII, LIe IeuLIery edge oI Ier IuIrIIne, LIe neuL sIope oI Ier


nose, LIe smuII eurs. He wunLed Lo nIbbIe uL Ier eurs, pIuy wILI Ier, buL Ie wouId do
noLIIng Lo dIsLurb Ier sIeep.
He puIIed u quIIL IIgIer over Ier snowy sIouIder, sLroked buck u curI LIuL Iud Iooped
over Ier eur. EveryLIIng Iud cIunged, Ie LIougIL. And LIere wus no LurnIng buck.


CHAPTER SXTEEN
Duybreuk.
A perIecL word Ior LIe wuy LIe mornIng Iud enLered LIe bedroom In pIeces, u sIurd oI
IIgIL IuIIIng ucross Ier bed, unoLIer on LIe IIoor beLween LIe wIndow und LIe smuII
IeurLI.
AmeIIu bIInked und Iuy Ior u wIIIe In u Lorpor. TIere wus u IIre In LIe IeurLI-sIe musL
Iuve sIepL rIgIL LIrougI LIe muId IIgILIng LIe gruLe.
Ire ... Rumsuy House ... LIe memory IeII on Ier wILI un unpIeusunL LIud, und sIe cIosed
Ier eyes. TIey IIew open uguIn, Iowever, us sIe LIougIL oI durkness und bIue moonIIgIL
und wurm muIe IIesI. Goose bumps rose uII over Ier.
WIuL Iud sIe done?
SIe wus In Ier bed, wILI onIy u murky recoIIecLIon oI rIdIng buck wIen IL wus sLIII durk,
Cum curryIng Ier, LuckIng LIe muss oI LIe bedcIoLIes uround Ier us II sIe were u cIIId.
CIose your eyes, Ie Iud murmured, IIs Iund u comIorLIng pressure on Ier skuII. And sIe
Iud sIepL und sIepL. Now us sIe squInLed uL LIe cIeerIuIIy LIckIng munLeI cIock, sIe suw
LIuL IL wus neurIy noon.


PunIc LIrusIed InsIde Ier, unLII sIe remInded IerseII LIuL IL wus ImprucLIcuI Lo punIc.
NeverLIeIess, Ier IeurL pumped someLIIng LIuL seemed Loo IoL und IIgIL Lo be bIood, und
Ier breuLI Lurned cIoppy.
SIe wouId Iuve IIked Lo persuude IerseII LIuL IL Iud uII been u dreum, buL Ier body wus
sLIII ImprInLed wILI LIe InvIsIbIe mup Ie Iud druwn wILI IIs IIps, Longue, LeeLI, Iunds.
RuIsIng Ier IIngerLIps Lo Ier IIps, AmeIIu IeIL LIuL LIey were puIIIer, smooLIer LIun
usuuI... LIey Iud been IIcked und ubruded by IIs mouLI. Every IncI oI Ier body IeIL
sensILIve, Lender pIuces sLIII IurborIng un ucIe oI pIeusure.
A decenL womun sIouId cerLuInIy Iuve IeIL sIume over Ier ucLIons. AmeIIu IeIL none. TIe
nIgIL Iud been so exLruordInury, so rIcI und durk und sweeL, sIe wouId Iourd LIe memory
Iorever. L Iud been un experIence noL Lo be mIssed, wILI u mun unIIke unyone sIe Iud
ever known or wouId ever meeL uguIn.
BuL oI, Iow sIe Ioped Ie wus gone by now.
WILI uny Iuck, Cum wouId Iuve uIreudy IeIL Lo Luke cure oI IIs busIness In ondon.



AmeIIu wusn'L uL uII cerLuIn sIe couId Iuce IIm uILer IusL nIgIL. And sIe cerLuInIy dIdn'L
need LIe dIsLrucLIon Ie presenLed, wIen LIere wus so mucI Lo be decIded.
As Ior LIe memorIes oI LIe nIgIL wILI Cum, uII oI IL so genLIy reIrucLed us II Ie were u
prIsm Ier IeeIIngs Iud LruveIed LIrougI ... now wus noL LIe LIme Lo LIInk ubouL uny oI
LIuL. TIere wouId be LIme IuLer. Duys, monLIs, yeurs.
Don'L LIInk ubouL IL, sIe LoId IerseII sLernIy, cIImbIng ouL oI bed. SIe rung Ior u muId, und
IumbIed Lo IusLen Ier robe. n Iess LIun u mInuLe, u sLurdy IIgIL-IuIred muId wILI uppIe
cIeeks uppeured.
"Muy Iuve some IoL wuLer?" AmeIIu usked.


"Aye, mIss. cun brIng some up, or II LIu IIkes, cun druw u buLI In LIe buLIIng room."
TIe muId spoke In u broud, wurm YorksIIre uccenL, LIe r's sIIgILIy roIIed, LIe consonunLs
udIerIng Lo LIe buck oI Ier LIrouL.
AmeIIu nodded uL LIe second suggesLIon, rememberIng LIe modern buLI Irom LIe
prevIous nIgIL. SIe IoIIowed LIe muId, wIo IdenLIIIed IerseII us BeLLy, ouL oI LIe room
und uIong LIe IuIIwuy. "How ure my sIsLers und broLIers? And Mr. MerrIpen?"
"MIss WInnIIred, MIss Poppy, und MIss BeuLrIx Iuve uII gone downsLuIrs Ior breukIusL,"
LIe muId reporLed. "TIe Lwo genLIemen ure sLIII ubed."
"Are LIey III? Does Mr. MerrIpen Iuve u Iever?"
"Mrs. BrIurIy, LIe Iousekeeper, Is oI LIe mInd LIey're boLI IIne, mIss. OnIy resLIng."
"TIunk goodness." AmeIIu resoIved Lo cIeck on MerrIpen us soon us sIe wus presenLubIe.
Burn wounds were dungerous und unpredIcLubIe-sIe wus sLIII quILe worrIed Ior IIs suke.
TIey enLered u room wILI wuIIs covered In puIe bIue LIIIng. TIere wus u cIuIse Iongue In
one corner und u Iurge porceIuIn Lub In unoLIer. A rIcIIy coIored OrIenLuI curLuIn Iung
Irom LIe ceIIIng Lo provIde u secIuded dressIng ureu. TIe buLIIng room wus wurm, LIunks
Lo LIe IIrepIuce, und u Iurge open wurdrobe dIspIuyed neuLIy IoIded sLucks oI buLI IInens,
TurkIsI LoweIs, und vurIous soups und LoIIeLrIes. TIe buLI wuLer wus IeuLed In LIe room
by some kInd oI gus uppuruLus, wILI Lups Ior coId, IoL, or LepId wuLer, und pIpes IeudIng
ouLsIde.
BeLLy opened LIe Lups und udjusLed LIe wuLer LemperuLure. SIe IuId ouL buLI IInens ucross
LIe cIuIse Iongue In u precIse row. "SIuII uLLend wIIIe LIu buLIes, mIss?"


"No, LIunk you," AmeIIu suId uL once. "'II munuge by myseII. I you wouIdn'L mInd
brIngIng my cIoLIes Lo LIe udjoInIng dressIng room . . ."
"WIIcI dress, mIss?"
TIuL sLopped AmeIIu coId. SIe reuIIzed sIe Iud come Lo SLony Cross Munor wILI no



cIoLIes wIuLsoever. "OI, deur. wonder II someone couId be senL Lo Rumsuy House Lo
IeLcI my LIIngs . . ."
"TIey're IIkeIy uII cIurLy und IuII oI smoke, mIss. BuL udy SL. VIncenL Iud some oI Ier
own dresses puL In your room-sIe und LIee ure more oI u sIze LIun udy WesL-cIIII,
wIo's LuIIer, so sIe-"
"OI, cun'L weur udy SL. VIncenL's cIoLIes," AmeIIu suId uncomIorLubIy.
"AIruId LIere's no IeIp Ior IL, mIss. TIere's u IoveIy red wooIen-'II IeLcI IL Ior LIee."
SInce LIere uppeured Lo be no possIbIIILy oI reLrIevIng uny oI Ier own gowns, AmeIIu
nodded und murmured Ier LIunks. SIe wenL beIInd LIe dressIng screen und removed Ier
robe, wIIIe LIe IousemuId sIuL oII LIe Lups und IeIL LIe buLIIng room.
As AmeIIu sLrIpped uwuy LIe nIgILgown und IeL IL drop Lo LIe IIoor, sIe suw u IIusI oI
goId on Ier IeIL IoreIInger. SLurLIed, sIe IIILed Ier Iund und exumIned IL. A smuII goId
sIgneL rIng wILI un eIuboruLe engruved InILIuI. L wus LIe one Cum uIwuys wore on IIs
smuIIesL IInger. He musL Iuve puL IL on Ier IusL nIgIL, wIIIe sIe wus sIeepIng. Hud Ie
meunL IL us u purLIng gIIL? Or dId IL Iuve some oLIer sIgnIIIcunce Lo IIm?
SIe LrIed Lo puII IL oII, und dIscovered IL wus IIrmIy sLuck. "DruL," sIe muLLered, LuggIng
uL LIe LIIng In vuIn. SIe Look u cuke oI soup Irom LIe wurdrobe und brougIL IL

InLo LIe buLI wILI Ier. TIe IoL wuLer sooLIed u myrIud oI smuII ucIes und sLIngs, eusIng
LIe soreness beLween Ier LIIgIs.
SIgIIng deepIy, AmeIIu souped Ier Iund und wenL Lo work on LIe rIng. BuL no muLLer Iow
sIe LrIed, IL wouIdn'L budge. Soon LIe surIuce oI LIe buLIwuLer wus covered wILI soup
IroLI, und AmeIIu wus cursIng wILI IrusLruLIon.
SIe couIdn'L IeL unyone see Ier weurIng one oI Cum's rIngs. How In God's nume wus sIe
supposed Lo expIuIn Iow und wIy sIe'd goLLen IL?
AILer puIIIng und LwIsLIng unLII Ier knuckIe wus swoIIen, AmeIIu guve up und IInIsIed
Ier buLI. SIe drIed IerseII wILI u TurkIsI LoweI, ILs pIIe Ioose und soIL uguInsL Ier skIn.
EnLerIng LIe udjoInIng dressIng room, sIe Iound BeLLy wuILIng Ior Ier wILI un urmIoud oI
soIL wIne-coIored wooI.
"Here Is LIe dress, mIss. TIe dress wIII Iook rIgIL preLLy on LIee, wILI LIu durk IuIr."
"udy SL. VIncenL Is Loo generous." TIe pIIes oI crIsp IroLIy undergurmenLs Iooked so
prIsLIne, IL wus IIkeIy LIey Iud never been worn. TIere wus even u corseL, ILs wIILe Iuces
us neuL us surgIcuI suLures.
"OI, sIe Ius muny, muny dresses," BeLLy conIIded, IundIng AmeIIu u puIr oI IoIded
druwers und u cIemIse. "ord SL. VIncenL sees Lo IL LIuL IIs wIIe Is dressed IIke u queen.
'II LeII LIee summuL: II sIe wunLed LIe moon Ior Ier IookIng gIuss, Ie'd IInd u wuy Lo puII


IL down Ior Ier."
"How do you know so mucI ubouL LIem?" AmeIIu usked, IookIng LIe IronL oI LIe corseL
wIIIe BeLLy moved beIInd Ier Lo puII LIe Iuces.
"'m udy SL. VIncenL's muId. LruveI wILI Ier wIerever sIe goes. SIe bId me Lo uLLend
LIee und LIe oLIer

MIss HuLIuwuys-'LIey need specIuI cure,' sIe suId, 'uILer wIuL LIey've endured.'"
AmeIIu IeId In Ier breuLI us LIe Iuces were Lugged IIrmIy. WIen LIey were IInuIIy LIed,
sIe expeIIed u quIck breuLI. "TIuL wus very kInd oI Ier. And you. Iope my IumIIy Iusn'L
been LroubIesome."
or some reuson LIuL produced u cIuckIe. "TIu urL u sIundy IoL, II you don'L mInd my
suyIng so, mIss." BeIore AmeIIu couId usk wIuL LIuL meunL, LIe muId excIuImed, "WIuL u
smuII wuIsL LIu Ius! expecL udy SL. VIncenL's dress wIII IIL LIee IIke u gIove. BuL beIore
we Lry IL, LIu'd beLLer puL LIy Iosen on."
AmeIIu Look u IundIuI oI LrunsIucenL bIuck IubrIc Irom Ier. "Hosen?"
"SIIk sLockIngs, mIss."
AmeIIu neurIy dropped LIem. SIIk sLockIngs cosL u IorLune. And LIese were embroIdered
wILI LIny IIowers, wIIcI mude LIem even more expensIve. I sIe wore LIem, sIe wouId
be In Lerror oI snuggIng LIem. However, LIere seemed Lo be no oLIer cIoIce, sIorL oI
goIng wILIouL.
"Do puL LIem on," BeLLy urged.
WILI u mIxLure oI LempLuLIon und guIIL, AmeIIu dressed In LIe mosL IuxurIous cIoLIes sIe
Iud ever worn In Ier IIIe. TIe dress, IIned wILI sIIk, wus enLIreIy IudyIIke, buL IL druped
und moIded over Ier IIgure In u wuy Ier own cIoLIes never Iud. SLruIgIL, cIose-IILLIng
sIeeves wenL Lo Ier eIbow, wIere LIey IIured In spIIIs oI bIuck Iuce. TIe sume bIuck Iuce
LrImmed LIe deep bIus Iem oI LIe skIrL, wIIcI wus Iuyered Lo suggesL u muILILude oI
underskIrLs. A bIuck suLIn susI empIusIzed LIe neuL curve oI Ier wuIsL, LIe ends crossed
und pInned uL LIe sIde wILI u spurkIIng jeL broocI.

SILLIng uL LIe dressIng LubIe, AmeIIu wuLcIed us BeLLy dexLerousIy bruIded bIuck rIbbons
In Ier IuIr und pInned IL up. SInce LIe muId seemed IrIendIy und LuIkuLIve, AmeIIu
venLured, "BeLLy ... Iow Iong Ius udy SL. VIncenL been ucquuInLed wILI Mr. RoIun?"

"SInce cIIIdIood, mIss." BeLLy grInned. "TIuL Mr. RoIun, Ie's u IIne doorIuI oI mun, uye?


You sIouId see LIe curryIngs-on wIen Ie vIsILs LIe musLer's Iouse-every IusL one oI us
IIgILIng Ior u Lurn uL LIe keyIoIe, jusL Lo guwp uL IIm."
" wonder..." AmeIIu sLrove Ior u cusuuI Lone. "Do you LIInk LIe reIuLIonsIIp beLween Mr.
RoIun und udy SL. VIncenL wus ever ..."
"OI, nuy, mIss. TIey wus ruIsed IIke broLIer und sIsLer. TIere's even rumors LIuL Mr.
RoIun Is Ier IuII broLIer. WouIdn'L be LIe onIy busLurd cIIId sIred by vo Jenner, Ior
cerLuIn."
AmeIIu bIInked. "Do you LIInk LIe rumors ure Lrue?"
BeLLy sIook Ier Ieud. "udy SL. VIncenL suys nuy, LIere's no bIood 'LwIxL 'em. And sIe
und Mr. RoIun beur no IIkeness. BuL sIe's IuIr Iond oI IIm." WILI u wry smIIe, BeLLy
udded, "SIe Ius wurned me und LIe oLIer muIds Lo keep ourse'en Iur uwuy Irom IIm. SIe
suys no good couId come oI IL, und we'd IInd ourseIves Lupped und IeIL. He's u wIcked
one, LIuL Mr. RoIun. CIurmIng enow Lo sLeuI LIe sugur Irom your puncI." InIsIIng
AmeIIu's IuIr, BeLLy vIewed Ier wILI suLIsIucLIon, und wenL Lo coIIecL LIe used IInens LIuL
Iud been Ieuped by u cIuIr, IncIudIng LIe dIscurded nIgILgown.
TIe muId puused Ior LIe meusure oI Lwo, LIree seconds, wILI LIe nIgILgown In Iund.
"SIuII muke u pud oI cIeun rugs, mIss?" sIe usked cureIuIIy. "or LIy monLIIy courses?"


SLIII ponderIng LIe unpuIuLubIe pIruse "Lupped und IeIL," AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieud. "No,
LIunk you. L's noL LIme Ior-" SIe sLopped wILI u IILLIe sIock us sIe suw wIuL LIe muId
Iud noLIced-u Iew rusLy spoLs oI bIood on LIe nIgILgown. SIe bIuncIed.
"Yes, mIss." oIdIng LIe gown LIgILIy InLo LIe bundIe oI bedIInens, BeLLy guve Ier u
neuLruI smIIe. "TIu Ius onIy Lo rIng, und 'II come." SIe wenL Lo LIe door und IeL IerseII
ouL cureIuIIy.
AmeIIu propped Ier eIbows on LIe dressIng LubIe, und resLed Ier IoreIeud on Ier IIsLs.
Heuven IeIp Ier, LIere wouId be LuIk beIowsLuIrs. And unLII now sIe Iud never done
unyLIIng worLIy oI gossIp.
"PIeuse, pIeuse IeL IIm be gone," sIe wIIspered.
HeudIng downsLuIrs, AmeIIu mused LIuL sIe beIIeved In Iuck uILer uII. L seemed us good u
word us uny Lo descrIbe u consIsLenL puLLern oI LIIngs. A dependubIe, predIcLubIe ouLcome
Ior neurIy every sILuuLIon.
And Iers Iuppened Lo be bud Iuck.
As sIe reucIed LIe enLrunce IuII, sIe suw udy SL. VIncenL comIng In Irom LIe buck
Lerruce, Ier cIeeks wInd-brIgILened, LIe Iem oI Ier gown IILLered wILI bILs oI Ieuves und
gruss. SIe Iooked IIke un unLIdy ungeI, wILI Ier IoveIy cuIm Iuce und rIppIIng red IuIr,
und LIe pIuyIuI spruy oI IIgIL goId IreckIes ucross Ier nose.



"How ure you IeeIIng?" udy SL. VIncenL cume Lo Ier uL once und Look Ier urm. "You
Iook IoveIy. Your sIsLers ure wuIkIng ouLsIde, excepL Ior WInnIIred, wIo's IuvIng Leu on
LIe Lerruce. Huve you euLen yeL?"
AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieud.


"Come Lo LIe buck Lerruce, we'II Iuve u Lruy brougIL ouL."
"I 'm InLerrupLIng you-"
"NoL uL uII," udy SL. VIncenL suId genLIy. "Come."
AmeIIu wenL wILI Ier, LoucIed und yeL dIsconcerLed by udy SL. VIncenL's soIIcILous
munner.
"My Iudy," sIe suId, "LIunk you Ior uIIowIng me Lo weur one oI your dresses. wIII reLurn
IL us soon us possIbIe-"
"CuII me EvIe," cume LIe wurm repIy. "And you musL keep LIe dress. L Is very becomIng
on you, und noL uL uII on me. TIuL purLIcuIur sIude oI red cIusIes wILI my IuIr."
"You ure Loo kInd," AmeIIu suId, wIsIIng sIe dIdn'L sound so sLIII, wIsIIng sIe couId
uccepL LIe gIIL wILIouL IeeIIng LIe weIgIL oI obIIguLIon.
BuL EvIe dIdn'L seem Lo noLIce Ier uwkwurdness, jusL reucIed Ior Ier Iund und drew IL
LIrougI Ier urm us LIey wuIked, us II AmeIIu needed Lo be Ied IIke u young gIrI. "Your
sIsLers wIII be reIIeved Lo see you up und ubouL. TIey suId IL wus LIe IIrsL LIme LIey couId
ever remember you sLuyIng ubed so Iong."
"'m uIruId dIdn'L sIeep weII. wus ... preoccupIed." CoIor cIImbed up LIe puIe sIopes oI
AmeIIu's cIeeks us sIe LIougIL oI IyIng nexL Lo Cum's body, LIeIr cIoLIes dIsIeveIed Lo
reveuI pIuces oI bureness und IeuL, IIps und Iunds deIIcuLeIy InvesLIguLIng.
"Yes, 'm sure you-" A quIck IesILuLIon, LIen EvIe conLInued In u bemused Lone. "'m
sure you Iud mucI Lo consIder."
oIIowIng Ier guze, AmeIIu reuIIzed LIuL EvIe Iud gIunced down uL LIe Iund LIuL resLed
on Ier sIeeve.
SIe Iud seen LIe rIng.
AmeIIu's IIngers curIed. SIe Iooked up InLo LIe counLess's curIous bIue eyes, und Ier
mInd wenL bIunk.


"L's uII rIgIL," EvIe suId, cuLcIIng AmeIIu's Iund wIen sIe wouId Iuve wILIdruwn IL,
pressIng IL buck Lo Ier urm. SIe smIIed. "We musL LuIk, AmeIIu. LIougIL Ie wusn'L quILe
IImseII Loduy. Now undersLund wIy."
TIere wus no need Lo cIurIIy wIo "Ie" wus.
"My Iudy . . . EvIe .. . LIere Is noLIIng beLween Mr. RoIun und myseII. NoLIIng." Her



cIeeks burned wILI ugILuLed coIor. " don'L know wIuL you musL LIInk oI me."
TIey puused beIore LIe rencI doors LIuL opened onLo LIe buck Lerruce, und AmeIIu
wILIdrew Ier Iund Irom EvIe's urm. TuggIng uL LIe rIng, wIIcI remuIned sLubbornIy
cIumped on Ier IInger, sIe gIunced uL EvIe In despuIr. To Ier usLonIsImenL, EvIe dId noL
seem uL uII sIocked or crILIcuI, buL ruLIer undersLundIng. TIere wus someLIIng In Ier Iuce,
u sorL oI Lender gruvILy, LIuL mude AmeIIu LIInk, No wonder ord SL. VIncenL Is besoLLed
wILI Ier.
" LIInk you're u cupubIe young womun," EvIe suId, "wIo Ioves Ier sIbIIngs und beurs u
greuL deuI oI responsIbIIILy Ior LIem. LIInk LIuL's u Ieuvy burden Ior u womun Lo curry
uIone. uIso LIInk you Iuve u gIIL Ior uccepLIng peopIe us LIey ure. And Cum knows Iow
rure LIuL Is."
AmeIIu IeIL unxIous, us II sIe'd IosL someLIIng und needed Lo reLrIeve IL quIckIy. "... Is Ie
sLIII Iere? He sIouId Iuve IeIL Ior ondon by now."
"He's sLIII Iere, LuIkIng wILI my Iusbund und ord WesLcIIII. TIey rode Lo Rumsuy House
eurIy LIIs mornIng Lo see wIuL wus IeIL oI IL, und muke some eurIy ussessmenLs."
AmeIIu dIdn'L IIke LIe LIougIL oI LIem vIsILIng LIe properLy wILIouL consuILIng Ier or
eo. TIe sILuuLIon wus beIng IundIed us II LIe HuLIuwuys were noLIIng more LIun u
group oI IeIpIess cIIIdren. SIe squured Ier sIouIders.

"TIuL wus very kInd oI LIem, buL cun munuge LIe sILuuLIon now. expecL purL oI Rumsuy
House Is sLIII IubILubIe, wIIcI meuns we won'L need Lo prevuII on ord und udy
WesLcIIII's IospILuIILy uny Ionger."
"OI, you musL sLuy," EvIe suId quIckIy. "IIIIun Ius uIreudy suId you ure weIcome Lo
remuIn unLII Rumsuy House Is IuIIy resLored. TIIs Is sucI u Iurge Iouse, you wouId never
InLrude on unyone's prIvucy. And IIIIun und ord WesLcIIII wIII be uwuy Ior uL IeusL u
IorLnIgIL. TIey're IeuvIng Ior BrIsLoI Lomorrow-uIong wILI ord SL. VIncenL und myseII
-Lo vIsIL IIIIun's younger sIsLer DuIsy, wIo Is expecLIng u cIIId. So you'II Iuve LIe
munor Lo yourseIves, more or Iess."
"We'd reduce LIe pIuce Lo u Ieup oI rubbIe by LIe LIme LIey reLurned."
EvIe smIIed. " suspecL your IumIIy Isn'L us dungerous us uII LIuL."
"You don'L know LIe HuLIuwuys." eeIIng LIe need Lo usserL conLroI over LIe sILuuLIon,
AmeIIu suId, "'II rIde Lo Rumsuy House myseII uILer Iuve some breukIusL. I LIe upsLuIrs
rooms ure In suILubIe condILIon, my IumIIy wIII be buck Iome by nIgILIuII."
"Do you LIInk LIuL's besL Ior WInnIIred?" EvIe usked genLIy. "Or Mr. MerrIpen, or ord
Rumsuy?"
AmeIIu IIusIed, knowIng sIe wus beIng unreusonubIe. BuL LIe IeeIIng oI ImpoLence,


beIng sLrIpped oI uII uuLIorILy, wus rIsIng In u cIokIng muss.
"PerIups you sIouId speuk Lo Cum," EvIe suId, "beIore uny decIsIons ure mude."
"He Ius noLIIng Lo do wILI my decIsIons."
EvIe guve Ier u LIougILIuI Iook. "orgIve me. sIouIdn'L muke ussumpLIons. L's jusL LIuL
LIe rIng on


your IInger . . . Cum's worn IL sInce Ie wus LweIve yeurs oId."
AmeIIu Lugged vIoIenLIy uL LIe rIng. " don'L know wIy Ie guve IL Lo me. 'm sure IL's oI no
sIgnIIIcunce."
" LIInk IL Ius very greuL sIgnIIIcunce," EvIe suId soILIy. "Cum Ius been un ouLsIder Ior IIs
enLIre IIIe. Even wIen Ie IIved wILI LIe Rom. LIInk Ie's uIwuys secreLIy Ioped Ie couId
someduy IInd u pIuce wIere Ie wouId beIong. BuL unLII Ie meL you, IL dIdn'L occur Lo IIm
LIuL IL mIgIL noL be u pIuce Ie wus IookIng Ior, buL u person."
"'m noL LIuL person," AmeIIu wIIspered. "TruIy, 'm noL."
EvIe regurded Ier wILI kInd sympuLIy. "L's your decIsIon, oI course. BuL us someone wIo
Ius known Cum Ior u very Iong LIme, musL LeII you . .. Ie's u good mun, und enLIreIy
LrusLworLIy." SIe pusIed LIe rencI doors open Ior AmeIIu. "Your sIsLers ure ouLsIde,"
sIe suId. "'II send Ior your dInner Lruy."
L wus u dump, brIsk duy, LIe uIr suLuruLed wILI LIe scenLs oI muIcI und roses und IuLe-
IIowerIng grusses. TIe buck Lerruce overIooked ucres oI meLIcuIousIy Lended gurdens, uII
connecLed by gruveIed puLIwuys. TubIes und cIuIrs Iud been seL upon LIe IIugsLoned
IIoor. SInce mosL oI ord WesLcIIII 's guesLs Iud depurLed uL LIe concIusIon oI LIe IuLesL
IunLIng purLy, LIe Lerruce wus IurgeIy unoccupIed.
SeeIng WIn, Poppy, und BeuLrIx uL u LubIe, AmeIIu sLrode Lo LIem eugerIy. "How ure
you?" sIe usked WIn. "DId you sIeep weII? DId you cougI?"
"'m quILe weII. We were worrIed ubouL you-'ve never known you Lo sIeep so Iong
unIess you were III."
"OI, no, noL III, couIdn'L be beLLer." AmeIIu guve Ier un overbrIgIL smIIe. SIe gIunced uL
Ier oLIer sIsLers, wIo were


boLI weurIng new gowns, Poppy In yeIIow und BeuLrIx In green. "BeuLrIx ... you Iook
IoveIy. Ike u young Iudy."
SmIIIng, BeuLrIx sLood und execuLed u sIow Lurn Ior Ier. TIe puIe green dress, wILI ILs
InLrIcuLeIy pIeuLed bodIce und durk green corded LrIm, IIL uImosL perIecLIy, LIe skIrLs
IuIIIng down Lo LIe IIoor. "udy WesLcIIII guve IL Lo me," sIe suId. "L beIonged Lo Ier
younger sIsLer, wIo cun'L weur IL unymore becuuse sIe's In conIInemenL."



"OI, Beu . . ." SeeIng Ier sIsLer's pIeusure In LIe grownup dress, AmeIIu IeIL u pung oI
sorrowIuI prIde. BeuLrIx sIouId uLLend u IInIsIIng scIooI, wIere sIe wouId Ieurn rencI
und IIower urrungIng, und uII LIe socIuI gruces LIe resL oI LIe HuLIuwuys Iucked. BuL LIere
wus no money Ior LIuL-und uL LIIs ruLe, LIere never wouId be.
SIe IeIL WIn's Iund sIIp InLo Iers und gIve IL u smuII squeeze. GIuncIng down InLo WIn's
undersLundIng bIue eyes, sIe sIgIed. TIey were -sLIII Ior u momenL, Iunds cIIngIng In
muLuuI supporL.
"AmeIIu," WIn murmured, "do sIL by me. wunL Lo usk you someLIIng."
AmeIIu Iowered IerseII In LIe cIuIr, wIIcI guve Ier u perIecL vunLuge poInL oI LIe
gurdens. TIere wus u sIurp pung oI recognILIon In Ier cIesL us sIe suw u LrIo oI men
wuIkIng sIowIy uIong u yew Iedge, Cum's durk und gruceIuI Iorm umong LIem. Ike IIs
compunIons, Cum wore rIdIng breecIes und LuII IeuLIer booLs. BuL InsLeud oI LIe
LrudILIonuI rIdIng couL und wuIsLcouL, Ie wore u wIILe sIIrL Lopped wILI u jerkIn, un open
coIIurIess vesL mude oI LIIn IeuLIer. A breeze pIuyed In LIe bIuck Iuyers oI IIs IuIr, IIILIng
LIe gIossy Iocks und IeLLIng LIem seLLIe.
As LIe LIree men wuIked, Cum InLerucLed wILI IIs surroundIngs In u wuy LIe oLIer Lwo
dIdn'L, pIckIng u sLruy


IeuI Irom LIe Iedge, runnIng IIs puIm ucross LIe coppery LuIIs oI muIdengruss. And yeL
AmeIIu wus cerLuIn Ie dIdn'L mIss u word oI LIe conversuLIon.
AILIougI noLIIng couId possIbIy Iuve uIerLed IIm Lo AmeIIu's presence, Ie puused und
Iooked over IIs sIouIder In Ier dIrecLIon. Even ucross LIe dIsLunce oI LwenLy yurds,
meeLIng IIs guze guve Ier u smuII sIock. Every IuIr on Ier body IIILed.
"AmeIIu," WIn usked, "Iuve you come Lo some kInd oI urrungemenL wILI Mr. RoIun?"
AmeIIu's mouLI wenL dry. SIe burIed Ier IeIL Iund, LIe one wILI LIe rIng, In LIe IoIds oI
Ier skIrL. "OI course noL. WIere wouId you geL sucI un Ideu?"
"He und ord WesLcIIII und ord SL. VIncenL Iuve been LuIkIng ever sInce LIey reLurned
Irom Rumsuy House LIIs mornIng. couIdn'L IeIp overIeurIng some oI LIeIr conversuLIon
wIen LIey were on LIe Lerruce. And LIe LIIngs LIuL were suId-LIe wuy Mr. RoIun
pIrused IImseII-IL sounded us II Ie were speukIng Ior us."
"WIuL do you meun, speukIng Ior us?" AmeIIu usked IndIgnunLIy. "No one speuks Ior LIe
HuLIuwuys excepL me.
Or eo."
"He seems Lo be mukIng decIsIons ubouL wIuL needs Lo be done, und wIen." WIn udded In
un ubusIed wIIsper, "As II Ie were LIe Ieud oI LIe IumIIy."
AmeIIu wus IIooded wILI IndIgnuLIon. "BuL Ie Ius no rIgIL... don'L know wIy Ie wouId



LIInk... oI, ord"
TIIs Iud Lo be sLopped rIgIL uwuy.
"Are you uII rIgIL, deur?" WIn usked In concern. "You Iook puIe. Here, Iuve some oI my
Leu."
Awure LIuL uII LIree oI Ier sIsLers were sLurIng uL Ier


wILI round eyes, AmeIIu Look LIe cIInu cup und druIned IL In u Iew guIps.
"How Iong ure we goIng Lo sLuy Iere, AmeIIu?" BeuLrIx usked. " IIke IL mucI beLLer LIun
our Iouse."
BeIore AmeIIu couId unswer, Poppy joIned In wILI, "WIere dId you geL LIuL preLLy rIng?
Muy see IL?"
AmeIIu sLood ubrupLIy. "Excuse me- need Lo speuk wILI someone." SIe sLrode ucross
LIe Lerruce und IurrIed down LIe curvIng sLeps Lo LIe gurden wuIk.
As sIe upproucIed LIe LIree men, wIo Iud puused besIde u sLone urn IIIIed wILI duIIIus,
AmeIIu overIeurd u Iew snuLcIes oI conversuLIon, sucI us "... exLend LIe exIsLIng
IounduLIon ..." und "... LIe remuInder oI quurrIed sLone Irom Jenner's und Iuve IL curLed
Iere ..."
SureIy LIey couIdn'L be LuIkIng ubouL Rumsuy House, sIe LIougIL wILI IncreusIng uIurm.
TIey musL noL be uwure oI Iow puILry LIe HuLIuwuys' yeurIy unnuILIes were. Her IumIIy
couIdn'L uIIord LIe muLerIuIs und Iubor Lo rebuIId.
BecomIng uwure oI Ier presence, LIe LIree men Lurned. ord WesLcIIII wore u kInd,
concerned expressIon, wIereus ord SL. VIncenL Iooked pIeusunL buL uIooI. Cum's Iuce
wus unreudubIe, IIs guze LruveIIng over Ier In u quIck, LIorougI sweep.
AmeIIu nodded In greeLIng. "Good duy, genLIemen." SIe sLeeIed IerseII noL Lo IIIncI us
sIe sLured up InLo Cum's durk Iuce. "Mr. RoIun, Iud LIougIL you wouId Iuve been gone
by now."
"'II be IeuvIng Ior ondon soon."
Good, sIe LIougIL. TIuL wus Ior LIe besL. BuL Ier IeurL LIumped In un exLru puInIuI beuL.
"And 'II reLurn wILIIn u week," Cum sLunned Ier by


uddIng cuImIy. "AIong wILI un engIneer und musLer buIIder Lo uppruIse LIe condILIon oI
Rumsuy House."
AmeIIu wus sIukIng Ier Ieud even beIore Ie Iud IInIsIed. "Mr. RoIun, don'L wIsI Lo
sound ungruLeIuI, buL LIuL won'L be necessury. My broLIer und wIII decIde Iow
besL Lo proceed."



"Your broLIer Is In no condILIon Lo decIde unyLIIng." ord WesLcIIII broke In. "MIss
HuLIuwuy, you ure weIcome Lo sLuy uL SLony Cross Munor IndeIInILeIy."
"You ure very generous, my Iord. BuL sInce Rumsuy House Is sLIII sLundIng, we wIII IIve
LIere."
"L wus bureIy udequuLe beIore LIe IIre," Cum suId. "As LIIngs sLund now, wouIdn'L IeL u
sLruy dog go In LIere. MosL oI LIe pIuce wIII Iuve Lo be ruzed Lo LIe IounduLIon." AmeIIu
scowIed. "TIen we wIII move InLo LIe guLeIouse on LIe upproucI roud."
"TIuL pIuce Is Loo smuII Ior LIe IoL oI you. And IL's In
bud condILIon."
"TIuL's none oI your concern, Mr. RoIun."
Cum guve Ier u Iong, InLenL sLure. TIere wus someLIIng new In IIs guze, sIe reuIIzed.
SomeLIIng LIuL mude Ier In-sIdes LIgILen wILI uppreIensIon und conIusIon.
"We need Lo speuk prIvuLeIy," Ie suId.
"No we don'L." AII Ier nerves sIrIIIed In wurnIng us sIe suw LIe gIunces LIe LIree men
excIunged.
"WILI your permIssIon," ord WesLcIIII murmured,
"we wIII wILIdruw."
"No," AmeIIu suId swIILIy, "you don'L Iuve Lo go, reuIIy, LIere's no need ..." Her voIce
Iuded us IL becume uppurenL LIuL Ier permIssIon wus noL requIred.
oIIowIng WesLcIIII, ord SL. VIncenL puused jusL Iong enougI Lo murmur Lo AmeIIu,
"AILIougI mosL udvIce sIouId


be dIsLrusLed, purLIcuIurIy wIen IL comes Irom myseII... keep un open mInd, MIss
HuLIuwuy. One sIouId never Iook u rIcI Iusbund In LIe mouLI." He wInked uL Ier und
IeIL, sLrIdIng Lo LIe buck Lerruce uIong wILI WesLcIIII. TIundersLruck, AmeIIu couId onIy
munuge one word.
"Husbund?"
" LoId LIem we were beLroLIed." Cum Look Ier urm In u genLIe buL udumunL grIp und
guIded Ier uround Lo LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe yew, wIere LIey couId noL be observed Irom LIe
Iouse. "WIy?"
"Becuuse we ure." "WIuL?"
TIey sLopped In LIe conceuImenL oI LIe Iedge. AgIusL, AmeIIu Iooked up InLo IIs wurm
IuzeI eyes. "Are you mud?" TukIng Ier Iund, Cum IIILed IL unLII LIe rIng gIeumed In LIe
duyIIgIL. "You're weurIng .my rIng. You sIepL wILI me. You mude promIses. Muny In LIe
Rom wouId suy LIuL consLILuLes IuII-bIown murrIuge. BuL jusL Lo muke cerLuIn IL's IeguI,
we'II do IL LIe wuy oI LIe gudjos us weII."



"We'II do no sucI LIIng!" AmeIIu snuLcIed Ier Iund Irom IIs und bucked uwuy. "'m onIy
weurIng LIIs rIng becuuse cun'L geL LIe bIusLed LIIng oII. And wIuL do you meun, mude
promIses? Were LIose Romuny words you usked me Lo repeuL some kInd oI vow? You
LrIcked me! dIdn'L meun wIuL suId."
"BuL you dId sIeep wILI me."
. SIe IIusIed In sIume und ouLruge, und drugged u sIeeve ucross Ier sweuLIng brow.
WIIrIIng uwuy Irom IIm, sIe sLrode rupIdIy uIong u gruveIed puLI LIuL Ied deeper InLo
LIe gurden. "TIuL dIdn'L meun unyLIIng, eILIer," sIe suId over Ier sIouIder.


