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servants to
hammer a cloth over it…or drape some ghastly tarpaulin over a
couple of movable book cases.

    She giggled
into her glove as she crept up to the large arch of glass
reflecting dull grey skies, bluish green grass dotted with fat
ivory sheep and flat still water snaking through naked trees. She
slowly peered around the edge of the window and forgot to breathe
as her chest throbbed with longing at the sight of him sitting at
his desk. He was leaning over, resting the scarred side of his face
in his hand. He looked like he was reading something. There was a
single candle burning on his right, hidden behind what was probably
the pile of cravats. She couldn’t see much; his hair was dark,
short and wild. Light gleamed against a sharp line of shadow; he
had a long nose like his brother. His right arm moved highlighting
a strong broad shoulder; was he turning a page or writing her
another letter?

    Unnerved by
hearing that strange voice calling his name, she slowly rolled away
from the window and stood there trying to catch her breath
in-between muffled giggles. The ache in her chest demanded she
return her eyes to the man inside. She slowly inched closer and
silently placed the brim of her bonnet against the glass enabling
her to see more clearly through the reflected landscape. The line
of his cheek appeared handsome, though with his head bent it was
difficult to tell. The ache in her chest grew as she put her hands
to the side of her face as she strained to see him. She ignored the
strange whisper calling his name as she silently begged him to look
up so she could see his face.

    She felt
tingles down her spine before she realised the light glinting off
his face was his good eye looking at her. His right hand went down
on the candle extinguishing it against his palm turning him back
into a shadow. Her amusement faded as the darkness rolled down the
study and enveloped her chest. She pressed her cheek to the
freezing glass as her chest throbbed for more. Peering into the
dark study the shadow sat back and folded its arms as it watched
her. She reached out and tried the door handle. It was locked. The
demon was safe for now. Of course she could smash the glass and
rush at him, but that would probably upset him and then he’d remain
in his room and he wouldn’t meet her at dusk for a night walk; she
had to coax him out.

    Smiling, she
took three steps back from the glass and made him an elegant
curtsey before slowly lifting her skirts and cloak around her
knees. Seeing the shadow stand up, she laughed as she turned and
ran. How outlandish would she have to be before he put on his black
hooded cloak and followed? There was only one way to find out.

Chapter
12

    Seeing his wife
lift her skirts about her knees revealing pretty shaped legs
outlined by white stockings, Adam shot to his feet to get a better
view. He laughed to himself as he watched her smile and run away.
He knew what she was doing. He glanced at his black hooded cloak
he’d brought in case he had to leave the study before dark. He
walked past it and cautiously approached the large arched window.
Folding his arms, he stood there laughing as she started dancing in
circles back towards him. Taking off her hat she was swinging it by
one of its ribbons when she suddenly tripped and fell flat on her
face. His smile faded as he strained against the glass as his heart
screamed an order to go to her immediately. It didn’t care if she’d
fallen over on purpose. She needed him. He restlessly switched his
weight from one foot to the other as he waited to see if she got
up. His whole body relaxed as she awkwardly got to her feet and
took a bow before starting to run back and forth like a
lunatic.

    Then she was
twirling in circles until she fell over, doubtless dizzy, and lay
there. Again he tensed as he waited to see if she needed help. His
heart screamed again for him to put on his cloak and to go to her.
He tensed to turn and grab it up off the floor, but she