Gray, foggy clouds made for an ominous sky from the horizon to right in front of my hands. The wind blew steady and strong, rocking tree branches and tousling horses’ manes. Leaves were strewn across the grounds, and flower petals separated from their yellowing stems. It was a gloomy day, though not as gloomy as it would’ve seemed had it begun to rain.
I intended to take my mare, Willow, out for a trot around the estate, but when I arrived at the stables, Charles quickly disillusioned me of that idea. Willow was not quite herself, and I wondered whether it was the weather that had gotten to her. Charles said that he’d no doubt Willow would be much better to ride on the morrow, so I stroked Willow’s mane and retreated indoors.
I entered the informal drawing room, only to discover the hand
