The Witch Stone - Emily Oakes Page 0,22

her tightly as she collapsed into his arms. Her legs felt like tree limbs. Jonathon helped her stand until she regained feeling. A thousand needles pricked and prodded, making her bounce up and down. Once the needle jabbing subsided, Rowena followed Jonathon through the streets of Darkwood.

A large homestead eyed them as they approached its courtyard. A young boy was sitting on the terracotta steps in front of the front door. He jumped up quickly at the sight of Jonathon and bounded over to them.

“Who’s this, Jon?” the boy said excitedly, eyeing up Rowena.

“This is Ronan’s sister,” Jonathon stalled. “Gwyneth.”

“Gwyneth?” the boy looked puzzled, “I’ve never heard of you before.”

“Well, I haven’t heard of you either.”

The boy laughed in response and took Jonathon’s horse by the reigns.

“I’m Bill. See you at breakfast, Jonathon.” The cheeky boy curtsied at Rowena and winked, “Gwyneth.” He led the thirsty horse to a water station and secured it to a pole, where it lapped up the water.

Rowena turned to Jonathon. “How old is he?”

“He’s fourteen I’m afraid,” Jonathon replied, looking at Rowena. “He’s a good kid, just getting to be a bit of a handful.”

“Does he belong to you?” Rowena dared to ask.

Jonathon threw his head back and laughed. “Heavens no!” He shook his head, clearly amused. “I’m not yet attached.”

“Not yet?” Rowena looked away from Jonathon feeling roses bloom on her cheek. What was she doing prying into his personal life?

“No. And before you ask it’s not because I’m not in high demand. I can assure you there are plenty of suitors that are indeed after me. I’m just not after them.”

Jonathon’s burning eyes caught Rowena’s gaze and held it, making her feel as if she was going to melt. He gave her the biggest smile she’d ever seen and walked ahead of her to the front door. She watched the wind blow his dark hair sending it in all directions. She cleared her throat and followed him.

Jonathon went through the large wooden doors, motioning for Rowena to follow. When she entered the massive house, she couldn’t help but stare at the highly polished floors and the huge dark oak sideboards lining the beautiful hall. An ornate winding staircase in the middle of the room seemed to go on forever. She’d never been inside a building this big before.

Snap, snap. A clicking woke Rowena from her daze. Jonathon was clicking his fingers in front of her face. “Oh sorry!”

“It’s okay, you must be awfully tired.”

“Very.”

They were interrupted by a short, flustered woman bursting through a swinging door. Her short brown hair was matted to her sweaty round head. She swiped a hand across her forehead then on her stained apron.

“Ah, Jonathon, you’re here. It’s a madhouse in there!” She blew out hot air and neatly placed her hands behind her back.

“Looks like it.” Jonathon gently pushed Rowena in front of him a little. “This is Ronan’s sister, Gwyneth, Gwyneth this is Polly.”

“Nice to meet you, Gwyneth. Can I call you Gwyn?” Polly held out a round, moist, podgy hand and shook hands with Rowena.

“Um sure, nice to meet you, too.” Great, Rowena thought, now she had to remember to get used to two names that were not hers.

“Would you kindly show Ro…” Jonathon stopped himself before he gave away Rowena’s secret, “Gwyneth to a guest room.”

“Surely. Come this way, Gwyn! Hope you don’t mind if I call you Gwyn.” Polly took Rowena’s hand and lead her up the huge winding staircase with huge gold-framed portraits lining the walls. The stairs were hard on Rowena’s weak legs, causing them to ache with every step.

When they reached the top Polly walked to the second room on the left of the long narrow hallway and stopped. She took a large ring full of keys from her belt and shuffled through them. Polly finally held up the correct key, unlocked the door, and pushed it open with a creak. Rowena followed her into the spacious room and looked around; her mouth dropped open. Dusky rose-pink walls with carved wood panels set off large leadlight windows. A huge four-poster bed with heavy burgundy velvet drapes and a rose coverlet called to Rowena. She was so tired she wanted to dive in and sleep for days. Huge pieces of wooden furniture were scattered about the room.

Polly opened a wardrobe, revealing a row of pretty outfits. “You can help yourself to any of these clothes. Chamber pot underneath the bed. I’ll fetch you some freshwater, feel free to freshen up