‘I’ve brought some of my mother’s best salve for your cuts. But they don’t know I’m here. I’ve sneaked out while they are all asleep.’ Rosie climbed up the wooden ladder in her bare feet, placing the candle and the pot of salve next to Ethan.

‘They’ll hang us, if they find us both together,’ Ethan whispered as she sat down beside him.

‘They’ll not find out, if you are quiet. Now, take off your shirt and let me put this on your cuts.’ Rosie unscrewed the lid of the pot and looked at the face of Ethan, who she knew had taken a beating for her. She ran her fingers gently over the welts and heard him gasp with pain as the salve seeped into his wounds. ‘I’m sorry, Ethan, this is all my fault. It was me who bought the tickets, and me who thought it was a good idea.’ She sat back into the darkness of the hay-loft as she watched him replace his tattered shirt.

‘I’d do it all again, just for you to visit me like you are tonight.’ Ethan leaned over to Rosie and pulled her towards him. ‘My father was wrong: we are not that dissimilar. Kiss me, Rosie. Let them not part us, no matter what our differences.’

Rosie looked across at the lad she knew she had feelings for. She knew she shouldn’t have, but she closed her eyes and waited for the kiss she had been dreaming of. She held Ethan tightly and kissed his lips, before drawing back from his arms as she caught her breath.

‘I’ll have to go,’ she whispered. ‘They might miss me.’ She liked the feel of Ethan’s warm, firm hands on her body, and knew that if she stayed any longer it would be asking for trouble. She picked up the candle and climbed down the ladder, looking up at the face she knew she loved, before disappearing into the night.

Ethan watched the small flame blend into the darkness. Now that was a dream worth chasing, and one that merited the thrashing of his life.

9

9

Isabelle sat back in her office chair and gazed out of the window. Papers and invoices were strewn over her desk, along with cloth samples and designs. She was snowed under with work, but still she could not concentrate on the tasks in hand. Something was wrong with James, but she didn’t quite know what. Ever since they had moved to Windfell, he had been more distant towards her. Perhaps he missed the busy streets of Settle, as he did seem to be going out walking on his own more of late.