After some insurmountable time, Esme leaned forward and clutched at the windowsill.
“We are almost there.”
Adam’s eyes felt gritty, and his limbs had grown heavy. He forced himself to look out of the opposite window, noting thegraceful turrets of a stone bridge and the distant shimmer of a vast blue lake.
But what are those strange white birds swimming on its surface?
Alarmed, Adam leaned closer, prompting an amused smile from Jonah.
“Swans,” he explained.
Ashamed of his ignorance, Adam sat back. “I have never seen them before.”
“Most likely they have not yet reached the highlands,” Jonah offered.
Adam nodded, slightly relieved.
“They can be vicious creatures, but our father likes them.”
“Father likes them because they are so beautiful,” Esme added, and the siblings shared a smile.
“Our father likes beautiful things,” Jonah cast a sideways glance toward Adam. “Which is why my sister here can wrap him around her little finger.”
“That is not true.” Esme smoothed her skirts, though Adam could see the idea pleased her. “Isabella is the one who wields power over all the men she meets, including Father.”
“Ah well, I have not seen our sister Isabella for some time.” Jonah shrugged. “Perchance her much fabled powers have dimmed in my memory.”
Adam was late to find his balance as the carriage swung around a sharp corner. He found himself flung forward against Esme’s seat, with his head all but in the lady’s lap.
“Forgive me,” he muttered, his cheeks burning as he righted himself.
Esme’s laugh was like a peal of bells. “Do not worry, Adam. You will grow used to the twists and turns of this journey, over time.”
Her innocent comment caused a second wave of heat to rush to his face, especially as he felt Jonah’s speculative gaze settle upon him once again.
“Indeed,” Jonah said.
Adam felt as if he could hardly breathe, but Esme’s attention was not on him.
“We are here.” She could hardly contain her excitement as the carriage drew to a halt. “Mother is waiting for us, Jonah.”
All her reservations seemed to have fled. She wrestled with the door handle and jumped out, leaving Adam blinking in the sudden burst of light.
Jonah drummed his fingers on the cushions before fixing his face into a smile.
“Welcome to Wolvesley, Adam Hawker.”
Adam realized a beat too late that he should have risen first, to help both Esme and Jonah from the carriage. As it was, he descended last, his heart thumping in his chest as he looked about him.
A petite woman with long hair, threaded with silver, had her arms wrapped around both her children. Behind her, a row of uniformed guards marched as one toward the second carriage. It had scarce stopped when the door was unbolted, and Crispin was unceremoniously bundled out.
“Take him to the dungeon,” came the barked order.
Before Adam could process the situation, both carriages had been driven back to the stable yard and the guards had dispersed. A gust of wind sent up a plume of dust.
“Let us go inside,” said Esme. “I must change out of this dress. It is not at all right for Wolvesley.”
“Have you forgotten something, dear?” her mother asked mildly. Esme stared blankly back at her.