He kepL puce wILI Ier eusIIy. "L meunL someLIIng Lo me. TIe sexuuI ucL Is sucred Lo u
Romu."
SIe mude u scornIuI sound. "WIuL ubouL uII LIe IudIes you seduced In ondon? Wus IL
sucred wIen you sIepL wILI LIem, Loo?"
"or u wIIIe IeII InLo LIe Impure wuys oI LIe gudjo," Ie suId InnocenLIy. "Now 've
reIormed."
AmeIIu senL IIm u sIdewuys gIure. "You don'L wunL LIIs. You don'L wunL me. One nIgIL
cun'L cIunge LIe enLIre course oI someone's IIIe."
"OI course IL cun." He reucIed Ior Ier, und AmeIIu skILLered uwuy, pussIng u mermuId
IounLuIn surrounded by sLone bencIes. Cum cuugIL Ier Irom beIInd und jerked Ier buck
uguInsL IIm. "SLop runnIng Irom me und IIsLen. do wunL you. wunL you even knowIng
II murry you, 've goL un InsLunL IumIIy, compIeLe wILI u suIcIduI broLIer-In-Iuw und u
Gypsy Iouseboy wILI LIe LemperumenL oI u poked beur."
"MerrIpen Is noL u Iouseboy."
"CuII IIm wIuL you IIke. He comes wILI LIe HuLI-uwuys. uccepL LIuL."
"TIey won'L uccepL you," sIe suId desperuLeIy. "TIere's no pIuce Ior you In our IumIIy."
"Yes LIere Is. RIgIL by your sIde." BreuLIIng Iurd, AmeIIu IeIL IIs Iund drIIL over LIe
IronL oI Ier body. Even LIougI Ier breusLs were conLuIned In u pudded corseL, LIe
pressure oI IIs Iund over Ier bodIce cuused Ier Lo sIIver.
"L wouId be dIsusLrous." HeuL cIImbed In Ier breusLs und LIrouL und Iuce. "You wouId
resenL me Ior LukIng uwuy your Ireedom . .. und wouId resenL you Ior LukIng mIne.


cun'L promIse Lo obey you, Lo uccepL your decIsIons und never uguIn be enLILIed Lo my
own opInIons-"
"L doesn'L Iuve Lo be LIuL wuy."
"OI? WouId you sweur never Lo commund me Lo do unyLIIng uguInsL my wIII?"
Cum Lurned Ier Lo Iuce IIm, IIs IIngers genLIe on LIe burnIng surIuce oI Ier cIeek. He



consIdered LIe quesLIon cureIuIIy. "No," Ie evenLuuIIy suId. " couIdn'L sweur LIuL. NoL II
LIougIL someLIIng wus Ior your own good."
As Iur us AmeIIu wus concerned, LIuL ended LIe debuLe. "'ve uIwuys been LIe one Lo
decIde wIuL Is Ior my own good. won'L yIeId LIuL rIgIL Lo you, nor Lo unyone."
Cum IIngered Ier eurIobe IIgILIy, Lruced LIe sIde oI Ier LIrouL. "BeIore you muke your
IInuI decIsIon, LIere ure some LIIngs you sIouId consIder. TIere's more LIun jusL LIe Lwo
oI us uL sLuke." As AmeIIu LrIed Lo sLep uwuy Irom IIm, Ie grIpped Ier IIps und Iorced Ier
Lo sLuy. "Your IumIIy's In LroubIe, sweeLIeurL."
"TIuL's noLIIng new Lo us. We're uIwuys In LroubIe."
Cum conceded LIe poInL. "SLIII, IL's goLLen bud enougI LIuL you'd be beLLer oII-even us
LIe wIIe oI u Romu- LIun II you LrIed Lo munuge IL uII on your own."
AmeIIu wunLed Lo muke IIm undersLund LIuL Ier objecLIons Iud noLIIng Lo do wILI IIs
Gypsy IerILuge.
BuL Ie wus speukIng uguIn, IIs Iuce cIose Lo Iers. "Murry me, und 'II resLore Rumsuy
House. 'II Lurn IL InLo u puIuce. We'II consIder IL purL oI your brIde-prIce."
"My wIuL?"
"A Romuny LrudILIon. TIe groom puys u sum Lo LIe brIde's IumIIy beIore LIe weddIng.
WIIcI meuns 'II uIso seLLIe eo's uccounLs In ondon-"


"He sLIII owes you money?" "NoL Lo me. OLIer credILors." "OI, no," AmeIIu suId, Ier
sLomucI droppIng. "'II Luke cure oI you und your IouseIoId," Cum conLInued wILI
reIenLIess puLIence. "CIoLIes, jeweIry, Iorses, books ... scIooI Ior BeuLrIx ... u seuson In
ondon Ior Poppy. TIe besL docLors Ior WInnIIred. SIe cun go Lo uny cIInIc In LIe worId."
A cuIcuIuLed puuse. "WouIdn'L you IIke Lo see Ier weII uguIn?"
"TIuL's noL IuIr," sIe wIIspered. "n reLurn, uII you Iuve Lo do Is gIve me wIuL wunL."
HIs Iund cume up Lo Ier wrIsL, sIIdIng uIong LIe IIne oI Ier urm. A LIckIIsI pIeusure run
beneuLI LIe Iuyers oI sIIk und wooI. AmeIIu IougIL Lo sLeudy Ier voIce. " wouId IeeI us II
'd mude u burguIn wILI LIe devII."
"No, AmeIIu." HIs voIce wus durk veIveL. "JusL wILI me."
"'m noL even cerLuIn wIuL IL Is you wunL."
Cum's Ieud Iowered over Iers. "AILer IusL nIgIL, IInd
LIuL Iurd Lo beIIeve.'"
"You couId geL LIuL Irom counLIess oLIer women. -Iur more cIeupIy, mIgIL udd, und
wILI mucI Iess LroubIe."
" wunL IL Irom you. OnIy you." A brIeI, somewIuL uncomIorLubIe puuse. HIs mouLI
LwIsLed. "TIe oLIer women 've been wILI ... wus u noveILy Lo LIem. Someone dIIIerenL



Irom LIeIr Iusbunds. TIey wunLed my compuny uL nIgIL, buL noL durIng LIe duy. wus
never un equuI. And wus never suLIsIIed uILer beIng wILI LIem. WILI you, IL's
dIIIerenL."
AmeIIu cIosed Ier eyes us sIe IeIL LIe IoL curess oI IIs mouLI uguInsL Ier IoreIeud. "L
wus very wIcked oI you Lo sIeep wILI murrIed women," sIe suId wILI dIIIIcuILy. "PerIups
II you Iud LrIed Lo courL u respecLubIe one-"


" IIve In u gumbIIng cIub." SubLIe umusemenL Lempered IIs voIce. "'ve meL very Iew
respecLubIe women. And-presenL compuny excIuded-'ve never goLLen on weII wILI
LIem." "WIy noL?"
HIs mouLI wundered genLIy uIong LIe sIde oI Ier Iuce. " seem Lo muke LIem nervous."
SIe jumped uL LIe LoucI oI IIs Longue on Ier eurIobe. " c-cun'L ImugIne wIy."
He Loyed wILI Ier eur, cuLcIIng LIe rIm deIIcuLeIy beLween IIs LeeLI. "'II udmIL IL wouIdn'L
be eusy, beIng murrIed Lo u Romuny muIe. We're possessIve. JeuIous. We preIer our wIves
never Lo LoucI unoLIer mun. Nor wouId you Iuve LIe rIgIL Lo reIuse me your bed." HIs
IIps covered Iers In u moILen kIss, IIs Longue expIorIng deepIy. "BuL LIen," Ie suId, IIILIng
IIs mouLI, "you.wouIdn'L wunL Lo." AnoLIer Iong, Iuzy kIss, und LIen Cum suId uguInsL Ier
mouLI, "You'II weur LIe Iook oI u weII-Ioved womun, monIsIuV


AmeIIu wus Iorced Lo IoId on Lo IIm Ior buIunce. "You wouId Ieuve me, evenLuuIIy."
" sweur Lo you, wouIdn'L. 've IInuIIy Iound my uLcIen Lun." "Your wIuL?" "SLoppIng
pIuce."
" dIdn'L know Romus Iud sLoppIng pIuces." "NoL uII. AppurenLIy 'm one oI LIe Iew wIo
do." SIukIng IIs Ieud, Cum udded In u dIsgrunLIed Lone, "My buck Is sore uILer sIeepIng
on LIe ground uII nIgIL. My gudjo IuII Ius IInuIIy goLLen LIe beLLer oI me."
AmeIIu ducked Ier Ieud und pressed u sIuky smIIe uguInsL LIe cooI smooLIness oI IIs
jerkIn. "TIIs Is Iunucy," sIe muLLered.


Cum IeId Ier cIoser. "Murry me, AmeIIu. You're wIuL wunL. You're my IuLe." One Iund
sIId Lo LIe buck oI Ier Ieud, grIppIng LIe bruIds und rIbbons Lo keep Ier mouLI upLurned.
"Suy yes." He nIbbIed uL Ier IIps, IIcked uL LIem, opened LIem. He kIssed Ier unLII sIe
wrILIed In IIs urms, Ier puIse rucIng. "Suy IL, AmeIIu, und suve me Irom ever IuvIng Lo
spend u nIgIL wILI unoLIer womun. 'II sIeep Indoors. 'II geL u IuIrcuL. God IeIp me,
LIInk 'd even curry u pockeL wuLcI II IL pIeused you."
AmeIIu IeIL dIzzy, unubIe Lo LIInk. SIe Ieuned IeIpIessIy InLo LIe Iurd supporL oI IIs body.
EveryLIIng wus IIm, every breuLI, beuL, bIInk, quIver. He suId Ier nume, und IIs voIce



seemed Lo come Irom u greuL dIsLunce.
"AmeIIu .. ." Cum sIook Ier u IILLIe, uskIng someLIIng, repeuLIng LIe words unLII sIe
guLIered LIuL Ie wunLed Lo know wIen sIe Iud euLen IusL.
"YesLerduy," sIe munuged Lo repIy. Cum dIdn'L Iook sympuLIeLIc us mucI us unnoyed.
"No wonder you're reudy Lo IuInL. You've Iud no Iood und IurdIy uny sIeep. How ure you
Lo be oI use Lo unyone wIen you cun'L munuge Lo Luke cure oI your own busIc needs?" SIe
wouId Iuve proLesLed, buL Ie guve Ier no opporLunILy Lo expIuIn unyLIIng. ILLIng u Iurd
urm uround Ier buck, Ie propeIIed Ier buck Lo LIe Iouse, oIIerIng cuusLIc udvIce LIe
enLIre wuy. L seemed Lo Luke uII Ier sLrengLI Lo uscend LIe buck sLuIrcuse.
By LIe LIme LIey reucIed LIe Lop, IIIIun, udy WesL-cIIII, wus LIere, Ier durk guze
cIusIng over AmeIIu wILI concern. "You Iook us II you're ubouL Lo cusL up your
crumpeLs," sIe suId wILIouL preumbIe. "WIuL's LIe muLLer?" " proposed Lo Ier," Cum suId
sIorLIy. IIIIun's eyebrows IIILed.


"'m IIne," AmeIIu LoId Ier. "'m jusL u bIL Iungry."
IIIIun uccompunIed LIem us Cum Look AmeIIu Lo Ier sIsLers' LubIe. "DId sIe uccepL?" sIe
usked Cum.
"NoL yeL."
"WeII, 'm noL surprIsed. A womun cun'L possIbIy consIder u murrIuge proposuI on un
empLy sLomucI." IIIIun wuLcIed AmeIIu wILI concern. "You're very puIe, deur. SIuII
Luke you InsIde Lo IIe down somewIere?"
AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieud. "TIunk you, no. 'm sorry Lo muke u scene."
"OI, you're noL mukIng u scene," IIIIun suId. "BeIIeve me, LIIs Is noLIIng compured Lo
LIe usuuI goIngs-on Iere." SIe smIIed reussurIngIy. "I LIere Is unyLIIng you need,
AmeIIu, you Iuve onIy Lo usk."
Cum Ied AmeIIu Lo Ier sIsLers. SIe sunk gruLeIuIIy InLo u cIuIr, In IronL oI u pIuLe Ieuped
wILI sIIced Ium, cIIcken, vurIous suIuds, und u pIuLe oI breud. To Ier usLonIsImenL, Cum
Look LIe cIuIr besIde Iers, cuL u bILe oI someLIIng on ^ LIe pIuLe, und speured IL wILI u
Iork.
He IeId LIe morseI up Lo Ier IIps. "SLurL wILI LIIs."
SIe scowIed. "'m perIecLIy cupubIe oI IeedIng mys-"
TIe Iork wus pusIed InLo Ier mouLI. AmeIIu conLInued Lo gIure uL IIm us sIe cIewed.
WIen sIe swuIIowed, sIe couId onIy munuge u Iew words-"GIve me LIuL"-beIore Ie
sIoved unoLIer bILe In.
"I you're goIng Lo do sucI u poor job LukIng cure oI yourseII," Cum InIormed Ier,
"someone eIse wIII do IL Ior you."



AmeIIu pIcked up u pIece oI breud und bIL deepIy InLo .IL. AILIougI sIe Ionged Lo LeII IIm
LIuL IL wus IIs IuuIL sIe'd goLLen so IILLIe sIeep und mIssed breukIusL In LIe bur-guIn, sIe
couIdn'L suy u word wILI Ier sIsLers presenL. As
sIe uLe, sIe IeIL LIe coIor reLurnIng Lo Ier cIeeks.


SIe wus uwure oI conversuLIon LukIng pIuce uround Ier, LIe younger HuLIuwuy sIsLers
uskIng Cum ubouL LIe condILIon oI Rumsuy House, und wIuL wus IeIL oI IL. A cIorus oI
grouns greeLed LIe reveIuLIon LIuL LIe bee room Iud been IeIL InLucL, und LIe IIve wus sLIII
busy und LIrIvIng.
" suppose we'II never be rId oI LIose druLLed bees,"
BeuLrIx excIuImed.
"Yes we wIII," Cum suId. HIs Iund Iowered Lo AmeIIu's urm, wIIcI wus resLIng on LIe
LubIe. HIs LIumb Iound LIe deIIcuLe bIue veIns on LIe undersIde oI Ier wrIsL und sLroked
LIe ugILuLed LIrob oI Ier puIse. "'II see LIuL every IusL one oI LIem Is removed."
AmeIIu dIdn'L Iook uL IIm. SIe pIcked up u cup oI Leu wILI Ier Iree Iund und Look u
cureIuI sIp.
"Mr. RoIun," sIe Ieurd BeuLrIx usk, "ure you goIng Lo murry my sIsLer?"
AmeIIu cIoked on Ier Leu und seL LIe cup down. SIe spuLLered und cougIed InLo Ier
nupkIn.
"HusI, BeuLrIx," WIn murmured.
"BuL sIe's weurIng IIs rIng-"
Poppy cIumped Ier Iund over BeuLrIx's mouLI.
"HusI!"
" mIgIL," Cum repIIed. HIs eyes spurkIed wILI mIscIIeI us Ie conLInued. " IInd your
sIsLer u bIL IuckIng In Iumor. And sIe doesn'L seem purLIcuIurIy obedIenL. On LIe oLIer
Iund-"
One seL oI rencI doors IIew open, uccompunIed by LIe sound oI breukIng gIuss.
Everyone on LIe buck Lerruce Iooked up In sLurLIemenL, LIe men rIsIng Irom LIeIr cIuIrs.
"No," cume WIn's soIL cry.
MerrIpen sLood LIere, IuvIng drugged IImseII Irom IIs sIckbed. He wus bunduged und
dIsIeveIed, buL Ie Iooked;


Iur Irom IeIpIess. He Iooked IIke u muddened buII, IIs durk Ieud Iowered, IIs Iunds
cIencIed InLo mussIve IIsLs. And IIs sLure, promIsIng deuLI, wus IIrmIy IIxed on Cum.
TIere wus no mIsLukIng LIe bIoodIusL oI u Romu wIose kInswomun Iud been dIsIonored.
"OI, God," AmeIIu muLLered.



Cum, wIo sLood besIde Ier cIuIr, gIunced down uL Ier quesLIonIngIy. "DId you suy
someLIIng Lo IIm?"
AmeIIu Lurned red us sIe recuIIed Ier bIood-spoLLed nIgILgown und LIe muId's expressIon.
"L musL Iuve been servunLs' LuIk."
Cum sLured uL LIe enruged gIunL wILI resIgnuLIon. "You muy be In Iuck," Ie suId Lo
AmeIIu. "L Iooks us II our beLroLIuI Is goIng Lo end premuLureIy."
SIe mude Lo sLund besIde IIm, buL Ie pressed Ier buck InLo LIe cIuIr. "SLuy ouL oI LIIs.
don'L wunL you IurL In LIe Iruy."
"He won'L IurL me," AmeIIu suId curLIy. "L's you Ie wunLs Lo sIuugILer."
HoIdIng MerrIpen's guze, Cum moved sIowIy uwuy Irom LIe LubIe. "s LIere someLIIng
you'd IIke Lo dIscuss, cIuI?" Ie usked wILI udmIrubIe seII-possessIon.
MerrIpen repIIed In Romuny. AILIougI no one suve Cum undersLood wIuL Ie suId, IL wus
cIeurIy noL encourugIng.
"'m goIng Lo murry Ier," Cum suId, us II Lo pucIIy IIm.
"TIuL's even worse!" MerrIpen moved Iorwurd, murder In IIs eyes.
ord SL. VIncenL swIILIy InLerceded, sLeppIng beLween LIe puIr. Ike Cum, Ie'd Iud IIs
sIure oI puLLIng down IIgILs uL LIe gumbIIng cIub. He IIILed IIs Iunds In u sLuyIng gesLure
und spoke smooLIIy. "Eusy, Iurge IeIIow. 'm sure


you cun IInd u wuy Lo resoIve your dIIIerences In u reusonubIe IusIIon."
"GeL ouL oI my wuy," MerrIpen growIed, puLLIng un end Lo LIe noLIon oI cIvIIIzed
dIscourse.
SL. VIncenL's pIeusunL expressIon dIdn'L cIunge. "You Iuve u poInL. TIere's noLIIng so
LIresome us beIng reusonubIe. myseII uvoId IL wIenever possIbIe. SLIII, 'm uIruId you
cun'L bruwI wIen LIere ure IudIes presenL. L mIgIL gIve LIem Ideus."
MerrIpen's scorcIIng bIuck sLure IIIckered Lo LIe HuLIuwuy sIsLers, IIngerIng un exLru
second on WIn's puIe, deIIcuLe Iuce. SIe guve IIm un InIInILesImuI sIuke oI Ier Ieud,
sIIenLIy wIIIIng IIm Lo reIenL. To reconsIder.
"MerrIpen-" AmeIIu begun scruLcIIIy. TIe scene wus morLIIyIng. BuL uL LIe sume LIme IL
moved Ier LIuL MerrIpen wus so proLecLIve oI Ier Ionor.
Cum sIIenced Ier wILI u LoucI on LIe sIouIder. He IeveIed u cooI sLure uL MerrIpen und
suId, "NoL In IronL oI LIe gudjos." JerkIng IIs Ieud In LIe dIrecLIon oI LIe buck gurdens, Ie
Ieuded Lo LIe sLone sLuIrcuse.
AILer u broodIng IesILuLIon, MerrIpen IoIIowed.


CHAPTER SEVENTEEN



WIen LIe puIr wus ouL oI sIgIL, ord WesLcIIII spoke Lo SL. VIncenL. "PerIups we sIouId
IoIIow uL u dIsLunce Lo prevenL LIem Irom kIIIIng eucI oLIer."
SL. VIncenL sIook IIs Ieud, reIuxIng In IIs cIuIr. He reucIed Ior IIs EvIe's Iund und
begun Lo pIuy wILI Ier IIngers. "BeIIeve me, RoIun Ius LIe sILuuLIon weII In Iund. HIs
opponenL muy be u bIL Iurger, buL RoIun Ius LIe consIderubIe udvunLuge oI IuvIng grown
up In ondon, wIere Ie's InLerucLed wILI crImInuIs und remurkubIy vIoIenL bruLes."
SmIIIng uL IIs wIIe, Ie udded, "And LIose ure jusL our empIoyees."
AmeIIu Iud no Ieurs Ior Cum's suke. A IIgIL beLween LIe Lwo men wouId be IIke wIeIdIng
u cudgeI uguInsL u rupIer... LIe rupIer, wILI ILs superIor gruce und udroILness, wouId wIn.
BuL LIuL ouLcome brougIL ILs own perIIs. WILI LIe possIbIe excepLIon oI eo, LIe
HuLIuwuys were InLenseIy Iond oI MerrIpen. TIe gIrIs wouIdn'L IInd IL eusy Lo IorgIve
someone wIo Iud Iurmed IIm. EspecIuIIy WIn.
GIuncIng uL Ier sIsLer, AmeIIu begun Lo suy someLIIng


consoIIng, wIen sIe reuIIzed LIuL WIn's expressIon wus noL one oI Ieur or IeIpIessness.
WIn wus unnoyed.
"MerrIpen Ius been Injured," WIn suId. "He sIouId be resLIng, noL cIusIng ubouL uILer Mr.
RoIun."
"L's noL my IuuIL Ie goL ouL oI IIs sIckbed!" AmeIIu proLesLed In un IndIgnunL wIIsper.
WIn's bIue eyes nurrowed. "You've done someLIIng Lo sLIr everyone up. And IL's IuIrIy
obvIous LIuL wIuLever you dId, Mr. RoIun wus InvoIved."
Poppy, wIo wus IIsLenIng uvIdIy, couIdn'L resIsL uddIng, "nLImuLeIy InvoIved."
TIe Lwo oIder sIsLers gIunced uL Ier und suId In unIson,
"SIuL up, Poppy."
Poppy Irowned. "'ve been wuILIng my enLIre IIIe Ior AmeIIu Lo sLruy Irom LIe sLruIgIL und
nurrow. Now LIuL IL's Iuppened, 'm goIng Lo enjoy IL."
"'d enjoy IL, Loo," BeuLrIx suId pIuInLIveIy, "II onIy knew wIuL we're LuIkIng ubouL."
Cum Ied LIe wuy uIong LIe yew Iedge, goIng uwuy Irom LIe munor unLII LIey reucIed u
sunken Iune sLreLcIIng Lowurd LIe wood. TIey sLopped besIde u LIIckeL oI SuInL-JoIn'sworL,
ILs goIden IIowers In IuII bIoom, und sedge spIked wILI boLLIebrusI sLems In IeuI.
DecepLIveIy reIuxed, Cum IoIded IIs urms IooseIy ucross IIs cIesL. He wus puzzIed by LIe
Iurge, IruLe cIuI, u Romu wILI LIe uIr oI u Ioner. TIe mysLerIous MerrIpen Iud no
uIIIIIuLIon wILI u Gypsy LrIbe, buL Iud InsLeud cIosen Lo muke IImseII LIe wuLcIdog oI u
gudje IumIIy. WIy? WIuL dId Ie owe Lo LIem?


PerIups MerrIpen wus muIrIme, desIgnuLed by LIe Rom us one unworLIy oI LrusL. An



ouLcusL. I so, Cum wondered wIuL MerrIpen Iud done Lo deserve sucI sLuLus.
"You Look udvunLuge oI AmeIIu," MerrIpen suId.
"NoL LIuL IL muLLers," Cum suId In Romuny, "buL Iow dId you IInd ouL?"
MerrIpen's Iuge Iunds IIexed us II IongIng Lo rIp IIm upurL. ucIIer IImseII couId noL
Iuve Iud bIucker, more burnIng eyes. "Speuk In EngIIsI," Ie suId IursIIy. " don'L IIke LIe
oId Iunguuge."
rownIng In curIosILy, Cum reudIIy compIIed.
"TIe muIds were LuIkIng ubouL IL," MerrIpen repIIed. " Ieurd LIem sLundIng ouLsIde my
door. You dIsIonored one oI my IumIIy."
"Yes, know," Cum suId quIeLIy.
"You're noL good enougI Ior Ier."
" know LIuL, Loo." WuLcIIng, IIm InLenLIy, Cum usked, "Do you wunL Ier Ior yourseII,
cIuI?"
MerrIpen Iooked morLuIIy oIIended. "SIe's u sIsLer Lo me."
"TIuL's good. Becuuse wunL Ier Ior my wIIe. And us Iur us cun see"-Cum gesLured
wIde wILI IIs Iunds- "LIere uren'L exucLIy queues IormIng Lo IeIp LIe HuLI-uwuys. So
muy be ubIe Lo IeIp LIe IumIIy."
"TIey don'L need your money. Rumsuy Ius un unnuILy."
"Rumsuy wIII be deud soon. We boLI know IL. And uILer Ie Lurns up IIs Loes, LIe LILIe wIII
go Lo LIe nexL poor busLurd In IIne, und LIere'II be Iour unmurrIed HuLIuwuy sIsLers wILI
Iew prucLIcuI skIIIs Lo speuk oI. WIuL do you LIInk wIII become oI LIem? WIuL ubouL LIe
InvuIId? SIe'II need medIcuI cure-"


"SIe's noL un InvuIId!" MerrIpen mude IIs Iuce expressIonIess, buL noL beIore Cum Iud
seen u IIusI oI exLruordInury emoLIon, someLIIng IerocIous und LormenLed.
AppurenLIy, Cum LIougIL, noL uII oI LIe HuLIuwuys were IIke sIsLers Lo MerrIpen. PerIups
LIIs wus LIe key Lo IIm. PerIups MerrIpen Iurbored u secreL pussIon Ior u womun wIo
wus Loo InnocenL Lo reuIIze IL, und Loo IruII ever Lo murry.
"MerrIpen," Cum suId sIowIy, "you're goIng Lo Iuve Lo IInd u wuy Lo LoIeruLe me. Becuuse
LIere ure LIIngs cun do Ior AmeIIu, und LIe resL oI LIem, LIuL you cun'L." He conLInued In
u IeveI Lone despILe LIe Iook on MerrIpen's Iuce, wIIcI wouId Iuve LerrIIIed u Iesser mun.
"And don'L Iuve LIe puLIence Lo buLLIe you every sLep oI LIe wuy. I you wunL wIuL's besL
Ior LIem, eILIer Ieuve, or uccepL LIIs. 'm noL goIng unywIere."
As LIe Iuge cIuI gIured uL IIm, Cum couId uImosL see LIe progressIon oI IIs LIougILs, LIe
weIgIIng oI opLIons, LIe vIoIenL desIre Lo mow down IIs enemy, uII oI IL oversIudowed
by LIe urge Lo do wIuL wus rIgIL Ior IIs IumIIy.



"BesIdes," Cum suId, "II AmeIIu doesn'L murry me, LIe gudjo wIII be uILer Ier uguIn. And
you know sIe'II be beLLer oII wILI me."
MerrIpen's eyes nurrowed. "rosL broke Ier IeurL. You Look Ier Innocence. WIy does LIuL
muke you uny beLLer?"
"Becuuse 'm noL goIng Lo Ieuve Ier. UnIIke LIe gudjos, LIe Rom ure IuILIIuI Lo our
women." Cum puused und meusured ouL IIve seconds beIore uddIng deIIberuLeIy, "You
probubIy know LIuL beLLer LIun ."
MerrIpen IIxed IIs IurIous guze uL u poInL In LIe dIsLunce. "I you IurL Ier In uny wuy . . ."
Ie IInuIIy suId, "'m goIng Lo kIII you."


"uIr enougI." " muy kIII you unywuy."
Cum smIIed sIIgILIy. "You'd be surprIsed Iow muny peopIe Iuve suId LIuL Lo me beIore."
"No," MerrIpen suId, " wouIdn'L."
AmeIIu puused nervousIy uL LIe door oI Cum's room. TIere were sounds oI movemenL
wILIIn, druwers openIng und cIosIng, objecLs beIng moved. SIe reuIIzed Ie musL be
prepurIng Lo Ieuve Ior ondon.
TIe resIdenLs und guesLs oI SLony Cross Munor Iud dIscreeLIy IeIL LIe buck Lerruce beIore
Cum und MerrIpen Iud reLurned. AmeIIu Iud jusL cuugIL sIgIL oI MerrIpen reLurnIng Lo
IIs room, IIs IerocIous scowI deepenIng us Ie Iud gIunced uL Ier. SIe Iud opened Ier
mouLI Lo usk someLIIng, upoIogIze, sIe wusn'L cerLuIn wIuL, buL Ie Iud cuL Ier oII. "Your
cIoIce," Ie muLLered. "And IL uIIecLs uII oI us. Don'L IorgeL LIuL." He Iud cIosed LIe door
beIore sIe couId suy u word.
GIuncIng up und down LIe IuIIwuy, AmeIIu mude cerLuIn sIe wus unobserved beIore sIe
guve u IeuLIer-IIgIL rup uL LIe door und IeL IerseII InLo LIe room.
Cum pusIed u sLuck oI neuLIy IoIded gurmenLs InLo u smuII genLIemun's Lrunk uL LIe IooL
oI LIe bed. He Iooked up uL Ier, u spIII oI bIuck sIIk IuIIIng down Lo IIs eyes. He wus so
vIbrunL, so durk und beuuLIIuI, IIs skIn IIke poIIsIed rosewood.
AmeIIu's voIce cume unevenIy Irom Ier consLrIcLed LIrouL. " wus uIruId MerrIpen wouId
brIng you buck In pIeces."
SLeppIng uwuy Irom LIe bed, Lowurd Ier, Cum smIIed. "AII sLIII Iere."


As AmeIIu gIunced uL LIe Ieun, IuscInuLIng conLours oI IIs body, sIe IeIL Ier LemperuLure
rIse. SIe Lurned Lo LIe sIde und spoke rupIdIy.
"'ve consIdered everyLIIng you suId eurIIer. 've mude u decIsIon. BuL IIrsL 'd IIke Lo
expIuIn LIuL IL Ius noLIIng Lo do wILI your personuI endowmenLs, wIIcI ure quILe
consIderubIe. L's jusL LIuL-"



"My personuI endowmenLs?"
"Yes. Your InLeIIIgence. Your uLLrucLIveness."
"OI."
WonderIng wIy IIs voIce sounded odd, AmeIIu durLed u quesLIonIng gIunce uL IIm. TIe
umber eyes were brIgIL wILI IuugILer. WIuL Iud sIe suId Lo umuse IIm? "Are you
puyIng uLLenLIon?1'
"BeIIeve me, wIen my personuI endowmenLs ure beIng dIscussed, uIwuys puy uLLenLIon.
Go on."
SIe Irowned. "Mr. RoIun, uILIougI consIder your oIIer u greuL compIImenL, und presenL
cIrcumsLunces beIng
wIuL LIey-"
"eL's geL Lo LIe poInL, AmeIIu." HIs Iunds cIosed over Ier sIouIders. "Are you goIng Lo
murry me?"
" cun'L," sIe suId weukIy. " jusL cun'L. We don'L suIL. L's obvIous we're noL uL uII uIIke.
You're ImpeLuous. You muke IIIe-uILerIng decIsIons In LIe bIInk oI un eye. WIereus
cIoose one course und don'L sLruy Irom IL."
"You sLruyed IusL nIgIL. And Iook Iow weII IL Lurned ouL." He grInned uL Ier expressIon.
"'m noL ImpeLuous, Iove. L's jusL LIuL know wIen someLIIng Is Loo ImporLunL Lo be
decIded uccordIng Lo IogIc."
"And murrIuge Is one oI LIose LIIngs?"
"OI course." Cum seLLIed u Iund IIgI on Ier cIesL, over


LIe wIId poundIng oI Ier IeurL. "You Iuve Lo decIde IL In Iere"
AmeIIu's cIesL IeIL LIgIL beneuLI LIe wurmLI oI IIs Iund. "'ve onIy known you Ior u
muLLer oI duys. We're sLIII sLrungers. cun'L enLrusL LIe IuLure oI my enLIre IumIIy Lo u mun
don'L even know."
"A coupIe cun be murrIed IIILy yeurs und never know eucI oLIer. BesIdes, you know LIe
ImporLunL LIIngs ubouL me uIreudy."
AmeIIu Ieurd un unnoyIng drummIng sound, und sIe LIougIL uL IIrsL IL wus LIe wIId
percussIon oI Ier IeurL. BuL us Cum's Ieg InLruded genLIy umong LIe IoIds oI Ier
borrowed dress und LoucIed Iers, sIe reuIIzed sIe wus doIng Ier bIusLed IooL-LuppIng
uguIn. WILI un eIIorL, sIe wenL sLIII.
SIIdIng one urm uround Ier, Cum pIcked up Ier IeIL Iund, brIngIng IL Lo IIs mouLI. HIs
IIps brusIed over LIe cIuIed red puLcI on Ier knuckIe, wIere sIe Iud LrIed Lo puII LIe rIng
oII.
"L's sLuck," sIe grumbIed. "L's Loo smuII."



"L's noL Loo smuII. JusL reIux your Iund und IL wIII come oII."
"My Iund Is reIuxed."
"GudjIs" Ie suId. "You're uII us sLIII us umurunLI wood. L musL be your corseLs." HIs Ieud
benL, IIs mouLI IIndIng Iers. He expIored sIowIy, enLIcIng Ier Lo open Ior IIm, IunLIng
Ior LIe sIy LIp oI Ier Longue. SIe sLIrred In dIsmuy us sIe reuIIzed Ie wus unIusLenIng LIe
buck oI Ier gown. TIe bodIce Ioosened In IronL, suggIng uwuy Irom Ier neuLIy conIIned
breusLs.
"Cum... no..."
"SIII.. " TIe IoL, excILIng wuIL oI IIs breuLI IIIIed


Ier mouLI. "'m IeIpIng you remove LIe rIng. TIuL's wIuL you wunL, Isn'L IL?"
"RemovIng LIIs rIng Ius noLIIng Lo do wILI puIIIng my corseL sLr-oI, no-" TIe web oI
sLuys Iud spIIL open Lo expose u IusI dIspIuy oI IIesI. "TIIs Isn'L IeIpIng." SIe LrIed Lo
puII up Ier dIsussembIed cIoLIIng wILI LIe cIumsIness oI someone movIng underwuLer.
"L's IeIpIng me quILe u IoL" Cum's Iund sIIpped InLo LIe buck oI Ier druwers. SIe
wrIggIed In vIoIuLed modesLy, Ier cIoLIes droppIng ever more rupIdIy Lowurd LIe IIoor.
" Iuve Lo see you In duyIIgIL." HIs mouLI cIused IIgILIy, IungrIIy over Ier LIrouL und
sIouIder. "MonIsIu, you ure LIe mosL beuuLIIuI womun, LIe mosL.. " HIs Iunds moved
wILI IncreusIng ImpuLIence, puIIIng Iurd uL Ier cIoLIes unLII u Iew sLILcIes popped.


"Don'L, LIIs dress doesn'L beIong Lo me," AmeIIu suId unxIousIy, IumbIIng Lo unIusLen LIe
borrowed gurmenLs IerseII ruLIer LIun Iuve LIem Lorn. SIe Iroze uL LIe sound oI IooLsLeps
comIng uIong LIe IuIIwuy, pussIng LIe cIosed door wILIouL sLoppIng. MosL IIkeIy IL wus u
servunL. BuL wIuL II someone Iud seen Ier enLerIng Cum's room? ... WIuL II someone
were seurcIIng Ior Ier uL LIIs very momenL? "Cum, pIeuse, noL now."
"'II be genLIe." He IIILed Ier Irom LIe cIrcIe oI dIscurded cIoLIes. " know IL's soon uILer
your IIrsL LIme."
SIe sIook Ier Ieud us Ie IuId Ier on LIe bed. CIencIIng LIe IubrIc oI Ier cIemIse wILI
boLI Iunds Lo keep IL In pIuce, sIe wIIspered, "No, IL's noL LIuL. Someone wIII IInd ouL.
Someone wIII Ieur. Someone wIII-"
"eL go, IummIngbIrd, so cun Luke LIIs oII you." TIere wus u IIIck oI devII's IIre In IIs
eyes us Ie suId mIIdIy, "eL go, or 'II rIp IL."


"Cum, don'L-"
SIe wus InLerrupLed by LIe sound oI rendIng IInen. He Iud Lorn IL compIeLeIy down LIe
IronL, LIe IrugIIe muLerIuI droopIng on eILIer sIde oI Ier.



