Page 102 of Hearts of Locke Hill

Had she ever eased his burdens, instead of adding to them? With an uncomfortable tightening of her throat, she could not think of one instance.

On a choking sob, she slid down against the parapet.

Time could be such a sneak thief.

So could pride.

Y

“I was unable to partake of this view the last time I was here.”

Cyril watched as Violet lifted her head from off her arms and blinked her eyes at the daylight. She’d been sitting against the parapet, her knees up, her arms folded atop them, her head cradled as she dozed. According to Trent, she couldn’t have been sleeping long. Cy had hated to interrupt her, but he knew from experience that she would become painfully stiff if she stayed in that position much longer.

That and he needed her awake.

She wore a running costume, her long limbs golden and toned. Her deep-honey hair had been twisted back and up, with a few tendrils escaping about her temples and behind her ears.

He took a step closer to where she sat, looking east. “You were right. I can see Tillingbourne Falls from here.”

Her disoriented gaze swung to his. Then her eyes widened, and she shot herself up, unfolding in one fluid movement, launching herself toward him.

She caught him at the shoulders, her forearms pressed to his chest, her eyes darting back and forth between his. “What news? What has happened? Are you well? Your father—”

Her nearness startled him speechless, until he recognized the bated fear in her eyes. “He is well,” he blurted. “It worked. The infusion worked.”

Her breath deepened, becoming rapid, and her fingers gripped his vest. A look of wonder replaced her fear, and she jumped up and down, then threw her arms round his neck with an exclamation of joy.

He knew not where to put his hands.

Rather, he knew notifto put his hands.

“You must be so relieved,” she breathed out near his ear.

He closed his eyes, suppressing a shiver. “I am. We are.” Theperfume he’d come to know as hers had blended with her warm skin, and he wanted to breathe deeply, to press his mouth against her shoulder, her neck—

Abruptly, she released him and stepped away, folding her arms over herself. She spoke to the thick wood planks beneath their feet, her voice thick. “Forgive me. It’s just such splendid news. I’ve been so worried.” She sniffed and pressed her fingers to her eyes, as if to release her built-up anxiety. “I had hope, of course, but I couldn’t help fearing the worst when you—when you all left.” After exhaling a deep breath, she frowned and looked toward the school. “Hook, I dozed off. Trent must be wondering what’s taking me so long.”

Cy’s daze cleared with a jolt. “No, he’s waiting just there.” He gestured below the tower, and Violet went to the parapet. Cy followed. “In my search for you, I met Trent on the path here.” Trent waved his cap at them both from the top of the path, and Violet waved back. “He knew you’d want to hear the news and showed me the way.” He looked down. “Though, he had no need,” he mumbled.

With another subdued wave to Trent, Violet stepped away from the parapet and moved to the opposite side of the tower, looking on the upward slant of Locke Hill with its cypress, maple, and pine. Cautiously, Cy stepped next to her.

“It’s been a long week,” he said.

She nodded. “Tremendously long. I didn’t know whether to call or let you all be.”

“My father returns his love.”

Her chin snapped around, her gaze open. “You gave him my message.”

He frowned. “Of course. Though, I couldn’t be sure he heard me at all the first time. He was near—” He swallowed hard. Witha shake of his head, he continued. “But he came around, the old boy, and I made sure he got your message.” A corner of his mouth lifted. “He was in grand spirits when I left. All of us were.”

She exhaled softly. “I can imagine. I’m so glad for you all.” She returned her gaze to the hill.

Taking in her profile, her neck, her shoulders and lithe arms, he was reminded of how familiar he was with her form, those freckles, and yet she was not a girl of twelve or fourteen. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t noticed her from afar these past ten years. Indeed, it had been a mild torture to see her grow into a woman and to deny the effect she had on him. He’d known her thoughts, her attitude, her wit. Their childhood spurts of gawkiness and grace. But this form, the one she wore with such relaxed allure, he’d barely begun to know.

His gaze lowered to her long, toned legs, then rose again to the profile of her lips. He hoped to know more. Hedaredhope to know more.

Clearing his throat, he gestured toward the school in the distance as he leaned his back against the parapet wall and folded his arms. “How have things been here?”