What in God’s name was that?
I reached a large tree and planted both palms against its bark, gripping it to steady myself. My basket swung uselessly from the crook of my arm. My breaths came fast, the rush of blood loud in my ears until, slowly, the world quieted.
Only the breeze remained, whispering through the leaves above.
I sniffed the air—
damp soil
cold moss
and the faint, distant scent of smoke…
but something else too.
Something I couldn’t name.
I pushed away from the tree trunk, scanning the glen.
Nothing.
No soldiers.
No eyes watching me.
Only that strange tightness in my chest.
I lifted a hand to it.
“Grrr…” I tried softly, recalling the sound.
Pathetic.
Nothing like before.
I let my hand fall.
Perhaps I was losing my mind.
But as I headed toward the bramble bushes close to the glen, the unsettled, crawling feeling stayed lodged beneath my ribs.
Something had changed.
I just didn't know what.
Chapter 3
Thaddeus
The clouds were dark grey and heavy by the time I reached the coach. The twelve-hour train journey had left me irritable, stiff, and more than ready to be anywhere but here. I’d changed to the next train without rest, and now, standing before the coach that would take me to the manor, I could practically feel the rain threatening above me.
Cold and dark.
That about summed up my life at present.
The rain broke without warning, lashing across my face like sheets of glass. I yanked the coach door open and stepped inside while Rowlands fussed with the luggage.
That was when it hit me.