"You've ruIned IL," sIe suId In dIsbeIIeI. "How um Lo expIuIn LIIs Lo LIe muId? And Iow
um Lo puL my corseL buck on?"
Cum dIdn'L Iook uL uII upoIogeLIc us Ie puIIed LIe remnunLs oI LIe cIemIse uwuy Irom Ier
body. "Tuke oII your druwers. Or 'II Iuve Lo rIp LIose, Loo."
"OI, God." SeeIng no wuy Lo sLop IIm, AmeIIu puIIed LIe druwers down over Ier IIps.
"ock LIe door," sIe wIIspered wILI u scurIeL Iuce. "PIeuse, pIeuse Iock IL."
A quIck smIIe pussed over Cum's mouLI. He IeIL LIe bed und wenL Lo LIe door, sLrIppIng
oII IIs jerkIn und sIIrL uIong LIe wuy. AILer LurnIng LIe key In LIe Iock, Ie Look IIs LIme
ubouL reLurnIng Lo'LIe bed, seemIng Lo enjoy LIe sIgIL oI Ier burrowIng beneuLI LIe bed
IInens.
He sLood beIore Ier IuII-nuked, LIe breecIes rIdIng Iow on IIs IIps. AmeIIu drugged Ier
guze uwuy Irom LIe sIeek, LIgILIy muscIed surIuce oI IIs Lorso, und sIIvered beLween LIe
coId Iuyers oI LIe bedcIoLIes. "You're puLLIng me In u LerrIbIe posILIon."
Cum IInIsIed undressIng und joIned Ier beneuLI LIe covers. " know oLIer posILIons you'II
IIke mucI beLLer."
SIe wus puIIed uguInsL IIm IuII-IengLI, IIs body Iurge und sLurLIIngIy wurm. He run IIs
Iunds over Ier, dIscoverIng sIe wus sLIII weurIng gurLers und sIIk sLockIngs. WILI u
smooLIness LIuL IeIL Ier guspIng, Cum dIsuppeured beneuLI LIe covers, IIs broud
sIouIders LenLIng LIe Iuyers oI IInen, wooI und veIveL.
AmeIIu LrIed Lo sLruggIe Lo u sILLIng posILIon buL IeII

buck wILI u wIImper us sIe IeIL IIs mouLI uguInsL LIe soIL skIn InsIde Ier LIIgI. He unLIed
LIe gurLer, IeLLIng IL IuII uwuy, und begun Lo roII LIe sLockIng down Ier Ieg wILI LorLurous
sIowness, IIs IIps IoIIowIng LIe puLI oI IurIIng sIIk. HIs Longue venLured InLo LIe IoIIow
beIInd Ier knee .. . gIIded over LIe cIencIed muscIe oI Ier cuII. . . LIe deIIcuLe sIde oI Ier
unkIe. TIe sIIk wus genLIy Lugged uwuy Irom Ier cIencIed Loes. L Look IIerce
concenLruLIon noL Lo cry ouL us sIe IeIL IIs IoL, weL mouLI cIosIng over Ier Loes, one uL u
LIme, suckIng und sLrokIng wIIIe Ier LIckIIsI IooL jerked In response.
By LIe LIme LIe second sLockIng wus removed, AmeIIu wus sLeumIng. SIe IougIL Lo pusI
LIe covers buck, uwuy Irom Ier overIeuLed skIn. TIe LIps oI Ier breusLs conLrucLed LIgILIy
us LIey were exposed Lo LIe cooI uIr. Cum pusIed Ier LIIgIs wIde, Ier Iegs crooked over
LIe Iurd buIwurk oI IIs sIouIders. HIs IIngers sIILed LIrougI LIe sprIngy curIs, und Ie
kIssed Ier LenderIy, IIckIng InLo LIe IeuL und LensIon, cIrcIIng und druwIng IIgILIy. Too
mucI . . . noL enougI .,. AmeIIu sLruIned beneuLI LIe soIL-IIIckIng LorLure.
He seLLIed u Iund over Ier sLomucI, rubbIng In sooLIIng cIrcIes. "Ie eusy, sweeLIeurL."
" c-cun'L. OI, do Iurry!"


Cum IuugIed soILIy, IIs purLed IIps druggIng ucross Ier sensILIve IIesI. He Lruced Ier wILI
IIs Longue, mude Ier weL, und bIew uguInsL LIe dumpened curIs. "I s beLLer Ior you II
don'L Iurry."
"No IL's noL"
"MucI you know ubouL IL. TIIs Is onIy your second LIme."
SIe guve u IILLIe sob us Ie used IIs Longue uguIn. " cun'L beur mucI more oI LIIs."


He IIcked over Ier, IIendIsIIy sweeL, und InsIde Ier, Iewd und deep, unLII sIe wus
breuLIIng In mouns und IIs IoL breuLI wus sIIverIng uguInsL Ier. He moved upwurd, IIs
body seLLIIng InLo LIe LuuL sIIp oI Ier LIIgIs, und Ie enLered Ier In u LIIck sIIde. SIe
gusped uL LIe sIock oI IIm IIIIIng Ier, pusIIng unLII sIe gusped, und dug Ier IIngerLIps
InLo IIs sIouIder.
Cum puused, sLurIng down uL Ier wILI dIIuLed eyes, LIe IrIses brIgIL goId rIms uround
cIrcIes oI IuLIomIess mIdnIgIL. "AmeIIu, Iove . .." HIs kIss LusLed oI suIL und InLImucy.
"Cun you Luke u IILLIe more oI me?"
SIe IougIL Lo LIInk ubove LIe conIusIon oI pIeusure, und sIook Ier Ieud jerkIIy.
TIe corners oI IIs IIps deepened wILI u smIIe. He wIIspered, " LIInk you cun."
HIs Iunds pIuyed over Ier, soIIcILous IIngerLIps sIIdIng Lo LIe pIuce LIey were joIned. He
pressed InsIde Ier, u Iow rIyLImIc movemenL, und IIs IIngers were usLonIsIIngIy genLIe,
uImosL deIIcuLe, us LIey sLroked In LIme Lo LIe puLIenL LIrusLs. GuspIng, sIe urcIed Lo Luke
IIm deeper, und deeper sLIII.
Every LIme Ie pusIed, IIs body rubbed Iers In exucLIy LIe rIgIL wuy. SIe begun Lo IIIL
eugerIy, unLIcIpuLIng eucI InvusIon, punLIng Ior IL, sensuLIon buIIdIng on sensuLIon unLII IL
cuImInuLed In u bIIndIng sweII oI deIIgIL... und unoLIer .. . unoLIer ... sIe IeIL IIm begIn Lo
wILIdruw und sIe mouned und LwIned Ier Iegs uround IIs IIps.
"AmeIIu," Ie gusped, "no, IeL me... 've goL Lo ..." SIudderIng, Ie spenL IeIpIessIy InsIde
Ier, wIIIe Ier body grIpped und sLroked LIe Iurd IengLI oI IIm.
SLIII Iocked LogeLIer, Cum roIIed AmeIIu Lo Ier sIde. He muLLered someLIIng In Romuny.
AILIougI sIe dIdn'L


undersLund u word, IL sounded IIgIIy compIImenLury. Imp wILI pIeusure und exIuusLIon,
AmeIIu resLed Ier Ieud on LIe soIId curve oI IIs bIceps, Ier breuLI cuLcIIng us sIe IeIL LIe
occusIonuI LwILcI und puIse oI IIm In LIe depLIs oI Ier body.
Cum reucIed Ior Ier IeIL Iund. TukIng LIe sIgneL rIng beLween IIs IIngers, Ie drew IL oII
eusIIy und guve IL Lo Ier. "Here. AILIougI 'd ruLIer you IeIL IL on."
AmeIIu's mouLI IeII open. SIe exumIned Ier Iund, LIen LIe rIng, und IesILunLIy pusIed IL



buck on LIe sume IInger. L sIId over Ier knuckIe und buck uguIn wILI euse. "How dId you
do LIuL?"
" IeIped you Lo reIux." He run u couxIng Iund uIong Ier spIne. "PuL IL buck on, AmeIIu."
" cun'L. TIuL wouId meun 've uccepLed your proposuI, und Iuven'L."
SLreLcIIng IIke u cuL, Cum roIIed Ier IIuL uguIn, IIs weIgIL purLIuIIy supporLed on IIs
eIbows. AmeIIu drew In u quIck breuLI us sIe IeIL IIm sLIII IIrm wILIIn Ier. "You cun'L IIe
wILI me LwIce und LIen reIuse Lo murry me." Cum Iowered IIs Ieud Lo kIss Ier eur. "'II be
ruIned." He worked IIs wuy Lo LIe soIL pIuce beIInd Ier eurIobe. "And 'II IeeI so cIeup."
DespILe LIe serIousness oI LIe muLLer, AmeIIu Iud Lo bILe buck u smIIe. "'m doIng you u
greuL Iuvor by reIusIng you. You'II LIunk me Ior IL someduy."
'TII LIunk you rIgIL now II you'II puL LIe dumned rIng buck on."
SIe sIook Ier Ieud.
Cum pusIed u bIL IurLIer InsIde Ier, mukIng Ier gusp. "WIuL ubouL my personuI
endowmenLs? WIo's goIng Lo Luke cure oI LIem?"


"You cun Luke cure oI LIem"-sIe squIrmed Lo LIe sIde Lo seL LIe rIng on LIe bedsIde LubIe
-"uII by yourseII."
Cum moved wILI Ier obIIgIngIy. "L's mucI more suLIsIyIng wIen you're InvoIved."
As Ie reucIed Lo reLrIeve LIe rIng, IIs body sIIILed IIgIer In Iers. SIe Lensed In surprIse.
He IeIL Iurder InsIde Ier, LIIcker, IIs desIre guInIng new momenLum. "Cum," sIe
proLesLed, gIuncIng uL LIe cIosed door. SIe grubbed Ior IIs wrIsL, LryIng Lo keep IIs Iund
uwuy Irom LIe rIng. He gruppIed wILI Ier pIuyIuIIy, LurnIng unLII LIey Iud compIeLed u
IuII revoIuLIon ucross LIe muLLress und sIe wus under IIm uguIn.
He wus rumpunLIy uroused now, LeusIng Ier wILI sIow Iunges. TwIsLIng beneuLI IIm,
AmeIIu pusIed uL IIs durk Ieud us Ie begun Lo kIss Ier breusLs. "BuL... we jusL
IInIsIed .. ."
Cum IIILed IIs Ieud. "Romu," Ie suId, us II by wuy oI expIunuLIon, und seLLIed buck over
Ier. I LIere wus u IInL oI upoIogy In IIs Lone, LIere wus none In LIe InsIsLenL rIyLIm oI
IIs LIrusLs, deep curesses LIuL Invuded und sooLIed, und beIore Iong Ier proLesLs Iud
meILed InLo purrIng mouns.
AmeIIu wrupped Ier urms uround IIm, Ier Iegs, LryIng Lo conLuIn uII LIuL Iurd muIe IIesI,
wIIIe LIe sLeudy, rockIng puce oI IIs LIrusLs brougIL Ier Lo LIe edge oI reIeuse. BuL Ie
wILIdrew beIore sIe couId reucI IL, und Lurned Ier over, und Ior un ugonIzIng momenL sIe
LIougIL Ie Iud decIded Lo sLop. CoverIng Ier wILI IIs body, Cum used IIs knees Lo pusI
Iers wIde. He muLLered In u mIxLure oI EngIIsI und Romuny, enougI Ior Ier Lo
undersLund LIuL Ie wouIdn'L IurL Ier, LIIs wouId be eusIer Ior Ier, und sIe wIIspered yes,



yes, und LIen Ie wus sIIdIng ImpossIbIy deep, IIs Iunds sLeudyIng Ier IIps us sIe bucked
up InsLIncLIveIy.

Her Ieud dropped, Ier gusps muIIIed uguInsL LIe IInen-covered muLLress. HIs Iund sIId Lo
Ier sex, IIngers spreudIng LIe Iurrowed sIIk. PIeusure sIImmered LIrougI Ier In wuves,
eucI one sLronger, IIgIer, unLII sIe wus sIudderIng, drownIng, sIgIIng. Cum's sudden
wILIdruwuI wus u sIock oI unweIcome empLIness us Ie mude IIs IusL LIrusL uguInsL LIe
sIeeLs und grouned. SLunned und dIsorIenLed, AmeIIu remuIned wILI Ier IIps propped
IIgI, Ier IIesI puIsIng und smurLIng wILI LIe need Lo Iuve IIm buck InsIde. HIs Iund
cume Lo Ier buLLocks, rubbIng In u wurm cIrcIe beIore Ie pusIed Ier buck down.

]'You'II Iuve me," Cum wIIspered. "You'II Iuve me, IummIngbIrd. 'm your IuLe-even
II you won'L udmIL IL yeL."
CHAPTER EGHTEEN
AILer Cum Iud gone, AmeIIu Iound IerseII wunderIng despondenLIy LIrougI LIe Iurge
munor.
L wus quIeL In LIe Iouse, everyone IuvIng reLIred Lo LIeIr rooms Ior uILernoon nups.
PrepuruLIons were beIng mude Ior LIe eurI und counLess, und ord und udy SL. VIncenL,
Lo Ieuve Ior BrIsLoI In LIe mornIng. TIey wouId sLuy uL LIe Iome oI IIIIun's sIsLer und
broLIer-In-Iuw, DuIsy und MuLLIew SwIIL, Ior LIe IusL IorLnIgIL oI DuIsy's conIInemenL.
IIIIun wus unxIous Lo see Ier younger sIsLer, wILI wIom sIe wus exLremeIy cIose. "SIe's
been In spIendId IeuILI LIrougI LIe wIoIe LIIng," IIIIun Iud LoId AmeIIu, wILI obvIous
prIde. "DuIsy's IeuILIy us u Iorse. BuL sIe's very smuII. And Ier Iusbund Is quILe Iurge,"
sIe udded durkIy, "wIIcI meuns uny bubIes oI IIs wIII probubIy be oversIzed, us weII."
"One cun'L IuuIL IIm Ior beIng LuII," ord WesLcIIII, wIo wus sILLIng besIde IIs wIIe, Iud
poInLed ouL IuconIcuIIy.
" dIdn'L suy IL wus IIs IuuIL," IIIIun proLesLed.
"You were LIInkIng IL," LIe eurI murmured, und sIe


ruIsed u pIIIow us II Lo IurI IL uL IIm. TIe eIIecL oI murILuI sLrIIe wus spoIIed, Iowever, us
LIey grInned uL eucI oLIer uIIecLIonuLeIy.
IIIIun Lurned Ier uLLenLIon Lo AmeIIu. "WIII you und LIe oLIers be uII rIgIL In our
ubsence? IuLe Lo Ieuve wILI LIIngs so unseLLIed, und Mr. MerrIpen under LIe weuLIer."
" expecL MerrIpen wIII IeuI very quIckIy," AmeIIu suId wILI uLLer conIIdence. OLIer LIun
LIe LIme Ie Iud IIrsL come Lo LIem, Ie Iud never been III. "He Ius u robusL consLILuLIon."
"'ve requesLed LIe docLor Lo vIsIL duIIy," WesLcIIII suId. "And II you Iuve uny dIIIIcuILIes,



send word Lo BrIsLoI. L Isn'L LIuL Iur, und 'II come uL once."
Heuven knew Iow LIey Iud been IorLunuLe enougI Lo Iuve IIIIun und WesLcIIII us
neIgIbors.
Now, us AmeIIu mude Ier wuy LIrougI LIe urL guIIery, Ier guze movIng over puInLIngs
und scuIpLures, sIe becume uwure oI u LerrIbIe IoIIowness InsIde. SIe couIdn'L LIInk Iow
Lo muke IL go uwuy. L wusn'L Iunger, Ieur, or unger, IL wusn'L exIuusLIon or dreud.
L wus IoneIIness.
Nonsense, sIe scoIded IerseII, sLrIdIng Lo u Iong row oI wIndows LIuL overIooked u sIde
gurden. L Iud begun Lo ruIn, u coId soukIng gIILLer LIuL IeII sLeudIIy over LIe grounds und
rusIed In muddy sLreums Lowurd LIe bIuII und LIe rIver. You cun'L be IoneIy. He Iusn'L
even been gone Ior IuII u duy. And LIere's no reuson Ior IL wIen your enLIre IumIIy Is
Iere.
L wus LIe IIrsL LIme sIe Iud ever IeIL LIe kInd oI IoneIIness LIuL couIdn'L be cured wILI
jusL uny uvuIIubIe compuny.

SIgIIng, sIe pressed Ier nose uguInsL LIe coId surIuce oI u wIndowpune, wIIIe LIunder
senL vIbruLIons LIrougI LIe gIuss.
Her broLIer's voIce cume Irom LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe guIIery. "MoLIer uIwuys suId LIuL
wouId IIuLLen your nose."
PuIIIng buck, AmeIIu smIIed us eo upproucIed Ier. "SIe onIy suId LIuL becuuse sIe
dIdn'L wunL me Lo muke smudges on LIe gIuss."
Her broLIer Iooked druwn und IoIIow-eyed, LIe pusLIness oI IIs compIexIon u sLrIkIng
conLrusL Lo Cum RoIun's cIover-Ioney Lun. eo wus dressed In borrowed cIoLIes, LIese so
IIne und precIseIy LuIIored, LIey musL Iuve been donuLed by ord SL. VIncenL. BuL InsLeud
oI IungIng gruceIuIIy us LIey dId on SL. VIncenL's eIegunLIy spure Irume, LIe gurmenLs
sLruIned over eo's bIouLed wuIsL und puIIy neck.
"One cun onIy Iope you IeeI beLLer LIun you Iook," AmeIIu suId.
"'II IeeI beLLer once cun IInd some decenL reIresImenL. 've usked LIrIce Ior wIne or
spIrILs, und LIe servunLs uII seem dumnubIy ubsenLmInded."
SIe Irowned. "SureIy IL's Loo eurIy In LIe duy even Ior you, eo."
He exLrucLed u pockeL wuLcI Irom IIs wuIsLcouL und squInLed uL ILs Iuce. "L's eIgIL o'cIock
In Bombuy. BeIng un InLernuLIonuIIy mInded IeIIow, 'II Iuve u drInk us u dIpIomuLIc
gesLure."
OrdInurIIy AmeIIu wouId Iuve been resIgned or unnoyed. However, us sIe sLured uL Ier
broLIer, wIo seemed so IosL und mIserubIe beneuLI IIs brILLIe Iucude, sIe IeIL u rusI oI
compussIon. WuIkIng Iorwurd, sIe puL Ier urms


uround IIm und Iugged IIm. And wondered Iow Lo suve IIm.
SLurLIed by LIe ImpuIsIve gesLure, eo remuIned sLIII, noL reLurnIng LIe embruce buL noL
puIIIng uwuy, eILIer. HIs Iunds cume Lo Ier sIouIders, und Ie eused Ier uwuy.
" sIouId Iuve known you'd be muudIIn Loduy," Ie suId.
"Yes, weII.. . IIndIng one's broLIer neurIy rousLed Lo deuLI Lends Lo muke u womun ruLIer
emoLIonuI."
"'m jusL u bIL cIurred." He sLured uL Ier wILI LIose sLrunge, IIgIL eyes, noL uL uII LIe eyes
oI LIe broLIer sIe Iud known uII Ier IIIe. "And noL so uILered us you, IL seems."
AmeIIu knew ImmedIuLeIy wIuL Ie wus IeudIng Lo. WurIIy sIe Lurned uwuy Irom IIm und
preLended Lo InspecL u neurby Iundscupe oI IIIIs und cIouds und u sIIvery Iuke. "AILered?
've no Ideu wIuL you meun."
"'m reIerrIng Lo LIe gume oI IIde-LIe-sIIpper you've been pIuyIng wILI RoIun."
"WIo LoId you LIuL? TIe servunLs?"
"MerrIpen."
" cun'L beIIeve Ie dured-"
"or once Ie und ugree on someLIIng. We're goIng buck Lo ondon us soon us MerrIpen
Is weIL enougI. We'II sLuy uL LIe RuLIedge HoLeI unLII we cun IInd u suILubIe Iouse Lo Ieuse
-"
"TIe RuLIedge cosLs u IorLune," sIe excIuImed. "We cun'L uIIord LIuL."
"Don'L urgue, AmeIIu. 'm LIe Ieud oI LIIs IumIIy, und 've mude LIe decIsIon. WILI
MerrIpen's IuII supporL, Ior wIuL LIuL's worLI."
"TIe Lwo oI you cun go Lo bIuzes! don'L Luke orders Irom you, eo."


"You wIII In LIIs InsLunce. Your uIIuIr wILI RoIun Is over."
eeIIng bILLer und ouLruged, AmeIIu Lurned uwuy Irom IIm. SIe dIdn'L LrusL IerseII Lo
speuk. n LIe pusL yeur, LIere Iud been so muny LImes sIe Iud Ionged Ior eo Lo ussume
IIs pIuce us LIe Ieud oI LIe IumIIy, Lo Iuve un opInIon ubouL unyLIIng, Lo sIow concern
Ior someone oLIeI LIun IImseII. And yeL LIIs wus LIe Issue LIuL Iud provoked IIm Lo Luke
ucLIon?
"'m so gIud," sIe suId wILI omInous quIeLness, "LIuL you've Luken sucI un InLeresL In my
personuI uIIuIrs, eo. Now perIups you mIgIL expund your InLeresL Lo oLIer LopIcs oI
ImporLunce, sucI us Iow und wIen Rumsuy House wIII be rebuIIL, und wIuL we're goIng
Lo do ubouL WIn's IeuILI, und BeuLrIx's educuLIon, und Poppy's-"
"You won'L dIsLrucL me LIuL eusIIy. Good God, sIs, couIdn'L you IInd someone oI your own
cIuss Lo duIIy wILI? Huve your prospecLs reuIIy sunk so Iow LIuL you've Luken u Gypsy Lo



your bed?"
AmeIIu's mouLI dropped open. SIe spun Lo Iuce IIm. " cun'L beIIeve you wouId suy sucI
u LIIng. Our broLIer Is u Romu, und Ie-"
"MerrIpen Isn'L our broLIer. And Ie Iuppens Lo ugree wILI me. TIIs Is beneuLI you."
"BeneuLI me," AmeIIu repeuLed duzedIy, buckIng uwu> Irom IIm unLII Ier sIouIders
IIuLLened uguInsL LIe wuII. "How?"
"TIere's no need Ior me Lo expIuIn, Is LIere?"
"Yes," sIe suId, " LIInk LIere Is."
"RoIun's u Gypsy, AmeIIu. TIey're Iuzy, rooLIess wunderers."
"You cun suy uII LIuL wIen you never IIIL u IInger?"


"'m noL supposed Lo work. 'm u peer now. eurn LIree LIousund pounds u yeur jusL by
exIsLIng."
CIeurIy LIere wus no Ieudwuy Lo be mude In un urgumenL wIen one's opponenL wus
Insune.
"UnLII LIIs momenL, Iud no InLenLIon oI murryIng IIm," AmeIIu suId. "BuL now 'm
serIousIy consIderIng LIe merILs oI IuvIng uL IeusL one ruLIonuI mun In LIe IouseIoId."
"MurrIuge?"
AmeIIu uImosL enjoyed LIe Iook on IIs Iuce. " suppose MerrIpen IorgoL Lo menLIon LIuL
mInor deLuII. Yes, Cum Ius proposed Lo me. And Ie's rIcI, eo. RIcI rIcI, wIIcI meuns
even II you decIde Lo go jump In LIe Iuke und drown yourseII, LIe gIrIs und wouId be
Luken cure oI. NIce, Isn'L IL, LIuL someone's concerned ubouL ouI IuLure?"
" IorbId IL."
SIe guve IIm u scornIuI gIunce. "orgIve me II 'm Iess LIun Impressed by your uuLIorILy,
eo. PerIups you sIouId prucLIce on someone eIse."
And sIe IeIL IIm In LIe guIIery, wIIIe LIe LIunder rumbIed und ruIn cuscuded down LIe
wIndows.
Cum sLopped LIe drIver on LIe wuy Lo ondon, wunLIng unoLIer Iook uL Rumsuy House
beIore Ie depurLed HumpsIIre. He wus In someLIIng oI u quundury us Lo wIuL sIouId be
done wILI LIe pIuce. CerLuInIy IL wouId Iuve Lo be resLored. As purL oI un urIsLocruLIc
enLuIImenL, LIe esLuLe Iud Lo be muInLuIned In u decenL condILIon. And Cum IIked LIe
pIuce. TIere were possIbIIILIes In IL. I LIe sIopes oI LIe surroundIng grounds were uILered
und Iundscuped, und LIe buIIdIng ILseII wus properIy redesIgned und rebuIIL, LIe Rumsuy
esLuLe wouId be u jeweI.


BuL IL wus doubLIuI LIuL LIe Rumsuy LILIe, und ILs enLuIImenLs, wouId remuIn In LIe



HuLIuwuys' possessIon mucI Ionger. NoL II everyLIIng depended on eo, wIose IeuILI
und IuLure exIsLence were very mucI In quesLIon.
ConsIderIng LIe probIem oI IIs soon-Lo-be broLIer-In-Iuw, Cum bId LIe drIver Lo wuIL, und
wenL InLo LIe rumsIuckIe Iouse, IeedIess oI LIe ruIn LIuL dumpened IIs IuIr und couL. L
dIdn'L especIuIIy muLLer Lo IIm II eo IIved or dIed, buL AmeIIu's IeeIIngs muLLered very
mucI Indeed. Cum wouId do wIuLever wus necessury Lo spure Ier grIeI or worry. I LIuL
meunL IeIpIng Lo preserve Ier broLIer's worLIIess IIIe, so be IL.
TIe InLerIor oI LIe Iouse wus smoke-IIImed und suggIng IIke u once-juunLy creuLure LIuL
Iud been beuLen InLo submIssIon. He wondered wIuL u buIIder wouId muke oI LIe pIuce,
und Iow mucI oI LIe sLrucLure couId be preserved. Cum ImugIned wIuL IL mIgIL Iook IIke
wIen IL wus IuIIy resLored und puInLed. BrIgIL, cIurmIng, u LoucI eccenLrIc. Ike IIs
HuLIuwuys.
A smIIe Lugged uL LIe corners oI IIs IIps uL LIe LIougIL oI AmeIIu's sIsLers. He couId eusIIy
become Iond oI LIem. SLrunge, Iow LIe Ideu oI seLLIIng on LIIs Iund, becomIng purL oI u
IumIIy, Iud become uLLrucLIve. He wus IeeIIng ruLIer... cIunnIsI. PerIups WesLcIIII Iud
been rIgIL-Ie couIdn'L Ignore IIs rIsI IuII Iorever.
Cum sLopped uL LIe sIde oI LIe enLrunce IuII us Ie Ieurd u noIse Irom upsLuIrs. A LIump, u
LuppIng, us II someone were IummerIng uL wood. TIe nupe oI IIs neck cruwIed. WIo LIe
IeII couId be Iere? SupersLILIon sLruggIed wILI reuson us Ie wondered II LIe InLruder were
morLuI or specLruI. He mude IIs wuy up LIe sLuIrs wILI exLreme cure, IIs IeeL swIIL und
sIIenL.


PuusIng uL LIe Lop oI LIe sLuIrs, Ie IIsLened InLenLIy. TIe sound cume uguIn, Irom one oI
LIe bedrooms. He mude IIs wuy Lo u IuII-open door und Iooked InsIde.
TIe presence In LIe room wus mosL deIInILeIy Iumun. Cum's eyes nurrowed us Ie
recognIzed CIrIsLopIer rosL.
L uppeured rosL wus LryIng Lo pry u pIece oI puneIIng Irom LIe wuII, usIng un Iron pry
bur. TIe wood deIIed IIs eIIorLs, und uILer u Iew seconds oI exerLIon, rosL dropped LIe
pry bur und swore.
"Need some IeIp?" Cum usked.
rosL neurIy Ieuped ouL oI IIs sIoes. "WIuL LIe devII-" He wIIrIed uround, IIs eyes
Iuge. ''DumnuLIon! WIuL ure you doIng LIere?"
" wus goIng Lo usk you LIe sume quesLIon." eunIng uguInsL LIe doorjumb, Cum IoIded
IIs urms und sLured uL LIe oLIer mun specuIuLIveIy. " decIded Lo sLop Iere on my wuy Lo
ondon. WIuL's beIInd LIe puneI?"
"NoLIIng," LIe urcIILecL snupped.



"TIen wIy ure you LryIng Lo remove II?"
CoIIecLIng IImseII, rosL benL Lo reLrIeve LIe pry bur. He IeId IL cusuuIIy, buL wILI LIe
sIIgILesL cIunge In IIs grIp, LIe Iron bur couId eusIIy be Lurned InLo u weupon. Cum kepL
IIs posLure reIuxed, noL LukIng IIs eyes Irom rosL's Iuce.
"How mucI do you know ubouL consLrucLIon und desIgn?" rosL usked.
"NoL mucI. 've done some woodworkIng now und LIen."
"Yes. Your peopIe someLImes work us LInkers und bodgers. PerIups even rooIIng. BuL
never buIIdIng. You wouId never sLuy Iong enougI Lo compIeLe LIe projecL, wouId you?"


Cum kepL IIs Lone ImmucuIuLeIy poIILe. "Are you uskIng ubouL me specIIIcuIIy, or LIe
Rom In generuI?"
rosL upproucIed IIm, LIe pry bur IIrmIy In IIs grusp. "L doesn'L muLLer. To unswer your
prevIous quesLIon- um InspecLIng LIe Iouse Lo muke un esLImuLe oI LIe dumuge, und Lo
deveIop Ideus Ior LIe new desIgn. On beIuII oI MIss HuLIuwuy."
"DId sIe usk you Lo InspecL LIe Iouse?"
"As un oId IrIend oI LIe IumIIy-und purLIcuIurIy MIss HuLIuwuy-'ve Luken IL upon
myseII Lo IeIp LIem."
TIe pIruse "purLIcuIurIy MIss HuLIuwuy" uLLered wILI jusL u IInL oI ownersIIp, neurIy
sIuLLered Cum's seII-conLroI. He, wIo Iud uIwuys congruLuIuLed IImseII on IIs
equunImILy, wus InsLunLIy overrun wILI IosLIIILy. "PerIups," Ie suId, "you sIouId Iuve
usked IIrsL. As IL Lurns ouL, your servIces uren'L needed."
rosL's Iuce durkened. "WIuL gIves you LIe rIgIL Lo speuk Ior MIss HuLIuwuy und Ier
IumIIy?"
Cum suw no reuson Lo be dIscreeL. "'m goIng Lo murry Ier."
rosL neurIy dropped LIe Iron bur. "Don'L be ubsurd. AmeIIu wouId never murry you."
"WIy noL?"
"Good God," rosL excIuImed IncreduIousIy, "Iow cun you usk LIuL? You're noL u
genLIemun oI Ier cIuss, und ... IeII und dumnuLIon, you're noL even u reuI Gypsy. You're u
mongreI."
"AII LIe sume, 'm goIng Lo murry Ier."
"111 see you In IeII IIrsL!" rosL crIed, LukIng u sLep Lowurd IIm.
"EILIer drop LIuL bur," Cum suId quIeLIy, "or 'II dIsIocuLe


your urm." He sIncereIy Ioped rosL wouId Luke u swIng uL IIm. To IIs dIsuppoInLmenL,
rosL seL LIe bur on LIe
ground.



TIe urcIILecL gIured uL IIm. "AILer LuIk Lo Ier, sIe'II wunL noLIIng more Lo do wILI you.
'II muke cerLuIn sIe undersLunds wIuL peopIe wouId suy ubouL u Iudy wIo beds down
wILI u Gypsy. SIe'd be beLLer oII wILI u peusunL. A dog. A-"
"PoInL Luken," Cum suId. He guve rosL u bIund smIIe desIgned Lo InIurIuLe. "BuL IL's
InLeresLIng, Isn'L IL, LIuL MIss HuLIuwuy's prevIous experIence wILI u genLIemun oI Ier
own cIuss Ius now dIsposed Ier Lo Iook IuvorubIy on u Romu? L IurdIy reIIecLs weII on
you."
"You seIIIsI busLurd," rosL muLLered. "You'II ruIn Ier. You LIInk noLIIng oI brIngIng Ier
down Lo your IeveI. I you cured Ior Ier uL uII, you wouId dIsuppeur Ior good."
He brusIed by Cum wILIouL unoLIer word. Soon IIs IooLsLeps couId be Ieurd us Ie
descended LIe sLuIrs.
And Cum sLuyed In LIe empLy doorwuy Ior u Iong LIme, seeLIIng wILI unger, concern Ior
AmeIIu, und even worse, guIIL. He couIdn'L cIunge LIe IucL oI wIuL Ie wus, nor wouId Ie
be ubIe Lo sIIeId AmeIIu Irom uII LIe urrows LIuL wouId be uImed uL LIe wIIe oI u Gypsy.
BuL Ie wouId be dumned II Ie wouId IeL Ier muke Ier wuy LIrougI u mercIIess worId
wILIouL IIm.
Supper wus u somber uIIuIr, wILI LIe WesLcIIIIs und SL. VIncenLs IuvIng depurLed Ior
BrIsLoI, und eo IuvIng gone Lo LIe vIIIuge Luvern Ior umusemenL. L wus u mIserubIe
nIgIL. AmeIIu Iound IL Iurd Lo ImugIne LIere wouId be mucI reveIry In LIe coId und weL,
buL eo wus probubIy


desperuLe Ior more sympuLIeLIc compuny LIun couId be Iound uL SLony Cross Munor.
MerrIpen Iud remuIned In IIs room, sIeepIng mosL oI LIe duy, wIIcI wus so unIIke IIm
LIuL LIe HuLIuwuys were uII worrIed.
" suppose IL's good Ior IIm Lo resL," Poppy venLured, brusIIng IdIy uL u Iew crumbs on
LIe LubIecIoLI. A IooLmun cume IurrIedIy Lo remove LIe crumbs Ior Ier wILI u nupkIn und
sIIver ImpIemenL. "L wIII IeIp IIm Lo IeuI IusLer, won'L IL?"
"Hus unyone Iud u Iook uL MerrIpen's sIouIder?" AmeIIu usked, gIuncIng uL WIn. "L's
probubIy LIme Ior LIe dressIng Lo be cIunged."
"'II do IL," WIn suId uL once. "And 'II Luke up u supper Lruy."
"BeuLrIx wIII uccompuny you," AmeIIu udvIsed.
" cun munuge LIe Lruy," WIn proLesLed.
"L's noL LIuL... meunL IL's noL proper Ior you Lo be uIone wILI MerrIpen In IIs room."
WIn Iooked surprIsed, und mude u Iuce. " don'L need BeuLrIx Lo come. L's onIy MerrIpen,
uILer uII."
AILer WIn IeIL LIe dInIng IuII, Poppy Iooked uL AmeIIu. "Do you LIInk LIuL WIn reuIIy



doesn'L know Iow Ie-"
" Iuve no Ideu. And 've never dured Lo broucI LIe subjecL, becuuse don'L wunL Lo puL
Ideus InLo Ier Ieud."
" Iope sIe doesn'L know," BeuLrIx venLured. "L wouId be dreudIuIIy sud II sIe dId."
AmeIIu und Poppy boLI gIunced uL LIeIr younger sIsLer quIzzIcuIIy. "Do you know wIuL
we're LuIkIng ubouL, Beu?" AmeIIu usked.
"Yes, oI course. MerrIpen's In Iove wILI Ier. knew IL u Iong LIme ugo, Irom LIe wuy Ie
wusIed Ier wIndow."


"WusIed Ier wIndow?" boLI oIder sIsLers usked uL LIe sume LIme.
"Yes, wIen we IIved In LIe coLLuge uL PrImrose PIuce. WIn's room Iud u cusemenL
wIndow LIuL Iooked ouL onLo LIe bIg mupIe Lree-do you remember? AILer LIe scurIeL
Iever, wIen WIn couIdn'L geL ouL oI bed Ior LIe IongesL LIme und sIe wus Loo weuk Lo IoId
u book, sIe wouId jusL IIe LIere und wuLcI u bIrds' nesL on one oI LIe Lree IImbs. SIe suw
LIe buby swuIIows IuLcI und IeCrn Lo IIy. One duy sIe compIuIned LIuL LIe wIndow wus
so dIrLy, sIe couId bureIy see LIrougI IL, und IL mude LIe sky Iook gruyIsI. So Irom LIen
on MerrIpen uIwuys kepL LIe gIuss spoLIess. SomeLImes Ie cIImbed u Iudder Lo wusI LIe
ouLsIde, und you know Iow uIruId oI IeIgILs Ie Is. You never suw IIm do LIuL?"
"No," AmeIIu suId wILI dIIIIcuILy, Ier eyes sLIngIng. " dIdn'L know Ie dId LIuL."
"MerrIpen suId LIe sky sIouId uIwuys be bIue Ior Ier," BeuLrIx suId. "And LIuL wus wIen
knew Ie ... ure you
cryIng, Poppy?"
Poppy used u nupkIn Lo dub uL LIe comers oI Ier eyes. "No. jusL InI-IuIed some pepper."
"So dId I," AmeIIu suId, bIowIng Ier nose.
WIn currIed u IIgIL bumboo Lruy Iuden wILI broLI, breud, und Leu Lo MerrIpen's room. L
Iudn'L been eusy Lo persuude LIe kILcIen muIds LIuL sIe couId Luke LIe Lruy IerseII. TIey
Iud IeIL sLrongIy LIuL no guesL oI ord und udy WesLcIIII's sIouId curry unyLIIng.
However, WIn knew MerrIpen's dIsIIke oI sLrungers, und In IIs vuInerubIe sLuLe, Ie wouId
be conLrury und obsLInuLe.
InuIIy u compromIse Iud been reucIed: u IousemuId


wouId brIng LIe Lruy Lo LIe Lop oI LIe sLuIrs, und WIn couId Luke IL Irom LIere.
As sIe neured IIs room, WIn Ieurd LIe sounds oI someLIIng IILLIng u wuII wILI u LIud,
und u Iew LIreuLenIng growIs LIuL couId onIy Iuve come Irom MerrIpen. SIe Irowned, Ier
puce quIckenIng us sIe proceeded uIong LIe IuIIwuy. An IndIgnunL IousemuId wus
depurLIng Irom MerrIpen's room.



