“This tower here,” Jonathan gestured, “we have not set foot in. And this corridor, it leads to a section we have barely touched. So even if the weather makes outside pursuits challenging, I do not think this is an area that we should ignore. The words in my great uncle’s journal suggest that the castle is incredibly important.”
As his words painted a vivid picture of unexplored territories, the weight of the threatening note began to lift. The castle on the paper transformed from a mere destination into a living, breathing entity, whispering tales of hidden chambers and forgotten mysteries. A spark of excitement flickered within Genevieve, a response to the dedication woven in to the lines of the sketch. Grafton Castle, once a static landmark, now pulsated with the heartbeat of their shared adventure. There was a lot more that they could do, and that thrilled her.
“I never realised how much there is left to discover,” she admitted, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Jonathan’s eyes gleamed with a shared enthusiasm. “Our journey is far from over, Genevieve. The castle holds more secrets than we can imagine.”
“Perhaps this is a good time for us to head home,” Harry interjected, breaking the magic of Genevieve’s special moment with Jonathan. “If there is more to be discovered inside, then this might not be the weather to be exploring the River Lox.”
Much as it disappointed Genevieve, she knew that her brother was right. They had been searching for a clue in this area for a long while now and had not been successful. With the snow continuing to fall, it was not going to get any better.
“Yes, perhaps we should,” she agreed.
“I have my horse with me,” Jonathan said. “If you would like to ride with me.”
Harry instantly looked at his sister, answering before she could, making sure his desires were known. “Yes, Genevieve, you should ride with the duke.”
She wanted to argue, and insist that Harry ride to protect his leg, but she could see the determination in his eyes. She knew that it would not do good to argue with him when he was in this mood. Plus she knew he would be very upset with her if she brought up his leg. So, with Jonathan’s help, she mounted the steed and clung to his back to stop herself from tumbling off as the horse started to trot along the snow.
Harry walked ahead of the horse, making sure the journey was not too quick. He did not seem too pleased by what had just transpired, but that did not stop Genevieve from smiling to herself. She basked in a sense of quiet satisfaction. The fact that Jonathan was on her side, and agreed with her, made her feel wonderful. She felt closer to him than she ever had before. Who knew if there really was something to be found at the castle, but she was thrilled to find out.
The journey back to Genevieve’s home was marked by the hushed beauty of the falling snow. Jonathan’s protective presence lingered, a reassuring warmth in the midst of winter’s embrace. As they approached the familiar surroundings, the anticipation of reaching shelter and warmth took hold. Soon she would be indoors, and away from the biting cold.
Jonathan’s hands, strong and steady, assisted Genevieve’s descent from the horse. The brief touch sent a familiar thrill coursing through her body, a connection that transcended the physical act. It was a dance of unspoken understanding, a shared language that spoke of mutual care and trust. It was a feeling that she never wanted to let go of.
Almost immediately, the snow draped world around her yielded to the sight of Genevieve and Harry’s father at the entrance of their home. His eyes, a mixture of relief and profound worry, met Genevieve’s. The unspoken language of a parent’s concern needed no words. As she stood there, the snowflakes settling in her hair, she felt the weight of his worry. Panic consumed her also because she knew that if he had seen the duke holding her hand then there would certainly be ramifications.
This was exactly what Harry had been trying to warn her about.
“Genevieve,” her father called, his voice cutting through the tranquil air. His arms enveloped her in a tight embrace, a silent reassurance that she was home and safe. “And Harry too, I have been so worried about you. This is not the weather to be out in the elements.”
“I am fine, Father,” Genevieve replied, her words muffled against his shoulder. The concern in his eyes, however, lingered. “We are fine. The duke kindly helped us to return home.”
Genevieve’s father’s gaze shifted to Jonathan. Their eyes met in a silent exchange, a conversation of unspoken understanding. “I see. That is very kind of you, Your Grace.”
“It was no trouble,” Jonathan said with an easy smile.
The wind picked up speed, howling through the air, which caused worry to flash across Genevieve’s father’s face once more. “Your Grace,” he began, his tone firm yet caring, “you must stay with us for a while. You can not leave right now. It looks like the snow storm is imminent, and it is too risky to venture out. If the snow does not subside, you must stay the night with us. I would not be able to forgive myself if you left in this weather.”
Genevieve’s heart skipped a beat with excitement. She tried her hardest not to let it show, but the prospect of spending more time with Jonathan thrilled her. She would be able to talk with him as much as she wanted, if he decided to stay.
“Thank you, that is truly kind,” Jonathan nodded in agreement, acknowledging the wisdom in her father’s words. “I would appreciate some shelter.”
“I shall get one of the stable boys to take your horse, and to leave it in our stables for now.”
What a day this had turned out to be. Genevieve no longer had the threatening note, it was now tucked in Jonathan’s pocket, but even that could not bother her if Jonathan was going to remain at her home all night long. There was no telling what would happen next…
CHAPTER 20
The soft, diffused morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on the unfamiliar surroundings of Ellsworth Manor. As Jonathan roused from a night of restless sleep, memories of the previous day flooded back, momentarily disorienting him. The realization that he was in an entirely different place than his own home settled in, and he took a moment to orient himself.
The room, though elegantly furnished, felt foreign, each piece of furniture a silent witness to the history of Ellsworth Manor. The events of the day before played out in his mind like a vivid tapestry — the discovery of the threatening note, the shared resolve against the impending snow storm, and the quiet camaraderie with Genevieve and her father.
Amidst the unfamiliarity, one thought anchored him — the presence of Genevieve. The image of her, strong and determined, resonated in his mind, a beacon that cut through the haze of the unknown. The shared adventures, the unspoken connections, and the subtle touches that marked their journey together thrilled him in ways he was not expecting.
As Jonathan rose from the bed and made his way to the window, the morning light revealed the snow covered landscape outside. The world beyond the glass seemed quiet and serene, a stark contrast to the flurry of emotions that had accompanied their pursuit the day before. The world was still now, the storm over and done with.
He supposed that he would have to return home soon, but for now he wanted to thank his hosts for allowing him to stay.
