Robert strolled to the wide windows, opened one, and looked outside. They were several stories up. A wide stone ledge ran the length of the castle wall, punctuated by large, snarling gargoyles. Judging by the closeness of the window-sills lining the ledge, every room had at least one window.

“The wind is brutal at this height.” Robert closed the window with a snap and turned to the butler. “I will see my room now.”

“Yes, sir. Madame, your luggage will be brought up once it arrives. A maid will arrive shortly in case you need anything until then.”

“Thank you,” Moira said.

The butler bowed and crossed to the door. He held it open and stood to one side, staring stoically ahead.

Robert bowed to Moira. “I shall give you a few hours to rest. I know you must be tired.”

She smiled. “I am. We’ve traveled a long distance over the last week.”

“Yes, we have.” He looked at her narrowly, noting the faint circles under her eyes. “Our luggage is still a good two or three hours behind us. You should use that time to rest.” Aware that the servant watched, he said in a cool tone, “You don’t wish to look haggard. That will never do.”

Her eyes sparkled, but she kept in character and merely said in a repressed tone, “We should take advantage of Lord Ross’s offer for a tour of the castle. It was quite kind of him.”

“I’ve already seen that ghastly entryway. I don’t think I could stomach more of the same.”

“I thought the entryway was beautiful.”

Aware that the servant could hear every word, Robert replied in a bored tone, “You would. Do as you will. It will be drafty. You might want to wear your pelisse.”

She murmured, “Of course.”

“I shall return to collect you at dinnertime.” He left the room and followed the butler.

His bedchamber was tiny compared to Moira’s, though no less luxurious. He suspected it was actually a maid’s quarters, though a generous one.

He opened his windows, which overlooked the courtyard below. The wind whipped his hair and the curtains on either side of him when he leaned out. He was high enough that no noises drifted up from the courtyard.

He leaned out farther over the ledge to look down the long, winding road. In the distance he could already see two heavily loaded coaches. Buffon has made excellent time, as usual. Robert had no wish to trust his cravats to Ross’s laundress.

Satisfied, he closed the window to wait on his servant.

CHAPTER 16

Diary entry by Michael Hurst from today.

One. More. Day. When will this ever end? I’ve been in this godforsaken place for almost six months and every day seems to last longer than the one before. William has supposedly arrived to free me, yet the sulfi cannot be bothered to meet with him. I attempted to ask that the matter be expedited but was rudely silenced by the sulfi, who seemed insulted by my desire to leave his house, even though I was brought here unconscious and trussed up like a wild boar, and have been held under lock and key and musket ever since.