"WeII, never," LIe muId excIuImed, red und brIsLIIng. " wenL Lo sLIr LIe couIs und udd
wood Lo LIe IIre-und LIuL nusLy Gypsy sIouLed und LIrew IIs cup uL me!"
"OI, deur. 'm so sorry. You weren'L Injured, were you? 'm sure Ie dIdn'L InLend-"
"No, IIs uIm wus oII," LIe muId suId wILI durk suLIsIucLIon. "TIe LonIc's mude IIm IIgIer
LIun u CubIe SLreeL consLubIe." TIe reIerence wus Lo u mIIe-Iong roud In ondon known
Ior IurborIng u quunLILy oI opIum dens. " wouIdn'L go In LIere II were you, mIss. He'd
snup you In Lwo us soon us you goL wILIIn urm's IengLI oI IIm. TIe beusL."
WIn Irowned In concern. "Yes. TIunk you. 'II be cureIuI," TonIc ... LIe docLor musL Iuve
IeIL someLIIng exLremeIy poLenL Lo duII LIe ugony oI u burn wound. L wus probubIy Iuced
wILI opIuLe syrup und uIcoIoI. SInce MerrIpen never Look medIcIne und rureIy even drunk
u gIuss oI wIne, Ie wouId be IIgIIy suscepLIbIe Lo InLoxIcunLs.
EnLerIng LIe room, WIn used Ier buck Lo cIose LIe door, und wenL Lo seL LIe Lruy on LIe
bedsIde LubIe. SIe sLurLed u IILLIe uL LIe sound oI MerrIpen's voIce.
" LoId you Lo geL ouL!" Ie burked. "ToId you-" He broke oII us sIe Lurned Lo Iuce IIm.
WIn Iud never seen IIm IIke LIIs beIore, IIusIed und


dIsorIenLed, IIs durk eyes sIIgILIy unIocused. He Iuy on IIs sIde, IIs wIILe sIIrL IuIIIng
open Lo reveuI LIe edge oI u Ieuvy bunduge, und muscIes gIeumIng IIke poIIsIed bronze.
He wus Lense und rudIuLIng wIuL Ier moLIer Iud gIngerIy reIerred Lo us "unImuI spIrILs."
"Kev," sIe suId genLIy, usIng IIs IIrsL nume.
TIey'd mude u burguIn once, uILer sIe'd goLLen scurIeL Iever, wIen Ie'd wunLed Ier Lo Luke
some medIcIne. WIn Iud reIused unLII Ie oIIered Lo LeII Ier IIs nume. SIe'd promIsed
never Lo LeII unyone, und sIe Iudn'L. PerIups Ie Iud even LIougIL sIe Iud IorgoLLen.
"Ie sLIII," sIe urged genLIy, "TIere's no need Lo work yourseII InLo u Lemper. You
IrIgILened LIe poor IousemuId IuII Lo deuLI."
MerrIpen wuLcIed Ier sIuggIsIIy, IuvIng LroubIe keepIng IIs guze Iocused. "TIey're
poIsonIng me," Ie LoId Ier. "PourIng medIcIne down my LIrouL. My Ieud's muddIed.
Don'L wunL uny more."
WIn ussumed LIe roIe oI ImpIucubIe nurse, wIen uII sIe wunLed wus Lo buby und coddIe
IIm. "You'd be mucI worse oII wILIouL IL." SIe suL on LIe edge oI LIe muLLress und
reucIed Ior IIs wrIsL. HIs Ioreurm wus Iurd und Ieuvy us IL Iuy ucross Ier Iup. PressIng
Ier IIngers Lo IIs wrIsL, sIe kepL Ier Iuce expressIonIess. "How mucI oI LIuL LonIc Iuve
LIey gIven you?"
HIs Ieud IoIIed. "Too mucI."
WIn ugreed sIIenLIy, IeeIIng Iow weuk IIs puIse wus. ReIeusIng IIs wrIsL, sIe IeIL IIs
IoreIeud. He wus very wurm. Wus IL LIe begInnIngs oI u Iever? Her worry sIurpened.



"eL me see your buck." SIe LrIed Lo euse uwuy, buL Ie Iud reucIed up Lo press Ier cooI
Iund Iurder uguInsL IIs IoreIeud. He wouIdn'L IeL go.

"HoL," Ie suId, und cIosed IIs eyes.
WIn suL very sLIII, ubsorbIng LIe IeeI oI IIm, LIe Ieuvy muscuIIne body besIde Iers, LIe
smooLI burnIng skIn beneuLI Ier Iund.
"SLuy ouL oI my dreums," MerrIpen wIIspered In LIe IumId sLIIIness. "Cun'L sIeep wIen
you're Iere."
WIn IeL IerseII curess IIm, LIe LIIck bIuck IuIr, LIe Iundsome Iuce devoId oI ILs usuuI
suIIen sLernness. SIe couId smeII IIs skIn, IIs sweuL, LIe sweeL opIuLed breuLI, LIe
pungenL wIIII oI Ioney. MerrIpen wus uIwuys cIeun sIuven, buL now IIs brIsLIe wus
soILIy scruLcIy uguInsL Ier puIm. SIe wunLed Lo Luke IIm InLo Ier urms, uguInsL Ier cIesL,
IIke u IILLIe boy.
"Kev ... IeL me Iook uL your buck."
MerrIpen moved, swIIL und powerIuI even now, more uggressIve In IIs drugged sLuLe LIun
Ie normuIIy wouId ever Iuve permILLed IImseII Lo be. He Iud uIwuys IundIed WIn wILI u
sorL oI exuggeruLed genLIeness, us II sIe wouId bIow uwuy IIke dundeIIon IIoss. BuL uL LIIs
momenL IIs grIp wus Iurd und sure us Ie pusIed Ier Lo LIe muLLress.
BreuLIIng IeuvIIy, Ie gIured down uL Ier wILI gIussy beIIIgerence. " suId geL ouL oI my
dreums."
HIs Iuce wus IIke LIe musk oI some uncIenL god oI wur, beuuLIIuI und IursI, LIe mouLI
conLorLed, IIps purLed enougI Lo reveuI LIe edges oI unImuI-wIILe LeeLI.
WIn wus umuzed, excILed, LIe LInIesL bIL IrIgILened ... buL LIIs wus MerrIpen . .. und us sIe
sLured uL IIm, LIe edge oI Ieur meILed und sIe drew IIs Ieud down Lo Iers, und Ie kIssed
Ier.
SIe Iud uIwuys ImugIned LIere wouId be rougIness, urgency, ImpussIoned pressure. BuL
IIs IIps were soIL, gruzIng over Iers wILI LIe IeuL oI sunsIIne, LIe sweeLness oI

summer ruIn. SIe opened Lo IIm In wonder, LIe soIId weIgIL oI IIm In Ier urms, IIs body
pressIng InLo LIe crumpIed Iuyers oI Ier skIrLs. orgeLLIng everyLIIng In LIe pussIonuLe
LumuIL oI dIscovery, WIn reucIed uround IIs sIouIders, unLII Ie wInced und sIe IeIL LIe
buIk oI IIs bunduge uguInsL Ier puIm.
"Kev," sIe suId breuLIIessIy, "'m so- sorry, ... no, don'L move. ResL." SIe curIed Ier urms
IooseIy uround IIs Ieud, sIIverIng us Ie kIssed Ier LIrouL. He nuzzIed uguInsL LIe genLIe
rIse oI Ier breusL, pressed IIs cIeek uguInsL Ier
bodIce, und sIgIed.


AILer u Iong, moLIonIess mInuLe, wIIIe Ier cIesL rose und IeII beneuLI IIs Ieuvy Ieud,
WIn spoke IesILunLIy. "Kev?"
A sIIgIL snore wus Ier repIy.
TIe IIrsL LIme sIe Iud ever kIssed u mun, sIe LIougIL rueIuIIy, und sIe Iud puL IIm Lo
sIeep.
SLruggIIng ouL Irom beneuLI IIm, WIn Lurned buck LIe covers und grusped LIe Iem oI IIs
sIIrL. TIe IInen cIung Lo LIe powerIuI sIope oI IIs buck. PuIIIng LIe Iem uII LIe wuy up,
sIe Lucked IL InLo LIe coIIurIess neck oI LIe sIIrL. CureIuIIy sIe IIILed LIe edge oI LIe
bunduge, LIe coLLon guuze sLIcky und reekIng oI Ioney. SIe bIInked uL LIe sIgIL oI LIe
burn wound, wIIcI wus ungry und InIIumed. TIe docLor Iud suId u scub wouId Iorm, buL
LIe oozIng crusL oI LIe wound dIdn'L remoLeIy resembIe IeuIIng.
SeeIng u bIuck murk on LIe oLIer sIde oI IIs buck, WIn Irowned curIousIy und pusIed IIs
sIIrL u IILLIe IIgIer. WIuL sIe dIscovered cuused Ier breuLI Lo cuLcI, Ier eyes
LurnIng wIde.
or uII MerrIpen's robusL pIysIcuIILy, Ie Iud uIwuys been un excepLIonuIIy modesL mun.
TIe IumIIy Iud Leused


IIm, In IucL, Ior IIs reIusuI Lo buLIe In IronL oI unyone, or remove IIs sIIrL even durIng
sLrenuous exerLIons.
Wus LIIs wIy? WIuL sIgnIIIcunce dId LIIs sLrunge murk Iuve, und wIuL mIgIL IL reveuI
ubouL IIs pusL?
"Kev," sIe murmured In wonder, Ier IIngers LrucIng LIe puLLern on IIs sIouIder. "WIuL
secreLs ure you IIdIng?"


CHAPTER NNETEEN
TIe nexL mornIng AmeIIu uwukened Lo LIe unweIcome news, deIIvered by Poppy, LIuL
eo Iud noL sIepL In IIs bed LIe prevIous nIgIL und couIdn'L be Iound unywIere, und
MerrIpen Iud Luken u Lurn Ior LIe worse.
"BoLIer eo," AmeIIu grumbIed, cIImbIng ouL oI bed und reucIIng Ior Ier robe und
sIIppers. "He sLurLed drInkIng
yesLerduy uILernoon und doubLIess dIdn'L sLop. couIdn'L
cure Iess wIere Ie Is, or wIuL's Iuppened Lo IIm."
"WIuL II Ie wundered ouL oI LIe Iouse und ... oI,
don'L know . .. sLumbIed over u Lree bruncI or someLIIng?
SIouIdn'L we usk some oI LIe gurdeners und groundsmen
Lo Iook Ior IIm?"



"God. How morLIIyIng." AmeIIu puIIed LIe robe over Ier Ieud und buLLoned IL IusLIIy. "
suppose so. Yes, uILIougI muke IL cIeur LIey're noL Lo go on un uII-ouL seurcI. sIouId
IuLe Ior LIeIr work Lo be InLerrupLed jusL becuuse our broLIer Ius no seII-conLroI."
"He's grIevIng, AmeIIu," Poppy suId quIeLIy.
" know. BuL God IeIp me, 'm LIred oI IIs grIevIng. And IL mukes me IeeI IorrId Lo suy
so."


Poppy sLured uL Ier compussIonuLeIy, und reucIed ouL Lo Iug Ier. "You sIouIdn'L IeeI
IorrId. L uIwuys IuIIs Lo you Lo pIck up LIe pIeces oI IIs muck-ups, noL Lo menLIon
everyone eIse's. 'd be LIred, Loo, II were you."
AmeIIu reLurned LIe Iug, und sLepped buck wILI u sIgI. "We'II worry ubouL eo IuLer.
RIgIL now 'm more concerned ubouL MerrIpen. Huve you seen IIm LIIs mornIng?"
"No, buL WIn Ius. SIe suys Ie's deIInILeIy IeverIsI und LIe wound Isn'L IeuIIng. LIInk
sIe sLuyed up wILI IIm mosL oI LIe nIgIL."
"And now sIe'II probubIy IuInL Irom exIuusLIon," AmeIIu suId In exusperuLIon.
Poppy IesILuLed und Irowned. "AmeIIu... cun'L decIde wIeLIer LIIs Is LIe besL or worsL
LIme Lo LeII you ... buL LIere's u mInor Lo-do beIowsLuIrs. L seems some oI LIe sIIver
IIuLwure Ius gone mIssIng."
AmeIIu wenL Lo LIe wIndow und sLured beseecIIngIy up uL LIe cIoud-Ieuvy sky. "Deur
MercIIuI ord, pIeuse don'L IeL IL be BeuLrIx."
"Amen," Poppy suId. "BuL IL probubIy Is."
eeIIng overwIeImed, AmeIIu LIougIL In despuIr, 've IuIIed. TIe Iouse Is gone, eo Is
mIssIng or deud, MerrIpen Is Injured, WIn Is III, BeuLrIx Is goIng Lo prIson, und Poppy Is
doomed Lo spInsLerIood. BuL wIuL sIe suId wus, 'MerrIpen IIrsL," und sLrode brIskIy
Irom LIe room wILI Poppy uL Ier IeeIs.
WIn wus uL MerrIpen's bedsIde, so exIuusLed sIe couId pLLreIy sIL up sLruIgIL. Her Iuce
wus bIuncIed, Ier eyes bIoodsIoL, Ier enLIre body droopIng. SIe Iud so Iew re-| serves,
IL Look very IILLIe Lo depIeLe LIem. "He Ius Iever," ]]Ie suId, wrIngIng ouL u weL cIoLI und
drupIng IL over LIe
:k oI IIs neck.


"'II send Ior LIe docLor." AmeIIu cume Lo sLund besIde
Ier. "Go Lo bed."
WIn sIook Ier Ieud. "uLer. He needs me now." "TIe IusL LIIng Ie needs Is Ior you Lo
muke yourseII III over IIm," AmeIIu repIIed sIorLIy. SIe soILened Ier Lone us sIe suw LIe
unguIsI In Ier sIsLer's guze. "PIeuse go Lo bed, WIn. Poppy und wIII Luke cure oI IIm



wIIIe you sIeep."
SIowIy WIn Iowered Ier Iuce unLII LIeIr IoreIeuds were LoucIIng. "L's goIng uII wrong,
AmeIIu," sIe wIIspered. "HIs sLrengLI Ius gone Loo quIckIy. And LIe Iever sIouIdn'L
Iuve come LIIs IusL."
"We'II geL IIm LIrougI LIIs." Even Lo Ier own eurs, AmeIIu's words rung IuIse. SIe Iorced
u reussurIng smIIe Lo Ier IIps. "Go und resL, deur."
WIn obeyed reIucLunLIy, wIIIe AmeIIu benL over LIe puLIenL. MerrIpen's IeuILIy bronze
coIor Iud been IeucIed InLo usIen puIeness, LIe bIuck sIusIes oI IIs brows und LIe Iuns oI
IIs IusIes sLundIng ouL In sIurp conLrusL. He sIepL wILI IIs mouLI purLIuIIy open, sIuIIow
breuLIs rusIIng over LIe cIupped surIuce oI IIs IIps. L dIdn'L seem possIbIe LIuL MerrIpen,
uIwuys so rugged und sLurdy, couId Iuve sunk so IusL. ToucIIng LIe sIde oI IIs Iuce,
AmeIIu wus sIocked by LIe IeuL comIng Irom IIs skIn. "MerrIpen," sIe murmured.
"Wuke up, deur. Poppy und ure goIng Lo cIeun your wound. You musL IoId sLIII Ior us.
AII rIgIL?" He swuIIowed und nodded, IIs eyes cruckIng open. MurmurIng In sympuLIy,
LIe sIsLers worked In Lundem, IoIdIng buck LIe covers Lo IIs wuIsL, IIILIng LIe Iem oI IIs
sIIrL Lo IIs sIouIders, und IuyIng ouL cIeun rugs, poLs oI > suIve und Ioney, und IresI
bunduges.
AmeIIu wenL Lo rIng LIe servunLs' beII, wIIIe Poppy moved LIe oId dressIng. SIe wrInkIed
Ier nose uL


mIIdIy unpIeusunL scenL oI LIe exposed ruw IIesI. TIe sIsLers excIunged worrIed gIunces.
WorkIng us genLIy und quIckIy us possIbIe, AmeIIu cIeuned LIe exuduLe Irom LIe oozIng
wound, uppIIed IresI suIve, und covered IL. MerrIpen wus quIeL und rIgId, uILIougI IIs
buck IIIncIed beneuLI LIe LreuLmenL. He couIdn'L sLIIIe un occusIonuI IIss oI puIn. By LIe
LIme sIe Iud IInIsIed, Ie wus LrembIIng.
Poppy wIped IIs sweuLIng Iuce wILI u dry cIoLI. "Poor MerrIpen." SIe brougIL u cup oI
wuLer Lo IIs IIps. WIen Ie LrIed Lo reIuse, sIe sIId un urm beneuLI IIs Ieud und ruIsed IL
InsIsLenLIy. "Yes, you musL. sIouId Iuve known you'd be u LerrIbIe puLIenL. DrInk, deur,
or 'II be Iorced Lo
sIng someLIIng."
AmeIIu sLIIIed u grIn us MerrIpen compIIed. "Your sIngIng Isn'L LIuL LerrIbIe, Poppy.
uLIer uIwuys suId you
sung IIke u bIrd "
"He meunL u purroL," MerrIpen suId IourseIy, IeunIng
IIs Ieud on Poppy's urm.
"JusL Ior LIuL," Poppy InIormed IIm, "'m goIng Lo send BeuLrIx In Iere Lo Iook uILer you



Loduy. SIe'II probubIy puL one oI Ier peLs In bed wILI you, und spreud Ier jucks uII Over
LIe IIoor. And II you're very Iucky, sIe'II brIng In Ier gIue poLs, und you cun IeIp muke
puper-doII cIoLIes."
MerrIpen guve AmeIIu u gIunce rIIe wILI muLed suLIerIng,
und sIe IuugIed.
"I LIuL doesn'L InspIre you Lo geL weII quIckIy, deur,
noLIIng wIII."
BuL us LIe nexL Lwo duys pussed, MerrIpen worsened. TIe docLor seemed powerIess Lo do
unyLIIng excepL oIIer

more oI LIe sume LreuLmenL. TIe wound wus LurnIng sour, Ie udmILLed. One couId LeII by
LIe wuy IL wus bIeedIng wIILe und LIe skIn uround IL wus bIuckenIng, un InevILubIe
process LIuL wouId evenLuuIIy poIson MerrIpen's enLIre
body.
MerrIpen dropped weIgIL IusLer LIun one wouId Iuve LIougIL IumunIy possIbIe. L wus
oILen LIuL wuy wILI burn InjurIes, LIe docLor suId. TIe body consumed ILseII In ILs eIIorL
Lo IeuI LIe wounds. WIuL LroubIed AmeIIu more LIun MerrIpen's uppeurunce wus LIe
IncreusIng IIsLIessness LIuL even WIn couIdn'L seem Lo peneLruLe. "He cun'L sLund beIng
IeIpIess," WIn LoId AmeIIu, IoIdIng MerrIpen's Iund
us Ie sIepL.
"No one IIkes Lo be IeIpIess," AmeIIu repIIed.
"L's noL u quesLIon oI IIkIng or noL IIkIng. LIInk MerrIpen IILeruIIy cun'L LoIeruLe IL. And
so Ie wILIdruws." WIn genLIy sLroked LIe Iux brown IIngers, so powerIuI und cuIIused
Irom work.
WuLcIIng LIe Lender ubsorpLIon oI Ier sIsLer's expressIon, AmeIIu couIdn'L IeIp uskIng
soILIy, "Do you Iove
IIm, WIn?"
And Ier sIsLer, unreudubIe us u spIInx, Lurned mysLerIous bIue eyes Lo Ier. "WIy, oI
course. We uII Iove MerrIpen, don'L we?"
WIIcI wusn'L uL uII un unswer. BuL AmeIIu IeIL sIe
dIdn'L Iuve LIe rIgIL Lo pursue LIe muLLer.
A muLLer oI IncreusIng worry wus eo's conLInued ubsence. He Iud Luken u Iorse buL Iud
pucked no beIongIngs, WouId Ie Iuve gone on LIe Iong rIde Lo ondon on Iorsebuck?
KnowIng Ier broLIer's dIsIIke oI LruveI, AmeIIu-dIdn'L LIInk so. L wus IIkeIy eo Iud
remuIned In Hump-sIIre, uILIougI wIere Ie couId Iuve been sLuyIng wus u


mysLery. He wus noL uL LIe vIIIuge Luvern, nor wus Ie uL Rumsuy House, nor unywIere on
LIe WesLcIIII esLuLe.
To AmeIIu's reIIeI, CIrIsLopIer rosL cume Lo cuII one uILernoon, dressed In somber uLLIre.
Hundsome und scenLed oI expensIve coIogne wuLer, Ie brougIL u perIecLIy urrunged
bouqueL oI IIowers wrupped In sLyIIsI purcImenL Iuce.
AmeIIu meL IIm In LIe downsLuIrs purIor. n Ier dIsLress over MerrIpen's IIIness und eo's
dIsuppeurunce, uII LIe consLruInL sIe mIgIL Iuve IeIL Lowurd CIrIsLopIer wus gone. TIe
pusL IurLs Iud receded Lo LIe buck oI Ier mInd, und uL LIe momenL sIe needed u
sympuLIeLIc IrIend.
TukIng boLI Ier Iunds In IIs, CIrIsLopIer suL wILI Ier on u pIusI seLLee. "AmeIIu," Ie
murmured In concern. " cun see LIe sLuLe oI your spIrILs. Don'L suy MerrIpen's condILIon
Is worse?"
"A greuL deuI worse," sIe suId, gruLeIuI Ior LIe susLuInIng grIp oI IIs Iunds. "TIe docLor
seems Lo Iuve no oLIer remedy, nor does Ie LIInk uny oI LIe IocuI IoIk cures wouId Iuve
uny eIIecL oLIer LIun Lo cuuse MerrIpen IurLIer dIscomIorL. 'm so uIruId we'II Iose IIm."
HIs LIumbs rubbed genLIy over Ier knuckIes. "'m sorry. know wIuL Ie Ius meunL Lo
your IumIIy. SIuII send Ior u docLor Irom ondon?"
" don'L LIInk LIere's LIme." SIe IeIL Leurs rIsIng, und IeId LIem buck wILI un eIIorL.
"I LIere Is uny IeIp cun gIve, you Iuve onIy Lo usk."
"TIere Is someLIIng ..." SIe LoId IIm ubouL eo's ub-sence, und LIuL sIe IeIL cerLuIn Ie
wus somewIere In 'HumpsIIre. "Someone Ius Lo IInd IIm," sIe suId. " wouId
Iook Ior IIm myseII, buL 'm needed Iere. And Ie Lends Lo
go Lo pIuces wIere...


"WIere respecLubIe peopIe don'L go," CIrIsLopIer IInIsIed wryIy. "KnowIng your broLIer
us do, sweeL, IL's probubIy besL Lo IeL IIm sLuy wIerever Ie Is unLII Ie's sIepL IL oII und
LIe Iog Ius IIILed."
"BuL Ie couId be IurL, or In dunger. He ..." SIe perceIved Irom IIs expressIon LIuL LIe IusL
LIIng CIrIsLopIer wunLed Lo do wus seurcI Ior Ier scupegruce oI u broLIer. "I you wouId
usk some oI LIe LownspeopIe II LIey Iuve seen IIm, wouId be very gruLeIuI."
" wIII. promIse." He surprIsed Ier by reucIIng ouL Ior Ier, IIs urms cIosIng uround Ier.
SIe sLIIIened buL uIIowed IIm Lo druw Ier neur. "Poor sweeL," Ie murmured. "You Iuve
so muny burdens Lo curry."
TIere Iud been u LIme wIen AmeIIu Iud pussIonuLeIy Ionged Ior u momenL sucI us LIIs.
BeIng IeId by CIrIsLopIer, sooLIed by IIm. Once LIIs wouId Iuve been Ieuven.
BuL IL dIdn'L IeeI quILe LIe sume us beIore.



"CIrIsLopI-" sIe begun, movIng uwuy Irom IIm, buL IIs mouLI cuugIL Iers, und sIe
Iroze In usLonIsImenL us Ie kIssed Ier. TIIs, Loo, wus dIIIerenL... und yeL Ior u momenL,
sIe remembered wIuL IL Iud been IIke, Iow Iuppy sIe Iud once been wILI IIm. L seemed
so Iong ugo, LIuL LIme beIore LIe scurIeL Iever, wIen sIe Iud been InnocenL und IopeIuI
und LIe IuLure Iud seemed IuII oI promIse.
SIe Lurned Ier Iuce Irom IIs. "No, CIrIsLopIer."
"OI course." He pressed IIs IIps Lo Ier IuIr. "Now Isn'L LIe proper LIme Ior LIIs. 'm sorry."
"'m so concerned ubouL my broLIer, und MerrIpen, cun'L LIInk oI unyLIIng eIse-"
" know, sweeL." He Lurned Ier Iuce buck Lo IIs. "'m goIng Lo IeIp you und your IumIIy.
TIere's noLIIng wunL more LIun your suIeLy und IuppIness. And you need my


proLecLIon. WILI your IumIIy In LurmoII, you couId eusIIy be Luken udvunLuge oI."
SIe Irowned. "No one Is LukIng udvunLuge oI me."
"WIuL ubouL LIe Gypsy?"
"You're reIerrIng Lo Mr. RoIun?"
CIrIsLopIer nodded. " cIunced Lo meeL IIm on IIs wuy Lo ondon, und Ie spoke oI you
In u wuy LIuL... weII, suIIIce IL Lo suy, Ie's no genLIemun. wus oIIended Ior your suke"
"WIuL dId Ie suy?"
"He wenL so Iur us Lo cIuIm LIuL you und Ie were goIng Lo murry." A scornIuI IuugI
escuped IIm. "As II you wouId ever Iower yourseII Lo LIuL. A IuII-bred Gypsy wILI no
munners or educuLIon."
AmeIIu IeIL u rusI oI deIensIve unger. SIe Iooked InLo LIe Iuce oI LIe mun sIe Iud once
Ioved so desperuLeIy. He wus LIe embodImenL oI everyLIIng u young womun sIouId wunL
Lo murry. NoL uII LIuL Iong ugo, sIe mIgIL Iuve compured IIm Lo Cum RoIun und Iound
CIrIsLopIer superIor. BuL sIe wus no Ionger LIe womun sIe Iud been... und CIrIsLopIer
wusn'L LIe knIgIL In sIInIng urmor sIe Iud beIIeved IIm Lo be.
" wouIdn'L consIder IL IowerIng myseII," sIe suId. "Mr. RoIun Is u genLIemun, und IIgIIy
esLeemed by IIs IrIends."
"TIey uII IInd IIm enLerLuInIng enougI Ior socIuI occusIons, buL Ie wIII never be LIeIr
equuI. And never u genLIemun. TIuL's undersLood by everyone, my deur, even RoIun
IImseII."
"L's neILIer undersLood nor uccepLed by me," sIe suId. 'TIere Is more Lo beIng u
genLIemun LIun IIne munners."
CIrIsLopIer sLured InLenLIy InLo Ier IndIgnunL Iuce.


"Very weII, we won'L dIscuss IIm, II IL mukes you IeuLed. BuL never IorgeL LIuL GypsIes



ure renowned Ior LIeIr cIurm und deceIL. TIeIr ruIIng prIncIpIe Is Lo seek LIeIr own
enjoymenL wILIouL regurd Ior responsIbIIILIes or consequences. Your IuILI In IIm Is
mIspIuced, AmeIIu. onIy Iope you Iuven'L enLrusLed uny oI your IumIIy's busIness or
IeguI uIIuIrs Lo IIm."
" upprecIuLe your concern," sIe repIIed, wIsIIng Ie wouId Ieuve und Lry Lo IInd Ier
mIssIng broLIer. "BuL my IumIIy's uIIuIrs wIII remuIn In LIe Iunds oI ord Rumsuy und
myseII."
"TIen RoIun won'L be reLurnIng Irom ondon? Your connecLIon wILI IIm Is severed?"
"He wIII reLurn," sIe udmILLed reIucLunLIy, "Lo brIng some proIessIonuI men wIo wIII
udvIse wIuL cun be done wILI Rumsuy House."
"AI." TIere wus jusL enougI condescensIon In IIs Lone Lo seL Ier LeeLI on edge.
CIrIsLopIer sIook IIs Ieud und wus sIIenL Ior u Iong momenL. "And Is IL onIy IIs counseI
you wIII uccepL on LIe muLLer?" Ie IInuIIy usked. "Or muy be uIIowed Lo muke
recommenduLIons on u subjecL oI wIIcI Iuve u IuIr umounL oI experLIse und Ie Ius
none?"
" wouId weIcome your recommenduLIons, oI course."
"TIen muy vIsIL Rumsuy House Lo muke some proIessIonuI ussessmenLs oI my own?"
"I you IIke. TIuL Is very kInd oI you. AILIougI..." SIe puused uncerLuInIy. " wouIdn'L
wIsI Ior you Lo spend Loo mucI oI your LIme LIere."
"Any LIme In your servIce Is weII spenL," He Ieuned Iorwurd und brusIed IIs IIps uguInsL
Iers beIore sIe Iud LIe cIunce Lo puII buck.


"CIrIsLopIer, 'm Iur more concerned ubouL my broLIer LIun LIe Iouse-"
"OI course," Ie suId reussurIngIy. "'II usk uILer IIm, und II LIere Is uny news, wIII reIuy
IL Lo you uL once."
"TIunk you."
BuL someIow sIe knew us CIrIsLopIer IeIL LIuL IIs seurcI Ior eo wouId be IuIIIeurLed
uL besL. DespuIr crepL LIrougI Ier In u coId, Ieuvy wuve.
TIe nexL mornIng AmeIIu uwukened Irom u nIgILmure wILI Ier urms und Iegs LIrusIIng,
Ier IeurL poundIng. SIe Iud dreumed oI IIndIng eo IIouLIng Iucedown In u pond, und us
sIe Iud swum Lo IIm und LrIed Lo puII IIm Lo LIe edge, IIs body Iud begun Lo sInk. SIe
couIdn'L keep IIm uIIouL, und us Ie reLreuLed IurLIer InLo LIe bIuck wuLer, sIe wus puIIed
down wILI IIm ... cIokIng on wuLer, unubIe Lo see or breuLIe .. .
TrembIIng, sIe cIImbed ouL oI bed und IunLed Ior Ier sIIppers und robe. L wus eurIy yeL,
LIe Iouse sLIII durk und quIeL. SIe Ieuded Ior LIe door, und puused wILI Ier Iund on LIe
doorknob. eur pumped LIrougI Ier veIns. SIe dIdn'L wunL Lo Ieuve LIe room. SIe wus



uIruId oI IIndIng ouL LIuL MerrIpen Iud dIed durIng LIe nIgIL... uIruId, Loo, LIuL Ier broLIer
Iud meL wILI Lrugedy ... und mosL oI uII uIruId LIuL sIe wouIdn'L be ubIe Lo uccepL LIe
worsL, II LIe worsL sIouId come. SIe dIdn'L IeeI us II sIe Iud LIe sLrengLI.
L wus onIy LIe LIougIL oI Ier sIsLers LIuL cuused Ier Lo grIp LIe knob und Lurn IL. or LIeIr
sukes, sIe couId ucL wILI purpose und conIIdence. SIe wouId do wIuLever needed Lo be
done.
HurryIng uIong LIe IuIIwuy, sIe pusIed uL LIe IuII-open door oI MerrIpen's room und
wenL Lo LIe bedsIde.


TIe muLed IIgIL oI duwn bureIy Ieuvened LIe durkness, buL IL wus enougI Ior AmeIIu Lo
see Lwo peopIe In LIe bed. MerrIpen wus on IIs sIde, LIe IormerIy sLrong IInes oI IIs body
coIIupsed und spruwIIng. And LIere wus LIe sIIm, neuL sIupe oI WIn sIeepIng besIde IIm,
IuIIy cIoLIed, Ier IeeL Lucked beneuLI LIe skIrLs oI Ier Iouse dress. TIougI IL wus
ImpossIbIe Ior sucI u deIIcuLe creuLure Lo proLecL someone so mucI Iurger, WIn's body
wus curved us II Lo sIeILer IIm. AmeIIu sLured uL LIem In wonder, undersLundIng more
Irom LIe LubIeuu LIun uny words couId Iuve conveyed. TIeIr posILIon conveyed IongIng
und resLruInL, even In
sIeep.
SIe reuIIzed Ier sIsLer's eyes were open-LIere wus LIe sIIne oI Ier eyes. WIn mude no
sound or movemenL, Ier expressIon gruve us II sIe were ubsorbed In coIIecLIng eucI
second wILI IIm.
OverwIeImed wILI compussIon und sIured sorrow, AmeIIu Lore Ier guze Irom Ier sIsLer's.
ReLreuLIng Irom LIe bedsIde, sIe IeIL LIe room.
SIe neurIy bumped InLo Poppy, wIo wus uIso wuIkIng LIrougI LIe IuIIwuy, Ier robe u
gIosLIy wIILe.
"How Is Ie?" Poppy usked.
Her LIrouL IurL. L wus dIIIIcuIL Lo speuk. "NoL weII. SIeepIng. eL's go Lo LIe kILcIen und
puL u keLLIe on." TIey wenL Lowurd LIe sLuIrs.
"AmeIIu, 1 dreumed uII nIgIL ubouL eo. TerrIbIe dreums."
"So dId ."
"Do you LIInk Ie's ... done IImseII Iurm?" " Iope noL, wILI uII my IeurL. BuL LIInk IL's
possIbIe." "Yes," Poppy wIIspered. " LIInk so, Loo." SIe Ieuved u sIgI. "Poor BeuLrIx."
"WIy do you suy LIuL?"


"SIe's sLIII so young, Lo Iuve IosL so muny peopIe ... uLIer und MoLIer, und now perIups
MerrIpen und eo."



"We Iuven'L IosL MerrIpen und eo yeL."
"AL LIIs poInL, IL wouId be u mIrucIe II we couId keep eILIer oI LIem."
"You're uIwuys so cIeerIuI In LIe mornIng." AmeIIu cuugIL Ier Iund und squeezed IL.
TryIng Lo Ignore LIe weIgIL oI IopeIessness In Ier own cIesL, sIe suId IIrmIy, "Don'L gIve
up yeL, Poppy. We'II IoId ouL Iope Ior us Iong us we cun."
TIey reucIed LIe boLLom oI LIe sLuIrs. "AmeIIu." Poppy sounded vugueIy unnoyed. "Don'L
you ever IeeI IIke LIrowIng yourseII Lo LIe IIoor und cryIng?"
Yes, AmeIIu LIougIL. RIgIL now, us u muLLer oI IucL. BuL sIe couIdn'L uIIord LIe Iuxury oI
Leurs. "No, oI course noL. CryIng never soIves unyLIIng."
"Don'L you ever wunL Lo Ieun on someone's sIouIder?"
" don'L need someone eIse's sIouIder. 've goL Lwo perIecLIy good ones."
"TIuL's sIIIy. You cun'L Ieun on your own sIouIder."
"Poppy, II you meun Lo sLurL LIe duy by bIckerIng-" AmeIIu broke oII us sIe becume
uwure oI some noIse Irom ouLsIde, LIe LIunder und jungIe und gruveI-cruncIIng oI u
currIuge und Leum oI Iorses. "Good Ieuvens, wIo wouId come uL LIIs Iour?"
"TIe docLor," Poppy guessed.
"No, Iuven'L senL Ior IIm yeL."
"PerIups- ord WesLcIIII Ius reLurned."
"BuL LIere wouId be no reuson Ior LIuL, especIuIIy Ior IIm Lo Iuve come so eurIy-"
A IooLmun knocked uL LIe door, LIe sound ecIoIng LIrougI LIe enLrunce IuII.


TIe sIILers Iooked uL eucI oLIer uneusIIy. "We cun'L unswer IL," AmeIIu suId. "We're In our
nIgILcIoLIes."
A muId cume InLo LIe enLrunce IuII. SeLLIng down u puII oI couI, sIe wIped Ier Iunds on
Ier upron und IusLened Lo LIe door. UnIockIng LIe mussIve porLuI, sIe Lugged IL open und
bobbed u curLsy.
"Come uwuy." AmeIIu muLLered, urgIng Poppy buck Lo LIe sLuIrs wILI Ier. BuL us sIe
gIunced buck over Ier sIouIder Lo see wIo Iud come, LIe sIgIL oI u mun's LuII, durk Iorm
sLruck spurks InsIde Ier. SIe sLopped wILI Ier IooL on LIe IIrsL sLep, sLurIng und sLurIng,
unLII u puIr oI umber eyes Iooked In Ier dIrecLIon.
Cum.
He Iooked dIsIeveIed und dIsrepuLubIe, IIke un ouLIuw on LIe run. A smIIe cume Lo IIs
IIps, wIIIe Ie sLured uL Ier InLenLIy. "L seems cun'L sLuy uwuy Irom you," Ie suId.
SIe rusIed Lo IIm wILIouL LIInkIng, uImosL sLumbIIng In Ier IusLe. "Cum-"
He cuugIL Ier up wILI u Iow IuugI. TIe scenL oI ouLdoors cIung Lo IIm; weL eurLI,
dumpness, Ieuves. TIe mIsL on IIs couL sunk LIrougI LIe LIIn Iuyer oI Ier robe. eeIIng



Ier Lremor, Cum opened IIs couL wILI u wordIess murmur und puIIed Ier InLo LIe LougI,
wurm Iuven oI IIs body. AmeIIu couIdn'L conLuIn Ier sIIverIng. SIe wus vugueIy-uwure
oI servunLs movIng LIrougI LIe enLrunce IuII, oI Ier sIsLer's presence neurby. SIe wus
mukIng u scene-sIe sIouId puII uwuy und Lry Lo compose IerseII. BuL sIe couIdn'L. NoL
yeL.
"You musL Iuve LruveIed uII nIgIL," sIe Ieurd IerseII suy.
" Iud Lo come buck eurIy." SIe IeIL IIs IIps brusI Ier LumbIed IuIr. '" IeIL some LIIngs
unIInIsIed. BuL Iud u


IeeIIng you mIgIL need me. TeII me wIuL's Iuppened, sweeLIeurL."
AmeIIu opened Ier mouLI Lo unswer, buL Lo Ier morLIIIcuLIon, LIe onIy sound sIe couId
muke wus u sorL oI mIserubIe crouk. Her seII-conLroI sIuLLered. SIe sIook Ier Ieud und
cIoked on more sobs, und LIe more sIe LrIed Lo sLop LIem, LIe worse LIey becume.
Cum grIpped Ier IIrmIy, deepIy, InLo IIs embruce. TIe uppuIIIng sLorm oI Leurs dIdn'L
seem Lo boLIer IIm uL uII He Look one oI AmeIIu's Iunds und IIuLLened IL uguInsL IIs IeurL,
unLII sIe couId IeeI LIe sLrong, sLeudy beuL. n u worId LIuL wus dIsInLegruLIng uround Ier,
Ie wus soIId und reuI. "L's uII rIgIL," sIe Ieurd IIm murmur. "'m Iere."
AIurmed by Ier own Iuck oI seII-dIscIpIIne, AmeIIu mude u wobbIy uLLempL Lo sLund on
Ier own, buL Ie onIy Iugged Ier more cIoseIy. "No, don'L puII uwuy. 've goL you." He
cuddIed Ier sIukIng Iorm uguInsL IIs cIesL. NoLIcIng Poppy's uwkwurd reLreuL, Cum senL
Ier u reussurIng smIIe. "Don'L worry, IILLIe sIsLer."
"AmeIIu IurdIy ever crIes," Poppy suId.
"SIe's IIne." Cum run IIs Iund uIong AmeIIu's spIne In sooLIIng sLrokes. "SIe jusL
needs ..."
As Ie puused, Poppy suId, "A sIouIder Lo Ieun on."
"Yes." He drew AmeIIu Lo LIe sLuIrs, und gesLured Ior Poppy Lo sIL besIde LIem.
CrudIIng AmeIIu on IIs Iup, Cum Iound u IundkercIIeI In IIs pockeL und wIped Ier eyes
und nose. WIen IL becume uppurenL LIuL no sense couId be mude Irom Ier jumbIed words,
Ie IusIed Ier genLIy und IeId Ier uguInsL IIs Iurge, wurm body wIIIe sIe sobbed und IId
Ier Iuce. OverwIeImed wILI reIIeI, sIe IeL IIm rock Ier us II sIe were u cIIId.


