After a while, she walked along the edge of the room. The wood floor was stained with a soft color, but the most beautiful feature was the intricate pattern the craftsman had designed around the rug that lay in its center. The colors in this room were softer, too, whites and beiges with subtle splashes of gold, burgundy, and blue in the pillows and drapes. There were bookshelves and paintings everywhere, and she looked at all of them. The more she saw of this family and their home, the more she wanted to be a part of it.

Strangely, she felt she already was.

Gwen began extinguishing the lamps at the far end of the room as she made her way toward the door. She checked the fire and placed the screen in front of it, though it was low enough now that it wouldn’t cause any danger unattended. As she opened the door, she looked back once more at the portrait above the fireplace. She stepped from the room, a sad smile on her lips as she looked to Isabelle and Gavin. They wore their own sad looks, and she wondered why.

“Thank you, the both of you. I never imagined…” When she couldn’t finish, Isabelle wrapped her arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t cry, Gwendolyn. Greylen will come home soon.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I just…I’m acting foolish.” She really wanted to tell Isabelle that she missed Greylen, but she couldn’t, not in front of Gavin.

“Come, ladies, back to the chamber. ’Tis still an hour or so before we can break our fast.” Gavin’s order was soft, though he looked at neither of them.

Gwen knew something had happened when she went in the library. He had no trouble speaking to them directly before. “Why don’t I make breakfast for us?” Gwen offered. “I love to cook and I’m starving.”

“If you’re hungry, lady, I can wake Anna.”

“You’ll do no such thing, Gavin, I’m perfectly capable. And that woman deserves her rest. Besides, cooking makes me feel better, and trust me, I need to cook right now.” Concerned for Isabelle, Gwen turned to her. “Isabelle, you seem awfully quiet, are you all right?”

“Aye, Gwendolyn, I’m fine,” Isabelle assured her, then looked at Gavin. “Gwen’s right, Gavin. There’s no reason to wake Anna, and I’m hungry as well.”

The look Gavin gave Isabelle was frightening. It was almost devoid of expression save the intensity of his eyes and a slight tic that marred his cheek, most likely from clenching his teeth so tightly. Gwen could almost feel his anger. She knew she could fix the situation if she could just get them into the kitchen.

“Gavin?” Gwen prompted sweetly.

“Aye, lady?” He sounded as if he knew he would not like what she was about to ask.