Page 11 of Waking Roslyn

But tonight wasn’t about exploring the flowers. Tonight was about enjoying the trees, so I quickened my pace, glancing behind me at the windows to be sure there was no one looking out at my odd behavior as I stepped into the shelter of the trees. I didn’t go far. Though I felt welcomed by the night, I had no wish to get so far from the house that I might lose my way, so I started a slow circuit of the manor, letting the trees act as sentinels as I studied the grounds and buildings, enjoying the rich fragrance of earth.

I hadn’t gone far when the sound of voices made me stop. The voices and footsteps were coming closer, so I moved quickly behind a large tree and did my best to blend in with its bark, waiting there until the voices became clearer.

“Can you blame them?” a man asked as several people walked slowly toward Bridgefield. “I wouldn’t want to set foot on this property if I didn’t have to.”

“We’re here and we’re fine,” said the voice of a girl. I was surprised by how young she sounded. What was she doing out and about at this hour?

My curiosity got the best of me and I risked poking my head out to get a look at the group. There were three of them. Two young men, one both tall and broad, the other less tall and more lanky, and a girl of perhaps twelve.

“Yes, but with Lord Rockwell back, none of us want to risk getting on his bad side,” the lanky man pointed out. “Besides, now that Falstone has returned, it makes more sense to train at Sutton.”

“I’m just glad to be training at all,” said the large fellow, twirling a long staff that he’d been using as a walking stick.

“Hear, hear!” The girl pulled a wooden sword from her belt, brandishing it against the large man. When she swung it at him, he used the staff in his hand to block her assault.

“Save it for another time, Gretchen.” He pushed with his staff and the girl gave up without a fuss and stuffed her sword back in her belt. “You go on,” the man said, slowing his steps. “If Mama is waiting up in the kitchen, tell her I’ll be in soon.”

Ah, so he and the girl were siblings.

The girl turned immediately to the other man. “Race you,” she said and immediately set off at a run.

“Cheat,” the young man said like it was a curse and set off after her.

I smiled at the camaraderie. Then I turned my gaze back to the larger man and froze. It was too dark to see where he was looking, but he was definitely facing toward me. I pulled back so I was completely behind the tree again and did my best to be absolutely quiet as I listened intently, hoping I would hear the man’s footsteps fade away.

They didn’t. All was silent for several moments, and then his slow, quiet steps reached my ears, each one just a little closer than the last.

I tried not to be terrified. They were a jovial bunch, and they could have no reason to wish me harm, but seeing as I was alone and in the dark, it was difficult not to panic.

So much for feeling safe.

I heard two more soft footfalls, and suddenly I couldn’t be still anymore. I pushed away from the tree and ran. Or tried to.

I only made it four or five steps before my toe caught on something hard. I stumbled but regained my balance, only to have my arm seized. The man spun me around and pushed me back against the nearest tree.

I couldn’t help the whimper of alarm that escaped me as he crowded menacingly close.

John

An idiot, that’s what I was. The body that I had trapped against the tree with my own was small, soft, and much too feminine. Gads, what had I done?

I released the startled miss immediately and backed up several steps. I was large, which was intimidating enough, but considering I’d just tripped this poor soul and shoved her against a tree, I was sure I’d terrified her. “I’m so sorry, miss. Did I injure you?”

Her breathing was ragged. “I…I…I don’t think so.” Her shaky voice increased my guilt.

Backing up further, I put my hands out in a placating motion. “I’m truly sorry. I thought you were a man skulking in the shadows.”

She shook her head. “No, just a woman trying to avoid meeting a stranger in the dark.”

Of course. She’d been trying to avoid meeting the hulking man she’d seen walking toward her from the woods. Part of me wanted to inquire further to be sure she was someone who belonged, but the other part of me knew she didn’t deserve any more grief from me. “My apologies. I will leave you in peace.”

“Thank you,” she said in a quiet, polite way.

I took a few steps in the direction of the manor, then turned back. “Are you certain you’re not injured?” Most of the time, I took great pride in my stature and strength, but this wasn’t one of those times. I’d mistakenly assaulted the poor girl. All I could hope was that I hadn’t scared her too horribly.

“Umm.” She moved her arms and shifted her weight from side to side. “No, I’m fine.”

“Good, good.” I thought about offering to escort her back to the house, but I guessed that my presence would not have been a comfort. “Again, I’m so sorry.” This time I forced myself to truly walk away. Though there was much more apologizing that I felt was necessary for smashing her into a tree, I thought it better just to leave her be.