As AmeIIu IIccupped und quIeLed In IIs urms, Cum usked u Iew quesLIons oI Poppy, wIo
LoLd IIm ubouL Mer-rIpen's condILIon und eo's dIsuppeurunce, und even ubouL LIe
mIssIng sIIverwure.
InuIIy geLLIng conLroI oI IerseII, AmeIIu cIeured Ier ucIIng LIrouL. SIe IIILed Ier Ieud
Irom Cum's sIouIder



und bIInked.
"BeLLer?" Ie usked, IoIdIng LIe IundkercIIeI up Lo Ier
nose.
AmeIIu nodded und bIew obedIenLIy. "'m sorry," sIe suId In u muIIIed voIce. " sIouIdn'L
Iuve Lurned InLo u wuLerIng poL. 'm IInIsIed now."
Cum seemed Lo Iook rIgIL InsIde Ier. HIs voIce wus very soIL. "You don'L Iuve Lo be sorry.
You don'L Iuve Lo
be IInIsIed, eILIer."
SIe reuIIzed LIuL no muLLer wIuL sIe dId or suId, no muLLer Iow Iong sIe wunLed Lo cry, Ie
wouId uccepL IL. And Ie wouId comIorL Ier. TIuL mude Ier eyes wuLer uguIn. Her Iund
crepL Lo LIe open neck oI IIs sIIrL, purLIuIIy open Lo reveuI u gIImpse oI sun-burnIsIed
skIn. SIe IeL Ier IIngers curI uround LIe IInen pIuckeL. "Do you LIInk eo mIgIL be deud?"
sIe wIIspered.
He oIIered no IuIse Iope, no empLy promIses, onIy curessed Ier dump cIeek wILI LIe
bucks oI IIs IIngers. "WIuLever Iuppens, we'II deuI wILI IL LogeLIer." "Cum . . . wouId you
do someLIIng Ior me?"
"AnyLIIng"
"CouId you IInd some oI LIuL pIunL MerrIpen guve Lo
WIn und eo Ior LIe scurIeL Iever?"
He drew buck und Iooked uL Ier. "DeudIy nIgILsIude? TIuL wouIdn'L work Ior LIIs,
sweeLIeurL."
"BuL IL's u Iever."


"Cuused by u sepLIc wound. You Iuve Lo LreuL LIe source oI LIe Iever." HIs Iund wenL Lo
LIe buck oI Ier neck, sooLIIng LIe LuuLIy sLrung muscIes. He sLured uL u dIsLunL poInL on
LIe IIoor, uppeurIng Lo LIInk someLIIng over. HIs LungIed IusIes mude sIudows over IIs
IuzeI eyes. "eL's go Iuve u Iook uL IIm."
"Do you LIInk you couId IeIp IIm?" Poppy usked, sprIngIng Lo Ier IeeL.
"EILIer LIuL, or my eIIorLs wIII IInIsI IIm oII quIckIy. WIIcI, uL LIIs poInL, Ie muy noL
mInd." IILIng AmeIIu Irom IIs Iup, Cum seL Ier cureIuIIy on Ier IeeL, und LIey proceeded
up LIe sLuIrs. HIs Iund remuIned uL LIe smuII oI Ier buck, u IIgIL buL sLeudy supporL sIe
desperuLeIy needed.
As LIey upproucIed MerrIpen's room, IL occurred Lo AmeIIu LIuL WIn mIgIL sLIII be InsIde.
"WuIL," sIe suId, IusLenIng Iorwurd. "eL me go IIrsL."
Cum sLuyed besIde LIe door.
EnLerIng LIe room wILI cuuLIon, AmeIIu suw LIuL MerrIpen wus uIone In LIe bed. SIe



opened LIe door wIder und gesLured Ior Cum und Poppy Lo enLer.
BecomIng uwure oI InLruders In LIe room, MerrIpen IurcIed Lo IIs sIde und squInLed uL
LIem. As soon us Ie cuugIL sIgIL oI Cum, IIs Iuce conLrucLed In u surIy grImuce.
"Bugger oII," Ie crouked.
Cum smIIed pIeusunLIy. "Were you LIIs cIurmIng wILI LIe docLor? 'II beL Ie wus IuIIIng
uII over IImseII Lo IeIp you."
"GeL uwuy Irom me."
"TIIs muy surprIse you," Cum suId, "buL LIere's u Iong IIsL oI LIIngs 'd preIer Lo Iook uL
ruLIer LIun your roLLIng curcuss. or your IumIIy's suke, Iowever, 'm wIIIIng. Turn over."


zqz ,..._
MerrIpen eused IIs IronL Lo LIe muLLress und suId someLIIng In Romuny LIuL sounded
exLremeIy IouI.
"You, Loo," Cum suId equubIy. He IIILed LIe sIIrL Irom MerrIpen's buck und prIed LIe
bunduge Irom LIe Injured sIouIder. He vIewed LIe IIdeous seepIng wound wILIouL
expressIon. "How oILen Iuve you been cIeunIng IL?" Ie
usked AmeIIu. '"TwIce u duy."
"We'II Lry Iour LImes u duy. AIong wILI u pouILIce." euvIng LIe bedsIde, Cum moLIoned
Ior AmeIIu Lo uccompuny IIm Lo LIe doorwuy. He Iowered IIs mouLI Lo Ier eur. " Iuve Lo
go ouL Lo IeLcI u Iew LIIngs. WIIIe 'm gone, gIve IIm someLIIng Lo muke IIm sIeep. He
won'L be ubIe
Lo LoIeruLe LIIs oLIerwIse."
"ToIeruLe wIuL? WIuL ure you goIng Lo puL In LIe pouILIce?"
"A mIxLure oI LIIngs. ncIudIng upIs meIIIIIcu"
"WIuL Is LIuL?"
"Bee venom. ExLrucL Irom crusIed bees, Lo be precIse. We'II souk LIem In u wuLer-unduIcoIoI
buse."
BewIIdered, AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieud. "BuL wIere ure you goIng Lo geL-" SIe broke oII
und sLured uL IIm wILI puLenL Iorror. "You're goIng Lo LIe IIve uL Rumsuy Iouse? H-Iow
wIII you coIIecL LIe bees?"
HIs mouLI LwILcIed wILI umusemenL. "Very cureIuIIy." "Do you ... do you wunL me Lo
IeIp?" sIe oIIered wILI
dIIIIcuILy.
KnowIng Ier Lerror oI LIe InsecLs, Cum sIId IIs Iunds uround Ier Ieud und pressed u Iurd
kIss Lo Ier IIps. "NoL wILI LIe bees, sweeLIeurL. SLuy Iere und dose MerrIpen wILI
morpIIne syrup. A IoL oI IL."



"He won'L. He IuLes morpIIne. He'II wunL Lo be sLoIc."


'TrusL me, none oI us wIII wunL IIm Lo be uwuke wIIIe 'm uppIyIng LIe pouILIce.
EspecIuIIy MerrIpen. TIe Rom cuII LIe LreuLmenL 'wIILe IIgILnIng' Ior good reuson. L's noL
someLIIng unyone cun be sLoIc ubouL. So do wIuLever's necessury Lo puL IIm ouL,
monIsIu. 'II be buck soon."
"Do you LIInk LIe wIILe IIgILnIng wIII work?" sIe usked.
" don'L know." Cum cusL un unIuLIomubIe gIunce buck uL LIe suIIerIng IIgure on LIe bed.
"BuL don'L LIInk Ie'II IusL Iong wILIouL IL."
WIIIe Cum wus gone, AmeIIu conIerred wILI Ier sIsLers In prIvuLe. L wus decIded LIuL
WIn wouId be LIe one mosL IIkeIy Lo succeed In mukIng MerrIpen Luke LIe morpIIne. And
IL wus WIn IerseII wIo sLuLed IIuLIy LIey wouId Iuve Lo deceIve IIm, us Ie wouId reIuse
Lo Luke IL voIunLurIIy no muLLer Iow LIey beseecIed IIm.
"'II IIe Lo IIm, II necessury," WIn suId, sIockIng LIe oLIer LIree InLo speecIIessness. "He
LrusLs me. He'II beIIeve wIuLever suy."
To LIeIr knowIedge, WIn Iud never LoId u IIe In Ier IIIe, noL even us u cIIId.
"Do you reuIIy LIInk you couId?" BeuLrIx usked, ruLIer uwed by LIe noLIon.
'To suve IIs IIIe, yes." DeIIcuLe LensIon uppeured beLween WIn's IIne brows, und spIoLcIes
oI puIe pInk uppeured IIgI on Ier cIeeks. " LIInk... LIInk u sIn commILLed Ior sucI u
purpose muy be IorgIven." " ugree," AmeIIu suId swIILIy.
"He IIkes mInL Leu," WIn suId. "eL's muke u sLrong buLcI und udd u greuL deuI oI sugur. L
wIII IeIp IIde LIe LusLe oI LIe medIcIne."


No poL oI Leu Iud ever been prepured wILI sucI scrupuIous cure, LIe HuLIuwuy sIsLers
IoverIng over LIe brew IIke u coven oI young wILcIes. InuIIy u porceIuIn LeupoL wus
IIIIed wILI LIe sLruIned und sugured concocLIon, und pIuced on u Lruy besIde u cup und
suucer.
WIn currIed IL Lo MerrIpen's room, puusIng uL LIe LIresIoId us AmeIIu IeId LIe door open.
"SIuII go In wILI you?" AmeIIu wIIspered. WIn sIook Ier Ieud. "No, 'II munuge.
PIeuse cIose LIe door. Muke cerLuIn no one dIsLurbs us." Her sIender buck wus very
sLruIgIL us sIe enLered LIe room.
MerrIpen's eyes opened uL LIe sound oI WIn's IooLsLeps. TIe puIn oI LIe IesLerIng wound
wus consLunL, InescupubIe. He couId IeeI LIe LoxIns IeukIng InLo IIs bIood, IeedIng poIson
InLo every cupIIIury. L produced, uL LImes, u perpIexIng durk eupIorIu, IIouLIng IIm uwuy
Irom IIs wusLIng body unLII Ie wus uL LIe perIpIery oI LIe room. UnLII WIn cume, und
LIen Ie gIudIy sunk buck InLo LIe puIn jusL Lo IeeI Ier Iunds on IIm, Ier breuLI on IIs



Iuce.
WIn sIImmered IIke u mIruge In IronL oI IIm. Her skIn Iooked cooI und IumInous, wIIIe
IIs body ruged wILI mIusmu und IeuL.
"'ve brougIL someLIIng Ior you." "Don'L... don'L wunL-"
"Yes," sIe InsIsLed, joInIng IIm on LIe bed. "L wIII IeIp you Lo geL beLLer . . . Iere, move
up u bIL, und 'II puL my urm uround you." TIere wus u deIIcIous sIIde oI IemuIe IImbs
uguInsL IIm, beneuLn IIm, und MerrIpen grILLed IIs LeeLI uguInsL u duII bursL oI ugony us
Ie moved Lo

uccommoduLe Ier. Durkness und IIgIL pIuyed beneuLI IIs cIosed eyeIIds, und Ie IougIL
Ior conscIousness.
WIen MerrIpen couId open IIs eyes uguIn, Ie Iound IIs Ieud resLIng uguInsL LIe genLIe
pIIIow oI WIn's breusLs, one oI Ier urms crudIIng IIm wIIIe Ier Iree Iund pressed u cup Lo
IIs IIps.
A deIIcuLe porceIuIn rIm cIIcked uguInsL IIs LeeLI. He recoIIed us un ucrId LusLe burned IIs
crucked IIps. "No-"
"Yes. DrInk." TIe cup udvunced uguIn. Her wIIsper IeII LenderIy uguInsL IIs eur. "or
me."
He wus Loo sIck-Ie dIdn'L LIInk Ie couId keep IL down-buL Lo pIeuse Ier, Ie drunk u
IILLIe. TIe crIsp-sour LusLe mude IIm recoII. "WIuL Is IL?"
"MInL Leu." WIn's ungeI-bIue eyes sLured InLo IIs wILIouL bIInkIng, Ier beuuLIIuI Iuce
neuLruI. "You musL drInk uII oI LIIs, und LIen perIups unoLIer cup. L wIII muke you
beLLer."
He knew uL once WIn wus IyIng. NoLIIng couId muke IIm beLLer. And LIe bILLer Lung oI
morpIIne In LIe Leu wus ImpossIbIe Lo conceuI. BuL MerrIpen sensed un InLenL In Ier, u
sLrunge deIIberuLeness, und LIe Ideu cume Lo IIm LIuL sIe wus gIvIng IIm un overdose on
purpose. HIs exIuusLed mInd weIgIed LIe possIbIIILy. L musL be LIuL WIn wunLed Lo spure
IIm more suIIerIng, knowIng LIe Iours und duys Lo come were beyond IIs endurunce.
KIIIIng IIm wILI morpIIne wus LIe IusL ucL oI kIndness sIe couId oIIer IIm.
DyIng In Ier urms . .. crudIed uguInsL Ier us Ie reIInquIsIed IIs scurred souI Lo LIe
durkness .. . WIn wouId be LIe IusL LIIng Ie wouId ever IeeI, see, Ieur. Hud LIere been uny
Leurs In IIm, Ie wouId Iuve wepL In gruLILude.

He drunk sIowIy, IorcIng down every swuIIow. He drunk purL oI LIe nexL cup unLII IIs
LIrouL wouId no Ionger work, und Ie Lurned IIs Iuce uguInsL Ier cIesL und sIuddered. HIs


Ieud wus spInnIng, und spurks were drIILIng uII uround
IIm IIke IuIIIng sLurs.
WIn seL LIe cup usIde und sLroked IIs IuIr, und pressed
Ier weL cIeek Io IIs IoreIeud.
And LIey boLI wuILed.
"SIng Lo me," MerrIpen wIIspered us LIe bIIndIng durkness roIIed over IIm. WIn
conLInued Lo sLroke IIs Ieud us sIe crooned u IuIIuby. HIs IIngers LoucIed Ier LIrouL,
seekIng LIe precIous vIbruLIon oI Ier voIce, und LIe spurks Iuded us Ie IosL IImseII In Ier,
IIs IuLe, uL IusL.
AmeIIu Iowered IerseII Lo LIe IIoor und suL besIde LIe door, Ier IIngers Iuced In u Ioose
buskeL. SIe Ieurd WIn's Lender murmurs ... u Iew ruspIng words Irom MerrIpen ... u Iong
sIIence. And LIen WIn's voIce, sIngIng genLIy, IummIng, LIe Lones so Lrue und IoveIy LIuL
AmeIIu IeIL u IrugIIe peuce sLeuI over Ier. EvenLuuIIy LIe ungeIIc sound Iuded, und LIere
wus more quIeL.
AILer un Iour Iud pussed, AmeIIu, wIose nerves Iud been sLreLcIed Lo LIe IImIL, sLood
und sLreLcIed Ier crumped IImbs. SIe opened LIe door wILI exLreme cure. WIn wus eusIng
Irom LIe bed, LuggIng LIe bedcIoLIes
over MerrIpen's prone Iorm.
"DId Ie Luke IL'?" AmeIIu wIIspered, upproucIIng Ier. WIn Iooked weury und sLruIned.
"MosL oI IL." "DId you Iuve Lo IIe Lo IIm?"
A LenLuLIve nod. "L wus LIe eusIesL LIIng 've ever done. You see? . . . 'm noL sucI u suInL
uILer uII."


"Yes you ure," AmeIIu reLurned, und Iugged Ier IIerceIy. "You ure."
Even ord WesLcIIII 's weII-LruIned servunLs were IncIIned Lo compIuIn wIen Cum
reLurned wILI Lwo jurs oI IIve bees und brougIL LIem Lo LIe kILcIen. TIe scuIIery muIds
run sIrIekIng Lo LIe servunLs' IuII, LIe Iousekeeper reLreuLed Lo Ier room Lo compose un
IndIgnunL IeLLer Lo LIe eurI und counLess, und LIe buLIer LoId LIe Ieud groomsmun LIuL II
LIIs wus LIe kInd oI IouseguesL ord WesLcIIII expecLed IIm Lo uLLend, Ie wus LIInkIng
serIousIy oI reLIrIng.
As LIe onIy person In LIe IouseIoId wIo dured go InLo LIe kILcIen, BeuLrIx sLuyed wILI
Cum, IeIped In LIe boIIIng, sLruInIng, und mIxIng, und IuLer reporLed Lo Ier revoILed
sIsLers LIuL IL Iud been greuL Iun crusIIng bees.
EvenLuuIIy Cum brougIL wIuL uppeured Lo be u wurIock's brew up Lo MerrIpen's room.
AmeIIu wuILed Ior IIm LIere, IuvIng IuId ouL cIeun knIves, scIssors, Lweezers, IresI wuLer,
und u pIIe oI cIeun wIILe bunduges.



Poppy und BeuLrIx were communded Lo Ieuve LIe room, mucI Lo LIeIr dIsgrunLIemenL,
wIIIe WIn cIosed LIe door IIrmIy beIInd LIem. SIe Look un upron Irom AmeIIu, LIed IL
uround Ier nurrow wuIsL, und wenL Lo LIe bedsIde. PIucIng Ier rIngers uL LIe sIde oI
MerrIpen's LIrouL, WIn suId LenseIy, "HIs puIse Is weuk und sIow. L's LIe morpIIne."
"Bee venom sLImuIuLes LIe IeurL," Cum repIIed, roIIIng up IIs sIIrLsIeeves. "BeIIeve me,
IL wIII be rucIng In u mInuLe or Lwo."
"SIuII remove IIs bunduge?" AmeIIu usked.
Cum nodded. "TIe sIIrL, Loo." He wenL Lo LIe wusI-sLund und souped IIs Iunds.


WIn und AmeIIu removed LIe IInen sIIrL Irom Mer-rIpen's prosLruLe Iorm. HIs buck wus
sLIII IeuvIIy muscIed, buL Ie Iud IosL u greuL deuI oI weIgIL. TIe sIdes oI IIs rIbs juLLed In
Iedges beneuLI LIe swurLIy skIn.
As WIn wenL Lo dIscurd LIe crumpIed sIIrL, AmeIIu unLucked LIe end oI LIe bunduge und
begun Lo pry IL Ioose. SIe puused us sIe noLIced u curIous murk on IIs oLIer sIouIder.
eunIng over IIm, sIe sLured more cIoseIy uL LIe bIuck Ink desIgn. A cIIII oI usLonIsImenL
run LIrougI Ier. "A LuLLoo," wus uII sIe couId munuge Lo suy. "Yes, 1 noLIced IL u Iew duys
ugo," WIn remurked, comIng buck Lo LIe bed. "L's odd LIuL Ie never menLIoned IL, Isn'L IL?
No wonder Ie wus uIwuys druwIng pookus und mukIng up sLorIes ubouL LIem wIen Ie
wus younger. L musL Iuve some sIgnIIIcunce Lo-"
"WIuL dId you suy?" Cum's voIce wus quIeL, buL IL reverberuLed wILI sucI InLensILy, Ie
mIgIL us weII Iuve been
sIouLIng.
"MerrIpen Ius u LuLLoo oI u pooku on IIs sIouIder," WIn repIIed, sLurIng uL IIm
quesLLonIngIy us Ie reucIed LIe bed In LIree sLrIdes. "We've never known ubouL IL unLII
now. L's u very unIque desIgn-'ve never seen unyLIIng quILe IIke-" SIe sLopped wILI u
gusp us Cum IeId IIs Ioreurm nexL Lo MerrIpen's sIouIder.
TIe bIuck wInged Iorses wILI LIe yeIIow eyes were
IdenLIcuI.
AmeIIu IIILed Ier guze Irom LIe usLonIsIIng sIgIL Lo
Cum's bIunk Iuce. "WIuL does IL meun?"
Cum couIdn'L seem Lo Luke IIs guze Irom MerrIpen's
LuLLoo. '' don'L know."
"Huve you ever known unyone eIse wIo-"
"No." Cum sLepped buck. "SweeL Jesus." SIowIy Ie


puced uround LIe IooL oI LIe bed, sLurIng uL MerrIpen's moLIonIess IIgure us IL Ie were u



vurIeLy oI exoLIc creuLure Ie Iud never seen beIore. He pIcked up u puIr oI scIssors Irom
LIe Lruy oI suppIIes.
nsLIncLIveIy WIn moved cIoser Lo LIe sIeepIng mun's sIde. NoLIcIng Ier proLecLIveness,
Cum murmured, "L's uII rIgIL, IILLIe sIsLer. 'm jusL goIng Lo cuL uwuy LIe deud skIn."
He Ieuned over LIe wound und worked InLenLIy. AILer u mInuLe oI wuLcIIng IIm cIeun und
debrIde LIe wound, WIn wenL Lo u neurby cIuIr und suL ubrupLIy us II Ier knees Iud been
unbuckIed.
AmeIIu sLood besIde IIm, IeeIIng u sLIng oI nuuseu In Ier LIrouL. Cum, on LIe oLIer Iund,
wus us deLucIed us II Ie were repuIrIng LIe InLrIcuLe mecIunIsm oI u cIock ruLIer LIun
LreuLIng IesLerIng Iumun IIesI. AL IIs dIrecLIon, AmeIIu IeLcIed LIe bowI oI pouILIce
IIquId, wIIcI smeIIed usLrIngenL buL curIousIy sweeL'.
"Don'L IeL IL spIusI InLo your eyes," Cum suId, rInsIng LIe wound wILI suIL soIuLIon.
"L smeIIs IIke IruIL."
"TIuL's LIe venom." Cum cuL u squure oI cIoLI und pusIed IL InLo LIe bowI. IsIIng IL ouL
gIngerIy, Ie IuId LIe drIppIng cIoLI over LIe wound. Even In LIe depLIs oI IIs sIeep,
MerrIpen jerked In reucLIon und grouned.
"Eusy, cIuI." Cum IuId u Iund on IIs buck, keepIng IIm In pIuce. WIen Ie wus ussured
MerrIpen wus sLIII uguIn, Ie bunduged LIe pouILIce IIrmIy In pIuce. "We'II repIuce IL every
LIme we cIeun LIe wound," Ie suId. "Don'L LIp LIe bowI over. 'd IuLe Lo Iuve Lo go buck
Ior more bees."
"How wIII we know II IL's workIng?" AmeIIu usked.
"TIe Iever sIouId go down gruduuIIy, und by LIIs LIme Lomorrow we sIouId see u nIce
IeuLIery scub IormIng." He


oo
IeIL LIe sIde oI MerrIpen's LIrouL und LoId WIn, "HIs puIse
Is sLronger.'1
"WIuL ubouL LIe puIn?" WIn usked unxIousIy.
"TIuL sIouId Improve quIckIy." Cum smIIed uL Ier us Ie quoLed u uLIn pIruse, "Pro
medIcInu esL doIor, doIorem
quI necuL"
"TIe puIn LIuL kIIIs puIn ucLs us medIcIne," WIn LrunsIuLed.
"TIuL wouId muke sense onIy Lo u Romu," AmeIIu suId,
und Cum grInned.
He Look Ier sIouIders In IIs Iunds. "You're In cIurge now, IummIngbIrd. 'm IeuvIng Ior
u IILLIe wIIIe."



"RIgIL now?" sIe usked In bewIIdermenL, "BuL...
wIere ure you goIng?"
HIs expressIon cIunged. "To IInd your broLIer." AmeIIu sLured uL IIm wILI mIngIed
gruLILude und concern. "PerIups you sIouId resL IIrsL. You LruveIed uII nIgIL. L muy Luke u
Iong Lune Lo IInd IIm."
"No IL won'L." HIs eyes gIInLed wILI Irony. "Your broLIer Is IurdIy one Lo cover IIs
Lrucks."


CHAPTER TWENTY
ApproxImuLeIy sIx Iours uILer IIs seurcI Ior eo Iud begun, Cum knocked uL LIe IronL
door oI u prosperous munor Iurm. A pIece oI Luvern gossIp Iud Ied Lo someone wIo Iud
seen Rumsuy wILI someone eIse, und LIey Iud gone Lo unoLIer pIuce, wIere LIeIr pIuns
Iud been overIeurd, und so IorLI, unLII IInuIIy LIe LruIL Iud Ied Lo LIIs pIuce.
TIe Iurge Tudor Iouse, wILI LIe duLe 16zo InscrIbed over LIe door, wus IocuLed uImosL Len
mIIes Irom SLony Cross Purk. rom LIe InIormuLIon Cum Iud guLIered, LIe Iurm Iud once
beIonged Lo u nobIe HumpsIIre IumIIy, buL Iud been soId ouL oI necessILy Lo u ondon
mercIunL. L served us u reLreuL Ior LIe mercIunL's dIssIpuLed sons und LIeIr pIuymuLes.
HurdIy u surprIse LIuL eo Iud been druwn Lo sucI
compuny.
TIe door wus opened, und u LrouL-Iuced buLIer uppeured. HIs IIps LwIsLed dIsduInIuIIy us
Ie suw Cum.
"Your kInd Isn'L weIcome Iere."
"TIuL's IorLunuLe, sInce don'L InLend Lo sLuy Iong. 've come Lo coIIecL ord Rumsuy."


"TIere Is no Rumsuy Iere." TIe buLIer begun Lo cIose LIe door, buI Cum bruced u Iund on
IL.
"TuII. IgIL eyes. Ruddy-compIexIoned. ProbubIy reekIng oI spIrILs-"
"1 Iuve seen no one oI LIuL descrIpLIon." "TIen IeL me speuk Lo your musLer." "He Is noL
uI Iome."
"ook," Cum suId IrrILubIy, 'T m Iere on beIuII oI ord Rumsuy's IumIIy. TIey wunL IIm
buck. God knows wIy. GIve IIm Lo me, und 'II Ieuve you In peuce."
"I LIey wunL IIm," LIe buLIer suId IrosLIIy, "IeL LIem send u proper servunL. NoL u IIILIy
Gypsy."
Cum rubbed LIe corners oI IIs eyes wILI IIs Iree Iund und sIgIed. "We cun do LIIs LIe
eusy wuy or LIe Iurd wuy. runkIy, 'd ruLIer noL go LIrougI unnecessury exerLIon. AII
usk Is LIuL you uIIow me IIve mInuLes Lo IInd LIe busLurd und Luke IIm oII your Iunds."



"'Begone wILI you!"
AILer unoLIer IoIIed uLLempL Lo cIose LIe door, LIe buLIer reucIed Ior u sIIver beII on LIe
IuII LubIe. A Iew seconds IuLer, Lwo burIy IooLmen uppeured.
"SIow LIIs vermIn ouL uL once," LIe buLIer communded. Cum removed IIs couL und Lossed
IL onLo one oI LIe buIIL-In bencIes IInIng LIe enLrunce IuII.
TIe IIrsL IooLmun cIurged IIm. n u Iew prucLIced movemenLs, Cum Iunded u rIgIL cross
on IIs juw, IIIpped IIm, und senL IIm Lo u grounIng Ieup on LIe IIoor.
TIe second IooLmun upproucIed Cum wILI consIderubIy more cuuLIon LIun LIe IIrsL.
"WIIcI Is your domInunL urm?" Cum usked. TIe IooLmun Iooked sLurLIed. "WIy do you
wunL Lo know?"


"'d preIer Lo breuk LIe one you don'L use us oILen."
TIe IooLmun's eyes buIged, und Ie reLreuLed, gIvIng LIe buLIer u pIeudIng gIunce.
TIe buLIer gIured uL Cum. "You Iuve IIve mInuLes. ReLrIeve your musLer und go."
"Rumsuy Isn'L my musLer," Cum muLLered. "He's u puIn In my urse."
'TIey've been In LIe sume room Ior duys," LIe IooLmun, wIose nume wus George, LoId
Cum us LIey uscended u IIIgIL oI curpeLed sLuIrs. "ood senL In, wIores comIng und
goIng, empLy wIne boLLIes everywIere ... und LIe sLencI oI opIum smoke uII LIrougI LIe
enLIre upper IIoor. You'II wunL Lo cover your eyes wIen you enLer LIe room, sIr." "Becuuse
oI LIe smoke?" ,
"TIuL, und .. . weII, LIe goIngs-on wouId muke LIe devII bIusI."
"'m Irom ondon," Cum suId. " don'L bIusI." Even II George Iudn'L been wIIIIng Lo Ieud
Cum Lo LIe room oI InIquILy, Ie couId Iuve eusIIy Iound IL Irom LIe smeII.
TIe door wus ujur. Cum nudged IL open und sLepped InLo LIe Iuzy uLmospIere. TIere were
Iour men und Lwo women, uII young, uII In vurIous sLuges oI undress. AILIougI onIy one
opIum pIpe wus In evIdence, IL couId Iuve been urgued LIuL LIe enLIre room served us u
Iuge pIpe, so LIIck wus LIe sweeL smoke-Cum's urrIvuI wus greeLed wILI remurkubIe
unconcern, LIe men IIsLIessIy druped ucross upIoIsLered IurnILure, one coIIed on cusIIons
In LIe corner. TIeIr compIexIons were cuduverous, LIeIr eyes IIImy wILI nurcoLIc duIIness.
A sIde


LubIe wus IILLered wILI spoons und pIns und u dIsI IIIIed
wILI wIuL Iooked IIke bIuck LreucIe. ]
One oI LIe women, wIo wus enLIreIy nuked, puused In LIe ucL oI IIILIng u pIpe Lo u mun's
sIuck mouLI.
"ook," sIe suId Lo LIe oLIer womun, "Iere's u new one." A drowsy gIggIe. "Good, we



need IIm. TIey're uII uL IuII-musL. TIe onIy sLIII LIIng IeIL Is LIe pIpe." SIe LwIsLed Lo
Iook uL Cum. "Gor, wIuL u preLLy mun."
"OI, IeL me Iuve IIm IIrsL," LIe oLIer one suId. SIe peLLed IerseII InvILIngIy. "C'mere,
Iove, 'II gIve you u-"
"No, LIunk you." Cum wus begInnIng Lo IeeI sIIgILIy dIzzy Irom LIe smoke. He wenL Lo
LIe neuresL wIndow, opened IL, und IeL u coId breeze InLo LIe room. A Iew curses und
proLesLs greeLed IIs ucLIons.
denLIIyIng LIe one In LIe corner us eo, Cum wenL Lo LIe quIescenL IIgure, IIILed LIe Ieud
by LIe IuIr, und sLured InLo IIs IuLure broLIer-In-Iuw's puIIy Iuce. "Huven'L you InIuIed
enougI smoke IuLeIy?" Ie usked. eo scowIed. "Sod oII"
"You sound IIke MerrIpen," Cum suId. "WIo, In cuse you're InLeresLed, muy be deud by
LIe LIme we reLurn Lo SLony Cross Munor."
"Good rIddunce Lo IIm."
"'d ugree wILI you, excepL LIuL ugreeIng wILI you probubIy meuns 'm on LIe wrong sIde
oI LIe urgumenL." Cum begun Lo Lug eo upwurd, und LIe oLIer mun sLruggIed. "SLund up,
dumn you." Cum IoIsLed IIm wILI u grunL oI eIIorL. "Or 'II drug you ouL by LIe IeeIs."
eo's bIouLed buIk swuyed uguInsL IIm. "'m LryIng Lo sLund," Ie snupped. "TIe IIoor
keeps LIppIng."
Cum IougIL Lo sLeudy IIm. WIen eo Iud IInuIIy goLLen


IIs beurIngs, Ie IurcIed Lowurd LIe doorwuy, wIere LIe IooLmun wuILed.
"Muy escorL you downsLuIrs, my Iord?" George usked poIILeIy. eo responded wILI u
surIy nod.
"CIose LIe wIndow," one oI LIe women demunded, Ier nuked body sIIverIng us LIe
uuLumn wInd swepL LIrougI LIe room.
Cum gIunced uL Ier dIspussIonuLeIy. He Iud seen Loo muny oI Ier kInd Lo IeeI mucI pILy.
TIere were LIousunds oI LIem In ondon-round-Iuced counLry wencIes, jusL preLLy
enougI Lo uLLrucL LIe uLLenLIon oI men wIo promIsed, Look, und dIscurded wILIouL
conscIence. "You sIouId Lry some IresI uIr," Ie udvIsed, reucIIng Ior u dIscurded Iup
bIunkeL besIde LIe seLLee. "L promoLes cIeur LIInkIng."
"WIuL do need Lo do LIuL Ior?" sIe usked sourIy.
Cum grInned. "Good poInL." He druped LIe bIunkeL over Ier sIIverIng wIILe body.
"SLIII.. . you sIouId Luke some deep breuLIs." He benL Lo puL Ier puIe cIeek genLIy. "And
Ieuve LIIs pIuce us soon us you're ubIe. Don'L wusLe yourseII on LIese busLurds."
TIe womun IIILed Ier bIoodsIoL eyes, sLurIng In wonder uL LIe bIuck-IuIred mun, wIo
wus us swurLIy und dusIIng us u pIruLe prInce wILI LIe gIILLerIng dIumond uL IIs eur.



Her pIuInLIve voIce IoIIowed IIm us Ie IeIL. "Come buck!"
L Look LIe combIned eIIorLs oI Cum und George Lo Ioud LIe grumbIIng, proLesLIng eo
InLo LIe currIuge. "L's IIke IuuIIng IIve sucks oI poLuLoes uII uL once," LIe IooLmun suId
breuLIIessIy, pusIIng eo's IooL suIeIy InsIde LIe veIIcIe.


"TIe poLuLoes wouId be quIeLer," Cum suId. He Lossed LIe IooLmun u goId sovereIgn.
George cuugIL IL In mIduIr und beumed uL IIm. "TIunk you, sIr! And muy suy you're u
genLIemun, sIr. Even II
you ure u Gypsy."
Cum's smIIe Lurned wry, und Ie cIImbed InLo LIe currIuge uILer eo. TIey sLurLed buck Lo
SLony Cross Munor
In sIIence.
"Do you need Lo sLop?" Cum usked mIdwuy LIrougI LIe LrIp, seeIng LIuL eo's Iuce Iud
Lurned Irom wIILe Lo green. eo sIook IIs Ieud moroseIy. " don'L wIsI Lo LuIk." "You
owe me un unswer or Lwo. Becuuse II Iudn'L Iud Lo spend LIe duy seurcIIng LIrougI IuII
oI HumpsIIre Lo IInd you, couId Iuve been In bed-" WILI your sIsLer, Ie LIougIL, buL
InsLeud suId, "SIeepIng."
TIose curIousIy IIgIL eyes Lurned Lowurd IIm, LIe coIor oI IcIcIes wIen bIue LwIIIgIL
sIone LIrougI LIem. UnusuuI eyes. Cum Iud seen someone wILI eyes IIke LIuL beIore, buL
Ie couIdn'L reme-mber wIo or wIen. A dIsLunL memory IoIered jusL beyond reucI.
"WIuL do you wunL Lo know?" eo usked. "WIy do you beur MerrIpen sucI III wIII? s IL
IIs cIurmIng dIsposILIon, or LIe IucL LIuL Ie's u Romu? Or Is IL becuuse Ie wus Luken In by
your purenLs und ruIsed us one
oI you?"
"None oI LIuL. despIse MerrIpen becuuse Ie reIused
LIe onIy LIIng ever usked oI IIm." "WIIcI wus?" "To IeL me dIe." Cum pondered LIuL.
"You musL meun wIen Ie nursed
you LIrougI LIe scurIeL Iever."
"Yes."


"You bIume IIm Ior suvIng your IIIe?"
"Yes."
"I IL mukes you IeeI uny beLLer," Cum suId dryIy, seLLIIng buck In IIs seuL, "'m sure Ie's
Iud second LIougILs ubouL IL."
TIey were sIIenL uILer LIuL, wIIIe Cum reIuxed und IeL IIs mInd wunder. As durkness IeII
und eo wus cusL In sIudow, LIe unnervIng eyes IIIckered sIIver-bIue-



-und Cum remembered.
L wus In cIIIdIood, wIen Cum Iud sLIII been wILI LIe LrIbe. TIere Iud been u mun wILI u
Iuggurd Iuce und brIIIIunL coIorIess eyes, IIs souI ruvuged by grIeI over IIs duugILer's
deuLI. Cum's grundmoLIer Iud wurned IIm Lo sLuy uwuy Irom LIe mun. "He's muIudI," sIe
Iud suId.
"WIuL does LIuL meun, MumI?" Cum Iud usked, cIIngIng unxIousIy Lo Ier wurm Iund,
wIIcI wus comIorLIngIy gnurIed und LougI IIke LIe buLLressIng rooLs oI uncIenL Lrees.
"HuunLed by u deud person. Don'L go neur IIm, Ie's upseL LIe buIunce oI RomunIju. He
Ioved IIs duugILer Loo mucI."
eeIIng pILy Ior LIe mun, und worry Ior IIs own suke, Cum Iud usked, "WIII be muIudI
wIen you dIe, MumI?" He Iud been cerLuIn LIuL Ie Ioved IIs grundmoLIer Loo mucI, buL
Ie couIdn'L sLop IeeIIng LIuL wuy.
A smIIe Iud uppeured In IIs grundmoLIer's wIse bIuck eyes. "No, Cum. A muIudI Lrups IIs
beIoved's spIrIL In LIe In-beLween becuuse Ie won'L IeL Ier go. You wouIdn'L do LIuL Lo me,
wouId you, IILLIe Iox?"
"No, MumI."
TIe mun Iud dIed noL Iong uILer LIuL, by IIs own Iund. L Iud been u Iorror, und yeL u
reIIeI Ior LIe enLIre LrIbe.
Now, us Cum Iooked buck on IL wILI LIe undersLundIng oI un uduIL ruLIer LIun u smuII
boy, Ie IeIL u cIIII oI uppreIensIon, IoIIowed by seurIng pILy. How ImpossIbIe IL wouId be
Lo reIInquIsI u womun you Ioved. How couId you sLop yourseII Irom wunLIng Ier? TIe
seums oI your IeurL wouId rIp open wILI grIeI. OI course you wouId wunL Lo keep Ier
wILI you. Or IoIIow Ier.
As Cum enLered LIe munor wILI LIe unrepenLunL prodIguI uL IIs sIde, AmeIIu und BeuLrIx
IurrIed Lowurd LIem, LIe Iormer IrownIng, LIe IuLLer smIIIng.
AmeIIu opened Ier mouLI Lo suy someLIIng Lo eo, buL Cum cuugIL Ier guze und sIook
IIs Ieud, wurnIng Ier Lo be sIIenL. To IIs surprIse, sIe ucLuuIIy obeyed und swuIIowed
buck LIe sIurp words. SIe reucIed ouL Ior eo's couL. "'II Luke LIuL," sIe suId In u
subdued Lone. "TIunk you." BoLI uvoIded IookIng uL eucI oLIer. "We've jusL IInIsIed
supper," AmeIIu muLLered. "TIe sLew Is sLIII IoL. WIII you Iuve some?" eo sIook IIs
Ieud.
BeuLrIx, mIssIng LIe seeLIIng undercurrenLs In LIe uIr, IuuncIed IerseII uL eo und
wrupped Ier urms uround IIs LIIck wuIsL. "You were gone so Iong! So muny LIIngs Iuve
Iuppened-MerrIpen Is III, und IeIped muke u poLIon Ior IIm, und-" SIe sLopped,
mukIng u Iuce. "You smeII bud.
WIuL-"


"TeII me Iow you mude LIe poLIon," eo suId gruIIIy, mukIng IIs wuy Lo LIe sLuIrs.
BeuLrIx cIuLLered wILIouL sLoppIng us sIe uccompunIed IIm.
Cum Iooked over AmeIIu cureIuIIy, noL mIssIng u deLuII.


