Chapter 40

FIVE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Rose didn’t stop until she was back in the house and inside her room. She paced as she took deep breaths to calm herself. Who was he? Had he gotten a good look at her face? Did he recognise her? What if word went around that she was depraved? After much worrying, she went into bed and lay awake, staring into the darkness. There was nothing she could do about it. If she saw him around, she would explain that she had stumbled upon them by mistake. He didn’t know how long she had been standing there watching, so that explanation should suffice. Having decided what to do if he confronted her, she felt calmer. Her panic gone, her mind refocused on what she had seen. Her body grew warm and the ache between her legs made a return. She pressed her thighs together, closed her eyes, and did her best to will it away. That was hard to do when all she could think about was his strong arms around her body, his hands touching her. They were not thoughts she should have been hav