rary's enormous oak doors, he

t one last time, took a deep breath

n' is here, my lord." Th

leather-bound book in his hands. He looked up, and his deep

rself to meet his gaze, bowing slightly

es raked over her from head to toe, a silent, scrutini

She held the bow, a dull ache starting

y said, gesturing to

tring. She saw his gaze linger for a fra

n," Auguste said, his voice devoid of emotion. "W

ate tutor and his area of expertise-a litt

oman law, and tossed it onto the table in front of her. "Page

. Pushing down her nerves, she opened the book and began to

uste's face. He had expected some useless relative who h

code and difficulties in its execution. Christal answered each one

lowly eased. Auguste's opinion of "Christian" shifted. This was not j

and entered, whispering s

ression darken. It had to

the subject had changed. "You look... slender. The physic

. His hand came to rest on her shoulder, a

ing overpowered in the grotto, flooded back. She could fee

g her thin shoulder blade. He frowned slightly, as if weighing her. The

"I will, my lord. Thank you for yo

and returned to his seat,

brary. She leaned against the cool stone wall of the corri

found no suspicious footprints or items near the gr

ind this." He presented a small velvet

turning cold. "She didn't take it? Di

" Silas bowed and ventured his guess. "Might the intruder not have been among tho

nds. Common folk would never dare stray here unbi

ests, nor a country villager... then who could

ght was... strange. An unknown woman in a restricted area on

merely rubbing the c