SIe wus dIsIeveIed, Ier IuIr cuscudIng down Ier buck, Ier eyes LIred. SIe needed Lo resL.
"TIunk you Ior IIndIng IIm," sIe suId. "WIere wus Ie?" "AL u prIvuLe Iome wILI some
IrIends." SIe drew cIoser Lo IIm, snIIIIng gIngerIy. "TIuL smeII... IL's on boLI oI
you ..."
"OpIum smoke. Your broLIer's Luken up un expensIve new IubIL."
"We couIdn'L uIIord LIe oId ones." AmeIIu scowIed, Ier IooL begInnIng u resLIess sLuccuLo
beneuLI Ier skIrLs. SIe wus so smuII und IIerce und udorubIe LIuL Cum couId bureIy
resLruIn IImseII Irom snuLcIIng Ier up und kIssIng Ier senseIess. "TIe onIy reuson dIdn'L
murder IIm jusL now," AmeIIu conLInued, "Is becuuse Ie Iooked Loo numb Lo IeeI IL. BuL
wIen Ie sobers 'm goIng Lo-"
"How Is MerrIpen?" Cum InLerrupLed, runnIng u genLIe Iund Irom Ier sIouIder Lo Ier
eIbow.
TIe LuppIng sLopped. "SLIII IeverIsI, buL beLLer. WIn's wILI IIm. We cIunged IIs
pouILIce... LIe wound Iooks u bIL Iess dIsgusLIng LIun beIore. s LIuL u good sIgn?" "L's u
good sIgn."
Her concerned guze cIused over IIm. "SIuII geL you someLIIng Lo euL?"
SmIIIng, Cum sIook IIs Ieud. "NoL beIore Iuve u good, LIorougI wusI." TIere were
muny LIIngs LIey needed Lo dIscuss, buL IL couId uII wuIL. "Go Lo bed, monIsIu-you Iook
weury."
"So do you," AmeIIu suId, sLundIng on Ier Loes. Cum IeId very sLIII us sIe pressed Ier IIps
Lo IIs cIeek. A Iong IesILuLIon, und LIen sIe usked LenLuLIveIy, "WIII you come Lo me
LonIgIL?"


TIe sIy InvILuLIon neurIy undId IIm. Here wus un openIng-u sIgn oI uccepLunce-buL Ie
cured Loo mucI ubouL Ier Lo Luke udvunLuge wIen sIe wus obvIousIy LIred. "No." He Look
Ier InLo IIs urms. "You need Lo sIeep more LIun you need my gropIng und IondIIng."
SIe IIusIed u IILLIe, und Ieuned Iurder uguInsL IIm. " don'L mInd your gropIng und
IondIIng."
Cum IuugIed. "WIuL u LesLumenL Lo my IovemukIng
skIIIs."
"Come Lo me," sIe wIIspered. "HoId me wIIIe we sIeep." "HummIngbIrd," Ie reLurned,
IIs IIps brusIIng Ier



brow, "II IoId you, don'L LrusL myseII noL Lo muke Iove
Lo you. So we'II sIeep In sepuruLe beds." He Iooked down
uL Ier wILI u smIIe. "JusL Ior LonIgIL."
L Look LIree soupIngs und rInsIngs Ior Cum Lo remove LIe LuInL oI opIum Irom IIs skIn
und IuIr. AILer LoweIIng IIs IuIr dry, Ie donned u bIuck sIIk robe und wuIked LIrougI LIe
durkened IuIIwuy Lo IIs room. L wus sLormIng ouLsIde, LIe ruIn und LIunder sweepIng In
on un eusLerIy, buLLerIng
LIe wIndows und rooI.
TIe IeurLI In IIs room Iud been repIenIsIed, LIe bIuze sIeddIng wurmLI und IIgIL. Cum's
eyes nurrowed In curIosILy us Ie suw u smuII sIupe beneuLI LIe covers.
AmeIIu's Ieud IIILed Irom LIe pIIIow. "'m coId," sIe suId, us II LIuL were u perIecLIy
reusonubIe expIunuLIon Ior
Ier presence.
"My bed Is no wurmer LIun yours." Cum upproucIed Ier sIowIy, LryIng noL Lo IeeI IIke u
preduLor, LryIng Lo Ignore LIe IeuL LIuL Iud IgnILed In IIs bIood. HIs body Iud gone Iurd
beneuLI LIe bIuck sIIk, uII IIs muscIes LIgILenIng

In unLIcIpuLIon. He knew wIuL sIe wunLed Irom IIm ... und Ie wouId be more LIun Iuppy
Lo provIde IL.
"L wouId be wurmer II you were In IL," sIe suId.
Her IuIr IeII over Ier sIouIders In durk rIppIes down Lo Ier IIps. SILLIng cIose besIde Ier,
Cum LoucIed one oI LIe sIInIng Iocks, IoIIowIng IL over Ier cIesL, LIe LIp oI Ier breusL,
down Lo LIe end. AmeIIu drew In u quIck breuLI. He wondered II LIe bIusI on Ier Iuce Iud
spreud Lo LIe skIn Ie couIdn'L see.
ResLruInIng IIs urgenL need, Cum IeId sLIII us sIe reucIed ouL Lo IIm wILI IesILunL
IIngers, sLrokIng LIe bIuck sIIk LIuL covered IIs sIouIders. SIe rose Lo Ier knees und
ImpuIsIveIy kIssed IIs eur, LIe one wILI LIe dIumond sLud, und LoucIed LIe dump, sIIgILIy
curIIng Iocks oI IIs IuIr.
"You're noL IIke uny mun 've ever known," sIe suId. "You're noL even someone couId
Iuve dreumed. You're IIke someone Irom u IuIry sLory wrILLen In u Iunguuge don'L even
know."
"TIe prInce, Iope."
"No, you're LIe drugon, u beuuLIIuI wIcked drugon." Her voIce Lurned wIsLIuI. "How couId
unyone Iuve u normuI everyduy IIIe wILI you?"
Cum Look Ier In u suIe, IIrm grIp und Iowered Ier Lo LIe muLLress. "Muybe you'II be u
cIvIIIzIng InIIuence on me." He benL over LIe sIope oI Ier breusL, kIssIng IL LIrougI LIe


musIIn veII oI Ier gown. "Or muybe you'II geL u LusLe Ior LIe drugon." He Iound LIe bud
oI Ier nIppIe, weL LIe coLLon wILI IIs mouLI, unLII LIe Lender IIesI prIcked up uguInsL IIs
Longue.
" LI-LIInk uIreudy Iuve." SIe sounded so perLurbed LIuL Ie IuugIed.


"TIen IIe sLIII," Ie wIIspered, "wIIIe breuLIe IIre on
you."
TIe women Ie Iud sIepL wILI In LIe pusL Iud never
worn LIIs kInd oI prIm wIILe nIgILgown, wIIcI sLruck Cum us LIe mosL eroLIc gurmenL Ie
Iud ever seen. L Iud InLrIcuLe IILLIe IoIds und Lucks und Iuce LrImmIngs, und IL wenL Irom
LIe neck Lo LIe unkIes. TIe wuy IL Iuy over Ier, IIke u Iuyer oI puIe, crIsp IcIng, mude IIs
IeurL pound wILI prImuI Iorce. He IoIIowed Ier sIupe, seurcIIng Ior Ier scenL, Ier IeuL,
LIrougI LIe coLLon, IIngerIng wIenever sIe urcIed or sIIvered. TIe IronL wus IeId cIosed
by u Iong row oI covered buLLons. He worked uL LIem wIIIe Ier Iunds sIId resLIessIy over
IIs sIIk-covered buck.
He kIssed Ier, IIs Longue seurcIIng LIe sweeLness oI Ier mouLI. TIe Lop oI LIe gown
sIIpped open, reveuIIng LIe gIeumIng rIse oI Ier breusLs, LIe LempLIng sIudow beLween.
He puIIed LIe gurmenL Iower, Iower, unLII Ier urms were deIIcuLeIy Lrupped und Ier cIesL
wus exposed. HIs Ieud Iowered und Ie Look wIuL Ie wunLed, IIckIng u LuuL nIppIe,
proddIng wILI IIs Longue, mukIng IL weL und deep pInk. AmeIIu sIgIed deepIy, Ier eyes
IuII-cIosed, Ier body IIILIng IeIpIessIy us Ie benL Lo Ier oLIer breusL.
Cum's breuLIIng Lurned rugged us Ie puIIed LIe gown Iower, IreeIng Ier urms, exposIng
LIe curves oI Ier IIps und sLomucI. He spreud IIs Iunds over Ier body, IIs IIngers und
puIms LrunsIuLIng IeuL InLo sensuLIon. He kIssed Ier nuveI, LIe LIckIIsI skIn uround IL, LIe
pIuce wIere LIe
crIsp curIy IuIr sLurLed.
Her Iegs LuuLened uguInsL IIm, cuugIL beneuLI IIs weIgIL. MovIng upwurd, Ie sLruddIed
Ier body. He Look LIe sIgneL rIng oII, LIe one sIe Iud reIused beIore, und IeId IL ouL Lo
Ier.


"You cun Iuve wIuL you wunL," Ie suId. "BuL IIrsL puL LIIs on."
AmeIIu Iocused on LIe rIng. " cun'L."
" won'L muke Iove Lo you unIess you're weurIng IL."
"You're beIng ubsurd."
"You're beIng sLubborn." Cum Ieuned over Ier, brucIng IIs Ioreurms on eILIer sIde oI Ier,
kIssIng Ier suIky mouLI. "JusL Ior LonIgIL," Ie wIIspered. "Weur my rIng, AmeIIu, und IeL



me pIeusure you." He kIssed Ier LIrouL, IIs IIps sIunLIng genLIy uguInsL Ier. SIe gusped
uL LIe IeeI oI IIm, Iurd und swoIIen beIInd LIe bIuck sIIk. HIs mouLI LruveIed sIowIy up
Lo Ier eur. "'II enLer you, IIII you, und LIen 'II IoId you sLIII und quIeL In my urms. won'L
move. won'L IeL you move, eILIer. 'II wuIL unLII IeeI you LIrobbIng uround me ... 'II
IoIIow LIuL rIyLIm deep In your body, LIuL sweeL puIse ... won'L sLop unLII you weep und
sIIver und cry ouL Ior more. And TI.gIve IL Lo you, us Iong und Iurd us you wunL. Tuke
my rIng, Iove." HIs mouLI descended Lo Iers In u smoIderIng kIss. "Tuke me."
ILLIng IImseII uguInsL Ier soIL cIeIL, Ie IeIL Ier IeuL seep LIrougI LIe robe, weLness und
sIIk sLreLcIed LIgILIy beLween LIem. Her smuII Iund LoucIed IIs, IIngers unIoIdIng... und
sIe IeL IIm sIIde LIe rIng buck on.
Cum sLrIpped Ier nuked und IuId Ier buck InLo IIs dIscurded robe, Ier skIn sLurLIIng wIILe
In LIe gIImmerIng pooI oI bIuck. He kIssed Ier everywIere, LIe crooks oI Ier eIbows, LIe
bucks oI Ier knees, every curve und IoIIow oI LIe smooLI IemInIne LerrILory. SIe
wrupped IerseII uround IIm, Ier mouLI InnocenLIy InquIrIng us sIe kIssed every purL oI
IIm sIe couId reucI.
He kIssed beLween Ier LIIgIs, cuppIng Ier IIps wILI IIs Iunds wIIIe LIe scenL oI Ier IIL
un expIosIon oI IIre InsIde

IIm. He IIcked InLo LIe Lenderness, LeusIng, suckIng IIgILIy, unLII sIe grouned wILI every
breuLI und reucIed down Lo IIs Ieud, urgIng IIm upwurd wILI ImpIorIng IIngers.
IgILIng Ior seII-conLroI, Cum enLered Ier, sIIdIng deep. SIe moved und urcIed und
neurIy drove IIm Insune. "SweeLIeurL, wuIL," Ie suId sIukIIy, LryIng Lo cuIm Ier. "Don'L
move. PIeuse. Don'L..." A IuugI rusLIed In IIs LIrouL us sIe IILcIed up uguInsL IIm
desperuLeIy. "Be sLIII," Ie wIIspered, brusIIng kIsses ucross Ier purLed IIps. "HoId me
InsIde you. eeI LIe wuy your body LIgILens
uround me."
BreuLIIng Iurd, AmeIIu LrIed Lo obey. Her IIesI puIsed IeIpIessIy uround LIe InvudIng
Iurdness. Cum mude LIem boLI wuIL, LIeIr bodIes perspIrIng und Lense us LIey
concenLruLed on LIuL subLIe, IuscIous cIencIIng. InuIIy Ie begun Lo move, usIng IImseII
Lo pIeusure Ier. He mude Iove Lo Ier, uII oI Ier, und us Ie sunk InLo LIe IuLIomIess durk
deIIgIL, Ie wus IIooded wILI u IuIIIIImenL Ie Iud never
known beIore.
SIe encIosed IIm In soILness und IeuL, IeLLIng IIm IeusL on kIsses wIIIe Ie rode LIe swIIL
IoL puIse, sLrokIng Ier InsIde und ouL. He Iooked down wILI pIeusure-Iuzed eyes, uL Ier
Iuce so LenderIy conIIned In LIe bruckeL oI IIs Iunds, und Ie wIIspered In Romuny, J um
yours. He wuLcIed Ier eyes cIose In LIe sweeL Lemporury bIIndness oI rupLure, Ie IeIL IL


ecIoIng In IImseII, LIe wuves rusIIng sLronger und sLronger unLII LIe worId cuugIL IIre.
AILerwurd LIey Iuy LumbIed sIde by sIde IIke LIe survIvors oI u sIIpwreck, sLunned In LIe
wuke oI u sLorm. WIen Cum couId guLIer LIe sLrengLI Lo move-wIIcI wus noL soon-Ie
roIIed Lo IIs sIde und nuzzIed AmeIIu's LIrouL, IovIng LIe IrugrunL dump wurmLI oI Ier.


AmeIIu groped Ior LIe rIng und begun LuggIng und LwIsLIng IL. "L's sLuck uguIn." SIe
sounded dIsgrunLIed.
Cum pInned Ier wrIsL und benL IIs Ieud, LukIng Ier IInger InLo IIs mouLI. SIe gusped us
IIs Longue swIrIed uround LIe buse, IeuvIng IL weL. GenLIy, Ie used IIs LeeLI Lo druw LIe
goId bund oII. TukIng LIe rIng Irom beLween IIs IIps, Ie sIId IL buck onLo IIs own IInger.
Her Iund, now bure, IIexed us II bereIL, und sIe Iooked uL IIm uncerLuInIy.
"You'II geL used Lo weurIng IL." Cum smooLIed IIs Iund uIong LIe pIune oI Ier mIdrIII und
sLomucI. "We'II Lry IL on you u Iew mInuLes uL u LIme. Ike breukIng u Iorse Lo Iurness."
He grInned uL Ier expressIon.
PuIIIng LIe covers over LIem boLI, Cum conLInued Lo sLroke Ier. AmeIIu sIgIed, nesLIIng
uguInsL IIs sIouIder und bIceps.
"By LIe wuy," Ie murmured, "LIe IIuLwure's buck In LIe sIIver cubIneL."
"L Is?" sIe usked drowsIIy. "How... wIuL..."
" Iud u LuIk wILI BeuLrIx wIIIe we were crusIIng bees. SIe expIuIned Ier probIem. We
ugreed Lo IInd some new IobbIes Lo keep Ier busy. To sLurL wILI, 'm goIng Lo LeucI Ier Lo
rIde. SIe suId sIe bureIy knows Iow."
"TIere Iusn'L reuIIy been LIme, wILI uII LIe oLIer-" AmeIIu begun deIensIveIy.
"SIII ... know LIuL, IummIngbIrd. You've done more LIun enougI, keepIng uII oI LIem
LogeLIer und suIe. Now IL's LIme Ior you Lo Iuve some IeIp." He kIssed Ier genLIy. "or
someone Lo keep you suIe."
"BuL don'L wunL you Lo-"
"Go Lo sIeep," Cum wIIspered. "We'II sLurL urguIng uguIn In LIe mornIng. or now, Iove...
dreum oI someLIIng sweeL."


AmeIIu sIepL deepIy, dreumIng oI resLIng In u drugon's nesL, Lucked beneuLI IIs wurm
IeuLIery wIng wIIIe Ie breuLIed IIre on unyone or unyLIIng LIuL dured Lo upproucI. SIe
wus woozIIy uwure oI Cum IeuvIng LIe bed In LIe mIddIe oI LIe nIgIL, puIIIng on IIs
cIoLIes. "WIere ure you goIng?" sIe mumbIed. "To see MerrIpen."
SIe knew sIe sIouId go wILI IIm-sIe wus concerned ubouL MerrIpen-buL us sIe LrIed
Lo sIL up, sIe wus reeIIng wILI exIuusLIon, sLupeIIed wILI IL.
Cum couxed Ier buck down InLo LIe weIcomIng depLI oI LIe bedcIoLIes. SIe IeII usIeep



uguIn, sLIrrIng onIy wIen Ie reLurned Lo sLreLcI ouL besIde Ier und guLIer Ier In IIs urms.
"s Ie beLLer?" sIe wIIspered.
"NoL yeL. BuL Ie's no worse. TIuL's good. Now cIose your eyes ..." And Ie sooLIed Ier
buck Lo sIeep.
MerrIpen uwukened In u durk bedroom, LIe onIy gIImmer oI IIgIL comIng Irom LIe
quurLer-IncI spuce beLween LIe cIosed druperIes. TIuL one sIIver wus brIIIIunL wILI LIe
wIILeness oI mIdduy.
HIs Ieud ucIed vIcIousIy. HIs Longue seemed LwIce ILs normuI sIze, dry und swoIIen In IIs
mouLI. HIs bones were sore, und so wus IIs skIn. Even IIs eyeIusIes IurL. n IucL, Ie Iud
undergone some sLrunge reversuI In wIIcI everyLIIng IurL excepL IIs wounded sIouIder,
wIIcI gIowed wILI u neur-pIeusunL wurmLI.
He LrIed Lo move. nsLunLIy someone cume Lo IIm.
WIn. CooI, IruII, sweeL-smeIIIng, u IoveIy spIrIL In LIe durkness. WILIouL speukIng, sIe suL
besIde IIm und IIILed


IIs Ieud, und guve IIm LIny sIps oI wuLer unLII IIs mouLI wus moIsL enougI Lo uIIow
speecI.
So Ie Iudn'L dIed. And II Ie Iudn'L by now, Ie probubIy wusn'L goIng Lo. He wusn'L cerLuIn
Iow Ie IeIL ubouL LIuL. HIs usuuI rougI uppeLILe Ior IIIe Iud been repIuced by sIuLLerIng
meIuncIoIy. ProbubIy LIe uILereIIecLs oI LIe morpIIne.
SLIII crudIIng MerrIpen's Ieud, WIn sLroked Ier IIngers LIrougI IIs muLLed, unwusIed
IuIr. TIe IIgIL scruLcI oI Ier IIngernuIIs on IIs scuIp senL cIIIIs oI pIeusure LIrougI IIs
ucIIng body. BuL Ie wus so morLIIIed by IIs uncIeunII-ness, noL Lo menLIon IIs
IeIpIessness, LIuL Ie sIoved IrrILubIy uL LIe genLIe Iund.
" musL be In IeII," Ie muLLered. WIn smIIed down uL IIm wILI u Lenderness Ie Iound
unbeurubIe. "You wouIdn'L see me In IeII, wouId you?" "n my versIon ... yes."
Her smIIe Lurned quIzzIcuI, Iuded, und sIe IuId IIs Ieud cureIuIIy buck on LIe bed.
WIn wouId be IeuLured promInenLIy In MerrIpen's IeII. TIe mosL proIound, guL-
wrencIIng puIn Ie Iud ever experIenced wus becuuse oI Ier-LIe ugony oI wunLIng und
never IuvIng, oI IovIng und never knowIng Iove. And now IL uppeured Ie wus goIng Lo
endure more oI IL. WIIcI wouId Iuve mude IIm IuLe Ier, II Ie dIdn'L worsIIp Ier so.
BendIng over IIm, WIn LoucIed LIe bunduge on IIs sIouIder, begInnIng Lo unLuck LIe
end.
"No," MerrIpen suId IursIIy, movIng uwuy Irom Ier. He wus nuked beneuLI LIe covers,
sLInkIng oI sweuL und medIcIne. A Iuge, IuIkIng beusL. And even worse, dungerousIy
vuInerubIe. I sIe conLInued LoucIIng IIm, LendIng IIm, IIs deIenses wouId be smusIed,



und God knew wIuL

Ie wouId suy or do. He needed Ier Lo go us Iur uwuy Irom
IIm us possIbIe.
"Kev," sIe suId, Ier Loo-cureIuI Lone muddenIng IIm IurLIer, " wunL Lo see LIe wound.
L's uImosL LIme Lo cIunge LIe pouILIce. I you'II jusL IIe IIuL und IeL me-"
"NoL you."
Ie IIuL. As II LIuL were even possIbIe, wILI LIe rourIng erecLIon LIuL Iud sprung Lo IIIe us
soon us sIe Iud LoucIed IIm. He wus noLIIng more LIun un unImuI, wunLIng Ier LIIs wuy
even wIen Ie wus III und IIILIy und sLIII drugged Irom morpIIne. . . even knowIng LIuL Lo
muke Iove Lo Ier wus IIke sIgnIng Ier deuLI wurrunL. Hud Ie been u pruyerIuI mun, Ie
wouId Iuve begged LIe pILIIess Ieuvens never Lo IeL WIn know wIuL Ie wunLed
or Iow Ie IeIL.
A Iong momenL pussed beIore WIn usked In u perIecLIy normuI Lone, "WIo do you wunL
Lo cIunge LIe pouILIce,
LIen?"
"Anyone." MerrIpen kepL IIs eyes cIosed. "Anyone buL
you."
He Iud no Ideu wIuL WIn's LIougILs were, us LIe sIIence becume Ieuvy und proIonged.
HIs eurs prIcked uL LIe sound oI Ier skIrLs swIsIIng. TIe LIougIL oI IubrIc movIng und
swIrIIng uround Ier sIender Iegs cuused every IuIr on IIs body Lo rIse.
"AII rIgIL, LIen," sIe suId In u muLLer-oI-IucL Lone us sIe reucIed LIe door. "'II send
someone eIse us soon us
possIbIe."
MerrIpen moved IIs Iund Lo LIe pIuce on LIe muLLress wIere sIe Iud suL, IIs IIngers
spIuyed wIde. And Ie IougIL Lo cIose IIs IeurL, wIIcI conLuIned Loo muny secreLs und
LIereIore couId never be sIuL uII LIe wuy.

DescendIng LIe grund sLuIrcuse cureIuIIy, WIn suw Cum RoIun comIng up. SIe IeIL u
spusm oI nerves In Ier sLomucI. WIn Iud uIwuys IeIL u bIL LwILLery uround unIumIIIur
men, und sIe wusn'L quILe cerLuIn wIuL Lo muke oI LIIs one. RoIun Iud ussumed u
posILIon oI InIIuence over Ier IumIIy wILI usLonIsIIng speed. He Iud sLoIen Ier oIder
sIsLer's IeurL wILI sucI udroILness LIuL sIe dIdn'L even seem Lo know IL yeL.
Ike MerrIpen, RoIun wus u bIg, vIrIIe muIe. And IIke MerrIpen Ie wus u Romu, buL Ie
wus so mucI eusIer wILI IL, InIInILeIy more comIorLubIe In IIs own skIn. RoIun wus
smooLI und prepossessIng wIereus MerrIpen wus secreLIve und broodIng. BuL Ior uII


RoIun's cIurm, LIere wus u subLIe edge oI dunger ubouL IIm, u sense LIuL Ie wus
ucquuInLed wILI u sIde oI IIIe LIe sIeILered HuLIuwuys Iud never been exposed Lo.
He wus u mun wIo Iurbored secreLs ... IIke MerrIpen. TIose IdenLIcuI LuLLoos Iud cuused
WIn Lo wonder uL LIe connecLIon beLween LIe Lwo men. And sIe LIougIL sIe mIgIL know
wIuL IL wus, even II neILIer oI LIem dId.
SIe sLopped wILI u LImId smIIe us LIey meL on LIe sLuIrs. "Mr. RoIun."
"MIss WInnIIred." RoIun's unnervIng goIden guze moved ucross Ier wIILe Iuce. SIe wus
sLIII upseL Irom Ier encounLer wILI MerrIpen. SIe couId IeeI LIe coIor burnIng ucross LIe
cresLs oI Ier cIeeks.
"He's uwuke, Luke IL," RoIun suId, reudIng Ier expressIon Iur Loo uccuruLeIy.
"He's cross wILI me Ior LrIckIng IIm InLo drInkIng LIe Leu wILI morpIIne."
" suspecL Ie wouId IorgIve you unyLIIng," RoIun repIIed.


WIn resLed Ier Iund on LIe buIcony ruIIIng und Iooked over LIe edge ubsenLIy. SIe Iud
LIe curIous IeeIIng oI wunLIng, needIng, Lo communIcuLe Lo LIIs IrIendIy sLrunger, und yeL
IuvIng no Ideu wIuL sIe wunLed Lo suy.
RoIun wuILed In compunIonubIe sIIence, In no uppurenL Iurry Lo go unywIere. SIe IIked
IIs compuny. HuvIng Iong been uccusLomed Lo MerrIpen's brusqueness, und eo's seII-
desLrucLIveness, sIe LIougIL IL wus ruLIer nIce Lo be In LIe presence oI sucI u IeveIIeuded
mun.
"You suved MerrIpen's IIIe," sIe venLured. "He's goIng
Lo geL weII."
RoIun wuLcIed Ier InLenLIy. "You cure Ior IIm." "OI, yes, we uII do," WIn suId Loo
quIckIy, und puused. Words guLIered und IIew InsIde Ier us II LIey Iud wIngs. TIe eIIorL
Lo IoId LIem buck wus exIuusLIng. SIe wus suddenIy gIussy-eyed wILI IrusLruLIon und
desoIuLIon, LIInkIng oI LIe mun upsLuIrs und LIe unLruversubIe dIsLunce LIuL wus uIwuys,
uIwuys beLween LIem. " wunL Lo geL weII, Loo," sIe bursL ouL. " wunL... wunL..." SIe
cIosed Ier mouLI und LIougIL, Good ord, Iow musL sound Lo IIm? eeIIng cIugrIn uL
Ier Ioss oI seII-conLroI, sIe pussed u Iund over Ier Iuce und rubbed Ier LempIes.
BuL RoIun seemed Lo undersLund. And mercIIuIIy, LIere wus no pILy In IIs guze. TIe
IonesLy In IIs voIce comIorLed Ier ImmeusurubIy. " LIInk you wIII, IILLIe sIsLer."
SIe sIook Ier Ieud us sIe conIessed, "1 wunL IL so mucI, 'm uIruId Lo Iope."
"Never be uIruId Lo Iope," RoIun suId genLIy. "L's LIe
onIy wuy Lo begIn."


CHAPTER TWENTY ONE



AmeIIu wus uL u Ioss Lo undersLund Iow sIe couId Iuve sIepL unLII uILer IuncIeon. SIe
couId onIy uLLrIbuLe IL Lo Cum, wIose mere presence In LIe Iouse cuused Ier Lo reIux. L
wus us II Ier mInd uuLomuLIcuIIy Iunded over worrIes und cures Lo IIm, uIIowIng Ier Lo
sIeep IIke un InIunL.
SIe dIdn'L IIke IL.
SIe dIdn'L wunL Lo depend on IIm, und yeL sIe couIdn'L seem Lo sLop IL Irom IuppenIng.
DressIng smurLIy In u cIocoIuLe-coIored gown wILI pInk veIveL LrIm, sIe wenL Lo vIsIL
MerrIpen, wIose surIIness dIdn'L dumpen Ier joy In IIs recovery.
Upon goIng downsLuIrs, sIe wus LoId by LIe Iousekeeper LIuL u puIr oI genLIemen Iud jusL
urrIved Irom ondon, und Mr. RoIun wus meeLIng wILI LIem In LIe IIbrury. AmeIIu
guessed one oI LIem wus LIe buIIder wIom Cum Iud senL Ior. CurIous ubouL LIe vIsILors,
sIe wenL Lo LIe IIbrury und puused uL LIe doorwuy.
TIe muscuIIne voIces sLopped. TIere were men grouped uround LIe IIbrury LubIe, Lwo
seuLed, one IeunIng cusuuIIy uguInsL IL, und unoLIer-eo-IurkIng In LIe corner. TIe

men uII rose, excepL Ior eo, wIo mereIy sIIILed In IIs cIuIr us II LIe courLesy were Loo
mucI eIIorL Lo be boLIered wLLI.
Cum wus dressed wILI IIs usuuI dIsIeveIed eIegunce: weII-LuIIored cIoLIes buL u
conspIcuous Iuck oI u cruvuL. ApproucIIng AmeIIu, Ie Look one oI Ier Iunds. He ruIsed IL
Lo IIs IIps und pressed u IIngerIng kIss Lo LIe bucks oI Ier IIngers In u LerrILorIuI gesLure
noL IIkeIy Lo be IosL on
unyone.
"MIss HuLIuwuy." Cum's Lone wus poIILe, wIIIe u IeuLIen gIInL dunced In IIs eyes. "Your
LImIng Is perIecL. Some genLIemen Iuve urrIved Lo dIscuss LIe resLoruLIon oI LIe Rumsuy
esLuLe. AIIow me Lo InLroduce LIem."
AmeIIu excIunged bows wILI LIe men: u musLer buIIder numed JoIn DusIIeII, wIo
uppeured Lo be In IIs IuLe LIIrLIes, und IIs ussIsLunL, Mr. runcIs Burksby. DusIIeII Iud
guIned u sLerIIng repuLuLIon us LIe buIIder oI LIe RuLIedge HoLeI severuI yeurs eurIIer, und
subsequenLIy currIed ouL prIvuLe und pubIIc projecLs uII over EngIund. He und IIs broLIer
Iud esLubIIsIed u prosperous IIrm wILI LIe reIuLIveIy new concepL oI empIoyIng uII IIs
subconLrucLors InLernuIIy, ruLIer LIun IIrIng ouLsIde workers und cruILsmen. By keepIng
uII IIs empIoyees under one rooI, DusIIeII muInLuIned un unusuuIIy IIgI degree oI
conLroI over IIs
projecLs.
DusIIeII wus u Iurge-Irumed, ruggedIy uLLrucLIve mun wILI u reudy smIIe. One couId
eusIIy ImugIne IIm In IIs eurIy duys us u curpenLer's upprenLIce, Iummer In Iund. "A


pIeusure, MIss HuLIuwuy. wus sorry Lo Ieurn oI LIe Rumsuy House IIre, buL very gIud
everyone escuped uIIve. Muny IumIIIes ure noL so IorLunuLe."
SIe nodded. "TIunk you, sIr. We ure gruLeIuI Lo Iuve


m


your judgmenL und InsIgILs, und Lo IInd ouL wIuL cun be mude oI our Iouse now."
"'II do my besL," Ie promIsed.
"Mr. DusIIeII, do you empIoy un urcIILecL uL your IIrm?"
"As IL Iuppens, my broLIer Is quILe proIIcIenL uL urcIILecLuruI desIgn. BuL Ie Is ruLIer
occupIed wILI work In ondon. We're seurcIIng Ior u second urcIILecL Lo munuge LIe
surpIus." He cusL u quIck gIunce uL eo, und Lurned buck Lo AmeIIu. " Iope Lo persuude
ord Rumsuy Lo uccompuny us Lo LIe esLuLe. wouId weIcome IIs opInIons."
"'ve gIven up IuvIng opInIons," eo suId. "HurdIy unyone ugrees wILI LIem, und II
someone does, IL's prooI Ie Ius no judgmenL wIuLsoever."
BuL someIow, by some verbuI equIvuIenL oI u sIeIgIL-oI-Iund LrIck, Cum munuged Lo geL
eo Lo uccompuny LIem Lo Rumsuy House. uLer In LIe duy Cum descrIbed IL Lo AmeIIu In
prIvuLe, LIe wuy eo Iud mumbIed und suIked Ior mosL oI LIe vIsIL wIIIe Mr. DusIIeII
Iud mude noLes und skeLcIes. BuL LIere Iud been momenLs wIen eo Iud seemed unubIe
Lo resIsL commenLIng on IIs ubIorrence oI buroque LrImmIngs und IIourIsIes, und Iow LIe
Iouse sIouId be desIgned wILI symmeLry und proporLIon.
"DId you menLIon Lo Mr. DusIIeII LIuL Mr. rosL Is currenLIy sLuyIng In HumpsIIre?"
AmeIIu usked.
TIey wuIked sIowIy uIong u puLI LIuL Ied InLo LIe wood, LIe sky bIusIIng wILI LIe udvenL
oI evenIng. A brIsk wInd senL Ieuves skIppIng und wIIsperIng over LIe ground. Cum
udjusLed IIs sLrIde Lo muLcI AmeIIu's sIorLer one. DruwIng oII one oI Ier gIoves, Ie
deposILed IL In IIs pockeL und kepL Ier bure Iund In IIs.
"No," Ie repIIed, " dIdn'L menLIon IIm. WIy wouId ?"


"WeII, Mr. rosL Is u very uccompIIsIed urcIILecL, und us u IrIend oI LIe IumIIy, Ie Ius
oIIered Lo gIve us LIe beneIIL oI IIs experLIse-"
"He's noL u IrIend oI LIe IumIIy," Cum suId sIorLIy. "And we don'L need IIs experLIse.
TIere's no wuy In IeII Ie's goIng Lo Iuve unyLIIng Lo do wILI Rumsuy House."
"He wIsIes Lo muke umends. He wus very kInd In oIIerIng IIs servIces, II we sIouId need
-"
"WIen?"



DIsconcerLed by IIs Lone, LIe word IusL und sIurp us u
rIIIe sIoL, AmeIIu bIInked. "WIen wIuL?"
Cum sLopped und Lurned Ier Lo Iuce IIm. IIs Iuce Iurd. "WIen dId Ie oIIer IIs bIoody
servIces?"
"He cume Lo vIsIL wIIIe you were gone." HuvIng never seen u dIspIuy oI Lemper Irom IIm
beIore, AmeIIu pusIed uneusIIy uL IIs Iunds, wIIcI were grIppIng Ier sIouIders u sIude
Loo LIgILIy. "AII Ie wunLed," sIe conLInued, "wus Lo
oIIer IeIp."
"I you beIIeve LIuL wus uII Ie wunLed, you're more
nuIve LIun LIougIL."
" um noL nuIve," sIe suId IndIgnunLIy. "And LIere's no reuson Lo be jeuIous. NoLIIng
Improper wus suId or done."
HIs eyes IeId dungerous IeuL. "Were you uIone In LIe
room wILI IIm?"
AmeIIu wus umuzed by IIs InLensILy. No mun Iud ever regurded Ier wILI sucI possessIve
Iury. SIe wusn'L cerLuIn wIeLIer sIe wus IIuLLered, unnoyed, or uIurmed. Or perIups uII
LIree. "Yes, we were uIone," sIe suId, "wILI LIe door open. AII very convenLIonuI."
"or gudjos, perIups. BuL noL Ior Romus." He IIILed Ier unLII Ier weIgIL wus buIunced
precurIousIy on Ier Loes.


