Even Kostya, whose face was drawn with fatigue, nodded wearily when Ashford suggested they leave immediately. Tilly packed all their belongings, not sure if they’d return. When Ashford and Kostya returned to the house with the horses, she was ready, and gave one last, long look at the cottage before they set off. Ashford stole a quick kiss before he helped her mount, while Kostya was distracted with his own horse. He glanced back at the house as well.“I don’t know how I would have survived here without you,” he said, pulling her shawl closer around her shoulders.He looked like he wanted to say more, perhaps offer some assurances, but instead just held out his hands to hoist her into the saddle. They rode as hard as they could according to her lacking abilities until somewhere past the halfway point when Ashford stopped to give her a break. “I’m fine,” she argued, not wanting to get down. Kostya slid easily from his saddle, and after deftly twisting the reins around a tree, stalked off into the woods along the road.“Don’t be foolish, Matilda, we’re all in need of a rest.”
