CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I let her lead me by the arm up the stairs with the dragon men behind us, and her warm eyes studied me. “We haven’t properly introduced ourselves. I am Helen, bride to Lord Torch.”
“Rose. Rose Dumont,” I replied.
Her smile widened and crinkled her eyes. “A beautiful name. Quite like a song I remember from my youth.”
I looked her over. “You’re not my age, are you?”
She laughed and shook her head. “Not for many, many years.”
We stepped into the house and I found the white walls and carpeted floors a gentle welcome. Tapestries of hunting and rural scenes hung on the walls and large chandeliers hung down from the open-beamed ceilings to give light to every nook and cranny. The entrance hall acted as the reception and dining rooms, and a warm fire burned in the