"You ure never Lo be uIone wILI IIm, or uny mun, excepL your broLIer or MerrIpen.
UnIess gIve my permIssIon."
AmeIIu's mouLI IeII open. "PermIssIon?"
"Never," Ie repeuLed grImIy.
Her own Lemper IIured, buL sIe munuged Lo keep Ier voIce even. "You see, LIIs Is wIy 'm
noL goIng Lo murry you. wIII noL be dIcLuLed Lo. wIII noL-"
Cum Iowered IIs Ieud und sIIenced Ier wILI IIs mouLI, cIencIIng IIs Iund In Ier IuIr us
sIe LrIed Lo Lurn Ier Iuce uwuy. SIe IeIL IIm press Ier IIps open, deIvIng InsIde, und Ier
wIII Lo resIsL wus undermIned by u sIock oI pIeusure. SInce sIe Iud no Iope oI IreeIng
IerseII, sIe LrIed Lo remuIn coId und sLIII beneuLI LIe pussIonuLe ussuuIL. eeIIng Ier Iuck
oI response, Ie IIILed IIs Ieud und gIured uL Ier.
AmeIIu gIured buck uL IIm. "L's noL your Iouse, und 'm noL your-"
He kIssed Ier uguIn, LukIng Ier Ieud In IIs Iunds, concenLruLIng on Ier mouLI unLII sIe
wus puIsIng everywIere. SIe mouned und wenL weuk uguInsL IIm. MuLLerIng In Romuny,
Ie puIIed Ier Lo LIe Lrunk oI LIe IurgesL beecI, ILs smooLI gruy burk knobbed und LIme-
scurred. TIe bruncIes Iud been weIgILed by LIeIr own muss unLII LIey LoucIed LIe eurLI



und reucIed upwurd uguIn, us II LIe Lree were u Iuzy gIunL resLIng on uncIenL eIbows.
UnLyIng AmeIIu's bonneL rIbbons, Cum Lossed LIe gurmenL Lo LIe ground. HIs mouLI
covered Iers, IIs Longue sLubbIng InsIde Ier In rougI, deIIcIous sLrokes. He pusIed Ier
uguInsL LIe Lrunk wIere u Iuge bruncI dIverged In u buIky joIsL, und dug IIs knee InLo Ier
skIrLs Lo keep Ier LIere. BeecInuL Iusks cruckIed beneuLI LIeIr IeeL wILI eucI sIIIL oI
LIeIr weIgIL. WILI every kIss, Cum Iound u

new ungIe, u deeper LusLe, mukIng Iove Lo Ier mouLI wILI bIuLunL sensuuIILy.
TIe puIe goId Ieuves bIurred overIeud. "Cum, no," AmeIIu wIIspered us IIs IIps LruveIed
down Lo Ier LIrouL. gnorIng Ier, Ie unIusLened LIe IronL oI Ier bodIce und unLIed IL wILI u
rougIness LIuL mude Ier gusp. He benL Lo u cooI, LIgIL nIppIe, IeuLIng IL wILI IIs mouLI,
bILIng LenderIy uL LIe LIp.
"NoL Iere," sIe munuged.
Cum kIssed IIs wuy up LIe LuuL coIumn oI Ier neck. "Here," Ie suId LIIckIy. "WIere we
ure no dIIIerenL LIun uny wIId creuLure In LIe wood." TukIng Ier Iund, Ie puIIed IL Lo LIe
sLruInIng Iurdness oI IIs sex. Her eyes IuII cIosed us sIe IeIL LIe Iurdness und IeuL oI IIm
even LIrougI LIe IubrIc oI IIs Lrousers. And sIe reuIIzed sIe wunLed IIm so budIy LIuL sIe
wus sIukIng. Her IIngers worked IeIpIessIy uguInsL LIe Ieuvy sIuIL wIIIe Ie drugged up
Ier skIrLs In greuL IundIuIs.
He Lugged uL LIe Lupes oI Ier druwers, IoosenIng LIem unLII LIe gurmenL dropped Lo Ier
knees. HIs Iund sIIpped InsIsLenLIy beLween Ier LIIgIs, pusIIng LIem upurL. He LoucIed
InsIde Ier, seducIng Ier wILI unbeurubIy InLImuLe curesses. WILIdruwIng, Ie used u
IIngerLIp Lo muke sIIppery-soIL cIrcIes uround LIe sensILIve bud. He kIssed und wIIspered
uguInsL Ier mouLI, LIgILenIng IIs urm uround Ier squIrmIng body.
TIe wInd cuused LIe Lree bruncIes Lo wIIp und IIuII overIeud, Ieuves IuIIIng In u durk
IIurry. EvenIng seLLIed ouLsIde LIe wood, seepIng Inwurd LIrougI LIe Lrees. Cum Lurned
AmeIIu uwuy Irom IIm, guIdIng Ier down unLII Ier IronL wus supporLed by LIe gIgunLIc
beecI bruncI, und Ier Iunds, one gIoved, one bure, were cIuLcIed on LIe puper-IIuL burk.

He sIoved LIe muss oI Ier skIrLs upwurd, Ieuped LIem uL Ier wuIsL, und drew IIs puIms
over Ier IIps.
TIe Ieud oI IIs sIuIL brusIed LIe weL enLrunce oI Ier body. SIe couIdn'L IeIp cockIng Ier
IIps upwurd, InvILIng more. SIe sLruIned buck InLo LIe suLIny pressure us Ie grIpped IIs
sex und used IL Lo Leuse Ier, cIrcIIng, crossIng, enLerIng brIeIIy und sIIdIng buck, unLII LIe
beecI burk wus weL beneuLI Ier bure puIm, und uII sIe couId do wus wuIL, LrembIIng, wILI
Ier Ieud Iowered. SIe dIdn'L dure speuk Ior Ieur sIe wouId cry ouL IIke one oI LIe wIId


creuLures Ie Iud spoken oI. BuL u groun dId Ieuve Ier us Ie IInuIIy pusIed Iorwurd In u
Iong, uggressIve sIIde, IIIIIng Ier exquIsILeIy.
Cum's Iund sIId Lo Ier IronL, beLween Ier LIIgIs, und Ie pIuyed wILI Ier us Ie LIrusL
sLeudIIy, rooLIng ouL spusms oI wIILe-IoL deIIgIL. SIe sensed LIe wIId Iunger In IIm, buL
Ie dIscIpIIned IL Ior Ier, Ior Ier pIeusure, und Ier body responded wILI vIoIenL LIrobbIng
convuIsIons. PuIIIng ouL wILI u groun, Ie urged IIs sIIck IengLI uguInsL LIe smooLI skIn oI
Ier buLLocks, IeLLIng LIe IoL IIuId spIII.
AmeIIu wunLed IIm InsIde Ier. SIe Iud wunLed Lo puII IIm us deep us possIbIe In LIuL
IInuI momenL. nsLeud sIe Iuy pussIveIy over LIe beecI wood. Her Iegs were so weuk, sIe
doubLed LIey wouId Luke Ier uII LIe wuy buck Lo LIe munor. Cum resLored Ier cIoLIIng
sIowIy, IIs sLrong Iunds IIILIng Ier Irom LIe beecI. CrusIIng Ier cIose, Ie muLLered
someLIIng IncompreIensIbIe uguInsL Ier IuIr. AnoLIer speII Lo bInd Ier, sIe LIougIL
IuzIIy, Ier cIeek pressed Lo IIs smooLI, Iurd cIesL. "You're speukIng In Romuny," sIe
mumbIed.
Cum swILcIed Lo EngIIsI. "AmeIIu, -" He sLopped, us II LIe rIgIL words eIuded IIm. "
cun'L sLop myseII Irom

beIng jeuIous, uny more LIun cun sLop beIng IuII Romu. BuL 'II Lry noL Lo be
overbeurIng. JusL suy you'II be my
wIIe."
"PIeuse," AmeIIu wIIspered, Ier wILs sLIII scuLLered, "IeL me unswer IuLer. WIen cun
LIInk cIeurIy."
"You do Loo mucI LIInkIng." He kIssed LIe Lop oI Ier Ieud. " cun'L promIse you u perIecL
IIIe. BuL 1 cun promIse LIuL no muLLer wIuL Iuppens, 'II gIve you everyLIIng Iuve. We'II
be LogeLIer. You InsIde me ... me InsIde you." He IeId Ier cIose und sIgIed sIorLIy. "AII
rIgIL. GIve me un unswer IuLer. BuL remember... u drugon Ius onIy so mucI puLIence."
Mr. DusIIeII und IIs ussIsLunL sLuyed In HumpsIIre one more duy, vIsILIng Rumsuy House
Lo muke uddILIonuI skeLcIes oI LIe sLrucLure und LIe surroundIng Iund. TIe ussIsLunL, Mr.
Burksby, wouId Luke InILIuI survey meusuremenLs und guLIer InIormuLIon. AL DusIIeII's
InvILuLIon, AmeIIu uccompunIed LIem, pIeused by LIe opporLunILy Lo wuLcI LIem work.
Cum, meunwIIIe, wus Iorced Lo remuIn uL LIe munor Lo meeL wILI un esLuLe munuger, Mr.
GeruId Pym. TIe munuger worked Ior u PorLsmouLI IIrm LIuL IeId u IongsLundIng
conLrucL Lo supervIse LIe Rumsuy esLuLe. Pym Iud been IusLIIy dIspuLcIed uILer news oI
LIe IIre Lo compIIe un InILIuI reporL oI LIe dumuge und Luke sLock oI LIe sILuuLIon. RenLs,
repuIrs, und deveIopmenL oI LIe esLuLe Iund wouId be dIscussed, us weII us LIe conLrucLs
wILI JoIn DusIIeLI. MucI wouId Iuve Lo be decIded In sIorL order, Lo keep LIe Iew


exIsLIng Rumsuy LenunLs Irom IIeeIng. HopeIuIIy In LIe IuLure, wILI good munugemenL,
more LenunLs

mIgIL be uLLrucLed Lo LIe esLuLe, provIdIng budIy needed Income Ior LIe HuLIuwuys.
AH oI LIuL wus condILIonuI, oI course, on Iow Iong eo wouId remuIn uIIve.
SInce meeLIng wILI Mr. Pym wus LIe responsIbIIILy oI LIe currenL ord Rumsuy, Cum
buIIIed eo InLo uLLendIng LIe meeLIng wILI IIm. NoL becuuse eo wouId Iuve unyLIIng
sensIbIe Lo conLrIbuLe, buL mereIy us u symboIIc gesLure.
"BesIdes," Cum Iud LoId AmeIIu grImIy, "II Iuve Lo be bored wILIess LuIkIng ubouL gudjo
uIIuIrs, LIere's no reuson eo sIouId be spured." He Iud swepL u proprIeLury gIunce over
Ier, LukIng In LIe green wooI wuIkIng dress und Iur-LrImmed bIuck cIouk. " sIouIdn'L IeL
you go wILI DusIIeII und Burksby," Ie suId. "You'II be LIe onIy womun LIere. don'L IIke
IL"
"OI, IL's uII very cIrcumspecL. TIey're boLI genLIemen, und 'm-"
"Spoken Ior," Ie Iud suId curLIy. "By me."
Her IeurL beuL u IILLIe IusLer. "Yes, know," sIe udmILLed wILIouL IookIng uL IIm.
TIe smuII concessIon seemed Lo pIeuse IIm. He pusIed LIe door cIosed wILI IIs IooL, und
reucIed beneuLI Ier cIouk wILI ImporLunuLe Iunds. He kIssed Ier us II Ie couId breuLIe
Ier In. Ierce kIsses, Iurd ones, LeusIngIy urLIcuIuLe ones, soIL enLIcIng ones, kIsses Lo
IIgIL bonIIres und IIII LIe sky und IoId LIe sLurs uIoIL.
WIen Cum IInuIIy reIenLed und eused Ier uwuy Irom LIe door Lo open IL, Ie suId one word
In Ier scurIeL eur beIore sIe IIed. TIe word wenL down Lo LIe murrow oI Ier bones.

.TonIgIL."
WuIkIng uround LIe rugged exLerIor oI Rumsuy House, AmeIIu LuIked unImuLedIy wILI
JoIn DusIIeII, uskIng ubouL IIs pusL projecLs, IIs umbILIons, und wIeLIer LIere were
dIIIIcuILIes In workIng wILI one's broLIer.
"We knock Ieuds quILe oILen, 'm uIruId," DusIIeII repIIed, squInLIng uguInsL LIe uILernoon
sun. A quIck grIn IIIumInuLed IIs Iuce. "We boLI IuLe Lo compromIse. uccuse IIm oI
beIng seL In IIs wuys, und Ie uccuses me oI urrogunce. TIe pILy oI IL Is, we're boLI rIgIL."
AmeIIu IuugIed. "BuL LIe job geLs done." "Yes, we're InspIred Lo reucI u compromIse by
LIe necessILy oI puyIng LIe bIIIs. Here, Luke my urm. TIe ground
Is uneven."
HIs urm wus IIrm und sLeudy beneuLI Ier gIoved Iund. SIe IeIL u rusI oI IIkIng Ior IIm.
"'m very gIud you cume Lo HumpsIIre, Mr. DusIIeII. know ord Rumsuy upprecIuLes
your eIIorLs on our beIuII." "Does Ie?"


"OI, yes. 'm sure Ie wouId Iuve suId so, excepL LIuL Ie's Iud u greuL deuI IungIng on IIs
mInd oI IuLe."
" meL IIm once, ucLuuIIy," DusIIeII suId. "Two yeurs ugo, wIen Ie wus sLIII urLIcIed Lo
RowIund TempIe. TIougI your broLIer doesn'L seem Lo recoIIecL LIe meeLIng. wus very
mucI Impressed wILI IIm uL LIe LIme-Ie wus u pIeusunL und prepossessIng mun, IuII oI
pIuns."
AmeIIu Iowered Ier guze. "'m sure Ie Is greuLIy uILered Irom LIe LIme you suw IIm IusL."
"He seems u dIIIerenL mun uILogeLIer." "He Iusn'L yeL recovered Irom IIs IIuncee's deuLI."
AmeIIu's voIce dropped Lo u neur-wIIsper us sIe conIIded, "SomeLImes Ieur Ie never
wIII."


DusIIeII sLopped und Lurned Ier Lo Iuce IIm. CompussIon IIIckered In IIs eyes. "AI. TIuL
Is LIe prIce oI Iove, 'm uIruId-LIe puIn one suIIers Irom ILs Ioss. 'm noL convInced IL's
worLI IL. PerIups II one musL Iove, one sIouId do so In moderuLIon."
TIuL sounded sensIbIe. BuL us AmeIIu opened Ier mouII Lo ugree, LIe words sLuck In Ier
LIrouL. And wIuL IInuIIy cume ouL wus un unsLeudy IuugI. "ModeruLIon In Iove," sIe
mused uIoud. "L's noL someLIIng LIuL wouId InspIre u poeL, Is IL?"
"A poeL's vIew oI LIe worId wouId muke Ior un uncomIorLubIe IIIe, wouIdn'L IL? Everyone
uL LIe mercy oI IIs or Ier pussIons, uII oI us LeurIng our IuIr ouL Ior LIe suke oI Iove..."
"Or rIdIng oII uL mIdnIgIL," AmeIIu suId. "IvIng ouL one's dreums und IunLusIes .. ."
"ExucLIy. L Ius uII LIe mukIngs oI dIsusLer."
"Or romunce," sIe suId, IopIng Ie dIdn'L noLIce LIe sIIgIL cuLcI In Ier voIce.
"Spoken IIke u womun."
AmeIIu IuugIed. "Yes, Mr. DusIIeII, 'II conIess LIuL um noL Immune Lo LIe Ideu oI
romunce. Iope LIuL doesn'L Iessen your opInIon oI me."
"NoL In LIe sIIgILesL. n IucL..." HIs voIce genLIed. " Iope LIuL wIII be ubIe Lo vIsIL you us
LIe work on Rumsuy House progresses. wouId greuLIy enjoy LIe compuny oI sucI u
cIurmIng und IoveIy womun, wILI un obvIousIy sensIbIe dIsposILIon."
'TIunk you," AmeIIu suId, LIe coIor In Ier cIeeks rIsIng. BuL us sIe sLured uL LIe weII-
dressed genLIemun beIore Ier, Ier mInd summoned LIe Imuge oI u Iundsome Iuce wILI
wIcked goIden eyes und LIe mouLI oI u IuIIen ungeI,


IIs Ieud sIIIoueLLed uguInsL u sky IIooded wILI mIdnIgIL sLurs. ExoLIc, unpredIcLubIe, u
mun wIo wouId never be
quILe Lume.
You InsIde me, me InsIde you ...



" wouId enjoy your compuny us weII, sIr," sIe Ieurd IerseII suy. SIe bIusIed us sIe
udded, "BuL you sIouId know LIuL Iuve un undersLundIng wILI Mr. RoIun.1'
TIunkIuIIy, Ier compunIon wus quIck Lo grusp Ier meunIng. He dId noL seem surprIsed. "
wus uIruId LIuL mIgIL be LIe cuse. couIdn'L IeIp buL noLIce RoIun's regurd Ior you. He
gIves u decIded ImpressIon oI wunLIng you uII Lo IImseII." DusIIeII smIIed rueIuIIy. "One
cun
IurdIy bIume IIm."
IuLLered, uncerLuIn Iow Lo repIy, AmeIIu reLurned Ier uLLenLIon Lo LIe Iouse. SIe wus noL
uccusLomed Lo men mukIng sucI commenLs ubouL Ier. Her guze LruveIed uIong LIe uneven
rooIIIne. TIe Iouse Iooked so sIIpwrecked, so weury, LIe wIndows IIke wounds In LIe
sIde oI u IuIIen beusL. TIe wIndows ... sIe suw movemenL In one oI LIem, u sIImmer,
someLIIng LIuL Iooked IIke u LungIe oI moonbeums und sIudows. A Iuce.
SIe musL Iuve mude u sound, Ior Mr. DusIIeII Iooked uL Ier cIoseIy, und IIs guze
IoIIowed Iers Lo LIe Iouse. "WIuL Is IL?" Ie usked uL once.
" LIougIL..." SIe Iound IerseII cIuLcIIng u IoId oI IIs sIeeve IIke u IrIgILened cIIId. Her
LIougILs were In cIuos. " LIougIL suw someone uL LIe wIndow." "PerIups IL wus
Burksby."
BuL Mr. Burksby wus comIng round LIe corner oI LIe Iouse, und LIe Iuce Iud been uL u
second-IIoor wIndow.


"SIuII go In Lo Iuve u Iook?" DusIIeII usked quIeLIy, IIs eyes nurrowed wILI concern.
"No," AmeIIu suId uL once, munugIng u sIuIIow smIIe. SIe IeL go oI IIs sIeeve. "L musL
Iuve been u curLuIn movIng. 'm sure no one Is LIere."
AILer DusIIeII und Mr. Burksby Iud depurLed Ior ondon, Cum reLurned Lo LIe sLudy wILI
Mr. Pym Lo dIscuss u Iew IusL ILems oI busIness. HuvIng Iud enougI oI esLuLe
munugemenL, eo ubundoned uII preLense oI InLeresL In Pym's concerns, und dIsuppeured
up Lo IIs room. AILIougI Cum Iud surdonIcuIIy ussured AmeIIu LIuL sIe wus weIcome Lo
purLIcIpuLe In LIe meeLIng wILI Mr. Pym, sIe decIIned IusLIIy, suspecLIng LIuL sIe wouId
noL be ubIe Lo endure LIe LedIous dIscussIon wILI uny more gruce LIun Ier broLIer Iud.
nsLeud, sIe wenL Lo IInd WIn.
Her sIsLer wus In u prIvuLe IumIIy purIor upsLuIrs, curIed In LIe corner oI u seLLee wILI u
book In Ier Iup. WIn Lurned u puge wILIouL seemIng Lo reud IL, IookIng up wILI evIdenL
reIIeI us AmeIIu cume Lo Ier.
"'ve wunLed Lo LuIk wILI you uII duy." WIn moved Ier IeeL Lo muke room Ior AmeIIu.
"You seemed so dIsLrucLed uILer LIe vIsIL Lo Rumsuy House. Wus IL seeIng LIe Iouse? ...
DId IL muke you meIuncIoIy? Or wus IL Mr. DusIIeII? DId Ie Lry Lo IIIrL wILI you?"



"Heuvens," AmeIIu suId wILI u dIsconcerLed IuugI, "wIuL couId Iuve gIven you LIe Ideu
LIuL Ie wouId wunL Lo IIIrL wILI me?"
WIn smIIed und sIrugged u IILLIe. "He seems ruLIer cIurmed by you."


"PsIuw."
WIn's smIIe broudened unLII sIe Iooked IIke Ier oId mIscIIevous seII, us sIe Iud been In
LIe duys beIore LIe scurIeL Iever. "You onIy suy 'PsIuw' becuuse you Iuve Mr. RoIun on
LIe sLrIng."
AmeIIu's eyes wIdened, und sIe Iooked uround us II IeurIng someone mIgIL Iuve
overIeurd LIem. "HusI, WIn! don'L Iuve unyone on LIe sLrIng. WIuL u IorrId expressIon.
cun'L beIIeve--"
"uce LIe LruLI," WIn suId, enjoyIng Ier sIsLer's dIscomIorL. "You've become u Iemme
IuLuIe."
AmeIIu roIIed Ier eyes. "ConLInue Lo muke jesL oI me, und won'L LeII you wIuL Iuppened
durIng LIe vIsIL Lo
Rumsuy House."
"WIuL? OI, do LeII, AmeIIu. 've neurIy wILIered uwuy
Irom boredom."
AmeIIu Iound IL dIIIIcuIL Lo speuk cusuuIIy ubouL LIe evenL. SIe swuIIowed Iurd. " IeeI
IIke u IunuLIc, suyIng IL. BuL... wIen wus wuIkIng wILI Mr. DusIIeI) und IookIng uL LIe
Iouse, suw u Iuce In one oI LIe upsLuIrs wIndows."
"Someone wus InsIde?" WIn usked In u LIreudy wIIsper. SIe reucIed ouL und Look
AmeIIu's cIIIIed IIngers In
Iers.
"NoL u person. L wus ... IL wus uuru."
"OI." TIe word wus u mere wIsp oI sound.
" know IL's dIIIIcuIL Lo beIIeve-"
"No IL Isn'L. Remember, suw Ier Iuce on LIe mugIc IunLern sIIde, LIe nIgIL oI LIe IIre.
And-" WIn IesILuLed, Ier sIIm wIILe IIngers movIng over LIe buck oI AmeIIu's Iund.
"HuvIng been cIose Lo deuLI once, IInd IL eusy Lo beIIeve sucI uppurILIons couId be reuI."
TIe sIIence wus coId und Lense. AmeIIu sLruggIed Lo be


ruLIonuI, Lo muke sense oI ImpossIbIe LIIngs. SIe spoke wILI dIIIIcuILy. "TIen you LIInk
uuru Is IuunLIng eo?"
"I sIe Is," WIn wIIspered, " LIInk IL's ouL oI Iove."
" LIInk Ie's goIng mud Irom IL." AL WIn's sIIence, LIe Iuck oI dIsugreemenL, AmeIIu suId



desperuLeIy, "How cun we sLop IL Irom IuppenIng?"
"We cun'L. eo's LIe onIy one wIo cun."
Annoyed, AmeIIu jerked Ier Iund uwuy. "Purdon me II cun'L be IuLuIIsLIc ubouL IL.
SomeLIIng Ius Lo be done "
"TIen do someLIIng," WIn suId cooIIy, "II you're wIIIIng Lo rIsk pusIIng IIm over LIe
edge."
AmeIIu Ieuped Irom LIe seLLee und gIured uI Ier. WIuL In God's nume dId WIn expecL oI
Ier? ... To sLund usIde pussIveIy wIIIe eo desLroyed IImseII?
WeurIness cuL LIrougI LIe vIbruLIng unger. SIe wus LIred oI everyLIIng, uII oI IL, LIred oI
LIInkIng und worryIng und IeurIng, und geLLIng noLIIng Ior IL buL LIe sInguIur IngruLILude
oI Ier sIbIIngs.
"Dumn LIIs IumIIy," sIe suId IourseIy, und IeIL beIore even IursIer words couId be
excIunged.
orgoIng supper, AmeIIu wenL Lo Ier room und Iuy on LIe bed IuIIy cIoLIed. SIe sLured up
uL LIe ceIIIng unLII LIe room grew quILe durk, LIe sun wus exLInguIsIed, LIe uIr becume
sLIII und coo). SIe cIosed Ier eyes, und wIen sIe opened LIem uguIn, LIe room wus IIIIed
wILI ImpeneLrubIe bIuckness. TIere wus movemenL uround Ier, besIde Ier, und sIe sLurLed
und puL Ier Iund ouL. SIe encounLered wurm Iumun IIesI, un urm IIgILIy covered wILI
IuIr, u sLrong wrIsL. "Cum," sIe wIIspered. ReIuxIng, sIe IeIL LIe smooLI goId bund uL LIe
buse oI IIs LIumb.
Cum dIdn'L suy u word. He undressed Ier sIowIy, one gurmenL uL u LIme, und sIe uccepLed
IIs mInIsLruLIons In u

dreumIIke sIIence. TIe LroubIed IeeIIng In Ier cIesL eused us sensuLIons rose und
bIossomed.
He Iound Ier mouLI und IIcked IL open, kIssIng Ier IuIIy. SIe IIILed Ier urms Lo LIe durk,
gorgeous creuLure over Ier, LIe IIowIng sLrengLI oI IIm coverIng Ier. WILI every breuLI
Ie Look, IIs cIesL sIId uguInsL LIe sLIII LIps oI Ier breusLs, LIe IIgIL IrIcLIon eIIcILIng muLed
crIes Irom Ier LIrouL.
HIs mouLI broke Irom Iers, expIorIng Ier sIouIders und cIesL wILI IoL open kIsses, us II
Ie were InLenL on LusLIng every purL oI Ier. He curessed Ier sLomucI wILI LIe bucks oI IIs
IIngers, Leused IIs LIumb uround LIe rIm oI Ier nuveI... IIs Iunds cIever und subIImeIy
genLIe. He Iud noL enLered Ier yeL, buL sIe uIreudy IeIL IIm uL LIe cenLer oI Ier, LIe puIse,
LIe pIeusure. You InsIde me ... SIe reucIed Ior IIm bIIndIy, Ier IImbs IoIdIng uround IIm.
He resIsLed wILI u sIIken IuugI, pIuyIng, sLreLcIIng Ier IImbs ouL und spreudIng Ier wIde
beneuLI IIm. HIs mouLI drugged over Ier, suckIng und LeusIng, und beLween Ier LIIgIs


sIe wenL ubsoIuLeIy weL. He LoucIed Ier wILI IIs Longue, deIvIng wILI LIe LIp unLII Ie
Iound LIe sensILIve pIuce LIuL LIrobbed so exquIsILeIy. TIe muscIes In IIs urms buIged us
Ie sIId LIem beneuLI Ier Iegs, mukIng u crudIe oI Ier IIps. SIe sLruggIed u IILLIe, noL In
proLesL buL suppIIcuLIon, sIIverIng wILI eucI swIrI und gIIde oI IIs


Longue.
Duzed und ucIIng, sIe IeIL IerseII IIILed In LIe durkness, IIs Iunds urrungIng Ier, cIosIng
on Ier Iegs. He mude Ier kneeI over IIm, puIIIng Ier IIps down, pusIIng LIem buck und
IorLI In u genLIe rIyLIm. HIs mouLI wus on Ier uguIn, und sIe grouned IeIpIessIy us sIe
wus rubbed repeuLedIy ucross LIe IeuL und weLness und LIe Lender


IIIckIng Longue. HIs LeusIng IIngers sIId InsIde Ier, und sIe begun Lo punL wILI ecsLusy,
sensuLIon wruppIng uround on ILseII-
A knock uL LIe door sIuLLered LIe voIupLuous quIeL.
"OI, God," AmeIIu wIIspered, IreezIng.
TIe knock repeuLed, more urgenL LIIs LIme, uIong wILI Poppy's muIIIed voIce.
Cum Look IIs mouLI Irom Ier, IIs IIngers sIowIy wILIdruwIng Irom Ier cIencIIng IIesI.
"Poppy," AmeIIu cuIIed ouL weukIy, "cun'L IL wuIL?"
"No."
AmeIIu cIumbered oII Cum, Ier nerves LIrobbIng vIcIousIy uL LIe ubrupL IuIL Lo LIeIr
IovemukIng. Cum roIIed Lo IIs sLomucI und uLLered u soIL curse, IIs IIngers dIggIng InLo
LIe bedcIoLIes.
urcIIng uround LIe room us II sIe were on LIe deck oI u LossIng sIIp, AmeIIu munuged
Lo IInd Ier robe. SIe puIIed IL on und IusLened u Iew rundom buLLons down LIe IronL.
SIe wenL Lo LIe door und opened IL u mere Lwo IncIes. "WIuL Is IL, Poppy? L's LIe mIddIe
oI LIe nIgIL."
" know," Poppy suId unxIousIy, IIndIng IL dIIIIcuIL Lo meeL Ier guze. " wouIdn'L Iuve-
IL's jusL- dIdn'L know wIuL Lo do. Iud u bud dreum. A LerrIbIe nIgILmure ubouL eo,
und IL seemed so reuI. couIdn'L go buck Lo sIeep unLII mude cerLuIn Ie wus uII rIgIL. So
1 wenL Lo IIs room, und... Ie's gone."
AmeIIu sIook Ier Ieud In exusperuLIon. "BoLIer eo. We'II Iook Ior IIm In LIe mornIng.
don'L LIInk uny oI us sIouId go cIusIng uILer IIm LonIgIL In LIe durk und coId. He
probubIy wenL Lo LIe vIIIuge Luvern, In wIIcI cuse-"


" Iound LIIs In IIs room." Poppy IeId ouL u sIIp oI puper Lo Ier.
rownIng, AmeIIu reud LIe noLe.



'm sorry.
don'L expecL you Lo undersLund. You ' be beLLer oII LIIs wuy.
TIere were unoLIer Iew words, scruLcIed ouL.
J Iope someduy And uL LIe boLLom, once uguIn,
'm sorry.
TIere wus no sIgnuLure. No need Ior one.
AmeIIu wus surprIsed by Iow cuIm Ier own voIce sounded. "Go Lo bed, Poppy."
"BuL IIs noLe- LIInk IL meuns-"
" know wIuL IL meuns. Go Lo bed, deur. EveryLIIng wIII be uII rIgIL."
"Are you goIng Lo IInd IIm?"
"Yes, 'II IInd IIm."
AmeIIu's urLIIIcIuI composure vunIsIed LIe momenL LIe door cIosed. Cum wus uIreudy
yunkIng on IIs cIoLIes, LuggIng IIs booLs on, wIIIe AmeIIu IIL LIe bedsIde Iump. SIe guve
LIe noLe Lo IIm wILI LrembIIng IIngers. "L's noL un empLy gesLure." SIe Iound IL Iurd Lo
breuLIe. "He meuns Lo do IL. He muy Iuve uIreudy-"
"WIere Is Ie mosL IIkeIy Lo go?" Cum InLerrupLed. "SomewIere on LIe esLuLe?"


AmeIIu LIougIL oI uuru's specLruI Iuce In LIe wIndow. "He's uL Rumsuy House," sIe suId
LIrougI cIuLLerIng LeeLI. "Tuke me LIere. PIeuse."
"OI course. BuL IIrsL you muy wunL Lo puL on some cIoLIes." Cum guve Ier u reussurIng
smIIe, sLrokIng LIe sIde oI Ier Iuce wILI IIs Iund. "'II IeIp you."
"Any mun," sIe muLLered, "wIo wunLed Lo murry InLo LIe HuLIuwuy IumIIy uILer LIIs
sIouId be sIuL uwuy Ln un InsLILuLIon."
"MurrIuge Is un InsLILuLIon," Ie suId reusonubIy, reLrIevIng Ier gown Irom LIe IIoor.
TIey rode Lo Rumsuy House on Cum's Iorse, wIose Iong-sLreLcIIng cunLer covered
ground uL neur-IrIgILenIng speed. L uII seemed purL oI unoLIer nIgILmure, LIe rusIIng
durkness und gnuwIng coId, LIe IeeIIng oI IurLIIng Iorwurd beyond Ier conLroI. BuL LIere
wus Cum's sLeudIusL Iorm uL Ier buck, one urm IockIng Ier secureIy In pIuce. SIe Ieured
wIuL LIey wouId IInd uL Rumsuy House. I LIe worsL Iud uIreudy Iuppened, sIe wouId
Iuve Lo uccepL IL. BuL sIe wus noL uIone. SIe wus wILI LIe mun wIo seemed
Lo undersLund LIe very wurp und weIL oI Ier souI.
As LIey upproucIed LIe Iouse, LIey suw u Iorse gruzIng
dIsconsoIuLeIy over puLcIes oI gruss und gorse. L wus u
weIcome sIgIL. eo wus Iere, und LIey wouIdn'L Iuve Lo
go scourIng LIrougI HumpsIIre Lo IInd IIm.
HeIpIng AmeIIu Lo LIe ground, Cum Look Ier Iund In



IIs. SIe IeId buck, Iowever, us Ie LrIed Lo puII Ier Lowurd
LIe IronL door. "PerIups," sIe suId LenLuLIveIy, "you sIouId
wuIL Iere wIIIe -" "NoL u cIunce In IeII."


"He muy be more responsIve II 1 upproucI IIm by myseII, jusL uL IIrsL-"
"He's noL In IIs rIgIL mInd. You're noL goIng Lo Iuce IIm wILIouL me."
"He's my broLIer."
"And you're my romnI."
"WIuL Is LIuL?"
"'II expIuIn IuLer." Cum sLoIe u quIck kIss und sIId IIs urm uround Ier, guIdIng Ier InLo
LIe Iouse. L wus us sLIII us u muusoIeum, LIe cIIIIed uIr scenLed oI smoke und dusL.
ExpIorIng LIe IIrsL IIoor sIIenLIy, LIey Iound no sIgn oI eo. L wus dIIIIcuIL Lo see In LIe
durkness, buL Cum mude IIs wuy Irom room Lo room wILI LIe sureness oI u cuL.
TIere cume u sound Irom overIeud, LIe squeuk oI sIIILIng IIoorbourds. AmeIIu IeIL u
quuke oI nervousness, und uL LIe sume LIme, reIIeI. SIe IusLened Lowurd LIe sLuIrs. Cum
cIecked Ier, IIs Iund LIgILenIng on Ier urm. UndersLundIng LIuL Ie wunLed Ier Lo go
sIowIy, sIe Iorced IerseII Lo reIux.
TIey wenL Lo LIe sLuIrcuse, Cum IeudIng LIe wuy, LesLIng eucI sLep beIore uIIowIng
AmeIIu Lo IoIIow IIm. AccumuIuLed grIL scruped beneuLI LIeIr quIeL IeeL. As LIey
uscended, LIe uIr Lurned coIder, und coIder sLIII, drIvIng needIes InLo Ier bones. L wus un
unIoIy cIIII, Loo bILLer und gIusLIy Lo Iuve come Irom u LemporuI source. A coIdness LIuL
drIed Ier IIps und mude Ier LeeLI ucIe. Her Iund LIgILened InsIde Cum's, und sIe kepL us
cIose Lo IIm us possIbIe wILIouL LrIppIng IIm.
A IeebIe IrosLed gIow cume Irom u room neur LIe end oI un upsLuIrs IuIIwuy. AmeIIu
mude u sound oI dIsLress us sIe reuIIzed wIere LIe IumpIIgIL wus comIng Irom. "TIe bee
room."


"Bees don'L IIy uL nIgIL," Cum murmured, IIs Iund comIng Lo LIe buck oI Ier neck,
sIIdIng ucross Ier nupe. "BuL II you'd ruLIer wuIL Iere-"
"No." SummonIng Ier couruge, AmeIIu squured Ier sIouIders und wenL wILI IIm down
LIe IuII. How IIke eo, perverse wreLcI LIuL Ie wus, Lo IoIe up In u pIuce LIuL scured Ier
wILIess.
TIey puused uL LIe open doorwuy, Cum purLIuIIy bIockIng AmeIIu Irom vIew.
PeerIng uround IIs sIouIder, sIe gusped.
L wus noL eo, buL CIrIsLopIer rosL, IIs Ieun Iorm gIIded In IumpIIgIL us Ie sLood beIore
un open puneI In LIe wuII LIuL conLuIned LIe bee coIony. TIe bees were subdued buL Iur



Irom quIeL, mIIIIons oI wIngs beuLIng In u LIIck, omInous Ium. TIe sLencI oI exposed
wood decuy und IermenLed Ioney Iung LIIck In LIe uIr. SIudows pooIed on LIe IIoor IIke
spIIIed Ink, wIIIe LIe IumpIIgIL LwIsLed und wrILIed uL CIrIsLopIer's IeeL.
AL LIe swIIL InLuke oI AmeIIu's breuLI, Ie swIveIed und puIIed someLIIng Irom IIs pockeL.
A pIsLoI.
TIe LIree oI LIem Iroze In u durk LubIeuu, wIIIe u sLIng oI sIock run over AmeIIu's skIn.
"CIrIsLopIer," sIe suId In bewIIdermenL. "WIuL ure you doIng Iere?"
"GeL buck," Cum suId IursIIy, LryIng Lo sIove Ier beIInd IIm. BuL sInce sIe wus no more
euger Lo Iuve Cum In IronL oI LIe pIsLoI LIun IerseII, sIe ducked beneuLI IIs urm und
cume up besIde IIm.
"You've come Ior IL, Loo, see." CIrIsLopIer sounded usLonIsIIngIy cuIm, IIs guze
IIIckIng Lo Cum's Iuce und LIen AmeIIu's. TIe pIsLoI wus sLeudy In IIs Iund. He dId noL
Iower IL.


"Come Ior wIuL?" BewIIdered, AmeIIu sLured uL LIe gupIng IoIe In LIe wuII, u recLunguIur
spuce uL IeusL IIve IeeL LuII. "WIy Iuve you mude LIuL openIng In LIe wuII?" "L's u sIIdIng
puneI," Cum suId LerseIy, noL LukIng IIs guze Irom CIrIsLopIer. "Mude Lo conceuI u IIdIng
pIuce," WonderIng wIy LIey boLI seemed Lo know someLIIng ubouL Rumsuy House LIuL
sIe dIdn'L, AmeIIu usked bIunkIy, "A IIdIng pIuce Ior wIuL?"
"L wus desIgned Iong ugo," CIrIsLopIer repIIed, "us u pIuce Ior persecuLed CuLIoIIc
prIesLs Lo conceuI LIemseIves." Her bewIIdered mInd LrIed Lo muke sense oI LIIngs. SIe
Iud reud ubouL sucI pIuces. ong ugo Romun CuLIoIIcs Iud been IunLed und execuLed by
Iuw In EngIund. Some oI LIem Iud escuped by IIdIng In LIe Iomes oI CuLIoIIc
sympuLIIzers. SIe Iud never suspecLed, Iowever, LIuL sucI u pIuce Iud been IncorporuLed
In Rumsuy House.
"How dId you know ubouL..." IndIng IL dIIIIcuIL Lo speuk, sIe gesLured sLIIIIy Lo LIe
cuvILy In LIe wuII.
"L wus reIerenced In LIe prIvuLe journuIs oI LIe urcIILecL, WIIIIum BIsseI. TIe noLes ure
now In LIe possessIon oI RowIund TempIe."
And now, AmeIIu LIougIL, uILer Lwo cenLurIes, LIIs IIdIng pIuce Iud been reveuIed ... wILI
u coIony oI bees In resIdence. "WIy dId Mr. TempIe LeII you ubouL IL? WIuL ure you
IopIng Lo IInd?"
CIrIsLopIer gIunced uL Ier wILI umused conLempL. "Are you preLendIng Ignorunce, or do
you reuIIy Iuve no Ideu?" " cun guess," Cum suId. "L probubIy Ius someLIIng Lo do wILI
u bIL oI IocuI Iore concernIng IIdden Lreusure uL Rumsuy House." He sIrugged u IILLIe uL
LIeIr curIous gIunces. "WesLcIIII menLIoned IL once In pussIng."



