“Jane,” calls Mrs. Thompson, the pinnacle housekeeper, “take these linens to the east wing, please.” I nod and collect the freshly laundered linens onto a tray, the smooth material smelling of lavender and sunshine. With each step by means of the acquainted corridors, I can not assist however really feel a way of satisfaction in my function right here, even when it appears insignificant within the grand scheme of issues.

As I stroll by means of the fortress, I discover myself wandering down a hallway I’ve by no means seen earlier than. Maybe I took a improper flip someplace, or possibly my curiosity is getting the higher of me right now. Regardless, there’s one thing alluring about this a part of the fortress, as if it has been forgotten by everybody aside from me.

The dim gentle from the flickering candles on the partitions casts shadows that dance and sway, pulling me additional in. The air is cooler right here, and the sound of my footsteps echo towards the stone flooring. I clutch the tray of linens nearer to my chest, feeling my coronary heart race with pleasure and apprehension.

As I attain the tip of the hidden hall, I discover myself in a spot that appears worlds away from the bustling fortress. It’s a fascinating secret backyard, with lush ivy creeping up the stone partitions and aromatic flowers spilling over onto the cobblestone path.

The air right here is thick with the scent of jasmine and roses, heady and intoxicating. The solar casts dappled shadows by means of the leaves above, creating a way of thriller and secrecy. I can not assist however really feel like I’ve stumbled upon a sacred house, hidden from the prying eyes of the world.

My coronary heart hammers in my chest as I take within the magnificence round me, my fingers trailing alongside the dew-kissed petals of a close-by flower. The linens on my tray appear to develop heavier, however I hardly discover, misplaced in my ideas.

“Stunning, is not it?”

I jolt on the sound of his voice, practically dropping the tray as I flip to face him. A person stands there, tall and broad-shouldered, with brief darkish hair and piercing blue eyes that burn with an depth I’ve by no means seen earlier than. His gaze rakes over me, sending shivers down my backbone and making my coronary heart race even sooner.

“Y-yes,” I stammer, feeling warmth creep into my cheeks. “It is pretty.”

“Sorry for startling you,” he says, learning me with these hanging eyes. “You should be one of many maids.”

“Uh-huh,” I nod, wishing I might say one thing extra eloquent, however I am too captivated by his presence to handle the rest.

“Your work right here is appreciated,” he tells me, the corners of his lips tugging right into a small smile. “You retain the fortress wanting stunning.”

“Thanks, sir,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper. I don’t know who he’s, however he instructions an air of authority, so I assume he should be larger up within the ranks than I’m. My arms tremble as I clutch the tray, and his gaze lingers on my fingers, making me all of the extra flustered.

“Enable me,” he says, stepping nearer and relieving me of the tray. Our fingers brush ever so barely, and a jolt of electrical energy surges by means of me at his contact. I can not assist however stare at him in marvel, my respiratory rising shallow.

“Who’re you?” I ask, feeling daring sufficient to fulfill my curiosity.

“Somebody who likes to flee from the world every so often,” he replies cryptically, his eyes locked on mine, crammed with an depth that leaves me feeling uncovered and susceptible.

“Escape?” My thoughts races, attempting to make sense of his enigmatic phrases. “From what?”

“From all the pieces,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down my backbone. “However principally from myself.”

“Your self?” I echo, unable to tear my gaze away from his. The connection between us is palpable, charged with an power I can not start to know.

“Typically, we want a spot to cover from our ideas, our needs…our darkness.” He steps nearer nonetheless, the air thick with pressure. “Do not you agree…?” He raises a questioning eyebrow at me, and I provide my title.

“Jane,” he repeats, his eyes raking over me once more, the look in them inscrutable, but it one way or the other nonetheless makes me blush.

My breath catches in my throat as he utters my title. I nod, unable to talk, misplaced within the depths of his piercing blue eyes.

“Benefit from the backyard, Jane,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “And do not let anybody else uncover our secret.”

With that, he arms the tray again to me and turns to go away, disappearing down the hall as instantly as he had appeared. As I stand there, clutching the linens to my chest, I really feel an odd mixture of confusion and curiosity, my coronary heart pounding wildly in my chest.

Who was he? And what did he imply by “our” secret?

CHAPTER

FOUR

Henry

The moonlight bathes my room in a smooth, seductive glow as I sit on the sting of my mattress, unable to shake the picture of Jane from my thoughts. Her auburn hair, her harmless eyes—she’s a fascinating imaginative and prescient that sends shivers down my backbone. I can not assist however contact myself as I recall our first encounter within the backyard.

Her candy voice echoes in my ears, the way in which she seemed up at me with these fascinating inexperienced eyes, so filled with marvel and innocence. It had been a very long time since anybody had dared to take a look at me like that. My hand strikes sooner, my respiratory heavy and erratic, as I think about her slender fingers brushing towards my pores and skin.

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