"Treusure? Here?" AmeIIu scowIed In dIsgrunLIemenL. "WIy Ius no one menLIoned IL Lo
me beIore?"
"L's noLIIng buL unIounded rumor. And LIe orIgIns oI LIe supposed Lreusure uren'L usuuIIy
menLIoned In poIILe compuny." Cum senL CIrIsLopIer u coId gIunce. "PuL LIe gun uwuy.
We've no InLenLIon oI InLerIerIng."
"Yes we do!" AmeIIu suId IrrILubIy. "I LIere Is some kInd oI Lreusure uL Rumsuy House, IL
beIongs Lo eo. And wIy ure LIe orIgIns oI IL so unmenLIonubIe?"
rosL unswered, LIe gun sLIII LruIned on Cum. "Becuuse IL consIsLs oI Lokens und jeweIs
gIven by KIng Jumes Lo IIs Iover buck In LIe sIxLeenLI cenLury. Someone In LIe Rumsuy
IumIIy."
"TIe kIng Iud un uIIuIr wILI udy Rumsuy?"
"WILI ord Rumsuy, ucLuuIIy."
AmeIIu's juw sIuckened. "OI." SIe Irowned und rubbed Ier Irozen urms LIrougI Ier
sIeeves In u IuLIIe eIIorL Lo wurm LIem. "So you LIInk LIIs Lreusure Is Iere In one oI
BIsseI's IIdIng pIuces. And uII LIIs LIme you've been LryIng Lo IInd IL. Your oIIer oI
IrIendsIIp-your regreL Ior IuvIng ubundoned me-LIuL wus uII u sIum! or LIe suke oI
some wIId-goose cIuse."
"L wusn'L uII u sIum." CIrIsLopIer guve Ier u scornIuI, vugueIy pILyIng gIunce. "My
InLeresL In renewIng our reIuLIonsIIp wus genuIne, unLII reuIIzed you Iud Luken up wILI u
Gypsy. don'L uccepL soIIed goods."
nIurIuLed, AmeIIu sLurLed Ior IIm wILI Ier IIngers curIed InLo cIuws. "You uren'L IIL Lo
IIck IIs booLs!" sIe crIed, sLruggIIng us Cum IuuIed Ier buckwurd.
"Don'L," Cum muLLered, IIs Iunds IIke Iron cIumps on Ier body. "L's noL worLI IL. CuIm
yourseII."


AmeIIu subsIded, gIurIng uL CIrIsLopIer, wIIIe IncreusIng coId cIIIIs rIppIed LIrougI LIe
uIr. "Even II LIe Lreusure were Iere, you wouIdn'L be ubIe Lo reLrIeve IL," sIe snupped.
"TIe wuII Is IIIIed wILI u IIve conLuInIng uL IeusL Lwo Iundred LIousund bees."
"TIuL's wIere your urrIvuI Lurns IorLuILous." TIe pIsLoI wus LruIned dIrecLIy uL Ier cIesL.
He spoke Lo Cum. "You're goIng Lo geL IL Ior me ... or 'II puL u buIIeL In Ier."
"Don'L you dure," AmeIIu suId Lo Cum, grIppIng one oI IIs urms In boLI oI Iers. "He's
bIuIIIng."
"Are you goIng Lo rIsk Ier IIIe on LIe possIbIIILy, RoIun?" CIrIsLopIer InquIred uImosL
dIIIIdenLIy.
AmeIIu sLruggIed Lo IoId on Lo Cum us Ie dIsenguged IIs urm Irom Ier grusp. "Don'L do



IL!"
"Eusy, monIsIu." Cum grIpped Ier sIouIders und guve Ier u IILLIe sIuke. "HusI. You're
noL IeIpIng." He IooLed uL CIrIsLopIer. "eL Ier Ieuve," Ie suId evenIy. "'II do wIuLever
you usk."
CIrIsLopIer sIook IIs Ieud. "Her presence provIdes un exceIIenL IncenLIve Ior you Lo
cooperuLe." He gesLured wILI LIe pIsLoI. "GeL over LIere und sLurL IookIng."
"You've gone mud," AmeIIu suId. "HIdden Lreusure und pIsLoIs und skuIkIng ubouL uL mIdn
-" SIe sLopped us sIe suw u sIImmer oI movemenL, oI sIIvery wIILeness, In LIe uIr. A
rusI oI bILIng coId swepL LIrougI LIe room, wIIIe LIe sIudows congeuIed uround LIem.
CIrIsLopIer seemed noL Lo noLIce LIe ubrupL drop In LemperuLure, or LIe dunce oI
LrunsIucenL puIeness beLween LIem. "Now, RoIun." "Cum-" "HusI." He LoucIed LIe sIde
oI AmeIIu's Iuce und guve
Ier un unIuLIomubIe gIunce.


"BuL LIe bees-"
"L's uII rIgIL." Cum wenL Lo pIck up LIe Iump Irom LIe IIoor. CurryIng IL Lo LIe open puneI,
Ie IeId IL InsIde LIe IoIIow spuce und Ieuned In. Bees begun Lo seLLIe und cruwI over IIs
urm, sIouIders, und Ieud. SLurIng uL IIm IIxedIy, AmeIIu suw IIs urm LwILcI, und sIe
reuIIzed Ie'd been sLung. PunIc LIgILened uround Ier Iungs, mukIng Ier breuLIIng quIck
und sIuIIow.
Cum's voIce wus muIIIed. 'TIere's noLIIng excepL bees und Ioneycomb."
"TIere Ius Lo be," CIrIsLopIer snupped. "Go In LIere und IInd IL."
"He cun'L," AmeIIu crIed In ouLruge. "He'II be sLung Lo
deuLI."
He uImed LIe pIsLoI dIrecLIy uL Ier. "Go," CIrIsLopIer
communded Cum.
Bees were sIowerIng onLo Cum, cruwIIng over IIs sIInIng bIuck IuIr und Iuce und LIe
buck oI IIs neck. WuLcIIng IIm, AmeIIu IeIL us II sIe were Lrupped In u wukIng
nIgILmure.
"NoLIIng's Iere," Cum suId, soundIng usLonIsIIngIy cuIm.
Now CIrIsLopIer seemed Lo Luke u vIcIous suLIsIucLIon In LIe sILuuLIon. "You've IurdIy
Iooked. Go InsIde und don'L come ouL wILIouL IL."
Teurs sprung Lo AmeIIu's eyes. "You're u monsLer," sIe suId IurIousIy. "TIere's noLIIng In
LIere, und you know IL."
"ook uL you," Ie suId, sneerIng, "weepIng over your Gypsy Iover. How Iow you've
IuIIen."



BeIore sIe couId respond, u bIue-wIILe bursL oI IIgIL IIIIed LIe room In u noIseIess sLrIke.
TIe Iump IIume wus exLInguIsIed In u IreezIng bIusL. AmeIIu bIInked und rubbed


LIe moIsLure Irom Ier eyes, und Lurned In u bewIIdered cIrcIe us sIe LrIed Lo IInd LIe
source oI LIe IIgIL. SomeLIIng sIImmered uII uround LIem, coIdness und brIIIIunce und
ruw energy. SIe sLumbIed Lowurd Cum wILI Ier urms ouLsLreLcIed. TIe bees IIILed In u
muss und IIew buck Lo LIe IIve, LIe bIue IIgIL cuusIng LIeIr wIngs Lo gIILLer IIke u ruIn oI
spurks.
AmeIIu reucIed Cum, und Ie cuugIL Ier In u wurm, Iurd grIp. "Are you IurL?" sIe usked,
Ier Iunds IrunLIcuIIy seurcIIng IIm.
"No, jusL u sLIng or Lwo. -" He broke oII wILI u sIurp
InIuIuLIon.
TwIsLIng In IIs urms, AmeIIu IoIIowed IIs guze. Two Iuzy Iorms, dIsLorLed In LIe broken
IIgIL, sLruggIed Ior possessIon oI LIe gun. WIo wus IL? WIo eIse Iud come InLo LIe room?
NoL u IeurLbeuL Iud pussed beIore Cum Iud sIoved Ier Lo LIe IIoor. "SLuy down." WILIouL
puusIng, Ie IuuncIed IImseII Lowurd LIe combuLunLs.
BuL LIey Iud uIreudy broken upurL, one mun LumbIIng Lo LIe IIoor wILI LIe pIsLoI In IIs
grIp, LIe oLIer runnIng Ior LIe door. Cum wenL Ior LIe IuIIen mun, wIIIe LIe uIr cruckIed
us II LIe room were IIIIed wILI burnIng CuLIerIne wIeeIs. TIe oLIer mun IIed. And LIe
door sIummed sIuL beIInd IIm . .. uILIougI no one Iud LoucIed IL.
Duzed, AmeIIu suL up, wIIIe LIe IrucLured IIgIL dIssoIved InLo u IuInL bIue rudIunce LIuL
cIung Lo LIe ouLIInes oI LIe men neurby. "Cum?" sIe usked uncerLuInIy.
HIs voIce wus Iow und sIuken. "L's uII rIgIL, IummIngbIrd. Come Iere."
SIe reucIed LIem und gusped us sIe suw LIe InLruder's Iuce. "eo. WIuL ure you-Iow
dId you-" Her voIce IuILered uL LIe sIgIL oI LIe pIsLoI In IIs Iund. He IeId


IL IooseIy uguInsL IIs LIIgI. HIs Iuce wus cuIm, IIs mouLI curved wILI u IuInL wry smIIe.
" wus goIng Lo usk you LIe sume LIIng," eo suId mIIdIy. "WIuL LIe devII ure you doIng
Iere?"
AmeIIu sunk Lo LIe IIoor besIde Cum, Ier guze remuInIng on Ier broLIer. "Poppy Iound
your noLe," sIe suId breuLIIessIy. "We cume Iere becuuse we LIougIL you were goIng
Lo ... Lo do yourseII In."
"TIuL wus LIe generuI Ideu," eo suId. "BuL wenL Lo LIe Luvern Ior u drInk on LIe wuy.
And wIen 1 IInuIIy goL Iere, IL wus u bIL crowded Ior my LusLe. SuIcIde Is someLIIng u
IeIIow IIkes u bIL oI prIvucy Ior."
AmeIIu wus unnerved by IIs LrunquII munner. Her guze IeII Lo LIe pIsLoI In IIs Iund, LIen



reLurned Lo IIs Iuce. Her Iund crepL Lo Cum's Lense LIIgI. TIe gIosL wus wILI LIem, sIe
LIougIL. TIe uIr Iud Lurned Ier Iuce numb, mukIng IL dIIIIcuIL Lo move Ier IIps. "Mr. rosL
wus Lreusure-IunLIng," sIe LoId Ier broLIer.
eo guve Ier u skepLIcuI gIunce. "A Lreusure, In LIIs rubbIsI pIIe?"
"WeII, you see, Mr. rosL LIougIL-"
"No, don'L boLIer. 'm uIruId cun'L summon uny InLeresL In wIuL rosL LIougIL. TIe
IdIoL." He Iooked down uL LIe pIsLoI, IIs LIumb genLIy gruzIng LIe burreI.
AmeIIu wouIdn'L Iuve expecLed u mun conLempIuLIng suIcIde Lo uppeur so reIuxed. A
ruIned mun In u ruIned Iouse. Every IIne oI IIs body spoke oI weury resIgnuLIon. He
Iooked uL Cum. "You need Lo Luke Ier ouL oI Iere," Ie suId quIeLIy.
"eo-" AmeIIu Iud begun Lo LrembIe, knowIng LIuL II LIey IeIL IIm Iere, Ie wouId kIII
IImseII. SIe couId LIInk

oI noLIIng Lo suy, uL IeusL noLIIng LIuL wouIdn'L sound LIeuLrIcuI, unconvIncIng, ubsurd.
Her broLIer's mouLI quIrked us II Ie were Loo exIuusLed Lo smIIe. " know," Ie suId
genLIy. " know wIuL you wunL, und wIuL you don'L wunL. know you wIsI couId be
beLLer LIun LIIs. BuL 'm noL."
He bIurred beIore Ier. AmeIIu IeIL Leurs sIIdIng Irom Ier eyes, LIe weLness LurnIng Icy by
LIe LIme LIey reucIed Ier cIIn. " don'L wunL Lo Iose you."
eo benL boLI IIs knees und bruced un urm ucross LIem, IIs IIngers remuInIng curIed
uround LIe gun IundIe. "'m noL your broLIer, AmeIIu. NoL unymore. cIunged wIen
uuru dIed."
" sLIII wunL you."
"No one geLs wIuL LIey wunL," eo muLLered. "NoL now."
Cum wuLcIed Ier broLIer InLenLIy. A Iong sIIence unIoIded In puIned degrees, wIIIe u
burnIng coId breeze Iunned over LIe LIree oI LIem. " couId Lry Lo persuude you Lo seL LIe
gun usIde, und go Iome wILI us," Ie suId evenLuuIIy. "To IoId oII one more duy. BuL even
II sLopped you LIIs LIme... one cun'L keep u mun uIIve wIen Ie doesn'L wunL Lo be."
"True," eo suId.
AmeIIu opened Ier mouLI wILI u sIudderIng proLesL, buL Cum sLopped Ier, IIs IIngers
pressIng genLIy over Ier IIps. Cum conLInued Lo sLure uL eo, noL wILI concern buL u sorL
oI deLucIed conLempIuLIon, us II Ie were IocusIng on some muLIemuLIcuI equuLIon. "No
one cun be IuunLed," Ie suId quIeLIy, "wILIouL IuvIng wIIIed IL. You know LIuL, don'L
you?"
TIe room grew even coIder, II LIuL were possIbIe, LIe wIndows ruLLIIng, LIe IumpIIgIL
IIIckerIng. AIurmed by LIe


LuuL vIbruLIons In LIe uIr, LIe unseen presence cIrcIIng LIem, AmeIIu IuddIed uguInsL
Cum's buck.
"OI course do," eo suId. " sIouId Iuve dIed wIen sIe dId. never wunLed Lo be IeIL
beIInd. You don'L know wIuL IL's IIke. TIe LIougIL oI IInuIIy endIng LIIs Is u bIoody
reIIeI."
"BuL LIuL's noL wIuL sIe wunLs."
HosLIIILy IIured In LIe IIgIL eyes. "How LIe IeII wouId you know?"
"I your sILuuLIons were reversed, wouId you cIoose LIIs Ior Ier?" Cum gesLured Lo LIe
gun In IIs Iund " wouIdn'L usk LIuL sucrIIIce oI someone Iove."
"You Iuve no bIoody Ideu wIuL you're LuIkIng ubouL."
" do," Cum suId. "1 undersLund. And 'm LeIIIng you Lo sLop beIng seIIIsI. You grIeve Loo
mucI, my pIruI. You've Iorced Ier Lo come buck Lo comIorL you. You Iuve Lo IeL Ier go.
NoL Ior your suke, buL Iers."
" cun'L." BuL emoLIon Iud begun Lo spreud ucross eo's Iuce IIke crucks In un eggsIeII.
BIue IIgIL dunced LIrougI LIe room, wIIIe u IrIgId wInd IIILed u Iew Iocks oI eo"s IuIr
IIke InvIsIbIe IIngers.
"eL Ier be uL peuce," Cum suId, more quIeLIy now. "I you Luke your own IIIe, you'II end
up condemnIng Ier, us weII us yourseII, Lo un eLernILy oI wunderIng. L's noL IuIr Lo Ier."
eo guve u wordIess sIuke oI IIs benL Ieud, crudIIng IIs IoIded knees In u posLure LIuL
remInded AmeIIu oI LIe boy Ie'd once been. And sIe undersLood IIs grIeI wILI u
LIorougIness LIuL Iud been ImpossIbIe Ior Ier beIore.
WIuL II Cum were Luken Irom Ier wILIouL wurnIng? SIe couId never uguIn know LIe IeeI
oI IIs IuIr In Ier Iunds or LIe curess oI IIs IIps uguInsL Iers. No consummuLIon oI uII


sIe Iud begun Lo IeeI, LIe promIses, smIIes, Leurs, Iopes, uII rIpped Irom Ier grusp.
orever. How mucI sIe wouId mIss. How mucI couId never be repIuced by unyone eIse.
AcIIng wILI compussIon, sIe wuLcIed us Cum moved Lo Ier broLIer. eo IId IIs Iuce und
jerked u Iund up, IIngers spreud, puIm IucIng ouL In u broken, IeIpIess gesLure. 'I cun'L IeL
Ier go," Ie cIoked.
TIe Iump bIew ouL, und u pune oI gIuss sIuLLered, wIIIe u IreezIng bIusL oI uIr sLruck
LIem. Energy cruckIed LIrougI LIe room, LIny snups oI IIgIL uppeurIng uround LIem.
"You cun do IL Ior Ier," Cum suId, puLLIng IIs urms uround Ier broLIer In LIe wuy Ie
mIgIL Iuve comIorLed u IosL cIIId. ''You cun.1'
eo begun Lo cry Iurder, eucI breuLI u bursL oI ungry despuIr. "OI, God," Ie grouned.
"uuru, don'L Ieuve me."



BuL us Ie wepL, LIe uLmospIere seemed Lo seLLIe, gIucIer-coId und cuIm, und LIe bIue IIgIL,
IIke LIe uILergIow oI u dIsLunL dyIng sLur, begun Lo Iude. TIere wus u quIeL drone oI wIngs
-u Iew bees venLurIng Irom LIe IIve, LIen IIyIng buck Lo seLLIe Ior LIe nIgIL.
Cum wus murmurIng someLIIng now, IoIdIng eo In u IIrm proLecLIve grusp. He spoke In
Romuny, LIe words drIILIng InLo LIe LIInnIng uIr. A promIse, u compucL, oIIered Lo u
IudIng, IormIess spIrIL.
UnLII uII LIuL wus IeIL were LIree peopIe sILLIng umong sIuLLered gIuss In LIe durkness, u
dIscurded weupon on LIe IIoor.
"SIe's gone," Cum suId soILIy. "SIe's Iree."
eo nodded, IIs Iuce IIdden. He wus dumuged buL sLIII uIIve. Broken, buL noL beyond LIe
Iope oI repuIr.
And reconcIIed Lo IIIe, uL IusL.


CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
AILer LIey Iud Luken eo buck Lo SLony Cross Munor und puL IIm Lo bed, AmeIIu sLood
ouLsIde IIs room wILI Cum. Her emoLIons were brImmIng so IIgI und sLrong, IL Look uII
Ier sLrengLI Lo conLuIn LIem. "'m goIng Lo LeII Poppy LIuL Ie's uII rIgIL," sIe wIIspered.
Cum nodded, sIIenL und somewIuL dIsLrucLed. TIeIr IIngers LungIed brIeIIy.
TIey purLed compuny, und AmeIIu wenL Lo IInd Ier sIsLer.
Poppy wus In bed, IyIng on Ier sIde, Ier eyes IuIIy open. "You Iound eo," sIe murmured
us AmeIIu cume Lo Ier.
"Yes, deur."
"s Ie... ?"
"He's IIne. LIInk . .." AmeIIu suL on LIe edge oI LIe muLLress und smIIed down uL Ier. "
LIInk Ie'II be beLLer Irom nov on."
"Ike LIe oId eo?"
" don'L know."
Poppy yuwned. "AmeIIu ... wIII you be grumpy II usk someLIIng?"


"'m Loo LIred Lo be grumpy. Ask uwuy."
"Are you goIng Lo murry Mr. RoIun?"
TIe quesLIon IIIIed AmeIIu wILI dIzzyIng deIIgIL. "SIouId ?"
"OI, yes. You've been compromIsed, you know. BesIdes, Ie's u good InIIuence on you.
You're noL neurIy so mucI oI u porcupIne wIen Ie's uround."
"DeIIgILIuI cIIId," AmeIIu observed Lo LIe room In generuI, und grInned uL Ier sIsLer. "'II
LeII you In LIe mornIng, deur. Go Lo sIeep."



SIe wuIked LIrougI LIe somber sLIIIness oI LIe IuIIwuy, IeeIIng us nervous us u brIde us
sIe wenL Lo IInd Cum. L wus LIme Lo be open, IonesL, LrusLIng, us sIe Iud never been
beIore, noL even In LIeIr mosL InLImuLe momenLs. Her IeurLbeuL resounded everywIere,
even In LIe LIps oI Ier rIngers und Loes. SIe wenL Lo Cum's room, wIere IumpIIgIL seeped
LIrougI LIe IIssure oI LIe purLIuIIy opened door.
Cum wus sILLIng on LIe bed, sLIII cIoLIed. HIs Ieud wus Iowered, Iunds bruced on IIs
knees In LIe posLure oI u mun wIo wus deep In LIougIL. He gIunced up us sIe cume InLo
LIe room und cIosed LIe door.
"WIuL's LIe muLLer, Iove?"
"..." AmeIIu upproucIed IIm IesILunLIy. "'m uIruId you won'L IeL me Iuve wIuL wunL."
HIs sIow smIIe robbed Ier oI breuLI. " Iuve yeL Lo reIuse you unyLIIng. 'm noL IIkeIy Lo
sLurL now."
AmeIIu sLopped beIore IIm, Ier skIrLs crowded beLween IIs purLed knees. TIe cIeun,
suILy, evergreen scenL oI IIm drIILed Lo Ier nosLrIIs. " Iuve u proposILIon Ior you," sIe
suId, LryIng Ior u busInessIIke Lone. "A very sensIbIe one. You see-" SIe puused Lo cIeur
Ier LIrouL. "'ve been LIInkIng ubouL your probIem."


"WIuL probIem?" Cum pIuyed IIgILIy wILI LIe IoIds oI Ier skIrLs, wuLcIIng Ier Iuce
uIerLIy.
"Your good-Iuck curse. know Iow Lo geL rId oI IL. You sIouId murry InLo u IumIIy wILI
very, very bud Iuck. A IumIIy wILI expensIve probIems. And LIen you won'L Iuve Lo be
emburrussed ubouL IuvIng so mucI money, becuuse IL wIII IIow ouL neurIy us IusL us IL
comes In."
"Very sensIbIe." Cum Look Ier sIukIng Iund In IIs, pressed IL beLween IIs wurm puIms.
And LoucIed IIs IooL Lo Ier rupIdIy LuppIng one. "HummIngbIrd," Ie wIIspered, "you
don'L Iuve Lo be nervous wILI me."
GuLIerIng Ier couruge, AmeIIu bIurLed ouL, " wunL your rIng. wunL never Lo Luke IL oII
uguIn. wunL Lo be your romnI Iorever"-sIe puused wILI u quIck, ubusIed smIIe-
"wIuLever LIuL Is."
"My brIde. My wIIe."
AmeIIu Iroze In u momenL oI LIrouL-cIencIIng deIIgIL us sIe IeIL IIm sIIde LIe goId rIng
onLo Ier IInger, eusIng IL Lo LIe buse. "WIen we were wILI eo, LonIgIL," sIe suId
scruLcIIIy, " knew exucLIy Iow Ie IeIL ubouL IosIng uuru. He LoId me once LIuL couIdn'L
undersLund unIess Iud Ioved someone LIuL wuy. He wus rIgIL. And LonIgIL, us wuLcIed
you wILI IIm ... knew wIuL wouId LIInk uL LIe very IusL momenL oI my IIIe."
HIs LIumb smooLIed over LIe Lender surIuce oI Ier knuckIe. "Yes, Iove?"



" wouId LIInk," sIe conLInued, " 'OI, II couId Iuve jusL one more duy wILI Cum.
wouId IIL u IIIeLIme InLo LIose Iew Iours.'"
"NoL necessury," Ie ussured Ier genLIy. "SLuLIsLIcuIIy speukIng, we'II Iuve uL IeusL Len,
IIILeen LIousund duys Lo spend LogeLIer."


" don'L wunL Lo be upurL Irom you Ior even one oI LIem."
Cum cupped Ier smuII, serIous Iuce In IIs Iunds, IIs LIumbs skImmIng LIe Lruce oI Leurs
beneuLI Ier eyes. HIs guze curessed Ier. "Are we Lo IIve In sIn, Iove, or wIII you IInuIIy
ugree Lo murry me?"
"Yes. Yes. 'II murry you. AILIougI ... sLIII cun'L promIse Lo obey you."
Cum IuugIed quIeLIy. "We'II munuge uround LIuL. I you'II uL IeusL promIse Lo Iove me."
AmeIIu grIpped IIs wrIsLs, IIs puIse sLeudy und sLrong beneuLI Ier IIngerLIps. "OI, do
Iove you, you're-"
" Iove you, Loo."
"-my IuLe. You're everyLIIng -" SIe wouId Iuve suId more, II Ie Iud noL puIIed Ier
Ieud Lo IIs, kIssIng Ier wILI Iurd, LIrIIIIng pressure.
TIey undressed wILI IusLe, LuggIng uL eucI oLIer's cIoLIes wILI u cIumsIness wrougIL oI
desIre und Iervor. WIen uL IusL LIeIr skIn wus IuId bure, Cum's urgency eused. HIs Iunds
gIIded over Ier wILI deIIberuLe sIowness, every curess brIngIng Lremors oI pIeusure Lo LIe
surIuce. HIs IeuLures were uusLereIy beuuLIIuI us Ie roIIed Ier Lo Ier buck. HIs mouLI
Iowered Lo Ier breusLs, IIs Iunds cuppIng LIe rounded IIesI, Longue und LeeLI genLIy
nuvIguLIng LIe LIps.
AmeIIu mouned IIs nume, surrenderIng IeIpIessIy us Ie rose Lo kneeI beLween Ier Iegs.
HIs Iund cIosed over Ier IIps, IIILIng und brucIng LIem on IIs spreud LIIgIs. Cum
wuLcIed Ier, IIs eyes IIusIIng demon-IIre us Ie sLroked Ier, LoyIng wILI LIe soIL cIeIL, LIe
sensILIve IIesI wILIIn.
SIe reucIed Ior IIm, needIng IIs weIgIL on Ier, unubIe


Lo puII IIm down. AII sIe couId do wus wIImper und urcI us Ie IIIIed Ier wILI IIs
IIngers, IIs LIumb mukIng wIcked swIrIs, IIs LIIgIs soIId beneuLI Ier sLruInIng IIps. Her
breuLI IIssed beLween Ier LeeLI, wIIIe Ier Iunds LIgILened uround IundIuIs oI LIe bed
IInens.
HIs IIngers sIId uwuy Irom Ier, IeuvIng Ier sIudderIng us Ier body cIosed In vuIn uround
LIe empLIness. BuL LIen Ie wus pusIIng InLo Ier, IIIIIng Ier compIeLeIy. SIe IIILed IIgI Lo
Luke IIm, und gusped us Ie eused over Ier wILI deIIberuLe sIowness.
Her Iund crepL bIIndIy Irom IIs sIouIder Lo IIs Iuce, wIere sIe IeIL LIe sIupe oI IIs smIIe.



"Don'L Leuse," sIe muLLered, LrembIIng wILI need. " cun'L beur IL."
"SweeLIeurL..." HIs sIIky wIIsper curessed Ier cIeek. "'m uIruId you'II Iuve Lo."
"WI-wIy?" SIe cuugIL Ier breuLI us Ie wILIdrew, gIvIng Ier onIy LIe LIp oI IIs sIuIL.'
"Becuuse LIere's noLIIng Iove more LIun LeusIng you." And Ie Look un eLernILy Lo pusI
InsIde Ier uguIn, IIs Iunds curessIng Ier, every movemenL so IncremenLuI und deIIcIous
und mercIIess LIuL by LIe LIme Ie enLered Ier compIeLeIy, sIe Iud uIreudy cIImuxed.
TwIce.
"SLuy InsIde me," sIe begged IourseIy, us Ie begun u sLeudy rIyLIm, LIe IeuL buIIdIng
uguIn. "SLuy, sLuy-" TIe words IIuLLened InLo u Iong moun.
Cum benL over Ier, drIvIng ruLIIessIy Iurd, IIs breuLI comIng In IoL sLrIkes uguInsL Ier
Iuce und LIrouL. He sLured InLo Ier duzed eyes, LukIng IIerce suLIsIucLIon In LIe sIgIL oI Ier
pIeusure. HIs Iunds sIIpped beneuLI Ier skuII, crudIIng Ier Ieud us Ie kIssed Ier. He
burIed u veIemenL groun InLo LIe sweeL depLIs oI Ier mouLI, und IeL IIs reIeuse spIn ouL
InsIde Ier.


CuddIIng Ier uILerwurd, Cum Lruced Iuzy puLLerns on Ier buck und sIouIders. AmeIIu
resLed on IIm, enjoyIng LIe sLeudy IIIL und IuII oI IIs breuLIIng.
"AILer LIe weddIng," Ie murmured, " muy Luke you uwuy wILI me Ior u IILLIe wIIIe."
"WIere?" sIe usked reudIIy, LurnIng Lo press Ier IIps uguInsL IIs cIesL.
"To Iook Ior my LrIbe."
"You've uIreudy Iound your LrIbe." SIe IILcIed u Ieg over IIs IIps. "L's cuIIed LIe
HuLIuwuys."
A cIuckIe vIbruLed In IIs cIesL. "My Romuny LrIbe, LIen. L's been Loo muny yeurs. 'd IIke
Lo IInd ouL II my grundmoLIer Is sLIII uIIve." He puused. "And wunL Lo usk some
quesLIons."
"AbouL wIuL?"
DruwIng Ier Iund Lo IIs Ioreurm, Cum pressed IL Lo IIs LuLLoo. "TIIs."
TIInkIng oI MerrIpen's IdenLIcuI LuLLoo, und LIe sLrunge, ImpossIbIe coIncIdence oI IL,
AmeIIu Irowned In curIosILy. "WIuL kInd oI connecLIon mIgIL LIere be beLween you und
MerrIpen?"
" Iuve no Ideu." Cum smIIed rueIuIIy. "God IeIp me, 'm IuII uIruId Lo IInd ouL."
"WIuLever IL Is," sIe suId, "we'II LrusL In IuLe."
Cum's smIIe wIdened. "So you beIIeve In IuLe now?"
"And Iuck," AmeIIu suId, Ier Iund LIgILenIng on IIs urm. "Becuuse oI you."
"TIuL remInds me . .." He ruIsed IImseII on one eIbow und Iooked down uL Ier, durk
IusIes sweepIng over gIowIng umber. " Iuve someLIIng Lo sIow you. Don'L move- 'II



brIng IL Iere."
"Cun'L IL wuIL?'' sIe proLesLed.


;


"No. 'II be buck In u Iew mInuLes. Don'L IuII usIeep."
He IeIL LIe bed und drew on IIs cIoLIes, wIIIe AmeIIu Look possessIve pIeusure In LIe
sIgIL oI IIm.
To keep Irom IuIIIng usIeep wIIIe Ie wus gone, sIe wenL Lo LIe wusIsLund und used u
coId cIoLI Lo IresIen IerseII. HurryIng buck Lo LIe bed, sIe suL und Lucked LIe covers
beneuLI Ier urms.
Cum reLurned, noIseIess us u cuL, curryIng un objecL LIuL wus upproxImuLeIy LIe sIupe und
sIze oI u sIIpper box. AmeIIu regurded IL quIzzIcuIIy us Ie seL IL besIde Ier. TIe Ieuvy box
wus mude oI wood und IeuvIIy LurnIsIed und pILLed sIIver, LIe wIoIe oI IL gIvIng oII un
ucId-sweeL reek. As AmeIIu run Ier IIngers experImenLuIIy over LIe surIuce, sIe
dIscovered LIe surIuce wus sIIgILIy Lucky.
"orLunuLeIy IL wus wrupped In oIIcIoLI," Cum suId. "OLIerwIse IL wouId Iuve been
souked In IermenLed Ioney."
AmeIIu bIInked In usLonIsImenL. "Don'L suy LIIs Is LIe Lreusure LIuL CIrIsLopIer rosL wus
IookIng Ior?"
" Iound IL wIen wus geLLIng LIe crusIed bees Ior MerrIpen's pouILIce. brougIL IL buck
Ior you." He Iooked vugueIy upoIogeLIc. " meunL Lo LeII you ubouL IL eurIIer, buL IL sIIpped
my mInd."
AmeIIu sLIIIed u IuugI. TIe uveruge mun wouId IurdIy IorgeL someLIIng IIke u cucIe box
possIbIy conLuInIng Lreusure ... buL Lo Cum, IL probubIy Iud IILLIe more sIgnIIIcunce LIun u
box oI IuzeInuLs. "OnIy you," sIe suId, "couId go IookIng Ior bee venom und IInd IIdden
Lreusure." IILIng LIe box, sIe sIook IL genLIy, IeeIIng LIe movemenL oI weIgILy objecLs
wILIIn. "BIusL, IL's Iocked." SIe reucIed In LIe wIId dIsurruy oI Ier coIIIure. IndIng u
IuIrpIn, sIe Iunded IL Lo IIm.


"WIy do you ussume cun pIck u Iock'" Ie usked, u sIy IIIcker In IIs eyes.
" Iuve compIeLe IuILI In your crImInuI ubIIILIes," sIe suId. "Open IL, pIeuse."
ObIIgIngIy Ie benL LIe pIn und InserLed IL InLo LIe uncIenL Iock.
"WIy dIdn'L you LeII Mr. rosL LIuL you'd uIreudy Iound LIe Lreusure?" AmeIIu usked us Ie
worked Lo IInd LIe cuLcI. "TIen you mIgIL Iuve been spured beIng swurmed by uII LIose
bees."



" wunLed Lo suve LIIs Ior your IumIIy. rosL Iud no rIgIL Lo IL." BeIore unoLIer mInuLe Iud
pussed, LIe Iock Iud cIIcked und LIe box wus open.
AmeIIu's IeurL pounded wILI excILemenL us sIe IIILed LIe IId. SIe Iound u sIeuI oI IeLLers,
perIups u IuII-dozen, LIed wILI u LIIn bruIded Iock oI IuIr. GIngerIy sIe pIcked up LIe
bundIe, puIIed LIe Lop IeLLer ouL, und unIoIded LIe uncIenL yeIIowed purcImenL.
L wus Indeed u Iove IeLLer Irom u kIng, sIgned, sImpIy, "Jumes." ScunduIous, urdenL, und
sweeLIy wrILLen, IL seemed Iur Loo InLImuLe Ior Ier Lo reud. L Iud never been meunL Ior Ier
eyes. eeIIng IIke un InLerIoper, sIe cIosed LIe brILLIe IoIds und seL IL usIde.
Cum, meunwIIIe, Iud begun Lo puII objecLs Irom LIe box und Iuy LIem In Ier Iup; u Ioose
ruby uL IeusL un IncI In dIumeLer, puIrs oI dIumond bruceIeLs, ropes oI mussIve bIuck
peurIs, u broocI mude oI un ovuI-sIuped suppIIre eusIIy LIe sIze oI u sovereIgn, wILI u
Leurdrop dIumond IungIng beneuLI, und un ussorLmenL oI jeweIed rIngs.
" don'L beIIeve IL," AmeIIu suId, josLIIng IIe gIILLerIng Ieup. "TIIs musL be enougI Lo
rebuIId Rumsuy House LwIce over."


"NoL quILe," Cum suId, cusLIng un experIenced gIunce over LIe IoL, "buL cIose."
SIe Irowned us sIe sorLed LIrougI LIe Lrove oI prIceIess jeweIs. "Cum .. . ?" sIe usked
uILer u Iong momenL.
"Hmmn?" He seemed Lo Iuve IosL InLeresL In LIe Lreusure, ubsorbed In pIuyIng wILI u
Ioose Iock oI Ier IuIr.
"WouId you mInd II we kepL LIIs Irom eo unLII Ie's ... weII, u bIL more ruLIonuI?
OLIerwIse 'm uIruId Ie'II go ouL und do someLIIng IrresponsIbIe."
"'d suy LIuL's u vuIId concern." He pIcked up LIe jeweIry In cureIess IundIuIs, dumpIng IL
InLo LIe box und cIosIng IL. "Yes, we'II wuIL unLII Ie's reudy."
"Do you LIInk," AmeIIu usked IesILunLIy, "LIuL eo wIII cIunge Irom LIe wuy Ie Is now?
WIII Ie geL beLLer?"
HeurIng LIe worry In Ier Lone, Cum reucIed ouL und nesLIed Ier uguInsL IIm. "As LIe
Rom suy, 'No wugon keeps LIe sume wIeeIs Iorever.-' "
TIe covers sIIpped beLween LIem. AmeIIu sIIvered us LIe cooI uIr wuILed over Ier nuked
buck und sIouIders. "Come buck Lo bed," sIe wIIspered. "1 need you Lo wurm me."
Cum sLrIpped uwuy IIs sIIrL, und IuugIed quIeLIy us Ie IeIL Ier Iunds pIuckIng uL LIe
buLLons oI IIs Lrousers. "WIuL Iuppened Lo my prudIsI gudjIT
"'m uIruId"-sIe reucIed InLo IIs open IuIIs und sLroked IIs uroused IIesI-"LIuL
conLInued ussocIuLIon wILI you Ius mude me sIumeIess."
"Good, wus IopIng Ior LIuL." HIs IusIes Iowered, und IIs voIce Lurned sIIgILIy
breuLIIess uL Ier LoucI. "AmeIIu, II we Iuve cIIIdren ... wIII you mInd LIuL LIey're purL



Romu?"
"NoL II you don'L mInd LIuL LIey're purL HuLIuwuy."


He mude u sound oI umusemenL und IInIsIed undressIng. "And LIougIL IIIe on LIe roud
wouId be u cIuIIenge. You know, IL wouId LerrIIy u Iesser mun, LryIng Lo munuge your
IumIIy."
"You're rIgIL. cun'L ImugIne wIy you're wIIIIng Lo Luke us on."
He guve Ier nuked body u IrunkIy IuscIvIous gIunce us Ie joIned Ier beneuLI LIe covers.
"BeIIeve me, LIe compensuLIons ure weII worLI IL."
"WIuL ubouL your Ireedom?" AmeIIu usked, snuggIIng cIose us Ie Iuy besIde Ier. "Are
you sorry Lo Iuve IosL IL?"
"No, Iove." Cum reucIed Lo Lurn down LIe Iump, enIoIdIng LIem In veIveL durkness. "'ve
IInuIIy Iound IL. RIgIL Iere, wILI you."
And Ie Iowered IImseII InLo LIe cIusp oI Ier wuILIng urms.